JP2008151475A - Ice tray - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ice tray enhancing reliability of ice separating operation from the ice tray. <P>SOLUTION: The ice tray 11 for collecting water to form ice comprises a mounting part 12 and a metal tray 13 formed independently of the mounting part 12. The mounting part 12 is made of resin and has fixed parts 12a fixed to a refrigerator. A metal guide 13e is provided between at least the metal tray 13 and the fixed parts 12a to abut on the metal tray 13, and at least a partial region of the mounting part 12 near a rotating region of ice when separated is covered with the metal guide 13e. Consequently, at least the partial region of the mounting part 12 near the rotating region of ice when separated is not exposed to reduce frost formation at the mounting part 12 near the rotating region of ice when separated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ice tray that is placed in a freezer room such as a household refrigerator and is cooled after water supply to generate ice.

  Conventionally, as an ice tray placed in a freezer compartment of a refrigerator-freezer, a tray made of a metal tray formed separately from the mounting portion and the mounting portion (for example, see Patent Document 1) is used. ing.

  Hereinafter, the conventional ice tray will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an automatic ice making device used in a conventional refrigerator-freezer, FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the conventional automatic ice making device, and FIG. 11 is a side view of a main part of a conventional ice tray.

  In FIG. 9, the automatic ice making device includes an ice making tray 1 and an ice making mechanism 9 having an ice discharge mechanism, a temperature sensor for the tray, an ice storage detection mechanism, a water supply valve switch, and the like.

  9 and 10, the ice tray 1 includes a mounting portion 2 for fixing the metal tray 3 and fixing to the refrigerator, a metal tray 3 formed separately from the mounting portion 2, and ice. And a discharge guide 8 that slides when the ice is discharged.

  The metal dish 3 includes six cells 4 having semicircular bottom surfaces for temporarily retaining water, and adjacent cells 4 are connected to each other by a groove 5. The metal dish 3 is formed of an aluminum alloy that is a metal having high thermal conductivity.

  The attachment part 2 includes a fixing part 10 for fixing to a wall surface of a refrigerator or the like with a screw or the like. Moreover, the attachment part 2 is resin.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the heater 6 is in close contact with the metal dish 3 on the lower surface of the metal dish 3 by caulking or screw fixing.

  The operation of the ice tray configured as described above will be described below.

  When the ice tray 1 is supplied with water, the water spreads through the grooves 5 of the cells 4 and fills all the cells 4 with water. Since about 15 ml of water enters one cell 4, about 90 ml of water may be supplied to the ice tray 1 having six cells 4.

  The water supplied to the ice tray 1 is radiated by heat transfer from the water surface, heat transfer from the wall surface of the ice tray 1 and radiation to gradually lower the temperature, and finally freeze to produce ice. .

When the heater 6 is energized, the generated ice melts the surface of the ice in contact with the ice tray 1, and the ice in the ice tray 1 is discharged by the discharge claw 7 for discharging ice.
US Pat. No. 6,216,471

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, depending on the usage environment of the refrigerator, for example, when the door on the freezer compartment side is frequently opened and closed in a humid atmosphere, even when the heater 6 is energized during deicing, the ice during deicing Since the mounting portion 2 made of resin is exposed in the vicinity of the rotation area of the, the mounting portion 2 is frosted, and the ice whose surface has melted is frosted during the rotation of the ice at the time of deicing. When contacting the attachment part 2, the ice is fixed to the attachment part 2, and the ice cannot be discharged along the arc of the metal dish 3.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide an ice tray having improved deicing reliability.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the ice tray of the present invention is an ice tray that stores water to generate ice, and the ice tray is made of a metal formed separately from the mounting portion and the mounting portion. And the attachment portion is made of resin, and the attachment portion has a fixing portion that is fixed to the refrigerator, and at least the metal plate and the fixing portion are attached to the metal plate. A metal guide is provided so as to be in contact, and the metal guide covers at least a part of the vicinity of the ice rotation region at the time of deicing on the fixed portion side of the attachment portion.

  As a result, at least a part of the attachment portion in the vicinity of the ice rotation region at the time of deicing is not exposed, so that frost formation in the vicinity of the ice rotation region at the time of ice removal can be reduced.

  The ice tray of the present invention can discharge ice along the arc of the metal tray at the time of deicing, and can improve the reliability of deicing.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an ice tray that stores water to generate ice, wherein the ice tray includes a mounting portion and a metal tray that is formed separately from the mounting portion, and the mounting portion. Is made of resin, and the attachment part has a fixing part to be fixed to the refrigerator, and at least a metal guide is provided between the metal dish and the fixing part so as to be in contact with the metal dish. By providing, at least a part of the area near the ice rotation area at the time of de-icing is not exposed, so that frost formation near the ice rotation area at the time of de-icing can be reduced. Thus, the ice can be discharged along the arc of the metal dish at the time of deicing, and the reliability of deicing can be improved.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the metal guide is integrally formed with the metal dish, so that the number of parts is not increased and the metal guide is made. The heat of the dish can be efficiently transmitted to the metal guide, and even if there is frost, the frosted portion is melted and the reliability of deicing can be improved.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the metal guide is formed separately from the metal dish, and the metal guide, the metal dish, By joining the metal plate and the metal guide, it becomes possible to form shapes and different materials that are difficult to form by integral molding, and change from the plate thickness of the metal plate. Therefore, the degree of freedom in specifications increases, so that there are many defrosting means at the time of frost formation, and the reliability of deicing can be improved.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the third aspect, the metal guide is made thinner than the thickness of the metal dish, thereby increasing the heat transfer speed of the entire metal guide portion. Thus, the defrosting efficiency during frost formation can be improved.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the metal guide is in close contact with the attachment portion, so that frost is formed in the vicinity of the ice rotation area of the attachment portion after ice formation. Even if there is a heater, heat is transmitted from the metal tray to the metal guide by energizing the heater, and heat is transferred from the metal guide to the mounting part, so that the frost on the mounting part is melted. Can be increased.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a perspective view of an ice tray according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a metal tray of the ice tray according to the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an ice tray according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1.

  1 and 2, the ice tray 11 includes an attachment portion 12 for fixing the ice tray 11 and fixing to the refrigerator, and a metal tray 13 formed separately from the attachment portion 12. Yes.

  The metal dish 13 includes seven cells 13b each having a semicircular bottom surface 13a for temporarily retaining water, and the seven cells 13b are provided with grooves 13c through which water can enter and exit each other. 13 partition plates 13 d coupled to 13. The metal tray 13 is aluminum having high thermal conductivity.

  The metal tray 13 is manufactured by press drawing, and the partition plate 13d is manufactured by press punching.

  Here, on the fixed portion 12a side of the mounting portion 12, a metal is placed between the metal plate 13 and the fixed portion 12a so as to be in contact with the metal plate 13 substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the metal plate 13. A metal guide 13e is provided. The metal guide 13e is integrally formed with the metal tray 13 and extends upward from the metal tray 13.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the metal guide 13 e continuously covers the vicinity of the ice rotation area at the time of deicing in the longitudinal direction of the metal dish 13.

  The metal guide 13e is made of aluminum because it is integrally formed with the metal tray 13.

  The attachment part 12 includes a fixing part 12a for fixing to a wall surface of a refrigerator or the like with a screw or the like, and a water inlet 12b for injecting water from a water supply valve (not shown). The attachment portion 12 is made of resin and is made of ABS resin.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes a U-shaped heater. The heater 14 is held by a heater guide 15 and is fixed to the mounting portion 12 with screws (not shown) so as to be in close contact with the metal dish 13. In addition, the heater guide 15 is aluminum with high heat conductivity.

  In FIG. 3, the automatic ice making apparatus includes an ice making tray 11, an ice discharging mechanism, a temperature sensor for the tray, an ice storage detecting mechanism, a water supply valve switch, and the like, a discharge claw 18 for discharging ice, and an ice discharge. And a discharge guide 19 that is sometimes slid.

  The operation and action of the ice tray configured as described above will be described below.

  When water is supplied from a water supply valve (not shown) to the predetermined cell 13b configured by the partition plate 13d of the metal tray 13 through the inlet 12b, the water passes through the groove 13c of the partition plate 13d of the cell 13b. It flows to the adjacent cell 13b, and water spreads to all the cells 13b.

  In the present embodiment, about 105 ml of water is supplied so that about 15 ml of water enters one cell 13b.

  The water supplied to the cell 13b is cooled by heat conduction of the metal dish 13, and the ice making is completed in a short time. After completion of ice making, the heater 14 is energized to heat the metal dish 13, and the ice peels from the metal dish 13. After that, the discharge claw 18 rotates the ice in the circumferential direction of the semicircular arc-shaped bottom surface 13a of the metal dish 13, and after rotating about 180 degrees, it contacts the discharge guide 19 and slides along the discharge guide 19 to make ice. Ice is discharged into an ice storage box (not shown) provided below the dish 11.

  Further, when the heater 14 is energized after the ice is generated on the metal tray 13, the thickness of the metal tray 13 is almost uniform, so that the temperature unevenness on the metal tray 13 is reduced in a short time. Heat can be transmitted uniformly, and appropriate temperature detection control can be performed regardless of the position of the temperature sensor of the dish provided in the ice making mechanism 17, minimizing melting of ice and shortening the energization time of the heater 14. The power consumption of the heater 14 due to the conversion can be suppressed. In particular, the pressed metal dish 13 is not suitable for fixing by caulking when the heater 14 is fixed, and fixing by the heater guide 15 and heat transfer means are appropriate.

  In addition, when the discharge claw 18 that discharges ice from the metal tray 13 rotates after the heater 14 is energized, the ice rotates along the semicircular bottom surface 13a of the metal tray 13, depending on the usage environment of the refrigerator. May form frost around the metal dish 13, for example, in the vicinity of the rotation area of the ice at the time of deicing of the attachment portion 12, and the ice whose surface has melted is in contact with the frosted attachment portion 2. Sometimes the ice sticks to the mounting part 2 and the ice cannot be discharged, but at least the metal guide 13e is in contact with the metal dish 13 between the metal dish 13 and the fixing part 12a. And at least a part of the attachment portion 12 near the ice rotation region at the time of deicing is covered with the metal guide 13e. Some areas are not exposed Therefore, it is possible to reduce frost formation in the vicinity of the ice rotation area at the time of deicing of the mounting portion 12, and it is possible to discharge the ice along the arc of the metal tray 13 at the time of deicing, thereby improving the reliability of deicing. Can do.

  Since the metal guide 13e is integrally formed with the metal tray 13, the heat of the metal tray 13 can be efficiently transmitted to the metal guide 13e without increasing the number of parts. Even if there is frost formation, the frost formation portion can be melted to improve the reliability of deicing.

  In the present embodiment, the metal guide 13e extends upward only with respect to the metal dish 13 only on the fixed part 12a side of the mounting part 12, but on the entire circumference of the metal dish 13 By providing, the meltability at the time of frosting to the metal tray 13 further improves.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the metal guide 13 e is brought into close contact with the attachment portion 12, so that even if frost is formed in the vicinity of the ice rotation area of the attachment portion 12 after ice generation, Heat is transferred from the metal tray 13 to the metal guide 13e, and heat is transferred from the metal guide 13e to the mounting portion 12, so that the frost on the mounting portion 12 is melted. Can do.

  In this embodiment, the metal guide 13e continuously covers the vicinity of the ice rotation area at the time of deicing in the longitudinal direction of the metal dish 13 by the metal guide 13e. It is not necessary to continuously cover the metal dish 13 in the longitudinal direction, and only the ice rotation area at the time of deicing of the attachment portion 12 may be covered.

(Embodiment 2)
5 is a perspective view of an ice tray in Embodiment 2 of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a metal tray of the ice tray in the embodiment, and FIG. 7 is an ice tray in the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 5.

  5 and 6, the ice tray 11 includes an attachment portion 12 that fixes the ice tray 11 and the refrigerator, and a metal tray 13 that is formed separately from the attachment portion 12. Yes.

  The metal dish 13 includes seven cells 13b each having a semicircular bottom surface 13a for temporarily retaining water, and the seven cells 13b are provided with grooves 13c through which water can enter and exit each other. 13 partition plates 13 d coupled to 13. The metal tray 13 is aluminum having high thermal conductivity.

  The metal tray 13 is manufactured by press drawing, and the partition plate 13d is manufactured by press punching.

  Here, on the fixed portion 12a side of the mounting portion 12, a metal is placed between the metal plate 13 and the fixed portion 12a so as to be in contact with the metal plate 13 substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the metal plate 13. A metal guide 16 is provided, and the metal guide 16 is formed separately from the metal dish 13. Here, the metal plate 13 and the metal guide 16 are joined by fitting the protrusion 17 provided on the metal guide into the hole 18 provided in the metal plate 13 and crimping. . The metal guide 16 is provided so as to extend upward from the metal dish 13.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the metal guide 16 continuously covers the vicinity of the ice rotation area at the time of deicing in the longitudinal direction of the metal dish 13.

  The metal guide 16 is aluminum.

  The attachment part 12 includes a fixing part 12a for fixing to a wall surface of a refrigerator or the like with a screw or the like, and a water inlet 12b for injecting water from a water supply valve (not shown). The attachment portion 12 is made of resin and is made of ABS resin.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes a U-shaped heater. The heater 14 is held by a heater guide 15 and is fixed to the mounting portion 12 with screws (not shown) so as to be in close contact with the metal dish 13. In addition, the heater guide 15 is aluminum with high heat conductivity.

  In FIG. 7, an automatic ice making device includes an ice making tray 11, an ice discharging mechanism, an ice temperature sensor, an ice storage detecting mechanism, a water supply valve switch, an ice making mechanism 17, a discharge claw 18 for discharging ice, and an ice discharge. And a discharge guide 19 that is sometimes slid.

  The operation and action of the ice tray configured as described above will be described below.

  When water is supplied from a water supply valve (not shown) to the predetermined cell 13b configured by the partition plate 13d of the metal tray 13 through the inlet 12b, the water passes through the groove 13c of the partition plate 13d of the cell 13b. It flows to the adjacent cell 13b, and water spreads to all the cells 13b.

  In the present embodiment, about 105 ml of water is supplied so that about 15 ml of water enters one cell 13b.

  The water supplied to the cell 13b is cooled by heat conduction of the metal dish 13, and the ice making is completed in a short time. After completion of ice making, the heater 14 is energized to heat the metal dish 13, and the ice peels from the metal dish 13. After that, the discharge claw 18 rotates the ice in the circumferential direction of the semicircular arc-shaped bottom surface 13a of the metal dish 13, and after rotating about 180 degrees, it contacts the discharge guide 19 and slides along the discharge guide 19 to make ice. Ice is discharged into an ice storage box (not shown) provided below the dish 11.

  Further, when the heater 14 is energized after the ice is generated on the metal tray 13, the thickness of the metal tray 13 is almost uniform, so that the temperature unevenness on the metal tray 13 is reduced in a short time. Heat can be transmitted uniformly, and appropriate temperature detection control can be performed regardless of the position of the temperature sensor of the dish provided in the ice making mechanism 17, minimizing melting of ice and shortening the energization time of the heater 14. The power consumption of the heater 14 due to the conversion can be suppressed. In particular, the pressed metal dish 13 is not suitable for fixing by caulking when the heater 14 is fixed, and fixing by the heater guide 15 and heat transfer means are appropriate.

  In addition, when the discharge claw 18 that discharges ice from the metal tray 13 rotates after the heater 14 is energized, the ice rotates along the semicircular bottom surface 13a of the metal tray 13, depending on the usage environment of the refrigerator. May form frost around the metal dish 13, for example, in the vicinity of the rotation area of the ice at the time of deicing of the attachment portion 12, and the ice whose surface has melted is in contact with the frosted attachment portion 2. Sometimes the ice sticks to the mounting part 2 and the ice cannot be discharged, but at least the metal guide 16 is in contact with the metal dish 13 between the metal dish 13 and the fixing part 12a. By providing and covering at least a part of the attachment portion 12 in the vicinity of the ice rotation region at the time of deicing with the metal guide 16, at least in the vicinity of the ice rotation region at the time of the ice removal of the attachment portion 12 Because some areas are not exposed It is possible to reduce frost formation in the vicinity of the ice rotation area at the time of deicing of the mounting portion 12, and it is possible to discharge ice along the arc of the metal tray 13 at the time of deicing, thereby improving the reliability of deicing. .

  Note that the metal guide 16 is formed separately from the metal dish 13, and by caulking the metal guide 16 and the metal dish 13, shapes and different materials that are difficult to be integrally formed are formed. In addition, since it is possible to change the thickness of the metal tray 13 and the degree of freedom of specification is increased, there are many defrosting means at the time of frosting, and the reliability of deicing can be improved.

  Further, by making the thickness of the metal guide 16 thinner than the thickness of the metal tray 13, the heat transfer to the metal guide 16 when the heater 14 is energized is improved, and the periphery of the metal tray 13 is increased. Even when frosting occurs, the meltability can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the metal guide 16 extends upward with respect to the metal dish 13 only on the fixing part 12a side of the attachment part 12, but the entire circumference of the metal dish 13 is not limited. By providing in, the meltability at the time of frosting to the metal tray 13 further improves.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the metal guide 16 is brought into close contact with the attachment portion 12, so that even if frost is formed in the vicinity of the ice rotation area of the attachment portion 12 after the ice is generated, the heater is energized. Heat is transmitted from the metal tray 13 to the metal guide 16 and heat is transmitted from the metal guide 16 to the mounting portion 12, and the frost on the mounting portion 12 is melted, so that the reliability of deicing is further increased. Can do.

  As described above, since the ice making tray according to the present invention does not expose at least a part of the attachment portion in the vicinity of the ice rotation region at the time of deicing, the rotation of the ice at the time of ice removal at the attachment portion It is possible to reduce frost formation in the vicinity of the region, and it is possible to discharge ice along the arc of the metal tray at the time of deicing, to improve the reliability of deicing, and it can be applied as an ice making tray for a refrigerator-freezer.

The perspective view of the ice tray in Embodiment 1 of this invention The perspective view of the metal tray of the ice tray of the embodiment The perspective view of the ice making apparatus provided with the ice tray of the embodiment AA sectional view of FIG. The perspective view of the ice tray in Embodiment 2 of this invention The exploded perspective view of the metal tray of the ice tray of the embodiment The perspective view of the ice making apparatus provided with the ice tray of the embodiment BB sectional view of FIG. Perspective view of automatic ice making equipment used in conventional refrigerators Assembly exploded view of conventional automatic ice making equipment Side view of the main part of a conventional ice tray

Explanation of symbols

11 Ice tray 12 Mounting portion 12a Fixing portion 13 Metal tray 13e, 16 Metal guide

Claims (5)

  In an ice making tray for storing water and generating ice, the ice making tray includes an attachment portion and a metal plate formed separately from the attachment portion, and the attachment portion is made of resin, and the attachment The part has a fixing part to be fixed to the refrigerator, and at least between the metal dish and the fixing part, a metal guide is provided so as to contact the metal dish, and the metal guide, An ice tray that covers at least a part of the vicinity of the ice rotation area at the time of deicing on the fixed part side of the attachment part.   The ice tray according to claim 1, wherein the metal guide is integrally formed with the metal tray.   The metal guide is formed separately from the metal dish, and the metal guide and the metal guide are formed by caulking the metal guide and the metal dish. The ice tray according to claim 1, wherein   The ice tray according to claim 3, wherein the thickness of the metal guide is smaller than the thickness of the metal tray.   The ice tray according to claim 1, wherein the metal guide is in close contact with the attachment portion.

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