JP2004317199A - Stock detection switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stock detection switch that can reliably detect a stock level and can be mounted inexpensively and easily regardless of a direction in which a stock, such as ice, comes into contact. <P>SOLUTION: When an ice level in an ice storage chamber 3 is lower than the installation height of a resin ball 9, and no outer force from ice operates on the resin ball 9, the resin ball 9 droops perpendicularly downward by dead weight, thus resulting in an off state, where a ball bearing part 10 and a peripheral wall 11 are electrically cut off. When the ice level in the ice storage chamber 3 rises to the installation height of the resin ball 9, and the resin ball 9 runs on to ice 15 and is inclined by a specific angle or more, a sphere 12 is rolled on the ball bearing part 10 for traveling, and comes into contact with both the ball bearing part 10 and the peripheral wall 11. As a result, the ball bearing part 10 and the peripheral wall 11 are turned on by electrical connection, and a detection signal is outputted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a storage detection switch, and more particularly to a switch for detecting an ice level in an ice storage room.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an ice maker that stores ice generated in an ice making unit in an ice storage room is provided with an ice storage detection switch that detects an ice level in the ice storage room in order to control an ice making operation in accordance with the amount of ice storage. As the ice storage detection switch, there are various mechanisms and methods. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mechanical ice storage detection switch attached to the inner wall surface of an ice storage room. A rod member having a weight formed at the lower end is suspended swingably and a magnet is fixed to the rod member, and the movement of the magnet when the weight is pressed toward the inner wall surface by ice in the ice storage chamber is a lead. Detected by switch.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 54-179568
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the rod member to which the magnet is fixed is a rigid body, it cannot operate normally unless the weight is pressed to the side, which may cause a malfunction.
There is also an ice storage detection switch that detects the ice level photoelectrically. However, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit or the reflecting unit need to be accurately installed, and there is a problem that the installation takes time and effort and is expensive. Was.
The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and it is possible to reliably detect a storage level regardless of a direction in which a storage object such as ice contacts, and to install the storage device at low cost and easily. It is an object to provide a storage detection switch.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A storage detection switch according to the present invention includes a hollow case, storage detection means that is housed in the case, and outputs a detection signal when the case is inclined at a predetermined angle or more, and suspends the case in a storage room. And a suspending means for detecting a storage level in the storage chamber based on a detection signal output from the storage object detection means when the case comes into contact with a storage object in the storage chamber and tilts by a predetermined angle or more.
[0006]
The first and second electrodes, which are fixed in the case slightly apart from each other, move in the case depending on whether or not the case is inclined at a predetermined angle or more. And a conductive member that changes the state of conduction between the second electrodes.
Alternatively, the storage object detection means includes a proximity switch fixed in the case, and a conductive member that moves in the case and changes the distance from the proximity switch depending on whether the case is inclined at a predetermined angle or more. You can also.
Further, the storage object detecting means is provided with a reed switch fixed in the case, and movably mounted in the case, and moves in the case depending on whether or not the case is tilted at a predetermined angle or more, so that the reed switch can be moved from the reed switch. You may comprise from the magnet from which distance changes.
Further, a moving means for moving the case in the storage room by moving the hanging means may be provided.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 shows an ice maker equipped with an ice storage detection switch according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. An ice making unit 2 is arranged at an upper part of a cube-shaped ice making machine main body 1, and an ice storage chamber 3 is formed below the ice making unit 2. An opening / closing door 4 is provided in front of the ice storage room 3, and the ice in the ice storage room 3 can be taken out by opening the opening / closing door 4. Further, a machine room 5 for housing a compressor and the like forming a refrigeration circuit is disposed below the ice storage room 3.
[0008]
The ice generated by the ice making unit 2 is sequentially stored in the ice storage room 3, and an ice storage detection switch 6 is attached to the ceiling of the ice storage room 3. When the temperature reaches 6, the ice storage detection switch 6 outputs a detection signal, and the ice making operation is stopped.
[0009]
As shown in FIG. 2, the ice storage detection switch 6 has a hollow and sealed resin ball 9 suspended from a ceiling 7 of the ice storage room 3 by a silicon tube 8. An annular ball receiver 10 is fixed to the bottom of the resin ball 9, and an annular peripheral wall 11 is fixed to the outer periphery of the ball receiver 10 at a slight distance from the ball receiver 10. The ball receiver 10 and the peripheral wall 11 are formed of a conductive material such as a metal, respectively, and constitute a first electrode and a second electrode. A ball 12 having a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the peripheral wall 11 and made of a conductive material such as a metal is placed on the ball receiver 10 so as to roll freely.
[0010]
Signal lines 13 and 14 are electrically connected to the ball receiver 10 and the peripheral wall 11, respectively. The signal lines 13 and 14 are drawn out of the resin ball 9 through the inside of the silicon tube 8 to the upper part of the ceiling 7, and connected to an ice making control unit (not shown). Have been. The silicon tube 8 has flexibility, and normally hangs vertically downward due to the weight of the resin ball 9 as shown in FIG. 2, and the resin ball 9 is held in a state where it does not tilt. At this time, the sphere 12 is placed on the center of the ball receiver 10 and is not in contact with the peripheral wall 11. Therefore, the ball receiver 10 and the peripheral wall 11 are in a state of being electrically isolated from each other.
The case of the present invention is formed by the resin ball 9, the suspension means is formed by the silicon tube 8, the conductive member is formed by the sphere 12, and the storage object detecting means is formed by the ball receiver 10, the peripheral wall 11 and the sphere 12.
[0011]
Next, the operation of the ice storage detection switch 6 according to the first embodiment will be described. When the ice level in the ice storage chamber 3 is lower than the installation height of the resin ball 9 and no external force from ice acts on the resin ball 9, the resin ball 9 hangs vertically downward due to its own weight, and The peripheral walls 11 are in an OFF state in which they are electrically disconnected from each other.
[0012]
When the ice generation by the ice making unit 2 proceeds and the ice level in the ice storage room 3 rises to the installation height of the resin balls 9, the resin balls 9 ride on the ice 15 and tilt as shown in FIG. When the tilt angle becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined angle, the sphere 12 rolls and moves on the ball receiver 10 and comes into contact with both the ball receiver 10 and the peripheral wall 11. Thereby, the ball receiver 10 and the peripheral wall 11 are electrically connected to each other to be in an ON state, and output a detection signal. The ice making control unit stops the ice making operation based on this detection signal. Thereafter, when the ice in the ice storage chamber 3 is reduced by opening the opening / closing door 4 and consuming the ice in the ice storage chamber 3, the inclination of the resin balls 9 is eliminated, so that the ice storage detection switch 6 is turned off again. , And the ice making operation is restarted by the ice making control unit.
[0013]
In the first embodiment, the ball receiver 10 and the peripheral wall 11 constituting the first and second electrodes are in an OFF state in which the resin balls 9 are electrically interrupted from each other when the resin ball 9 does not hang vertically downward. When the resin ball 9 is tilted at a predetermined angle or more, the ON state is electrically connected to each other. On the contrary, when the resin ball 9 is not tilted, the ON state is electrically connected to each other. It is also possible to configure so that when they are tilted at an angle or more, they are in an OFF state where they are electrically disconnected from each other.
[0014]
Embodiment 2 FIG.
FIG. 4 shows an ice storage detection switch 16 according to the second embodiment. The ice storage detection switch 16 is different from the ice storage detection switch 6 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 in that the proximity switch 17 is provided at the bottom of the resin ball 9 instead of the ball receiver 10 and the peripheral wall 11 fixed in the resin ball 9. Is fixed, and an annular guide 18 is fixed to an outer peripheral portion of the proximity switch 17, and a sphere 12 made of a conductive material is rollably mounted on the proximity switch 17. The guide 18 has an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the sphere 12, and the signal lines 13 and 14 are connected to the proximity switch 17.
[0015]
The proximity switch 17 outputs an ON signal via the signal lines 13 and 14 when the sphere 12 is located in the vicinity, and outputs an OFF signal when the sphere 12 is separated. In the second embodiment, a stored object detecting means is formed by the sphere 12 and the proximity switch 17.
[0016]
When the ice level in the ice storage chamber 3 is lower than the installation height of the resin balls 9 and no external force from ice acts on the resin balls 9, the resin balls 9 hang down vertically by their own weight without tilting, and Since the switch 12 is located near the proximity switch 17, the proximity switch 17 outputs an ON signal.
[0017]
On the other hand, when ice is generated by the ice making unit 2 and the ice level in the ice storage chamber 3 rises to the installation height of the resin balls 9, the resin balls 9 ride on the ice 15 and tilt as shown in FIG. When the angle of inclination becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined angle, the sphere 12 rolls and separates from the proximity switch 17. As a result, an OFF signal is output from the proximity switch 17, and the ice making operation of the ice making machine is stopped based on this signal. Thereafter, when the ice level in the ice storage chamber 3 is reduced by opening the opening / closing door 4 and consuming the ice in the ice storage chamber 3, the inclination of the resin ball 9 is eliminated, and the sphere 12 is guided by the guide 18. Thus, the ON signal is output from the proximity switch 17 again.
[0018]
In the second embodiment, when the resin ball 9 is not tilted, the sphere 12 is located near the proximity switch 17 and an ON signal is output from the proximity switch 17, and when the resin ball 9 is tilted to a predetermined angle or more. The sphere 12 is separated from the proximity switch 17 and the OFF signal is output from the proximity switch 17. Conversely, when the resin ball 9 is not tilted, the sphere 12 is separated from the proximity switch 17 and the OFF signal is output from the proximity switch 17. Alternatively, the configuration may be such that the sphere 12 is positioned near the proximity switch 17 when the sphere 12 is inclined at a predetermined angle or more, and an ON signal is output from the proximity switch 17.
[0019]
Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 6 shows an ice storage detection switch 26 according to the third embodiment. The ice storage detection switch 26 is different from the ice storage detection switch 6 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 in that the ball receiver 10, the peripheral wall 11, and the sphere 12 provided in the resin ball 9 are provided instead of the bottom of the resin ball 9. The reed switch 27 is fixed, and a magnet 28 is swingably suspended in the resin ball 9 so as to be located near the reed switch 27 when the resin ball 9 is not tilted. The signal lines 13 and 14 are connected to the reed switch 27.
[0020]
The reed switch 27 outputs an ON signal via the signal lines 13 and 14 when the magnet 28 is located in the vicinity, and outputs an OFF signal when the magnet 28 is separated. In the third embodiment, the reed switch 27 and the magnet 28 form a stored object detection unit.
[0021]
When the ice level in the ice storage chamber 3 is lower than the installation height of the resin ball 9 and no external force from ice acts on the resin ball 9, the resin ball 9 hangs down vertically by its own weight without tilting, Since 28 is located near the reed switch 27, an ON signal is output from the reed switch 27.
[0022]
On the other hand, when ice is generated by the ice making unit 2 and the ice level in the ice storage room 3 rises to the installation height of the resin balls 9, the resin balls 9 ride on the ice 15 and tilt as shown in FIG. When the angle of inclination becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined angle, the magnet 28 swings and separates from the reed switch 27. As a result, an OFF signal is output from the reed switch 27, and the ice making operation of the ice making machine is stopped based on this signal. Thereafter, when the ice in the ice storage chamber 3 is reduced by opening the opening / closing door 4 and consuming the ice in the ice storage chamber 3, the inclination of the resin ball 9 is eliminated. , And an ON signal is output again from the reed switch 27.
[0023]
In the third embodiment, when the resin ball 9 is not tilted, the magnet 28 is located near the reed switch 27 and an ON signal is output from the reed switch 27, and when the resin ball 9 is tilted to a predetermined angle or more. The magnet 28 is separated from the reed switch 27 and the OFF signal is output from the reed switch 27. Conversely, when the resin ball 9 is not tilted, the magnet 28 is separated from the reed switch 27 and the OFF signal is output from the reed switch 27. Alternatively, the configuration may be such that the magnet 28 is positioned near the reed switch 27 and the ON signal is output from the reed switch 27 when the magnet 28 is inclined at a predetermined angle or more.
[0024]
In the first to third embodiments, the resin ball 9 is suspended in the ice storage chamber 3 by the flexible silicon tube 8, so that the resin ball 9 may be in contact with the resin ball 9 from any direction. The ball 9 is tilted, and the ice level can be reliably detected by the internal storage detecting means. Further, even if a scoop or the like comes into contact with the resin ball 9 when the ice in the ice storage chamber 3 is taken out by opening the door 4, the resin ball 9 can escape in any direction by the flexible silicon tube 8. , Never get in the way.
Further, since the resin balls 9 are hung by the silicon tubes 8 through which the signal lines 13 and 14 pass, the installation in the ice storage chamber 3 is easy.
[0025]
Embodiment 4 FIG.
8 and 9 show an ice storage detection switch 36 according to the fourth embodiment. The ice storage detection switch 36 is different from the ice storage detection switches of the first to third embodiments in that a movement means for forcibly moving the resin ball 9 in the ice storage chamber 3 by moving the silicon tube 8 is further provided. . A motor 38 is fixed to the ceiling 7 of the ice storage room 3 via a bracket 37, and a rotating plate 39 is attached to a rotating shaft of the motor 38. A rotatable fulcrum member 40 is provided on the rotary plate 39 at a position eccentric from the rotation axis of the motor 38, and the silicon tube 8 is slidably passed through a through hole formed in the fulcrum member 40.
[0026]
When the motor 38 is driven to rotate the rotating plate 39, the fulcrum member 40 rotates together with the rotating plate 39, and accordingly, the silicone tube 8 bends as shown by a dashed line in FIG. Moves up and down and horizontally. The motor 38, the rotating plate 39, and the fulcrum member 40 form a moving unit.
[0027]
During the ice making operation, the motor 38 is driven to store the ice in the ice storage chamber 3 while slowly moving the resin ball 9. When the generation of ice proceeds and the ice level in the ice storage chamber 3 rises to the installation height of the resin balls 9, the ice comes into contact with the resin balls 9, but the resin balls 9 move slowly in the vertical and horizontal directions. As you are about to be buried in the ice, you will gradually climb onto the ice and tilt. When the detection signal is continuously output from the storage detecting means inside the resin ball 9 for a certain period of time, for example, 15 seconds, the ice making control unit (not shown) It is determined that the ice level has been reached, and the ice making operation and the driving of the motor 38 are stopped. Thereafter, by opening the door 4 and consuming the ice in the ice storage chamber 3, the ice level in the ice storage chamber 3 decreases, the inclination of the resin ball 9 returns, and the detection signal output from the storage object detection means. For example, when the ice is continuously eliminated for 30 seconds, the ice making control unit determines that the ice level has decreased, restarts the ice making operation, and drives the motor 38 to move the resin ball 9 again.
[0028]
In the fourth embodiment, since the ice is stored while slowly moving the resin ball 9, even when manufacturing small flake ice, it is possible to reliably detect the ice level without the resin ball 9 being buried in the ice. It becomes possible.
It is preferable that the resin ball 9 is moved slowly, so that the rotation speed of the motor 38 is low and the torque is small, so that a small and inexpensive motor 38 can be used.
[0029]
In the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the silicon tube 8 for suspending the resin ball 9 is fixed by passing through the through hole formed in the ceiling portion 7 of the ice storage chamber 3. If the tube 8 is slidable and the height of the resin ball 9 can be adjusted, the ice level to be detected can be easily changed.
In addition, as a flexible suspending means for suspending the resin ball 9, a coil spring, a chain, or the like can be used in addition to the silicon tube 8.
[0030]
In the first to fourth embodiments, the ice level in the ice storage chamber is detected. However, the present invention is not limited to the detection of the ice level. Can be widely applied to detection of
Further, in the first to fourth embodiments, the sealed resin ball 9 is used as the case. However, the sealed resin ball 9 is not necessarily required to be sealed depending on the type of the storage object and the structure inside the case, and may be formed of a material other than the resin. You can also.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the storage object detection unit is stored in the case suspended by the suspension unit in the storage room, and the storage object detection unit detects the case when the case is inclined at a predetermined angle or more. Since the signal is output, when the storage object comes into contact with the case, the case is tilted regardless of the direction, and the storage level can be reliably detected. Moreover, since it has a simple structure, it is inexpensive and can be easily attached.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ice maker equipped with an ice storage detection switch according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an ice storage detection switch according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an ice storage detection switch according to the first embodiment when detecting an ice level.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an ice storage detection switch according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an ice storage detection switch according to a second embodiment when detecting an ice level.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an ice storage detection switch according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an ice storage detection switch according to a third embodiment when detecting an ice level.
FIG. 8 is a front sectional view showing an ice storage detection switch according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing an ice storage detection switch according to a fourth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ice making machine main body, 2 ice making section, 3 ice storage room, 4 opening / closing door, 5 machine room, 6, 16, 26, 36 ice storage detection switch, 7 ceiling, 8 silicon tube, 9 resin ball, 10 ball receiver, 11 peripheral wall , 12 spheres, 13, 14 signal lines, 15 ice, 17 proximity switch, 18 guide, 27 reed switch, 28 magnet, 37 bracket, 38 motor, 39 rotating plate, 40 fulcrum member.

Claims (5)

A hollow case,
Stored object detecting means that outputs a detection signal when the case is tilted at a predetermined angle or more while being stored in the case,
Suspending means for suspending the case in the storage room, wherein the case contacts the storage in the storage room and tilts at a predetermined angle or more, and the detection signal output from the storage detection means when the case is tilted at a predetermined angle or more. A storage detection switch for detecting a storage level. The storage object detection means,
First and second electrodes fixed in the case slightly spaced from each other;
The storage object detection switch according to claim 1, further comprising: a conductive member configured to move in the case and change a current-carrying state between the first and second electrodes according to whether the case is inclined at a predetermined angle or more. . The storage object detection means,
A proximity switch fixed in the case,
The stored object detection switch according to claim 1, further comprising: a conductive member that moves in the case and changes a distance from the proximity switch depending on whether the case is inclined at a predetermined angle or more. The storage object detection means,
A reed switch fixed in the case,
2. The magnet according to claim 1, further comprising a magnet movably mounted in the case and moving in the case to change a distance from the reed switch depending on whether the case is inclined at a predetermined angle or more. Storage detection switch. 5. The storage object detection switch according to claim 1, further comprising a moving unit configured to move the case in the storage room by moving the hanging unit. 6.

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