JP2010019510A - Ice making device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ice making device capable of instantaneously disconnecting a leaf switch even if water supply to an ice tray is controlled by driving the leaf switch by a cam mechanism. <P>SOLUTION: In this ice making device, a water supply switch has the leaf switch comprising a leaf contact piece 731 driven by a rotating cam body 55, and in the leaf switch, a play is secured between a first cam member 55a interlocked with ice removing motion and a second cam member 55 driving the leaf contact piece 731. Thus the cam member 55b is kicked by an energizing force of the leaf contact piece 731, and rotated earlier than a cam driving shaft 552 when a cam contact section 731g rides over a projecting section 556. Thus the leaf contact piece 731 instantaneously recovers its original shape from a state of being pressed and deformed by the projecting section 556. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ice making device provided with a water supply switch for controlling water supply from a water supply unit to an ice tray.

After automatically discharging the ice in the ice making device, when automatically supplying water to the ice tray, as shown in FIG. 18A, a cam member 1055 that rotates integrally with the drive shaft for performing the ice discharging operation. Has proposed a structure for driving the leaf switch 1731 (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2008-57894 A

  As shown in FIG. 18A, in the configuration in which the leaf switch 1731 is driven by the cam member 1055, the cam member 1055 rotates from the side where the free end of the leaf switch 1731 is located toward the side where the fixed end is located. When it is unavoidable, the contacts gradually approach or separate as shown in FIGS. 18 (A), (B), and (C). For this reason, an unstable region in which the state where the contacts are in contact with each other and the state where the contacts are separated from each other occurs, and various electrical failures occur. As a result, there is a problem that contact deterioration or welding occurs.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an ice making device capable of instantaneously cutting the leaf switch even when the water supply control to the ice tray is performed by driving the leaf switch by a cam mechanism. There is.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, an ice tray, a water supply unit that supplies water to the ice tray, a deicing mechanism that performs a deicing operation from the ice tray, and a deicing operation by the deicing mechanism A water supply control unit for supplying water to the water supply unit in conjunction with the water supply unit, wherein the water supply control unit includes a cam drive shaft that rotates in conjunction with the deicing operation, and a cam drive shaft that rotates around the cam drive shaft. A water supply control rotary cam member driven with play in a direction, and a water supply control leaf switch provided with a leaf contact piece driven by the water supply control rotary cam member, the water supply control rotary cam member comprising: The leaf contact piece rotates from the side where the free end of the leaf contact piece is located toward the side where the fixed end is located.

  In the present invention, since the water supply control cam member moves from the free end of the leaf contact piece toward the fixed end side, the spliced state (on state / connected state) and disconnected state (off state / not connected state) remain unchanged. However, in the present invention, since a play is provided between the water supply control cam member and the cam drive shaft, the convex portion of the cam surface of the water supply control cam member has a leaf. When the convex portion passes after pressing the free end of the contact piece, the convex portion is kicked by the urging force of the leaf contact piece and the water supply control cam member is displaced ahead of the cam drive shaft. Accordingly, the leaf contact piece instantaneously returns to the original shape from the deformed state by being pressed by the convex portion. For this reason, no spark is generated when the water supply control leaf switch is switched. In addition, even when the position accuracy and dimensional accuracy of the terminal contacting and separating from the leaf contact piece are low, the timing of switching the water supply control leaf switch is high, and no spark is generated when the water supply control leaf switch is switched.

  In this invention, it is preferable that the said water supply part is provided with the pump apparatus driven with an electric motor, and the said leaf switch and the said electric motor are electrically connected in series. With this configuration, when the leaf switch is changed from the joint state to the disconnected state, contact deterioration due to spark is likely to occur. However, in the present invention, the accuracy of the timing at which the leaf switch is switched is high. Accordingly, since the connection state is instantaneously switched from the joint state to the disconnection state, no spark is generated, and contact deterioration can be prevented.

  In this case, a configuration in which commercial power is applied to the electric motor via the leaf switch can be employed. When a spark occurs in the leaf switch, noise enters the commercial power supply. However, in the present invention, since the switching is instantaneously made from the connected state to the disconnected state, no spark occurs, and therefore noise enters the commercial power supply. Can be prevented.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the water supply unit includes an electric valve, and the water supply control leaf switch and the electric valve are electrically connected in series. Examples of the electric valve include an electromagnetic valve and a valve provided with an electric motor. With this configuration, when the leaf switch is changed from the joint state to the disconnected state, contact deterioration due to spark is likely to occur. However, in the present invention, the accuracy of the timing at which the leaf switch is switched is high. Accordingly, since the connection state is instantaneously switched from the joint state to the disconnection state, no spark is generated, and contact deterioration can be prevented.

  In this case, a configuration in which commercial power is applied to the electric valve via the leaf switch can be employed. When a spark occurs in the leaf switch, noise enters the commercial power supply. However, in the present invention, since the switching is instantaneously made from the connected state to the disconnected state, no spark occurs, and therefore noise enters the commercial power supply. Can be prevented.

  In the present invention, it is possible to employ a configuration in which the water supply control rotary cam member is rotatably held on the cam drive shaft with play in the circumferential direction with respect to the cam drive shaft.

  In the present invention, a cam surface different from the water supply control rotary cam member is formed on the cam drive shaft, and the other cam surface is formed on a leaf contact piece of the water supply control leaf switch and another leaf switch. On the other hand, it is preferable to rotate from the side where the fixed end of the leaf contact piece is located toward the side where the free end is located. When the leaf contact piece is configured to contact each of the water supply control rotating cam member and the other cam surface, space can be saved by arranging the leaf contact pieces so that the free end faces in the same direction. However, in this case, the cam surface for one leaf contact piece rotates from the side where the fixed end is located to the side where the free end is located, but the cam surface is the free end for the other leaf contact piece. Therefore, it is difficult to instantaneously switch from the joint state to the disconnected state with the other leaf contact piece. However, in the present invention, the other leaf contact piece (the leaf contact piece of the water supply control suf switch) is configured to instantly switch from the joint state to the disconnected state, so that the free end faces in the same direction. Even when the leaf contact piece is arranged, it is possible to instantaneously switch from the joint state to the disconnected state.

  In the present invention, the water supply control cam member moves from the free end of the leaf contact piece toward the fixed end side. However, since play is provided between the water supply control cam member and the cam drive shaft, the water supply control is performed. After the convex part of the cam surface of the cam member presses the free end of the leaf contact piece, when the convex part passes, the convex part is kicked by the urging force of the leaf contact piece and the cam drive Displaces ahead of the axis. Accordingly, the leaf contact piece instantaneously returns to the original shape from the deformed state by being pressed by the convex portion. For this reason, no spark is generated when the water supply control leaf switch is switched. In addition, even when the position accuracy and dimensional accuracy of the terminal contacting and separating from the leaf contact piece are low, the timing of switching the water supply control leaf switch is high, and no spark is generated when the water supply control leaf switch is switched.

  Hereinafter, an ice making device to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

[overall structure]
1A and 1B are a perspective view of an ice making device to which the present invention is applied as seen from the side where the case is located, and a perspective view as seen from the side where the end plate is located. 2A, 2B, and 2C are perspective views of a scraping member, an ice tray, and a guide member used in the ice making device shown in FIG. 3A, 3B and 3C are front views of the ice making device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front side, a cross-sectional view showing a state where the scraping member of the ice making device is at the origin position, and the scraping member being the origin point. It is sectional drawing which shows the state rotated from the position.

  1 (A), (B), FIGS. 2 (A), (B), (C), and FIGS. 3 (A), (B), (C), the ice making device 1 of this embodiment is a refrigerator. Or it is an apparatus for producing ice continuously in the freezer and automatically discharging the produced ice to the lower ice storage unit 1a, an ice making unit 2 for producing ice, and an ice scraping operation, etc. And a drive unit 3 (drive control unit) for controlling. An ice detecting lever 60 extends from the drive unit 3 toward the lower ice storage portion 1a.

  The ice making unit 2 scrapes out the ice made in the ice making plate 21 in the ice making plate 21, the water supply unit 22 for supplying water to the ice making plate 21 at the side (rear side) of the ice making plate 21, and the deicing mechanism 1f. A scraping member 23, a guide member 24 for guiding the ice scraped by the scraping member 23 to the ice storage unit 1a located below the ice tray 21, and the drive unit 3 on the right side of the ice tray 21 And an end plate 25 (ice detecting lever support portion) standing upright.

  The ice tray 21 is made of aluminum and is subjected to surface treatment such as coating or anodizing. A plurality of ice making grooves 215 (ice making recesses) are partitioned and formed on the upper surface of the ice making tray 21 by the partition plate 218, and the water supplied from the water supply unit 22 is stored in each of the plurality of ice making grooves 215. There it freezes. On the bottom surface of the ice tray 21, a heater 26 for heating the bottom surface of the ice tray 21 when the ice is discharged from the ice tray 21 is disposed. The heater 26 is connected to the ice tray 21 by a method such as caulking. It is integrated. Two rubber-made terminal portions 262 project from the heater 26 on the left side surface portion of the ice tray 21, and terminals 261 project from the front end surfaces of the two terminal portions 262. In the ice tray 21, a test temperature portion 219 with which a thermostat (described later) for monitoring the temperature of the ice tray 21 abuts is formed in a region sandwiched between the two terminal portions 262.

  The water supply unit 22 is arranged on the opposite side (rear side) to the ice discharge tray 21 from which ice is discharged (front side), and includes a water supply port 221 that opens at the rear wall of the ice tray 21. . Water is supplied to the water supply unit 22 from a water supply pipe 228, and a water supply pump 220 is connected to the water supply pipe 228 as schematically shown in FIG.

  The scraping member 23 includes a rotation shaft 231 extending in the left-right direction at a position above the ice tray 21 and a plurality of scraping portions 232 protruding in a nail shape from the rotation shaft 231 in the same direction. There is a one-to-one correspondence with the ice making groove 215. The right end of the rotating shaft 231 is rotatably supported by a notch 211 formed at the edge of the right side 217 of the ice tray 21 and can be rotated by a shaft hole 251 formed in the end plate 25. It is supported. In addition, the rotation shaft 231 has a flange portion 239 formed on the right end thereof in contact with the inner surface of the end plate 25, and movement of the rotation shaft 231 to the right is restricted. On the other hand, the other end of the rotating shaft 231 is a D-cut portion 230 and is connected to a rotating cam body 55 (cam body) disposed in the drive unit 3 as shown in FIG. ing.

  In such a deicing mechanism 1f, the position of the scraping portion 232 shown in FIG. 3B is the origin position, and at this origin position, the scraping portion 232 is on the side where the water supply port 221 is disposed across the rotation shaft 231. It is in a state tilted toward the opposite side. From this state, while the rotating shaft 231 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow A and shifts to the posture shown in FIG. 3C, the scraping unit 232 causes the ice in the ice making groove 215 to float from the ice making tray 21. The ice floating from the ice tray 21 by the scraping portion 232 slides on the top surface of the scraping portion 232 and the guide member 24 and falls from the front side of the ice tray 21 to the ice storage portion 1a. In addition, there is a possibility that the ice that has floated from the ice tray 21 does not fall into the ice storage part 1a only when the scraping part 232 is shifted from the state shown in FIG. 3 (B) to the state shown in FIG. 3 (C). Until the scraping portion 232 returns to the origin position shown in FIG. 3 (B), the ice floating from the ice tray 21 completely falls to the ice storage portion 1a.

[Measures to prevent the ice detection lever 60 from coming off]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of measures against falling out applied to the ice detecting lever 60 in the ice making device 1 to which the present invention is applied.

  In FIGS. 1A and 1B again, the ice detecting lever 60 is rotated by the one end 601 connected to the rotation output member 69 rotating on the case body 4 side and the shaft hole 251 of the end plate 25. And an intermediate portion 604 that is bent in a U-shape between the one end portion 601 and the other end portion 602. The intermediate portion 604 includes a rotational output. A portion extending in parallel with the rotation center axis line at a position separated from the rotation center line S of the member 69 and the ice detection lever 60 is an ice detection contact portion 605 that contacts the ice accumulated in the ice storage portion 1a.

  The ice detecting lever 60 can be used for transportation or the like by adopting a configuration in which one side end 601 is inserted into the case body 4 and the other side end 602 is attached to the end plate 25 at the final stage of the assembly process of the ice making device 1. There are advantages that the ice detecting lever 60 is not deformed and the ice detecting lever 60 is not contaminated. However, since the ice detecting lever 60 is formed by bending a round bar into a predetermined shape, the ice detecting lever 60 is easily bent, and the one end portion 601 and the other end portion 602 of the ice detecting lever 60 are respectively provided with the opening 694a of the rotation output member 69. If the ice detecting lever 60 is bent only by being inserted into the shaft hole 251 of the end plate 25, the case body 4 and the end plate 25 come off.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, first, the other end portion 602 of the ice detecting lever 60 is passed through the shaft hole 251 of the end plate 25, and then a stopper 609 such as an E-ring is attached to the penetrating portion. Further, the configuration described with reference to FIG. 4 is adopted for the one end portion 601 of the ice detecting lever 60.

  4A and 4B, one end 601 of the ice detecting lever 60 includes a first end 601a extending in the direction of the rotation axis S of the rotation output member 69, and a first end 601a. The structure further includes a second end portion 601b that is bent in a direction intersecting the rotation axis S on the shaft end side further than the end portion 601a.

  The rotation output member 69 that rotates on the case body 4 side has a structure in which two-stage cylindrical portions 691 and 692 are connected in the axial direction so that the small-diameter cylindrical portion 692 can rotate on the case body 4 side. It has a supported structure. Further, on the back surface of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 691, a connecting shaft 693 connected to the drive mechanism disposed inside the case body 4 is provided at a position shifted from the rotation center axis S. A circular hole 401 (see FIG. 1B) into which the cylindrical portion 691 is fitted is formed in the case body 4, and the rotation output member 69 can rotate around the axis line in the hole 401.

  4 (B), (C), (D), and (E), in the cylindrical portion 691 of the rotation output member 69, the portion exposed from the case body 4 is at a position shifted from the rotation center axis S. A retaining plate 694 having an opening 694a is provided, and a portion adjacent on the back side thereof is a hollow shaft end receiving portion 695 that receives the second end 601b. Here, the hollow shaft end receiving portion 695 is a narrow gap provided with the interference portions 696 facing each other on both sides in the direction intersecting the rotation center axis S. Accordingly, when the rotation output member 69 rotates around the rotation center axis S, the rotation is transmitted to the second end 601b via the interference unit 696, so that the ice detecting lever 60 is rotated around the rotation center axis S. be able to.

  With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 4B, the ice detecting lever 60 is tilted so that the second end 601b of the one end 601 is inserted into the opening 694a of the retaining plate 694, and then the first With the bent portion 601c between the end portion 601a and the second end portion 601b positioned in the opening 694a, the ice detecting lever 60 is rotated as shown in FIGS. As a result, since the first end 601a is parallel to the rotation center axis S in a state where the second end 601b is in contact with the back surface of the retaining plate 694, the first end 601a and the second end are kept as they are. If 601b is pushed into the shaft end receiving portion 695, the one end portion 601 of the ice detecting lever 60 can be integrally and rotatably connected at the final stage of the assembly process of the ice making device 1. Even if the ice detecting lever 60 is bent, the second end 601b is caught by the retaining plate 694, so that the one end 601 of the ice detecting lever 60 does not come off from the rotation output member 69.

  Therefore, in a state where the ice making device 1 is arranged in an ice making space provided with a door in the refrigerator, a configuration in which the ice detecting lever 60 and the ice storage unit 1a are arranged closer to the refrigerator door than the ice tray 21 is adopted. Can do. This configuration has an advantage that it is easy to take out ice from the ice storage unit 1a. On the other hand, when taking in or out an object, it is easy for a hand or food to hit the ice detecting lever 60 and the ice detecting lever 60 to be bent easily. In this embodiment, even if the ice detecting lever 60 is bent, the ice detecting lever 60 does not come off from the case body 4 side and the end plate 25 side.

  In this embodiment, since the opening 694a is provided at a position deviated from the rotation center axis S of the retaining plate 694, the diameter of the retaining plate 694 may be slightly larger than the length of the second end 601b. The outer diameter dimension of the rotation output member 69 may be small. If the radius of the retaining plate 694 is set slightly larger than the length of the second end 601b, the opening 694a can be disposed on the rotation center axis S of the retaining plate 694.

[Schematic configuration of drive unit and its basic operation]
5 and 6 are block diagrams showing a schematic configuration of the drive unit of the ice making device shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the operation of the ice making device shown in FIG.

  As will be described in detail later, the drive unit 3 of the ice making device 1 of the present embodiment includes a thermostat 91 for monitoring the temperature of the ice tray 21 and a motor 5 for driving the rotary shaft 231 as shown in FIG. 3A, a main switch 72 that opens and closes in conjunction with the rotating operation of the rotating cam body 55, and a water supply switch 73 that controls the water supply pump 220 in conjunction with the rotating operation of the rotating cam body 55 (water supply control). ), An ice detecting switch 71 for monitoring whether the ice storage unit 1a is short of ice or full (ice full), and a fuse 1g. Further, as will be described later, the ice making device 1 also includes a transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation output of the motor 5 to the rotating cam body 55, a torque limiter that is inserted in the middle of the transmission mechanism, and the like.

  In this embodiment, a commercial power source is used as the power source V, and commercial power is supplied to the motor 5, the electric motor of the water supply pump 220, and the heater 26. Further, the electric motor of the water supply pump 220 and the water supply switch 73 are electrically connected in series, and in conjunction with the connection of the water supply switch 73, the supply of commercial power to the electric motor of the water supply pump 220 is controlled. The

  Hereinafter, the basic operation of the ice making device 1 will be described with reference to the chart shown in FIG. First, after water is supplied from the water supply port 221 to the ice tray 21, ice making in the ice tray 21 is started. Meanwhile, power supply to the motor 5 and the heater 26 is stopped, and the scraping portion 232 is stopped at the origin position inclined to the side opposite to the water supply port 221 as shown in FIG. In this state, as shown in FIG. 5A, the main switch 72 is in the first state, and the thermostat 91 and the water supply switch 73 are in the off state. Further, the ice detection switch 71 is in an ice shortage state (first state).

  When the temperature of the ice tray 21 falls below a predetermined temperature in the monitoring result for the ice tray 21 by the thermostat 91 at time T0, as shown in FIG. 5B, the thermostat 91 is turned on. 5 and energization of the heater 26 are started. As a result, the rotating cam body 55 rotates, and accordingly, the scraping member 23 starts rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 3B and the heater 26 starts heating the ice tray 21. .

  Next, at time T1, the main switch 72 switches to the second state as shown in FIG. However, even when the main switch 72 is switched to the second state, the energization of the motor 5 and the energization of the heater 26 are continued. For this reason, the scraping member 23 is driven by the motor 5, and the tip of the scraping portion 232 comes into contact with the upper surface of the ice produced in the ice tray 21. However, at this time, the temperature of the ice tray 21 is low, and the ice adhering power in the ice tray 21 is large. For this reason, the rotation of the scraping member 23 is blocked by the ice in the ice tray 21, and stops while the tip of the scraping portion 232 is in contact with the top surface of the ice in the ice tray 21. Here, since a torque limiter is inserted in the middle of the power transmission path from the motor 5 to the scraping member 23, the motor 5 continues to rotate while the rotation of the scraping member 23 is stopped, The torque limited by the limiter 8 continues to act on the ice.

  When the ice is peeled off from the ice tray 21 by the heating of the heater 26, the scraping member 23 connected to the rotating cam body 55 starts to rotate in the direction of scraping out the ice and proceeds to the ice detecting operation. At time T2, first, the tip of the ice detecting lever 60 moves upward from the ice storage chamber 1a. As a result, the ice detecting switch 71 once switches from the first state to the second state as shown in FIG. Before and after this, the discharge of ice begins, and after all the ice made has fallen into the ice storage chamber 1a, the tip of the ice detecting lever 60 descends again toward the ice storage chamber 1a at time T3. To do. At that time, if the ice storage chamber 1a is in a state of lack of ice, the tip of the ice detecting lever 60 can move downward, so that as shown in FIG. Return from the state to the first state.

  Next, at the time T4, when the temperature of the ice tray 21 exceeds a predetermined temperature in the monitoring result for the ice tray 21 by the thermostat 91, the thermostat 91 is turned off as shown in FIG. The energization to the heater 26 is stopped. However, energization of the motor 5 is continued.

  Next, at time T5, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the water supply switch 73 is turned on, supply of commercial power to the water supply pump 220 is started, and water supply to the ice tray 21 via the water supply port 221 is started. Is done. At that time, since the resistance value of the heater 26 is low, the heater 26 is used as a part of the wiring when the water supply pump 220 is energized. At this time, the scraping portion 232 has already passed through the vicinity of the water supply port 221 completely and is inclined toward the side opposite to the side where the water supply port 221 is disposed.

  Next, at time T6, as shown in FIG. 6C, when the water supply switch 73 is turned off, the power supply to the water supply pump 220 is stopped, and the water supply to the ice tray 21 is completed through the water supply port 221. To do. Next, at time T <b> 7, power supply to the motor 5 is stopped, and the scraping portion 232 stops at the origin position inclined to the side opposite to the water supply port 221. Meanwhile, the main switch 72 returns to the first state as shown in FIG. In the ice tray 21, ice making is performed again, and the above operation is repeated thereafter.

  When the tip of the ice detecting lever 60 moves upward from the ice storage chamber 1a at time T2, when the ice storage chamber 1a is lowered toward the ice storage chamber 1a at time T3, the ice storage chamber 1a becomes full. If so, the tip portion of the ice detecting lever 60 cannot move downward, and the ice detecting switch 71 remains in the second state as shown in FIG. However, since the energization of the heater 26 and the motor 5 is continued even in this state, the operation until returning to the origin is performed. However, in the subsequent operation, if the ice storage chamber 1a is in a full ice state, the ice detection switch 71 remains in the second state as shown in FIG. Even if the thermostat 91 is turned on when the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, the heater 26 and the motor 6 are not energized. Therefore, energization of the heater 26 and the motor 6 is started when the ice in the ice storage chamber 1a decreases and the ice detecting switch 71 returns from the second state to the first state.

  As described above, in the ice making device 1 of this embodiment, ice can be continuously manufactured and the manufactured ice can be automatically discharged to the lower ice storage unit 1a. Further, the ice storage unit 1a detects the amount of ice, and when the ice storage unit 1 is full, the discharge of ice to the ice storage unit 1a is stopped, so that the ice does not overflow from the ice storage unit 1a.

[Detailed configuration of drive unit]
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an inner case used for the drive unit and members disposed in the inner case in the ice making device shown in FIG. 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (A), the drive unit 3 includes a case body 4, and the main switch including the motor 5 and the leaf switch described with reference to FIG. 72, a water supply switch 73 (water supply control unit) including a leaf switch, an ice detecting switch 71 including a leaf switch, and the like are disposed. In this embodiment, the case body 4 includes a rectangular bowl-shaped inner case 41, a ground plane 42 (first partition wall), and a rectangular bowl-shaped outer case 43, and the inner case 41 and the inner case 41 so as to sandwich the ground plane 42 from the left and right sides. The case body 4 is formed by overlapping the edges with the outer case 43. In this state, a first space 46 is defined between the inner case 41 and the ground plane 42, while a second space 47 is defined between the outer case 43 and the ground plane 42. The first space 46 and the second space 47 are each used to arrange the following mechanisms and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a thermostat 91 is fixed to the bottom of the inner case 41 in the first space 46 between the inner case 41 and the ground plane 42. Further, in the ice making device 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B, in the ice making tray 21, the rubber terminal portion 262 (coupling engaging portion) of the heater 26 projects toward the drive unit 3. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, in the case body 4 of the drive unit 3, in the bottom portion of the inner case 41, the concave portions 411 that open toward the outer surface side of the inner case 41 are located on both sides of the thermostat 91. (Engaged portion for connection) is formed, and a through hole 412 is formed in the back of the recess 411. In addition, a connection terminal 92 is disposed at the bottom of the inner case 41 so as to be exposed in the through hole 412. Therefore, after assembling the drive unit 3 and the ice making unit 2, when the terminal portion 262 protruding from the ice tray 21 is fitted into the recess 411 of the inner case 41, the ice making unit 2 and the drive unit 3 are connected. At the same time, the terminal 261 of the heater 26 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 92 at the fitting portion between the terminal portion 262 and the recess 411. Further, on the outer surface side of the bottom portion of the inner case 41, a ground member 45 is disposed at a position where it can contact the ice tray 21. In the inner case 41, the location where the ground member 45 is disposed and the ice tray 21. Is fixed with a metal grounding screw or the like, the ice tray 21 can be grounded. In this state, the thermostat 91 abuts on the test temperature portion 219 of the ice tray 21, so that the temperature of the ice tray 21 can be monitored. Further, when the drive unit 3 and the ice making unit 2 are fastened, the D-cut portion 230 of the rotating shaft 231 is inserted into a connecting hole 55u having a D-shaped cross section of the rotating cam body 55 described later with reference to FIG. Fits automatically.

  Therefore, the ice making device 1 can be assembled only by assembling the ice making unit 2 and the drive unit 3 and then connecting the ice making unit 2 and the drive unit 3 separately. Therefore, the assembly process can be simplified compared with the case where the members constituting the drive unit are divided into several times and assembled sequentially with respect to the ice making unit 2.

(Driving mechanism for rotating shaft 231 in deicing mechanism 1f)
9 (A), (B), and (C) are side views of the rotating cam body shown in FIG. 8 in the ice making device shown in FIG. 1, and a perspective view of a state where leaf contact pieces are arranged on the rotating cam body, It is a disassembled perspective view of a rotating cam body.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, in the first space 46 formed between the inner case 41 and the ground plane 42, a rotating cam body 55 is disposed at the bottom of the inner case 41. The upper end side protrudes into a second space 47 formed between the base plate 42 and the outer case 43 through a through hole 421 formed in the base plate 42.

  Further, in the first space 46 formed between the inner case 41 and the base plate 42, as shown in FIG. 8, the motor 5 is disposed at the side of the rotating cam body 55 at the bottom of the inner case 41. Yes. Here, the motor 5 is, for example, an AC synchronous motor. Further, a transmission mechanism 50 for transmitting the rotation of the motor 5 to the rotation shaft 231 of the ice making unit 2 is formed in the first space 46. The transmission mechanism 50 includes a rotor pinion 51 rotatably supported on a fixed shaft of the motor 5, a torque limiter 8 including a large-diameter external gear 502 (input unit) that meshes with the rotor pinion 51, torque, A toothless gear 503 constituting an output portion of the limiter 8, a gear body 52 including a large-diameter external gear 504 driven by the toothless gear 503, and a small-diameter external gear (not shown) of the gear body 52. And a rotating cam body 55 having a large-diameter external gear 54 that meshes with a small-diameter external gear of the gear body 53. Yes.

  The front end portion of the output shaft of the motor 5 is supported by the ground plate 42, and the support shaft that rotatably supports the torque limiter 8, the gear body 52, and the gear body 53 is supported by the end plate 5 a and the ground plate 42. ing. The rotating cam body 55 is rotatably supported by the bottom portion of the inner case 41 and the main plate 42.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the rotating cam body 55 includes a cylindrical portion 55 s that extends downward from the external gear 54. The cylindrical portion 55s is formed with a connecting hole 55u having a D-shaped cross section at the inlet, and the D-cut portion 230 of the rotary shaft 231 is fitted into the connecting hole 55u, whereby the rotating cam body 55 rotates. Is transmitted to the rotating shaft 231.

  Thus, in this embodiment, since the torque limiter 8 is disposed on the front stage side of the transmission mechanism 50, there is no possibility that the gears constituting the transmission mechanism 50 are damaged. That is, when the scraping portion 232 formed on the rotating shaft 231 of the ice making unit 2 scrapes the ice formed on the ice tray 21, the ice may not be separated from the ice tray 21 immediately after the heating by the heater 26 is started. In such a state, if the rotating shaft 231 is rotated and the ice in the ice tray 21 is scraped out by the scraping portion 232, the scraping portion 232 is loaded by the stuck ice, and the motor is applied to the rotating shaft 231. The transmission mechanism 50 that transmits the rotational force 5 may be subjected to an excessive load, and the gears constituting the transmission mechanism 50 may be damaged. However, in this embodiment, the excessive load is applied to the torque limiter 8. Is not transmitted to the subsequent stage.

(Configuration of ice detection mechanism)
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a base plate used for the drive unit and members disposed on the side facing the outer case in the base plate in the ice making device shown in FIG. 1.

  In this embodiment, the first space 46 between the inner case 41 and the main plate 42 and the second space 47 between the main plate 42 and the outer case 43 shown in FIG. An ice detecting mechanism 6 that detects the amount of ice in the ice storage unit 1a via the ice detecting lever 60 is configured.

  In the present embodiment, the ice detection mechanism 6 is roughly shown in FIG. 8 as a lever driving mechanism 65 configured using a first space 46 between the inner case 41 and the main plate 42, as shown in FIG. As described above, the lever position detection mechanism 75 configured using the second space 47 between the ground plane 42 and the outer case 43 and the second space between the ground plane 42 and the outer case 43 are configured. The ice detection switch 71 is turned on and off by the lever position detection mechanism 75.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A, the lever driving mechanism 65 includes a cam portion 55t formed around a cylindrical portion 55s formed on the lower end side of the rotating cam body 55, and a cam portion 55t. A first drive lever 61 that follows the cam surface to drive the ice detection lever 60, a torsion coil spring 66 that biases the first drive lever 61, and a second drive lever 62 that holds the end of the ice detection lever 60. And.

  The first drive lever 61 includes a claw portion 611 that contacts the cam portion 55t, a cylindrical support shaft 612 that extends in the axial direction, and a transmission portion 614 that is located on the opposite side of the support shaft 612 from the claw portion 611. A U-shaped notch 613 is formed in the transmission portion 614. Therefore, when the rotating cam body 55 is rotated by the rotation of the motor 5 and the cam portion 55t is rotated, the claw portion 611 is pushed by the cam portion 55t, and the first drive lever 61 resists the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 66. Then, it rotates about the support shaft 612 by a predetermined angle range in the direction indicated by the arrow C1 in FIG. Further, when the small diameter portion of the cam surface comes into contact with the claw portion 611, the first drive lever 61 rotates backward in the direction indicated by the arrow C2 around the support shaft 612 by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 66, Return to position.

  The second drive lever 62 has a cylindrical portion 621 connected to the end of the ice detecting lever 60 via the rotation output member 69 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, and a transmission projecting from the side surface of the cylindrical portion 621. And a small protrusion 622 protruding from the side surface of the cylindrical portion 621 on the opposite side of the transmission protrusion 623, and a pin 623 a protruding from the lower surface of the transmission protrusion 623 is formed on the first drive lever 61. It fits into the U-shaped notch 613 made. Therefore, when the first drive lever 61 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow C1, the second drive lever 62 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow D1 around the cylindrical portion 621, while the first drive lever 61 rotates by the arrow C2. When rotating in the direction shown, the second drive lever 62 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow D2 around the cylindrical portion 621. Therefore, the ice detecting lever 60 can be driven. The base plate 42 is formed with a stopper 629a that prevents the protrusion 623 of the second drive lever 62 from rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow D2 by a predetermined amount or more and a stopper 629b that prevents the protrusion 623 from rotating in the direction D1. Yes.

  A leaf spring 63 is arranged at a side position of the cylindrical portion 621. When the ice detecting lever 60 is lifted up manually, the small protrusion 622 of the second drive lever 62 gets over the protrusion 63a of the leaf spring 63. The ice detecting lever 60 is maintained in the raised state. As a result, the ice making device 1 is in a state similar to the full ice state, so that the operation of the ice making device 1 is stopped.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the second drive lever 62 has the upper half of the cylindrical portion 621 passing through the main plate 42 and positioned in the second space 47 between the main plate 42 and the outer case 43, and the lever position The detection mechanism 75 includes a protrusion 625 (engagement portion) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 621 (rotating shaft) in the second drive lever 62 (drive member) and the upper end of the cylindrical portion 621 on the base plate 42. A driven ring 751 (driven member) mounted around the portion, and a pressing lever 753 (transmission member) whose posture is switched by a protrusion 752 protruding from the outer peripheral surface (cam surface) of the driven ring 751. The pressing lever 753 includes a cylindrical portion 753a that fits into a protrusion formed on the base plate 42, a connecting portion 753b that extends from the cylindrical portion 753a, and a first protruding portion that protrudes from the distal end portion of the connecting portion 753b toward the driven ring 751. 753c and a second protrusion 753d that protrudes from the tip of the connecting portion 753b to the opposite side of the first protrusion 753c.

  In the lever position detection mechanism 75, a notch 755 (concave portion) extending in the circumferential direction is formed on the back surface side of the protrusion 752 of the driven ring 751 and on the inner peripheral side of the hole through which the cylindrical portion 621 passes. The protrusion 625 formed on the cylindrical portion 621 of the second drive lever 62 is positioned inside the notch 755 with a certain amount of play with respect to the circumferential ends 755a and 755b of the notch 755. For this reason, between the second drive lever 62 and the driven ring 751, a transmission portion for transmitting the movement of the second drive lever 62 to the driven ring 751 is formed at a position spaced in the circumferential direction by a predetermined dimension. .

  In the lever position detection mechanism 75 configured as described above, when the second drive lever 62 rotates in the direction of the arrow D1 (when the ice detecting lever 60 is raised), the movement of the protrusion 625 is the circumference of the notch 755. This is transmitted by coming into contact with the end portion 755b located on the side indicated by the direction arrow D1, and the driven ring 751 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow D1 in conjunction with the second drive lever 62. Accordingly, the first protrusion 753c of the pressing lever 753 is configured so that the outer surface of the driven ring 751 is in contact with the peripheral surface where the protrusion 752 is not formed (the lower part of the driven member). Transition to the state of abutting the inclined surface 752d, and the state just before contacting the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 752 (the high part of the driven member), the pressing lever 753 is centered on the cylindrical portion 753a by the arrow E1. The second protrusion 753d causes the ice detection switch 71 to perform an on / off operation.

  In the present embodiment, the ice detection switch 71 is a leaf switch, and includes three leaf contact pieces 711, 712, and 713. Of the three leaf contact pieces 711, 712, 713, the two leaf contact pieces 712, 713 are in a fixed state, while the leaf contact piece 711 comes into contact with the pressing lever 753 and is displaced. ing. More specifically, the leaf contact piece 711 is different from the leaf contact piece 712 with respect to the leaf contact piece 711 in the leaf contact piece 713 when the second protrusion 753d of the pressing lever 753 is in a non-contact state. The leaf contact piece 711 and the leaf contact piece 713 are in contact with each other. The leaf contact piece 711 and the leaf contact piece 713 are in contact with each other. On the other hand, when the leaf contact piece 711 is pressed by the second protrusion 753d of the pressing lever 753, the leaf contact piece 711 is deformed to the leaf contact piece 712 side and is separated from the end 713a of the leaf contact piece 713. It will be in contact with the piece 712.

  In the ice detecting mechanism 6 configured as described above, the leaf contact piece 711 is in contact with the end portion 713a of the leaf contact piece 713 until the motor 5 starts rotating. When detecting the amount of ice in the ice storage unit 1a, the rotating cam body 55 is rotated by the motor 5, and when the first drive lever 61 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow C1 by the rotation, the second drive lever 62 is It rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow D1 around the cylindrical portion 621. As a result, the ice detecting lever 60 rotates as shown by an arrow F1 in FIGS. 3A and 3B, and the tip thereof rises. At this time, the second drive lever 62 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow D1, and the driven ring 751 also rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow D1, so that the protrusion 752 of the driven ring 751 is the first protrusion of the pressing lever 753. It will be in the state which sunk under 753c. Therefore, as a result of the pressing lever 753 rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow E1, the leaf contact piece 711 comes into contact with the leaf contact piece 712. Further, in a state where the pressing lever 753 rides on the protrusion 752 of the driven ring 751, the leaf contact piece 711 and the leaf contact piece 712 are in a stable contact state.

  Further, when the rotary cam body 55 is rotated by the rotation of the motor 5, the first drive lever 61 rotates in the reverse direction in the direction indicated by the arrow C2, and the second drive lever 62 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow D2 around the cylindrical portion 621. Try to rotate. As a result, the ice detecting lever 60 rotates as shown by an arrow F2 in FIGS. 3A and 3B, and the tip end portion of the ice detecting lever 60 tends to descend.

  At this time, if ice is insufficient in the ice storage section 1a, the ice detecting lever 60 is allowed to descend, so that the second drive lever 62 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow D2, and the protrusion 625 is formed in the notch 755. The end portion 755a is pressed, and the driven ring 751 can rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow D2. Therefore, at the timing when the first protrusion 753c of the pressing lever 753 contacts the inclined surface 752a of the protrusion 752 of the driven ring 751, it is set as a boundary between whether the ice storage part 1a is in an insufficient ice state or a full ice state. Then, the ice amount of the ice storage unit 1a can be detected by the on / off operation of the ice detecting switch 71.

  Here, since the driven ring 751 is driven with play with respect to the second drive lever 62, even if the second drive lever 62 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow D1 and then reverses in the direction indicated by the arrow D2, 625 simply moves within the notch 755 and the driven ring 751 does not follow. Instead, the leaf contact piece 711 applies an urging force to return from the elastically deformed state to the pressing lever 753. Therefore, when the second drive lever 62 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow D2, the pressing lever 753 Presses the slope 752a formed on the protrusion 752 of the driven ring 751 to displace the driven ring 751 in the direction indicated by the arrow D2. Therefore, the driven ring 751 is displaced before the driven ring 751 is driven by the second drive lever 62. Therefore, even before the driven ring 751 is driven by the second drive lever 62, the leaf contact piece 711 can instantaneously return from the elastically deformed state. The contact piece 711 returns to the state in contact with the end portion 713a of the leaf contact piece 713. Therefore, even when the operation is transmitted to the ice detecting switch 71 via the cam mechanism, the ice detecting switch 71 does not clearly indicate the state in which the leaf contact pieces 711, 712, and 713 are in contact with each other or the state in which they are separated from each other. Since an unstable region does not occur, no electrical failure occurs.

  When the ice storage unit 1a is full of ice, the ice detecting lever 60 is prevented from descending by the ice, so that the second drive lever 62 is prevented from rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow D2, and the leaf contact piece 711 is prevented. Remains in contact with the leaf contact piece 712. Since the first drive lever 61 is prevented from rotating in the direction of the arrow C2 after the descending of the ice detecting lever 60 is blocked by the ice, the claw portion 611 of the first drive lever 61 has the rotating cam body 55. The cam portion 55t is not driven in the C2 direction, and the ice detecting lever 60 does not descend from the position restricted by the ice even if the rotating cam body 55 rotates.

(Configuration of main switch 72)
FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of three leaf contact pieces constituting the main switch in the ice making device shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the main switch 72 is configured by using the second space 47 between the ground plane 42 and the outer case 43 shown in FIG. 3A, and in configuring the main switch 72, the first space The upper half of the rotating cam body 55 protruding from the 46 through the through hole 421 of the base plate 42 to the second space 47 is used.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the rotating cam body 55 has a large diameter portion 553, a medium diameter portion 554 having a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion 553, upward from the external gear 54. A first cam portion 558 having a smaller diameter than the middle diameter portion 554, a second cam portion 559 having a smaller diameter than the first cam portion 558, and a small diameter portion 555 having a smaller diameter than the second cam portion 559 are formed in this order. These step portions are located on the second space 47 side. The side surfaces of the first cam portion 558 and the second cam portion 559 are both cam surfaces having step portions 558b and 559b whose diameters change rapidly in the circumferential direction. In this cam surface, the step portions 558b and 559b are provided. The diameter increases in the direction indicated by arrow B starting from. Further, in the first cam portion 558 and the second cam portion 559, the positions of the step portions 558b and 559b are shifted in the circumferential direction, and the step portion 559b is positioned behind the step portion 558b in the direction indicated by the arrow B. is doing. The middle diameter portion 554 is provided with a convex portion 556 that operates a leaf contact piece of a water supply switch 73 described later.

  In the base plate 42, as shown in FIGS. 9B, 10 and 11, three leaf contact pieces 721, 722 constituting a main switch 72 (leaf switch) toward the rotating cam body 55, 723 extends. In the three leaf contact pieces 721, 722, and 723, the leaf contact piece 723 is disposed at a position closest to the central axis of the rotating cam body 55, the leaf contact piece 722 is disposed on the outer side, and the leaf contact piece on the outer side. A piece 721 is arranged. The tip end portion 723 c of the leaf contact piece 723 is in elastic contact with the side surface of the second cam portion 559. Further, in the initial state, the tip end portion 722c of the leaf contact piece 722 is in a state of being lowered to the lower side of the stepped portion 559b, and is in contact with the leaf contact piece 723 with elasticity. On the other hand, the tip 721c of the leaf contact piece 721 is in contact with the side surface of the first cam portion 558 with elasticity.

  Here, the three leaf contact pieces 721, 722, and 723 are arranged in parallel with the fixed end and the free end facing each other in the same direction, and the rotating cam body 55 includes the three leaf contact pieces 721, 722. , 723, the leaf contact pieces 721, 722, 723 rotate from the side where the fixed end side is located toward the side where the free end is located. For this reason, after all the three leaf contact pieces 721, 722, and 723 are pressed radially outward by the convex portion of the rotating cam body 55, the original shape is instantaneously restored when the convex portion passes.

  In this embodiment, the leaf contact piece 723 extends linearly from the proximal end side, then bends at a right angle upward, and then extends horizontally again, and the lower end edge of the distal end portion 723c is the first cam. The upper surface of the portion 558 can slide. On the other hand, after the leaf contact pieces 721 and 722 linearly extend at the same height position as the proximal end side of the leaf contact piece 723, the distal end portions 721c and 722c have a width upward. It has an enlarged shape, and the upper end edges of the front end portions 721c and 722c are at the same height as the upper end edge of the front end portion 723c of the leaf contact piece 723. Further, when the leaf contact pieces 721 and 722 are compared, the tip edge of the leaf contact piece 721 protrudes slightly toward the tip side than the tip edge of the leaf contact piece 722. When the rotating cam body 55 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow B, the tip end portions 721c and 722c move along the side surface of the first cam portion 558 and the tip end portions The lower end edges of 721c and 722c slide on the upper surface of the medium diameter portion 554.

  In the main switch 72 configured as described above, in the initial state, the leaf contact piece 723 is located on the higher side of the step portion 558b, while the leaf contact piece 722 is located on the lower side of the step portion 559b. Therefore, it is in contact with the leaf contact piece 723. From this state, when the rotating cam body 55 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow B, the tip end portion 723c of the leaf contact piece 723 falls to the lower side of the stepped portion 558b, and the leaf contact piece 722 and the leaf contact piece 723 are separated. Further, immediately before the tip 723c of the leaf contact piece 723 falls to the lower side of the stepped portion 558b, the tip end portion 721c of the leaf contact piece 721 falls to the lower side of the stepped portion 559b, so that the leaf contact piece 721 becomes the leaf contact piece 722. Connected to. Then, when the rotating cam body 55 further rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow B, the leaf contact pieces 721, 722, 723 return to the initial state after the state where the leaf contact pieces 721, 722, 723 are positioned higher on the stepped portions 559b, 558b.

(Configuration of water supply control unit / water supply switch 73)
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the water supply switch 73 configured in the ice making device shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the water supply switch 73 (water supply control unit) shown in FIG. 10 is configured by using the second space 47 between the main plate 42 and the outer case 43 shown in FIG. When configuring the switch 73, similarly to the main switch 72, the upper half of the rotating cam body 55 protruding from the first space 46 to the second space 47 through the through hole 421 of the base plate 42 is used. That is, a convex portion 556 is formed on the side surface of the medium diameter portion 554, while two leaf contact pieces 731 and 732 extend toward the medium diameter portion 554 of the rotating cam body 55, and the leaf contact The cam contact portion 731g bent in a triangular shape in the piece 731 is in contact with the side surface (cam surface) of the medium diameter portion 554.

  In the water supply switch 73 configured as described above, in the initial state, the leaf contact piece 731 is separated from the leaf contact piece 732 and is in an off state. From this state, when the rotating cam body 55 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow B and the leaf contact piece 731 is pressed toward the leaf contact piece 732 by the convex portion 556, the leaf contact piece 731 and the leaf contact piece 732 are And the rotating cam body 55 further rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow B, and when the leaf contact piece 731 returns to the original position, the leaf contact piece 731 is separated from the leaf contact piece 732, Return to off state.

  In such a water supply switch 73 as well as the main switch 72, the leaf contact piece 731 is arranged so that the rotating cam body 55 rotates from the side where the fixed end side of the leaf contact piece 731 is located toward the side where the free end is located. Then, after the convex portion 556 is pressed outward in the radial direction, the original shape is instantaneously restored when the convex portion 556 passes. However, in this embodiment, since the main switch 72 is formed on the common rotating cam body 55, if the five leaf contact pieces 721, 722, 723, 731 and 732 are arranged in parallel in a narrow space, the rotation is performed. The leaf contact piece 731 must be arranged so that the cam body 55 rotates from the side where the free end of the leaf contact piece 731 is located toward the side where the fixed end is located.

  Therefore, the following configuration is adopted to improve the responsiveness at the water supply switch 73. First, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C, the rotating cam body 55 is supported by a first cam member 55a that forms a main body portion of the rotating cam body 55, and the first cam member 55a. It is composed of an annular second cam member 55b (a water supply control cam member). The first cam member 55a includes a disk portion 551 having an external gear 54 on the outer peripheral surface, and a cam drive shaft 552 protruding from the disk portion 551. In the upper half of the cam drive shaft 552, The 1 cam part 558, the 2nd cam part 559, and the small diameter part 555 are formed in this order. The first cam member 55a is also integrally formed with a cylindrical portion 55s and a cam portion 55t to which the rotary shaft 231 is connected. On the other hand, a large-diameter portion 553 and a medium-diameter portion 554 are sequentially formed on the annular second cam member 55b, and a convex portion 556 is formed on the medium-diameter portion 554.

  On the lower side of the large diameter portion 553, a disk portion 557 having a diameter larger than that of the large diameter portion 553 is formed. The disk portion 557 is fitted into an annular recess 551e formed on the upper surface of the disk portion 551. Thus, the first cam member 55 a and the second cam member 55 b constitute a rotating cam body 55. Here, a projection 551f is formed on the inner side of the annular recess 551e from the peripheral wall, while a recess 557f into which the projection 551f is fitted is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the disk portion 557. For this reason, the second cam member 55b rotates following the first cam member 55a on the second cam member 55b, but the circumferential dimension of the recess 557f is wider than the circumferential dimension of the protrusion 551f. Between the first cam member 55a and the second cam member 55b, a play corresponding to the difference between the circumferential dimension of the recess 557f and the circumferential dimension of the protrusion 551f is secured.

  Further, the convex portion 556 has a steeper surface 556b located on the opposite side to the rotational direction than the inclined surface 556a located on the rotational direction side of the rotating cam body 55.

  In the water supply switch 73 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 12A, the cam contact portion 731g of the leaf contact piece 731 rides on the convex portion 556 and the leaf contact pieces 731 and 732 are electrically connected. During this period, the water supply switch 73 is in the relay state, and the commercial power supply V is supplied to the water supply pump 220 that is electrically connected in series to the water supply switch 73. When the second cam member 55b rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow B together with the cam drive shaft 552 (first cam member 55a) and the cam contact portion 731g gets over the convex portion 556, the second cam member 55b is As shown in FIG. 12B, the surface 556 b is kicked by the urging force of the leaf contact piece 731 and rotates ahead of the cam drive shaft 552. For this reason, even when the second cam member 55b rotates from the side where the free end of the leaf contact piece 731 is located toward the side where the fixed end is located, the leaf contact piece 731 is pressed and deformed by the convex portion 556. Instantly return to the original shape from the state. Therefore, even when the position accuracy and dimensional accuracy of the leaf contact piece 732 contacting and leaving the leaf contact piece 731 are low, the timing accuracy at which the water supply switch 73 is switched is high.

  Therefore, even when the water supply switch 73 and the electric motor of the water supply pump 220 are electrically connected in series, no spark is generated and contact deterioration can be prevented. In addition, when a spark is generated in the water supply switch 73, noise enters the commercial power supply. However, in this embodiment, since the connection state is instantaneously switched from the connected state to the disconnected state, no spark is generated. It is possible to prevent noise from entering.

  Even when another leaf switch (main switch 72) different from the water supply switch 73 is constituted by the second cam member 55b and the first cam member 55a interlocked with the cam drive shaft 552, the main switch 72 is rotated. The cam body 55 can be configured to rotate from the side where the fixed ends of the leaf contact pieces 721, 722, 723 are located toward the side where the free ends are located. Therefore, high responsiveness can be realized in both the water supply switch 73 and the main switch 72.

(Leaf contact piece arrangement structure)
In this embodiment, when configuring the ice detecting switch 71, the main switch 72, and the water supply switch 73, strip-shaped leaf contact pieces 711, 712, 713, 721, 722, 723, 731, 732 formed by processing a metal plate into a predetermined shape. However, the base end side of these leaf contact pieces is a strip shape in which the sides facing each other in the width direction are parallel like the leaf contact pieces 721, 722, and 723 shown in FIG. In addition, all the leaf contact pieces have the same width on the base end side. Therefore, in this embodiment, the leaf contact pieces 711, 712, 713, 721, 722, 723, 731, and 732 use the flat V-shaped contact piece holding part 48 formed in a base shape on the base plate 42. The structure to hold it is adopted. More specifically, a plurality of holding grooves 48 a are formed in the contact piece holding portion 48 with the same depth and the same shape, and the leaf contact pieces 711, 712, 713, 721, 722, 723, 731, 732 are formed. Both proximal ends are fitted and fixed in the holding grooves 48a. In this embodiment, since the holding grooves 48a have the same depth, the leaf contact pieces 711, 712, 713, 721, 722, 723, 731 and 732 all have the same height on the main plate 42. Held in position.

  Here, the front end portions 721c and 722c of the leaf contact pieces 721 and 722 and the front end portion 723c of the leaf contact piece 723 are different from each other in the height position from the base plate 42 in the rotating cam body 55 and the second cam. In this embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 11, the leaf contact piece 723 extends linearly from the base end side, and then bends at a right angle upward. After that, the leaf contact pieces 721 and 722 extend horizontally again, and the proximal end sides of the leaf contact pieces 721 and 722 extend linearly at the same height position as the proximal end side of the leaf contact piece 723, and then the distal end portions 721c and 722c It has a shape whose width is increased upward. For this reason, even when the proximal ends of the leaf contact pieces 721, 722, 723 are held at the same height position on the main plate 42, the distal ends 721c, 722c, 723c of the leaf contact pieces 721, 722, 723 are rotated. The cam body 55 can be suitably brought into contact with the side surfaces of the first cam portion 558 and the second cam portion 559 having different height positions from the base plate 42.

  Further, in this embodiment, the circuit board 70 disposed so as to face the ground plane 42 is overlaid on the base end side of the leaf contact pieces 711, 712, 713, 721, 722, 723, 731, and 732. Yes. Here, the circuit board 70 includes terminal portions 711e, 712e, 713e, 721e, 722e, 723e, 731e, 732e that stand on the base end side of the leaf contact pieces 711, 712, 713, 721, 722, 723, 731, 732. PWB (Printed Wiring Board) having lands to be soldered and having high rigidity. Further, the base plate 42 is covered with an outer case 43. On the inner bottom surface of the outer case 43, ribs (not shown) that match the outer shape of the contact piece holding portion 48 are formed. Therefore, in the state where the inner case 41, the base plate 42, and the outer case 43 are overlapped to form the case body 4, the base end side of the leaf contact pieces 711, 712, 713, 721, 722, 723, 731 and 732 is the circuit board. 70 is pressed in the width direction and pressed toward the main plate 42.

(Configuration of water supply adjustment mechanism)
FIGS. 13A and 13B are an explanatory diagram showing a state where no external operation is performed in the water supply amount adjusting mechanism of the ice making device 1 shown in FIG. 1 and an explanatory diagram when performing the external operation. FIGS. 14A and 14B are an exploded perspective view of the water supply amount adjusting mechanism of the ice making device 1 shown in FIG. 1 and a side view showing a state during the assembly thereof.

  As shown in FIGS. 10, 13 </ b> A, 13 </ b> B, 14 </ b> A, and 14 </ b> B, in the ice making device of this embodiment, between the outer case 43 and the ground plane 42 in the case body 4. A water supply amount adjustment mechanism 79 that adjusts the on / off timing of the water supply switch 73 is configured. The water supply amount adjusting mechanism 79 according to the present embodiment includes an operation member 76 (operation member) rotatably supported on a support shaft 426 erected from the main plate 42, and a rack-like tooth that meshes with an external tooth portion 760 of the operation member 76. And a lever-shaped transmission member 77 including a portion 770, and the transmission member 77 transmits an external operation to the operation member 76 to the leaf contact piece 732.

  Although the water supply switch 73, the operation member 76, and the transmission member 77 are all arranged in the case body 4, the circular window 430 is disposed in the outer case 43 at a position overlapping the upper end surface 765 of the head portion 764 of the operation member 76. (Hole) is formed. For this reason, the upper end surface 765 of the head portion 764 of the operation member 76 is exposed to the outside through the circular window 430. A groove 766 is formed in the upper end surface 765 of the head portion 764. Further, the transmission member 77 includes a cylindrical portion 771 fitted with a support shaft that protrudes from the base plate 42 and a claw portion 772 that abuts on the distal end portion of the leaf contact piece 732 on the distal end side.

  Therefore, in the water supply amount adjusting mechanism 79, when a minus driver (not shown) or the like is inserted into the groove 766 formed in the head portion 764 of the operation member 76 from the outside of the outer case 43, the minus driver is rotated. The member 76 rotates, and the transmission member 77 rotates around the cylindrical portion 771 as indicated by arrows G1 and G2, and the position of the claw portion 772 changes. At that time, when the transmission member 77 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow G1, the tip side of the leaf contact piece 732 is bent in a direction away from the leaf contact piece 731. Therefore, the timing at which the water supply switch 73 is switched from OFF to ON is delayed. The timing to switch from to off is accelerated. Therefore, since the water supply time from the water supply part 22 demonstrated with reference to FIG. 1 to the ice tray 21 becomes short, the amount of water supply to the ice tray 21 reduces, and small ice can be manufactured by that much. On the other hand, when the transmission member 77 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow G2, the leading end side of the leaf contact piece 732 bends in a direction approaching the leaf contact piece 731. Therefore, the timing at which the water supply switch 73 is switched from OFF to ON is advanced. On the other hand, since the timing of switching from on to off is delayed, the amount of water supplied from the water supply unit 22 to the ice tray 21 can be increased, so that the amount of water supplied to the ice tray 21 can be increased and large ice can be produced. it can.

  In configuring the water supply amount adjusting mechanism 79 having such a configuration, first, the operation member 76 includes a cylindrical portion 769, an external tooth portion 760 having substantially the same diameter as the cylindrical portion 769, A collar portion 763 having a smaller diameter than the tooth portion 760 and a head portion 764 having a smaller diameter than the collar portion 763 are provided. The operation member 76 has a bottomed shaft hole into which the support shaft 426 of the main plate 42 fits and extends in the axial direction L. The support shaft 426 has a nonmagnetic stainless material such as SUS304WPS around the support shaft 426. A coil spring 790 is attached. Therefore, the coil spring 790 is interposed between the main plate 42 and the operation member 76 in a state where the operation member 76 is mounted on the support shaft 426 while resisting the urging force of the coil spring 790.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of triangular teeth 767 extending in the radial direction are formed on the upper surface of the collar portion 763. On the other hand, in the outer case 43, a portion where the circular window 430 is formed is a cylindrical portion 436 that protrudes toward the operation member 76, and the end surface of the cylindrical portion 436 extends in the radial direction. A plurality of triangular teeth 437 are formed. Here, the circumferential pitch of the teeth 437 formed on the outer case 43 side and the circumferential direction of the triangular teeth 767 formed on the operation member 76 are formed. Is equal to the pitch at For this reason, as shown in FIG. 13A, the triangular teeth 437 of the outer case 43 and the triangular teeth 767 of the operation member 76 are engaged with each other, and the operation member 76 cannot be rotated. The lock mechanism 78 is configured. That is, when the operating member 76 is assembled, a force is generated in the L2 direction by the urging force of the coil spring 790. Therefore, when the outer case 43 is covered, the teeth 767 of the operating member 76 and the teeth 437 of the outer case 43 are engaged. The lock mechanism 78 that disables the rotation of the operation member 76 is configured. For this reason, even if vibration or the like is applied, the teeth 437 of the outer case 43 and the teeth 767 of the operation member 76 continue to be engaged with each other and the operation member 76 cannot be rotated unless the head 764 is pressed by an external force. To do.

  In addition, stopper projections 769a and 769b projecting in opposite directions are formed on the side surface of the cylindrical portion 769 formed in the lower half of the operation member 76, while the support plate 426 is sandwiched between the base plate 42 and the base plate 42. The receiving portions 429a and 429b having an L-shaped cross section are formed at positions facing each other. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 14 (B), if the operating member 76 is mounted on the support shaft 426, the operating protrusions 769a and 769b can be inserted under the upper plate portions of the receiving portions 429a and 429b. The upper position of 76 is defined, and the operation member 76 does not move any further. This state is maintained until the operation member 76 is pressed toward the main plate 42 by the cylindrical portion 436 of the outer case 43 and slightly sinks when the outer case 43 is covered. Therefore, when assembling the water supply amount adjusting mechanism 79, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to hold down the operation member 76 biased by the coil spring 790.

  In the water supply amount adjusting mechanism 79 configured as described above, in order to adjust the water supply amount, the coil spring 790 is contracted by inserting a flathead screwdriver or the like into the groove 766 of the operation member 76 from the outside of the outer case 43 and pressing the head portion 764. Then, as shown in FIG. 13B, the operation member 76 is displaced to one side L1 in the axial direction L, and in the lock mechanism 78, the teeth 437 of the outer case 43 and the teeth 767 of the operation member 76 are engaged. Canceled. In this state, since the rotation of the operation member 76 is allowed, the operation member 76 is rotated by rotating the minus driver, and the rotation is transmitted to the leaf contact piece 732 via the transmission member 77. Further, after the water supply amount is adjusted, when the minus driver is removed, the operating member 76 is displaced to the other side L2 in the axial direction L by the biasing force of the coil spring 790, and the teeth 437 of the outer case 43 and the teeth 767 of the operating member 76 are obtained. And the operation member 76 is prevented from rotating.

  According to such a water supply amount adjusting mechanism 79, the distance between the leaf contact pieces 731 and 732 can be adjusted only by deforming the tip side of the leaf contact piece 732 and changing only the position thereof, and the water supply switch 73 is turned on.・ The timing to turn off can be adjusted. Therefore, the amount of water supplied to the ice tray 21 (ice size) can be easily adjusted from the outside. Further, the water supply switch 73, the operation member 76 and the transmission member 77 are entirely housed inside the case body 4, and the operation member 76 does not protrude from the case body 4. Therefore, the size of the ice making device 1 can be reduced.

  In addition, the operation member 76 is configured so as not to be erroneously operated because the lock mechanism 78 is configured to prevent the operation member 76 from being displaced during a period other than during an external operation. Further, the flange portion 763 constituting the lock mechanism 78 and the cylindrical portion 436 of the outer case 43 define the axial position of the operation member 76 in a state where the operation member 76 is not pressed against the urging force of the coil spring 790. It functions as a stopper for preventing dropout (first stopper). For this reason, the operation member 76 does not jump out of the circular window 430.

  Further, the stopper protrusions 769a and 769b of the operation member 76 and the receiving portions 429a and 429b of the base plate 42 are in the state in which the above-described stopper for preventing dropout (first stopper) is not configured during the assembly. In order to function as an anti-drop-off stopper (second stopper) that defines the axial position of 76 against the biasing force of the coil spring 790, the operating member 76 biased by the coil spring 790 is pressed during assembly. There is an advantage that it is not necessary.

  Further, the bottom portion of the operation member 76 and the base plate 42 function as a pushing range defining stopper that defines the movement range in the axial direction when the operation member 76 is pressed. For this reason, even when the operation member 76 is pushed too much, the upper end portion of the operation member 76 does not come out downward from the circular window 430, so that the operation member 76 can be prevented from being tilted or caught around.

  Moreover, since the coil spring 790 is disposed concentrically with the support shaft 426, the biasing force of the coil spring 790 against the operation member 76 is uniform in the circumferential direction. Therefore, a situation in which the operation member 76 tilts and is caught around does not occur.

  The coil spring 790 is made of metal. For this reason, unlike the case where the urging force of the resin member is used, even if the resin member is used in a state of being elastically deformed for a long time at a low temperature, deterioration due to creep does not occur. Further, the metal coil spring 790 is excellent in impact resistance and does not cause a change in characteristics due to temperature. In this embodiment, a nonmagnetic stainless steel coil spring 790 is used among various metals. For this reason, the coil spring 790 does not rust even if it is not subjected to a plating process that has problems such as pinholes and residual toxic components of the plating solution. Therefore, even when condensation occurs, the initial clean state can be maintained. Further, if the coil spring 790 is made of a non-magnetic material, magnetic dust does not adhere.

(Operation of drive unit)
With reference to FIG. 15, the operation of the drive unit will be briefly described in relation to the overall operation described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the drive unit of the ice making device shown in FIG.

  First, in the initial state, the positions of the rotary cam body 55, the first drive lever 61, the second drive lever 62, the pressing lever 753, the leaf contact piece 723, and the leaf contact piece 731 are as shown in FIG. . In this state, the position of the ice detecting lever 60 is at the lowest position. Further, the scraping portion 232 in the scraping member 23 is a position that forms an angle of about 20 ° with respect to the horizontal direction.

  From this state, when the thermostat 91 is turned on at time T0 shown in FIG. 7, the energization of the motor 5 and the energization of the heater 26 are started, and the rotating cam body 55 rotates. Start rotation in direction A.

  Then, at the time T1 shown in FIG. 7, as shown in FIG. 15B, the leaf contact piece 721 falls from the step 558b immediately after the scraped portion 232 forms an angle of about 10 ° with respect to the horizontal direction. The main switch 72 is switched from the first state to the second state.

  Next, at time T2 shown in FIG. 7, the rotation of the rotating cam body 55 is transmitted to the ice detecting lever 60 through the first drive lever 61 and the second drive lever 62, and is indicated by an arrow F1 in FIG. Thus, the ice detecting lever 60 is raised.

  Next, at time T3 shown in FIG. 7, the rotation of the rotating cam body 55 is transmitted to the ice detecting lever 60 via the first drive lever 61 and the second drive lever 62, and as shown in FIG. If the ice storage chamber 1a is in an ice-deficient state, the ice detecting lever 60 is lowered as indicated by an arrow F2.

  Next, at time T5 shown in FIG. 7, the rotation of the rotating cam body 55 is transmitted to the leaf contact piece 731 and water is supplied to the ice tray 21 during the sections shown in FIGS. 15 (E) and 15 (F). At the same time, the rotating cam body 55, the first drive lever 61, the second drive lever 62, the pressing lever 753, the leaf contact piece 723, the leaf contact piece 731 and the like return to their original positions. That is, as shown in FIG. 12A, during the period in which the cam contact portion 731g of the leaf contact piece 731 rides on the convex portion 556 and the leaf contact pieces 731 and 732 are electrically connected, the water supply switch 73 is Since the commercial power supply V is supplied to the water supply pump 220 that is electrically connected in series to the water supply switch 73 because it is in the joint state, water is supplied, but when the cam contact portion 731g gets over the convex portion 556, Since the leaf contact pieces 731 and 732 are separated from each other and the water supply switch 73 is cut off, energization to the water supply switch 73 is stopped and water supply is stopped.

[Another configuration of the ice detection lever 60]
FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C are perspective views showing another configuration of the ice detecting lever 60 used in the ice making device 1 to which the present invention is applied, respectively, and one end portion 601 of the ice detecting lever 60. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a connection structure between the rotary output member 69 and a state where the ice detecting lever 60 is assembled in the manufacturing process of the ice making device 1.

  In the above embodiment, in adopting a configuration in which the one side end 601 is inserted into the case body 4 in the final stage of the assembly process of the ice making device 1, the one side end 601 and the other side end 602 of the ice detecting lever 60 are used. As a countermeasure against slipping off, one end portion 601 of the ice detecting lever 60 is bent as a first end portion 601a and a second end portion 601b, and a retaining plate 694 is used for the rotation output member 69. FIG. As shown in A), in the ice detecting lever 60, the ice detecting lever 60 is interposed between one end 601 supported by the rotation output member 69 and the other end 602 rotatably supported by the end plate 25. A configuration in which a contact portion 605 is provided and a beam portion 608 that connects the one-side end portion 601 and the other-side end portion 602 at a position closer to the rotation center axis S than the ice detection contact portion 605 may be adopted. Good. In this case, the other end 602 of the ice detecting lever 60 is passed through the shaft hole 251 of the end plate 25, and then a stopper 609 such as an E-ring is attached to the penetrating portion. Further, as shown in FIG. 16B, one of the ice detecting levers 60 extending in parallel to the rotation center axis S with respect to the opening 69a formed at a position shifted from the rotation center axis S in the rotation output member 69. The side end 601 is inserted. Other configurations are the same as the configurations described with reference to FIGS.

  If comprised in this way, since the ice detection lever 60 is provided with the beam part 608 which connects the one side edge part 601 and the other side edge part 602, intensity | strength is strong. Therefore, even when an external force is applied to the ice detecting lever 60, the ice detecting lever 60 does not bend, so that one end 601 of the ice detecting lever 60 does not come out of the rotation output member 69. Further, since the beam portion 608 is formed at a position closer to the rotation center axis S than the ice detection contact portion 605, even if the beam portion 608 is provided, the ice detection operation is not hindered. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16C, a unit 1c in which the end plate 25 and the ice detecting lever 60 are connected is formed, and the one end 601 is attached to the case body in the final stage of the assembly process of the ice making device 1. The manufacturing method of inserting into the opening 69a of the rotation output member 69 held by 4 can be adopted.

  In the present embodiment, the rotation output member 69 is arranged on the rear side (side on which the water supply unit 22 is arranged) in the case body 4, but as shown in FIG. The configuration described with reference to FIG. 16 may be employed when the rotation output member 69 is disposed in the position.

[Another configuration of the ice detection lever 60]
17A and 17B are a side view showing still another configuration of the ice detecting lever 60 used in the ice making device 1 to which the present invention is applied, and an explanatory view showing the operation thereof.

  In the above embodiment, the ice detecting lever 60 is rotated. However, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, a structure in which the ice detecting lever 60 is reciprocated linearly in the vertical direction is adopted. Also good. In order to realize such a configuration, a rotation / linear motion conversion mechanism 65a may be provided between the rotation output member 69 and one end of the ice detecting lever 60. As such a rotation / linear motion conversion mechanism 65a, for example, a first arm 651 extending forward from the rotation output member 69, and a second arm 653 connected to the distal end portion of the first arm 651 via a first joint 652; Is connected to the lower end of the second arm 653 via the second joint 654, the upper end of the vertical portion 60w extending in the vertical direction in the ice detecting lever 60, and the vertical portion 60w can be moved in the vertical direction. What is necessary is just to employ | adopt the structure which provided the guide 655 to support. A similar rotation / linear motion conversion mechanism 65a may be provided between the other end of the ice detecting lever 60 and the end plate 25.

  According to this configuration, when the first arm 651 is rotated by the rotation output member 69, the second arm 652 is driven. At that time, since the vertical portion 60w of the ice detecting lever 60 is supported by the guide 655, the ice detecting lever 60 performs a reciprocating linear motion in the vertical direction. Therefore, whether or not the ice I is full in the ice storage unit 1a can be determined based on whether or not the descending of the ice detecting contact portion 605 of the ice detecting lever 60 is hindered by the ice I.

  With this configuration, the amount of ice can be detected in a narrow space because the trajectory when the ice detecting lever 60 moves is smaller than the method of rotating the ice detecting lever 60. Further, even if ice falls during the ice detecting operation, since the locus when the ice detecting lever 60 moves is only in the vertical direction, the ice does not accumulate on the ice detecting lever 60. The return operation in which 60 returns upward is not hindered.

  Further, since the rotational driving force from the driving source is transmitted to the rotation / linear motion converting mechanism 65a via the rotational output member 69 that transmits the outside of the case body 4, the mechanism from the driving source to the rotational output member 69 is an ice detecting lever. This is the same as the method of rotating 60. For this reason, about the structure in case body 4, the design change to this form can be performed with the system which rotates ice detection lever 60.

  In this embodiment, the lower end portion of the ice detecting lever 60 extends obliquely, and the ice detecting contact portion 605 is located immediately below the ice tray 21. Therefore, even if ice falls during the ice detecting operation, the ice detecting contact portion 605 does not hinder the ice falling movement. Further, even if ice falls during the ice detecting operation, the ice detecting contact portion 605 does not hit the ice detecting contact portion 605 in the shade of the ice tray 21, so that the ice detecting contact portion 605 is not deformed or damaged.

[Another form of the water supply unit 22]
In the said embodiment, it is the structure which controls the water supply to the ice tray 21 by the water supply pump 220 provided with the electric motor electrically connected in series with respect to the water supply switch 73 (leaf switch) in the water supply part 22. FIG. However, an electric valve may be used instead of the water supply pump 220. In this case, the electric valve is disposed at an intermediate position of the water supply channel, at the outlet of the water supply channel, at the outlet of the water supply tank, or the like. Examples of the electric valve include an electromagnetic valve and a valve provided with an electric motor. Even in such a configuration, as described with reference to FIG. 12, the water supply switch 73 has high accuracy of switching timing, so that no spark is generated and deterioration of the contact can be prevented. Further, when a configuration is adopted in which commercial power is applied to the electric valve via the water supply switch 73, when spark occurs in the water supply switch 73, noise enters the commercial power source. Therefore, no spark is generated, and therefore noise can be prevented from entering the commercial power supply.

(A), (B) is the perspective view which looked at the ice making apparatus to which this invention is applied from the side in which a case is located, respectively, and the perspective view seen from the side in which an end plate is located. (A), (B), (C) is a perspective view of a scraping member, an ice tray, and a guide member used in the ice making device shown in FIG. (A), (B), and (C) are respectively a front view of the ice making device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front side, a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the scraping member of the ice making device is at the origin position, and the scraping member from the origin position. It is sectional drawing which shows the state rotated. It is explanatory drawing of the removal countermeasures which were applied to the ice detecting lever in the ice making device to which the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the drive unit of the ice making apparatus shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the drive unit of the ice making apparatus shown in FIG. It is a timing chart figure which shows operation | movement of the ice making apparatus shown in FIG. In the ice making device shown in FIG. 1, it is explanatory drawing of the inner case used for the drive unit, and the member arrange | positioned in this inner case. (A), (B), (C) are each a side view of the rotating cam body shown in FIG. 8, a perspective view of a leaf contact piece arranged on the rotating cam body, and rotation in the ice making device shown in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of a cam body. In the ice making device shown in FIG. 1, it is explanatory drawing of the base plate used for the drive unit, and the member arrange | positioned in this ground plate on the side facing an outer case. It is explanatory drawing of the three leaf contact pieces which comprise a main switch in the ice making apparatus shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the water supply switch comprised in the ice making apparatus shown in FIG. (A), (B) is explanatory drawing in the state where external operation is not performed in the water supply amount adjustment mechanism of the ice making apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and explanatory drawing at the time of performing external operation. (A), (B) is a disassembled perspective view of the water supply amount adjusting mechanism of the ice making device shown in FIG. 1, and a side view showing a state during the assembly thereof. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the drive unit of the ice making apparatus shown in FIG. (A), (B), (C) is a perspective view showing another configuration of the ice detecting lever used in the ice making device to which the present invention is applied, and the one side end portion of the ice detecting lever and the rotation output member It is explanatory drawing which shows a connection structure, and explanatory drawing which shows a mode that an ice detection lever is assembled | attached in the manufacturing process of an ice making apparatus. (A), (B) is the side view which shows another structure of the ice detection lever used with the ice making apparatus to which this invention is applied, respectively, and explanatory drawing which shows the operation | movement. It is explanatory drawing of the water supply switch of the conventional ice making apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ice making device 1f Deicing mechanism 2 Ice making unit 3 Drive unit 4 Case body 21 Ice tray 23 Scraping member 41 Inner case 42 Base plate 43 Outer case 55 Rotating cam body 55a First cam member 55b Second cam member (Cam for water supply control) Element)
73 Water supply switch (Water supply control unit)
76 Operation member 77 Transmission member 78 Lock mechanism 79 Water supply amount adjustment mechanism 231 Rotating shaft 552 for deicing Cam drive shaft 731 Leaf contact piece for water supply control

Claims (7)

An ice tray, a water supply section for supplying water to the ice tray, a deicing mechanism for performing deicing operation from the ice tray, and causing the water supply section to perform water supply in conjunction with the deicing operation by the deicing mechanism An ice making device having a water supply control unit,
The water supply control unit is driven by a cam drive shaft that rotates in conjunction with the deicing operation, a water supply control rotary cam member that follows the cam drive shaft with play in the circumferential direction, and the water supply control rotary cam member. A leaf switch for water supply control provided with a leaf contact piece,
The ice making device, wherein the water supply control rotating cam member rotates relative to the leaf contact piece from a side where the free end of the leaf contact piece is located toward a side where the fixed end is located. The water supply unit includes a pump device driven by an electric motor,
The ice making device according to claim 1, wherein the water supply control leaf switch and the electric motor are electrically connected in series.   The ice making device according to claim 2, wherein a commercial power source is applied to the electric motor via the water supply control leaf switch. The water supply unit includes an electric valve,
The ice making device according to claim 1, wherein the water supply control leaf switch and the electric valve are electrically connected in series.   The ice making device according to claim 4, wherein commercial power is applied to the electric valve via the water supply control leaf switch.   6. The water supply control rotary cam member is held on the cam drive shaft so as to be rotatable with play in a circumferential direction with respect to the cam drive shaft. The ice making device described. A cam surface different from the rotating cam member for water supply control is formed on the cam drive shaft,
The other cam surface rotates relative to the leaf contact piece of the leaf switch for the water supply control and the other leaf switch from the side where the fixed end of the leaf contact piece is located toward the side where the free end is located. The ice making device according to claim 6.

Images