JP2004264020A - Drive unit for automatic ice machine, and manufacturing method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely fix a switch onto a printed circuit board without depending on soldering. <P>SOLUTION: This ice machine is constituted of the switch 32 having two electrode leads 32c for power supply, and for detecting a position of an ice making pan 11, a holding member 33 for positioning the switch 32, and a case 16 for storing the components. A removably attaching gate 35 for attaching and detaching the switch 32, and a cantilever 34 for restricting the switch 32 by snap fitting are provided in the holding member 33, and are fit to the holding member 33 by the snap fitting when the switch 32 is attached while deflecting the cantilever 34. The soldering is eliminated, and lead of an environmental load substance is avoided from being used, since the switch is fixed onto the printed circuit board without depending on the soldering. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a driving device for an automatic ice maker mounted on a refrigerator or the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a driving device of an automatic ice maker mounted on a refrigerator transmits the rotation of a motor to an ice tray with a reduction gear, and twists the ice tray at a predetermined rotation position to release ice (for example, see Patent Document 1). 1) is used.

  Hereinafter, a driving device of the above-mentioned conventional automatic ice maker will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a driving device of a conventional automatic ice making machine. Reference numeral 1 denotes a driving device, and a motor 4 is disposed inside an upper case 2 and a lower case 3 forming an outer shell. The rotation of 4 is transmitted to the output shaft 6 by the reduction gear 5.

  The output shaft 6 is connected to an ice tray (not shown), and twists the ice tray at a predetermined position to release ice.

  The output shaft 6 is formed on a cam gear 7 which is the last stage of the reduction gear 5, and the position of the ice tray is recognized by detecting the rotation position of the cam gear 7 with the switch 8.

The switch 8 is held by the lower case 3 while being fixed to the printed circuit board 9 by soldering.
JP 2001-304733 A

  However, in recent years, from the viewpoint of global environmental protection, efforts to reduce the amount of environmentally harmful substances such as lead contained in solder to zero have been activated, and soldering of printed circuit boards for fixing switches is also a target. Need to be established.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and to provide a drive device for an automatic ice maker that can securely fix a switch without relying on soldering to a printed circuit board.

  The driving device for an automatic ice maker according to the present invention is a driving device for an automatic ice maker that twists an ice tray that has generated ice and separates the ice from the ice tray. The driving device has two electrode leads for power supply and determines the position of the ice tray. A switch to be detected, a holding member for positioning the switch, and a case for storing these components, the cantilever for holding the switch to the holding member by snap fit and the switch to the cantilever. It is equipped with a detachable gate for attaching and detaching, and if the switch is attached while bending the cantilever from the detachable gate, it is attached to the holding member by snap fit, so there is no need to solder the printed board and its printed board. Become.

  Since the printed board and the soldering to the printed board are not required, the use of lead, which is an environmentally hazardous substance, can be suppressed.

  The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is directed to an automatic ice maker driving device that twists an ice tray that has produced ice and separates the ice from the ice tray, comprising two electrode leads for power supply and a position of the ice tray. , A holding member for positioning the switch, and a case for accommodating these components. The cantilever for snap-fitting the switch to the holding member and the switch for the cantilever. It is equipped with a detachable gate that can be attached to and detached from, and if the switch is attached while bending the cantilever from the detachable gate, it is attached to the holding member by snap fit, so there is no need to solder the printed circuit board and its printed circuit board Thus, the use of lead, which is an environmentally hazardous substance, can be suppressed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a driving apparatus for an automatic ice maker that twists an ice tray that has produced ice and separates the ice from the ice tray, the apparatus having two electrode leads for power supply, and a position of the ice tray. And a holding member for positioning the switch, a cantilever that restrains the switch by snap-fitting on the holding member, and a detachable gate for attaching and detaching the switch to and from the cantilever. The switch is mounted while bending the cantilever from the detachable gate, and the switch can be easily restrained by the holding member, so that the assembling workability is improved.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an ice tray according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited by the embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the periphery of a driving device for an automatic ice maker according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the same embodiment, and FIG. 3 shows internal components of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing parts on the holding member of the embodiment, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a case housing the parts on the holding member of the embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a holding member before assembling the switch of the embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes an automatic ice making machine, which is an ice making tray 11 that is supplied with water to generate ice, a driving device 12 that rotates the ice making tray 11 to apply twist and separate ice, and is provided below the ice making tray 11. The ice storage box 13 stores ice that has been separated from the ice, and an ice detection lever 14 that is driven by the driving device 12 and detects the amount of ice in the ice storage box 13.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 15 denotes a main body which forms the outer shell of the drive device 12, and is composed of a case 16 and a cover 17. There). The case 16 and the cover 17 are united by a beam 17 a provided on the cover 17 being hooked on a claw 16 a provided on the case 16, and further tightened along a screw hole 18 with a tapping screw.

  Reference numeral 19 denotes a motor having a shaft 19a, and a rectangular connecting plate 20 is press-fitted and fixed to the shaft 19a (see FIG. 4). Reference numeral 21 denotes a worm gear to which the rotation of the motor 19 is transmitted by the connecting plate 20, and one end of the rotating shaft is supported by a bearing provided on the case 16 (see FIG. 3). Reference numeral 22 denotes a worm wheel gear to which rotation is transmitted from the worm gear 21, and its rotation axis is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the worm gear 21 (see FIG. 3). A first pinion gear 23 is formed coaxially and integrally with the worm wheel gear 22, and rotates at the same speed as the worm wheel gear 22 (see FIG. 3). Reference numeral 24 denotes a first gear to which the rotation of the first pinion gear 23 is transmitted, and reference numeral 25 denotes a second pinion gear coaxially and integrally formed with the first gear 24, and rotates at the same speed as the first gear 24. I do.

  Reference numeral 26 denotes an output gear to which the rotation of the second pinion gear 25 is transmitted. The output gear 27 projects from the inside of the main body 15 to the outside of the cover 17 along the rotation axis.

  The output gear 26 is rotatably supported by a shaft 16 b (see FIG. 5) vertically projecting from the inner bottom surface of the case 16 and a bearing hole 17 b provided in the cover 17 through which the output shaft 27 passes.

  An ice detection shaft operation cam 28 and a switch operation cam 29 are provided on the end face of the output gear 26, but are not shown.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes an ice detecting shaft that rotates according to the ice detecting shaft operation cam 28. One end of the ice detecting shaft 30 forms a cam follow 30a that follows the ice detecting shaft operation cam 28, and the other end thereof goes out of the main body 15 to perform detection. It forms a joint 30b to which the ice lever 14 is connected.

  Reference numeral 31 denotes a switch lever (see FIG. 3) which is displaced in accordance with the switch operation cam 29, and includes a cam projection 31a which follows the switch operation cam 29, an operation projection 31b which operates a switch described later, and an ice detection shaft 30 which operates when the ice amount is insufficient. The cam follower 30a includes a blocking projection 31c that abuts on the cam follower 30a to block the operation, and a shaft 31d supported by the case 16.

  Reference numeral 32 denotes a switch operated by the switch lever 31. The switch 32 includes a switch body 32a, a button 32b for opening and closing a contact by abutting the operation protrusion 31b of the switch lever 31, and two electrode leads 32c (FIG. 6). reference). The button 32b projects vertically from one surface of the switch body 32a, and the two electrode leads project from the surface opposite to the button 32b.

  Reference numeral 33 denotes a holding member for positioning the switch 32. The holding member 33 formed in a plate shape has a cantilever 34 projecting in the plate thickness direction and restraining the switch 32. The tip of the cantilever 34 is in the vertical direction. A hook claw 34a is provided.

  The three cantilever beams 34 extend to face the three side surfaces of the four side surfaces of the switch main body 32a to reach the surface on the button 32b side, and the switch is restrained by the holding member 33 by applying the hooking claw 34a. I have.

  The side not facing the cantilever 34 forms a detachable gate 35 for attaching and detaching the switch 32 to and from the constraint of the cantilever 34 (see FIGS. 4 and 6). A notch 36 (see FIG. 6) through which the two electrode leads 32c pass is provided in a flat portion of the holding member 33 that supports the switch body 32a, and the notch 36 is open at one end toward the detachable gate 35.

  In addition to the cantilever 34, the holding member 33 is provided with a clamp 37 that collects and binds the cords connected to the electrode leads 32 c and is located near the cord outlet of the case 16. Thus, the switch 32 and the cord can be integrated on the holding member.

  4 and 6, the holding member 33 has a motor holding portion 38 for holding the motor 19, the motor holding portion 38 includes a frame 38a in which the main body of the motor 19 is accommodated, and a claw 38b for gripping the main body end surface of the motor 19 by snap fitting. Consists of

  Further, the holding member 33 is provided with a fitting hole 39 that fits into the shaft 16b provided in the case 16, and the fitting hole 39 is inserted along the shaft 16b of the case 16 to hold the case. The member 33 is positioned and stored in the case 16.

  Further, the holding member 33 has a partition wall 40 facing the surface opposite to the cantilever beam 34 and protruding in the vertical direction. The partition wall 40 functions as an electrical insulation for the electrode lead 32 c of the switch 32. Also functions as positioning with respect to the bottom surface when is stored in the case 16.

  In addition, the partition wall 40 also functions as a reinforcing rib of the holding member 33, prevents bending in the thickness direction, and stabilizes the switch position.

  Reference numeral 41 denotes a cord connected to the electrode lead 32c, and the connection between the electrode lead 32c and the core wire 41a of the cord 41 is completed by mechanically and electrically coupling by enclosing with a brass connecting material 42 in a portion where the core wire 41a is overlapped. I do.

  In the present embodiment, when the switch main body 32a of the switch 32 is inserted from the detachable gate 35 of the cantilever 34 of the holding member 33 in a state where the cord 41 is previously connected to the electrode lead 32c of the switch 32, the electrode lead 32c is It is possible to enter from the open end of the notch 36 and does not hinder the mounting of the switch 32 on the cantilever 34.

  When the switch 32 is restrained by the cantilever 34 and the electrode lead 32 c is folded so as to be sandwiched in the partition wall 40 of the holding member 33, the cord 41 is guided to the clamp 37 of the holding member 33.

  In addition, since the motor cord 43 is also connected to the motor 19, in the present embodiment, the holding member 33 is provided with the second clamp 44 for the motor cord 43, and the motor cord 43 is bound by the second clamp 44 at one end. After that, it is bound together with the cord 41 by the clamp 37 and guided to the cord outlet of the case 16.

  The operation of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  When the water supplied to the ice tray 11 is frozen and ice is generated, the motor 19 receives power from a control unit (not shown) and rotates forward (clockwise as viewed from the motor shaft 19a). The rotation of the motor 19 is transmitted to an output shaft 27 via a worm gear 21, a worm wheel gear 22, a first pinion gear 23, a first gear 24, a second pinion gear 25, and an output gear 26.

  The rotation of the output shaft 27 is transmitted to the ice tray 11, and the ice tray 11 starts to rotate from a horizontal position (origin position), and a contact piece (not shown) hits a corner of the ice tray 11 when rotated 130 °. The output shaft 27 rotates up to 160 °, but the corner of the ice tray 11 is prevented from rotating, so that the ice tray 11 is twisted by 30 ° to discharge ice (this is called ice release). The output shaft 27 rotates from 0 ° to 160 °, but the cam projection 31a of the switch lever 31 follows the switch operation cam 29 provided on the end face of the output gear 26, and the operation projection 31b is centered on the shaft 31d. As the button 32a of the switch 32 is operated by rotating, a signal is generated at a predetermined position.

  In the present embodiment, when the ice amount is insufficient in the ice storage box 13, a Hi signal is output until the output shaft is 0 ° to 80 °, a Lo signal is output thereafter, and a Hi signal is output again at 160 °. Is output.

  If the ice storage box 13 has a sufficient amount of ice, a Hi signal is output from 0 ° to 45 ° on the output shaft, a Lo signal is output thereafter, and a Hi signal is output again at 160.

  The switch 32 outputs a Lo signal when the button 32a is pressed by the operation projection 31b of the switch lever 31, and outputs a Hi signal when the operation projection 31b is separated from the button 32a.

  When the ice in the ice storage box 13 is insufficient, the ice detection lever 14 enters deep into the ice storage box 13, so that the rotation angle of the ice detection shaft 30 increases and a part of the cam follower 30a is switched. By pressing the blocking projection 31c of the lever 31 and preventing the operation projection 31b from pressing the button 32b, the output range of the Hi signal is made longer than when the ice amount is sufficient.

  The operation projection 31b of the switch lever 31 repeatedly contacts and separates the switch 32 from the button 32b. However, since the switch 32 is restrained by the holding member 33 by the cantilever 34, the switch main body 32 is displaced. In addition, the holding member 33 is provided with a partition wall 40 on the opposite side of the cantilever beam 34 to insulate the two electrode leads 32b. No misalignment.

  Further, since the fitting hole 39 of the holding member 33 is fitted to the shaft 16b of the case 16, the holding member 33 is not displaced in the planar direction, and the position of the switch 32 is always stable.

  As described above, the driving device of the automatic ice maker according to the present embodiment includes the switch 32 that has two electrode leads 32c for power supply and detects the position of the ice tray 11, and the holding member 33 that positions the switch 32. And a case 16 and a cover 17 for accommodating these components, and a detachable gate 35 for attaching and detaching the switch 32 to and from the holding member 33 and a cantilever 34 for restraining the switch 32 by snap-fitting are provided. If the switch 32 is mounted while bending the cantilever 34, the switch 32 is mounted on the holding member 33 by snap fit, so that the switch can be fixed without depending on the printed board and the soldering to the printed board, so that the solder can be eliminated, The use of lead, which is an environmentally hazardous substance, can be avoided.

  In addition, since printed circuit boards and solder are not used, problems such as solder peeling due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between metal and resin, and cutout of printed circuit board patterns, etc., are completely eliminated. improves.

  Further, since the switch can be easily restrained by the holding member, assembling workability is improved.

  Further, the cantilever 34 is made to protrude in the thickness direction of the holding member 33, and the two electrode leads 32c of the switch 32 are led out in the back direction opposite to the surface direction of the holding member 33 from which the cantilever 34 protrudes. The switch 32 is not pulled by using the notch 36 by passing the electrode lead 32c through the notch 36 so as to guide the cord 41 connected to the electrode lead 32c in a direction opposite to the direction in which the electrode lead 32c is taken out. The cord 41 can be compactly arranged in the direction.

  Then, the cantilever 34 is made to protrude in the thickness direction of the holding member 33, and the partition wall 40 for isolating the two electrode leads 32c of the switch 32 is made to protrude in a direction opposite to the direction in which the cantilever 34 protrudes. Therefore, the electrode leads 32c of the switch 32 restrained by the holding member 33 are electrically insulated from each other by the partition wall 40. Even if water is attached, the electrode leads 32c do not bridge between the electrode leads 32c, and there is a possibility of a short circuit due to dew condensation water. And the electrical insulation and dew condensation resistance are improved.

  The partition 40 is positioned in the thickness direction when the holding member 33 is stored in the case 16, and the electrode lead 32 c is stored in a space surrounded by the partition 40 and the case 16. In addition, it is possible to prevent the electrode leads 32c from moving and coming into contact with each other, and the reliability is further improved.

  Further, since the partition wall 40 functions as a reinforcing rib of the holding member 33 and prevents bending in the thickness direction, the switch position is stabilized.

  The case 16 is provided with a shaft 16b projecting vertically from the bottom surface, the holding member 33 is provided with a fitting hole for fitting with the outer periphery of the shaft 16b, and the fitting hole 39 is fitted on the shaft 16b. Since the holding member 33 is positioned, the movement of the holding member 33 in a direction orthogonal to the shaft 16b can be restricted, and the position of the switch 32 is prevented from shifting, and the switch position is stabilized.

  The holding member 33 has a clamp 37 for collecting and holding the cords 41 connected to the electrode leads 32c. Since the switch 32 and the cords 41 can be integrated on the holding member 33, the size can be reduced.

  The switch 32 has a configuration in which a button 32a protrudes vertically from one wall surface and an electrode lead 32c protrudes from a wall surface opposite to the button 32a. Since the hook 32a for pressing the wall surface on the side of the button 32a is provided so that the switch 32 does not come off to the button 32a side, the switch 32 is securely restrained by the hook 32a, and the position of the switch 32 in the direction of the button 32a is prevented to prevent the position thereof. Implement the operation.

  The holding member 33 is provided with a detachable gate 35 from which the switch 32 can be attached and detached from the restraint of the cantilever 34. That is, the cantilever 34 is opened in a plane direction without intentionally providing the cantilever 34 in one direction with respect to the outer periphery of the switch 32, and this portion is used as a detachable gate 35. Mounting of the switch 32 on the member 33 is facilitated, and workability is improved. Further, when the holding member 33 is stored in the case 16, the detachable gate 35 is closed by the wall of the case 16, so that the movement of the switch 32 in the direction of the detachable gate 35 is regulated, and the switch position is stabilized.

  Then, the cord 40 is coupled to the electrode lead 32c of the switch 32, and the switch 32 is restrained by the cantilever 34 by snap-fitting to the holding member 33, and then the cords 41 are assembled on the holding member 33 and provided in the case 16 in advance. The switch 32 can be fixed at a predetermined position by fitting the fitting hole 39 provided in the holding member 33 in advance to the shaft 16b, so that the holding member 33 in which the switch 32 and the code 41 are integrated is attached to the shaft 16b. With a simple assembling operation only by fitting, the switch 32 is set in a predetermined position, and workability is improved.

  As described above, the driving device for an automatic ice making machine of the present invention eliminates the need for a printed circuit board and can eliminate soldering, and eliminates problems such as solder peeling and cut patterns on the printed circuit board. It is highly reliable and can be applied as an automatic ice making device for refrigerators and refrigerators.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a periphery of a driving device for an automatic ice maker according to a first embodiment of the present invention. A perspective view showing the inside of the embodiment. Main part perspective view showing internal parts of the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the component on the holding member of the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the case which accommodated the component on the holding member of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a holding member of the embodiment before the switch is assembled. Sectional view showing a driving device of a conventional automatic ice maker

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Automatic ice maker 11 Ice tray 12 Drive 16 Case 16b Shaft 32 Switch 32b Button 32c Electrode lead 33 Holding member 34 Cantilever 34a Hanging claw 35 Detachable gate 36 Notch 37 Clamp 39 Fitting hole 40 Partition wall 41 Code

Claims (2)

  A drive device for an automatic ice maker that twists an ice tray that has generated ice and separates the ice from the ice tray. The switch includes two electrode leads for power supply, detects a position of the ice tray, and holds the switch to position the switch. A driving device for an automatic ice maker, comprising: a cantilever for holding the switch by snap-fit; and a detachable gate for attaching and detaching the switch to and from the cantilever.   A drive device for an automatic ice maker that twists an ice tray that has generated ice and separates the ice from the ice tray. The switch includes two electrode leads for power supply, detects a position of the ice tray, and holds the switch to position the switch. A cantilever that restrains the switch by snap-fitting on the holding member and a detachable gate that attaches and detaches the switch to and from the cantilever, and switches the flexure from the detachable gate while bending the cantilever. A method for manufacturing a drive device for an automatic ice maker, comprising:

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