JP2012007810A - Ice conveying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ice conveying device capable of preventing an ice block from breaking or chipping during conveyance.SOLUTION: The ice conveying device C1 conveys an ice block S taken through an ice intake port 43 provided in a cylindrical body 41, by rotating an ice conveyer 42 to an ice discharge port. An opening edge 71 of the ice intake port 43, the edge at a position forward in the rotation direction of an ice conveyer 42, is provided with a concavo-convex edge 73 having recesses and projections in the circumference direction of the cylindrical body 41. Thereby, an ice block S brought into contact with the opening edge 71 by the rotation of the conveyer 42 is forced to change the attitude by the concavo-convex pattern of the concavo-convex edge 73 and to depart from the opening edge 71.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cylindrical body provided with an ice intake opening that opens into an ice storage chamber and an ice discharge opening that opens to the outside of the ice storage chamber, and a rotating shaft that is disposed along the cylindrical body and that exists along the cylindrical body. An ice transport body having spiral blades on the outer peripheral surface and facing the ice intake port, and transporting ice blocks taken into the cylindrical body from the ice intake port by rotation of the ice transport body to the ice discharge port The present invention relates to an ice transport device.

  Some ice storages (ice dispensers) that store ice blocks generated by the ice making mechanism include an ice transport device that transports the stored ice blocks to the outside of the ice storage (see Patent Document 1). This ice transport device is formed in a cylindrical shape, provided with an ice intake port at one end and an ice discharge port at the other end (transport tube), and disposed inside the transport tube and spirally provided. It is provided with an ice carrier (screw) provided with blades, and is arranged in a substantially vertical posture with the ice intake opening on the bottom. Then, by rotating the ice carrier by the driving means, the ice lump taken in from the ice take-in port is carried to the ice discharge port and discharged from the ice carry-out port.

Japanese Patent No. 3834211

  FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view showing a portion where an ice intake port is formed in an ice transport device substantially the same type as the ice transport device disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this form of the ice transport device C, the ice transport body 92 provided in the circular transport cylinder 91 and provided with the spiral blade 95 on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 94 is rotated to the right when viewed from above. Then, the ice block S taken into the transport cylinder 91 from the ice take-in port 93 is transported upward. Here, when the ice transport body 92 is rotated to the right, as shown in FIG. 11, the ice block S facing the ice take-in port 93 is pushed by the spiral blade 95 and is positioned forward in the rotation direction of the ice transport body 92. The ice block S is moved upward while being pressed against the left edge 93A of the ice intake port 93 and in contact with the left edge 93A. When the ice block S is moved while being in contact with the left edge portion 93A in this way, the contact portion of the ice block S with the left edge portion 93A is melted to form a groove in the ice block S, and the ice block S is moved to the left edge portion 93A. It becomes difficult to be separated naturally from For this reason, when the ice block S moves upward along the left side edge portion 93A of the ice intake port 93 and the ice block S comes into contact with the upper edge portion 93B located on the downstream side in the transport direction of the ice intake port 93, The inconvenience that the ice block S is bitten by the upper edge portion 93B and the spiral blade 95 occurs. When such a biting of the ice block S occurs, the ice block S is cracked or chipped, so that the quality of the transported ice block S is deteriorated. In addition, since the biting of the ice block S occurs at almost the same portion of the transport cylinder 91 and the spiral blade 95, the spiral blade 95 of the transport cylinder 91 and the ice transport body 92 may be damaged.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned problems inherent in the conventional ice transport device, and has been proposed to suitably solve this problem, and it is possible to prevent the ice blocks from cracking or chipping during the transport of the ice blocks. An object is to provide an ice transport device.

In order to overcome the above problems and achieve the intended purpose, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is
A cylindrical body provided with an ice intake opening that opens into the ice storage chamber and an ice discharge opening that opens to the outside of the ice storage chamber, and a spiral on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft that is disposed in the cylindrical body and exists along the cylindrical body An ice transport device that includes blades and an ice transport body facing the spiral blade at the ice intake port, and transports ice blocks taken from the ice intake port into the cylindrical body by rotation of the ice transport port to the ice discharge port In
An uneven edge that is uneven in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body is provided at the opening edge of the ice intake located at the front in the rotational direction of the ice carrier that conveys ice blocks from the ice intake to the ice outlet. It is characterized by that.

  Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the ice block conveyed by the rotation of the ice transport body reaches the uneven edge provided at the opening edge of the ice intake port, the posture of the ice block is forced by the uneven edge. Changed. And since the ice block loses its balance when the posture changes, the ice block comes off from the opening edge of the ice intake port. For this reason, it is possible to prevent an ice block from being caught between the opening edge of the ice intake port and the spiral blade of the ice carrier. Therefore, the breakage or chipping of the ice block due to the biting is prevented, and the quality of the transported ice block is not deteriorated. Moreover, since the biting of the ice block is prevented, it is possible to suitably prevent the cylindrical blade or the spiral blade of the ice carrier from being damaged.

Similarly, in order to overcome the above-mentioned problems and achieve the intended purpose, the invention according to claim 2 of the present application is
A cylindrical body provided with an ice intake opening that opens into the ice storage chamber and an ice discharge opening that opens to the outside of the ice storage chamber, and a spiral on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft that is disposed in the cylindrical body and exists along the cylindrical body An ice transport device that includes blades and an ice transport body facing the spiral blade at the ice intake port, and transports ice blocks taken from the ice intake port into the cylindrical body by rotation of the ice transport port to the ice discharge port In
The spiral blade of the ice carrier is provided with a notch at an edge that faces the ice intake when the ice carrier rotates.

  Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the ice block conveyed by the rotation of the ice carrier reaches the notch provided in the spiral blade, the attitude of the ice block is forcibly changed by the notch. The And since the ice block loses its balance when the posture changes, the ice block comes off from the opening edge of the ice intake port. For this reason, it is possible to prevent an ice block from being caught between the opening edge of the ice intake port and the spiral blade of the ice carrier. Therefore, the breakage or chipping of the ice block due to the biting is prevented, and the quality of the transported ice block is not deteriorated. Moreover, since the biting of the ice block is prevented, it is possible to suitably prevent the cylindrical blade or the spiral blade of the ice carrier from being damaged.

The invention according to claim 3
An uneven edge that is uneven in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body is provided at the opening edge of the ice intake located at the front in the rotational direction of the ice carrier that conveys ice blocks from the ice intake to the ice outlet. This is the gist.
Therefore, according to the invention of claim 3, when the ice block conveyed by the rotation of the ice transport body reaches the uneven edge provided at the opening edge of the ice intake port, the posture of the ice block is forced by the uneven edge. Changed. Similarly, when the ice block conveyed by the rotation of the ice transfer body reaches the notch provided in the spiral blade, the attitude of the ice block is forcibly changed by the notch. As a result, the ice block loses its balance when the posture changes, so that the ice block comes off from the opening edge of the ice intake port. For this reason, it is possible to prevent an ice block from being caught between the opening edge of the ice intake port and the spiral blade of the ice carrier. Therefore, the breakage or chipping of the ice block due to the biting is prevented, and the quality of the transported ice block is not deteriorated. Moreover, since the biting of the ice block is prevented, it is possible to suitably prevent the cylindrical blade or the spiral blade of the ice carrier from being damaged.

The invention according to claim 4
The gist of the invention is that the notch is provided at a position spaced from the downstream end of the ice intake port in the transport direction to the upstream side in the transport direction more than the maximum width of the ice block.
Therefore, according to the invention according to claim 4, the ice lump transported in a state of being in contact with the opening edge portion of the ice intake port is removed from the opening edge portion before reaching the downstream end in the transport direction of the ice intake port. Since it can be made to detach | leave, it can prevent an ice lump being bitten between the opening edge part of an ice intake opening, and the spiral blade of an ice conveyance body.

The invention described in claim 5
The ice transport body is arranged in the cylindrical body so that the rotation shaft extends in the vertical direction, and is configured to transport the ice block upward as the ice transport body rotates.
The distance from the rotating shaft to the notch is set to be smaller than the distance from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft to the center of gravity of the ice block when a part of the ice block faces the inside of the ice intake. Is the gist.
Therefore, according to the invention which concerns on Claim 5, when a notch part arrives at the ice block conveyed upwards in the state contact | abutted to the ice taking-in port by rotation of an ice conveyance body, an ice block will be on the rotating shaft side rather than a gravity center. Since only the button is pushed, the posture changes, and the ice block can be detached from the ice intake.

  According to the ice transport device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the ice blocks from being cracked or chipped during the transport of the ice blocks.

It is a perspective view which fractures | ruptures and shows the ice dispenser by which the ice conveying apparatus of 1st Example was arrange | positioned. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows the ice stirring member arrange | positioned in an ice storage chamber, and an ice conveyance apparatus. It is explanatory sectional drawing which shows roughly the structure of the ice dispenser by which the ice conveyance apparatus of 1st Example was arrange | positioned. It is a perspective view which shows the biting prevention structure in the ice conveyance apparatus of 1st Example. It is a perspective view which shows the biting prevention member in which the uneven | corrugated edge part was formed in the state removed from the ice taking-in port. It is explanatory drawing which shows that an ice block is forcibly separated by the biting prevention member provided with the uneven edge. It is a perspective view which shows the biting prevention structure of 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows that an ice block is forcibly separated by the notch provided in the spiral blade. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the gravity center of an ice lump, and the magnitude | size of a notch part. It is the XX sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is explanatory perspective view which shows that the biting of an ice block generate | occur | produces between an ice intake opening and a spiral blade in the conventional ice conveyance apparatus.

  Next, a preferred embodiment of the ice transport device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, an Example demonstrates the ice conveying apparatus arrange | positioned at the ice dispenser. In the embodiment, the vertical direction is described as the vertical direction of the ice conveying device in a state where the ice dispenser is horizontally installed.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a partially broken ice dispenser ST in which the ice transfer device C1 of the first embodiment is disposed. As shown in FIG. 1, the ice dispenser ST in which the ice transfer device C1 of the first embodiment is disposed includes an ice storage 10 that is disposed in the storage body B and can store a predetermined amount of ice lump S, and a storage. An ice discharging device R is provided on the upper surface of the main body B, and an ice transporting device C1 is provided in a state of standing from the ice storage 10 to the ice discharging device R. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ice blocks S stored in the ice storage chamber 11 are prevented from freezing with each other at the bottom of the ice storage chamber 11 defined in the ice storage 10. An ice stirring member 30 is provided. In addition, the ice dispenser ST of the first embodiment includes an ice making device (not shown) on the side of the ice storage 10 inside the storage body B, and the ice blocks generated by this ice making device are from above the ice storage 10. It is supplied into the ice storage 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ice storage 10 includes the main body member 12 formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape and the ice storage chamber 11 formed by a lid member 13 that covers the main body member 12 from above. And a heat insulating material 14 that covers the entire outside of the ice storage chamber 11. The bottom portion of the ice storage chamber 11 is formed in a stepped shape with the outer edge portion raised, and the first disposing portion 15 for disposing the ice stirring member 30 is provided in a circular shape. Further, a part of the vertical wall portion in the ice storage chamber 11 is formed in a state of bulging outward, and the second disposing portion 16 for disposing the ice transfer device C1 extends in the vertical direction. Is provided. A boss-like support portion 17 that supports the ice stirring member 30 is provided in the center of the first arrangement portion 15. Further, a support shaft 18 that supports the idle gear 65 is vertically provided at a boundary portion between the first arrangement portion 15 and the second arrangement portion. Furthermore, a support member 19 that supports the ice transport device C <b> 1 is disposed in the second placement portion 16 so as to align with the lower end portion of the ice transport device 40.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the ice stirring member 30 is a molded member formed in an umbrella shape having a disc shape and a central portion protruding upward. The ice stirring member 30 includes a disk portion 31 formed in an umbrella shape, and a plurality of stirring portions 32 formed so as to protrude from the upper surface of the disk portion 31 and extend from the center portion to the outer peripheral portion of the disk portion 31. The support boss 33 extending downward from the center of the disk portion 31 and a plurality of reinforcing ribs 34 formed radially from the outer peripheral surface of the support boss 33 to the back surface of the disk portion 31 are integrally formed. ing. A rotation support shaft 35 is provided at the lower end of the support boss 33 so as to rotate into the support portion 17 provided at the bottom of the ice storage chamber 11 from above. Such an ice agitating member 30 makes the rotation support shaft 35 enter the support portion 17 from above in a horizontal posture, so that the outer peripheral edge of the disc portion 31 and the step portion 12B in the bottom portion 12A of the ice storage chamber 11 are formed. In the meantime, even if the ice agitating member 30 is inclined due to the clearance between the support portion 17 and the rotation support shaft 35, the outer peripheral edge of the disk portion 31 is disposed so as to be rotatable in a state that does not contact the step portion 12B. Is done. Then, the ice agitating member 30 is disposed in the first disposing portion 15, and the disk portion 31 partitions the inside of the ice storage chamber 11 into an upper ice storage portion 11A and a lower mechanism disposing portion 11B. 31 substantially constitutes the bottom of the ice storage chamber 11 and receives the ice block S.

  At the lower part of the disk portion 31 of the ice stirring member 30, mounting bosses 36 projecting downward are provided on the circumference centered on the rotation support shaft 35 at every required interval. A ring-type driven gear 66 is attached to each mounting boss 36 below the ice stirring member 30. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the driven gear 66 has an outer diameter (tooth tip diameter) set smaller than the diameter of the disk portion 31 of the ice stirring member 30, and the rotation support shaft 35 is the center. In this state, the ice agitating member 30 is attached. That is, the driven gear 66 is formed to have a diameter smaller than the rotation radius of the disk portion 31 and does not extend radially outward from the outer peripheral edge of the disk portion 31, and thus has fallen from between the disk portion 31 and the step portion 12 </ b> B. Water and ice pieces are prevented from adhering to the tooth surface of the driven gear 66. The driven gear 66 meshes with an idle gear 65 that is rotatably attached to the rotation support shaft 35, and is horizontally moved around the rotation support shaft 35 by a drive motor (drive means) 61 provided in the ice discharge portion R. It is designed to rotate.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the ice transport device C1 of the first embodiment is a long and cylindrical transport cylinder (cylindrical body) 41 that extends vertically in the vertical direction, An ice transport body 42 is provided that extends in the vertical direction in the transport cylinder 41 and is rotatably disposed. The transport cylinder 41 is formed with a rectangular ice inlet 43 that opens into the ice storage chamber 11 on the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion thereof, and has a rectangular shape that opens to the outside of the ice storage chamber 11 on the upper outer peripheral surface thereof. A shaped ice outlet 44 is provided. An upper support 45 is provided at the upper end of the transport cylinder 41, and a lower support 46 is provided at the lower end of the transport cylinder 41. As shown in FIG. 5, the transfer cylinder 41 is inserted into the second disposition portion 16 formed in the ice storage chamber 11 of the ice storage 10 from above, and the ice intake port 43 is directed to the ice storage chamber 11. The lower end portion of the transport cylinder 41 is aligned with the support member 19 and is further fixed to the ice storage 10 by fixing means (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ice transport body 42 has a rotation shaft 48 extending in the axial direction of the transport cylinder body 41, and projects outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the rotation shaft 48. And a spiral blade 49 wound at a predetermined pitch in the axial direction of the ice, and by rotating in a predetermined direction, the ice block S taken into the transport cylinder 41 from the ice take-in port 43 is transported toward the ice discharge port 44 It is configured to The rotating shaft 48 is inserted into and supported by the upper support 45 and the lower support 46 of the transport cylinder 41, and extends upward from the upper support 45 and extends downward from the lower support 46. Is formed.

  A first intermediate gear 63 is disposed at an upper end portion that extends upward from the upper support 45 of the rotary shaft 48, and a second intermediate gear 64 is provided at the lower end portion that extends downward from the lower support 46 of the rotary shaft 48. Is arranged. The first intermediate gear 63 meshes with a drive gear 62 provided on the drive motor 61, and the second intermediate gear 64 meshes with the idle gear 65 disposed at the bottom of the ice storage chamber 11. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second intermediate gear 64 has an outer diameter (tooth diameter) set smaller than the outer diameter of the transport cylinder 41 of the ice transport device C1. Accordingly, since the second intermediate gear 64 does not extend radially outward from the outer peripheral edge of the transport cylinder 41, water and ice pieces dripped along the outer peripheral edge of the transport cylinder 41 are in the second intermediate gear 64. It is prevented from adhering to the tooth surface.

  The spiral blades 49 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 48 in a right-handed manner when viewed from below at a predetermined pitch from the lower end side to the upper end side of the rotating shaft 48. The spiral blade 49 is formed so that the extending width (distance) from the rotation shaft 48 is constant over the entire length, and is formed to be circular when viewed from the axial direction of the rotation shaft 48. The outer diameter of the spiral blade 49 is set such that a gap is formed between the inner wall surface of the transport cylinder 41 so that the ice lump S does not fall off.

  And in the ice conveyance apparatus C1 of 1st Example, as shown in FIG. 4, the biting prevention member 70 which prevents the biting of the ice lump S is provided in a part of opening edge part of the said ice intake port 43. As shown in FIG. ing. This biting prevention member 70 is seen at the front side in the rotation direction of the ice transport body 42 that transports the ice mass S from the ice intake port 43 to the ice discharge port 44 when viewed from the ice intake port 43 side at the rectangular ice intake port 43. This is a molded member formed in a substantially L-shape that is locked to the left edge 43A located at the upper edge 43B located on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the ice block S. That is, the left edge 43 </ b> A rotates to the right of the ice transport body 42, so that the edge 49 </ b> A of the spiral blade 49 facing the ice intake port 43 is located at a position where the edge 49 </ b> A moves to the inside of the wall of the transport cylinder 41. It is.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the biting prevention member 70 includes a contact portion (opening edge portion) 71 attached to the left side edge portion 43 </ b> A of the ice intake port 43 and an upper edge of the ice intake port 43. This is a molded member that is formed of a holding portion 72 attached to the portion 43B, and is made of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene (PE) or a metal such as stainless steel as a whole in a substantially L shape.

  The contact portion 71 is formed to a length that can cover the entire left side edge portion 43A, and a plurality of (five in the first embodiment) recesses 73A are provided at a required interval in the transport direction at a portion facing the ice intake port 43. It is provided for each, and is an uneven edge 73 that is uneven in the circumferential direction of the transport cylinder 41. The concavo-convex edge 73 is formed when the ice lump S contacting the concavo-convex edge 73 by the rotation of the ice transport body 42 is pushed upward by the spiral blades 49 of the rotating ice transport body 42 and conveyed upward. The ice lump S is forcibly separated from the corresponding contact portion 71 such that the posture of the ice lump S changes depending on the uneven shape of the uneven edge 73. Here, it is desirable that the width V in the transport direction of each recess 73A is set to be equal to or longer than the length W1 of one side of the ice block S. As a result, when the ice block S moving upward along the protruding portion of the uneven edge 73 hits the recess 73A at least a half of at least one side of the ice block S, the ice block S is pushed toward the recess 73A. As a result, the posture is displaced, so that it moves either outside or inside the transport cylinder 41. A first fitting groove 74 into which the left edge 43A is fitted is formed at a portion facing the left edge 43A of the contact portion 71 so as to extend in the length direction of the contact portion 71. ing.

  The holding portion 72 is formed in a length that can cover the entire upper edge portion 43B, covers the upper edge portion 43B, and stably attaches the abutting portion 71 to the left edge portion 43A. belongs to. A portion of the holding portion 72 that faces the ice intake port 43 is a curved surface portion 75 that is substantially straight in the length direction of the holding portion 72 and that is smoothly curved in the short direction of the holding portion 72. Yes. Accordingly, the holding portion 72 is configured such that when the ice block S comes into contact with the rotation of the ice transport body 42, the ice block S easily escapes to the outside of the transport cylinder 41 by the curved surface portion 75. Further, a second fitting groove 76 into which the upper edge portion 43B is fitted is formed at a portion facing the upper edge portion 43B of the holding portion 72 so as to extend in the length direction of the holding portion 72. Yes.

  Further, a curved edge portion 77 that gradually curves from the length direction of the contact portion 71 to the length direction of the holding portion 72 is provided at the inner corner of the contact portion 71 and the holding portion 72. The curved edge portion 77 changes the posture of the ice block S by sliding the ice block S that has moved to the upper portion of the contact portion 71 in contact with the contact portion 71 along the curved portion 77. Is. Accordingly, the ice mass S that has come into contact with the curved edge portion 77 changes its posture and moves inward or outward of the transport cylinder 41, and the ice mass S at the inner corner between the contact portion 71 and the holding portion 72. Is prevented from getting caught.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the biting prevention member 70 formed as described above fits the left edge 43A of the ice intake port 43 in the first fitting groove 74 and the second edge 43B in the second fitting. By fitting in the mating groove 76, it is mounted on the ice intake port 43. And since the holding | maintenance part 72 is mounted | worn with the upper edge part 43B of the ice intake port 43, the contact part 71 becomes difficult to remove | deviate from 43 A of left side edges, and the ice lump S is the uneven | corrugated edge part of the contact part 71 Even when pressed against 73, the biting prevention member 70 is stably held with respect to the ice intake port 43.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ice discharge portion R includes an outer case 55 standing on the upper surface of the storage body B and having a discharge port 56 on the front side, and a chute member 58 disposed inside the outer case 55. And. A mounting plate 57 is provided horizontally above the outer case 55, and the upper end of the ice transport device C1 and the drive motor 61 are fixed to the mounting plate 57. The chute member 58 includes a first opening 58A that aligns with the ice discharge port 44 of the ice transport device C1 and a second opening 58B that aligns with the discharge port 56. Therefore, the ice mass S discharged from the ice discharge port 44 to the outside of the transfer cylinder 41 by the operation of the ice transfer device C1 is guided to the discharge port 56 via the chute member 58 and is downward from the discharge port 56. Fall. A mounting table 59 for mounting a container that receives the ice block S is provided below the discharge port 56 in the outer case 55.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the drive mechanism 60 in the ice dispenser ST of the first embodiment includes a drive motor (drive means) 61 provided in the ice discharge portion R, an ice transport device C <b> 1, and an ice stirring member 30. And the plurality of gears 62 to 66 provided in the ice storage chamber 11. The ice transport body 42 and the ice stirring member 30 of the ice transport device C 1 are driven by the one drive motor 61. That is, the drive gear 62 disposed on the output shaft 61A of the drive motor 61 meshes with the first intermediate gear 63 disposed on the upper end portion of the rotation shaft 48 in the ice transport device C1. The second intermediate gear 64 disposed at the lower end of the rotating shaft 48 in the ice transport device C1 meshes with the idle gear 65 disposed rotatably at the bottom 12A of the ice storage chamber 11 in the ice storage 10. Yes. Further, the idle gear 65 meshes with the driven gear 66 disposed on the ice stirring member 30. That is, in the ice dispenser ST of the first embodiment, the linking means 50 is constituted by a gear train including the second intermediate gear 64, the idle gear 65, and the driven gear 66, and the ice conveying device C1 and the ice stirring member 30 are linked. is doing.

  The drive motor 61 is fixed to the mounting plate 57 provided horizontally in the ice discharge portion R in an inverted state from below at the side of the ice transport device C1, and the output shaft 61A is disposed above the mounting plate 57. The drive gear 62 is positioned above the mounting plate 57 so as to extend. That is, the drive motor 61 is provided at a position off the upper side of the ice transport device C1 and at a position off the upper side of the ice storage 10 (ice storage chamber 11). The drive motor 61 is provided at a position away from the lower side of the ice transfer device 40 and the ice storage 10 (ice storage chamber 11). As the drive motor 61, various types of motors conforming to the specifications of the ice dispenser ST can be used, and those having sufficient output to drive the ice transport device 40 and the ice stirring member 30 are employed. .

  Accordingly, in the ice dispenser ST provided with the ice transport device C1 of the first embodiment, when the drive motor 61 is driven by a control device (not shown), the drive gear 62 rotates counterclockwise as viewed from above, and the drive gear The first intermediate gear 63 meshed with 62 rotates right about the rotation shaft 48. As a result, the ice transport body 42 of the ice transport device C1 rotates to the right so that the ice block S stored in the ice dispenser ST is taken into the transport cylinder 41 from the ice take-in port 43 and the ice block S taken in is iced. It can be conveyed toward the outlet 44. Further, when the ice transport body 42 of the ice transport device C1 rotates to the right, the second intermediate gear 64 rotates to the right around the rotation shaft 48, and the idle gear 65 meshed with the second intermediate gear 64 moves to the left. Rotate. Accordingly, when the driven gear 66 meshed with the idle gear 65 rotates rightward around the rotation support shaft 35, the ice stirring member 30 rotates clockwise as a whole, and the ice stirring member 32 of the ice stirring member 30 stores the ice. The ice block S stored in the ice storage part 11A of the chamber 11 is stirred while being leveled.

  When the ice block S transported by the rotation of the ice transport body 42 of the ice transport device C1 reaches the uneven edge 73 provided in the contact portion 71 of the biting prevention member 70, the uneven shape of the uneven edge 73 is obtained. Thus, the posture of the ice block S is forcibly changed. As a result, the ice mass S loses its balance due to the change in posture, so that the ice mass S comes off from the uneven edge 73. For this reason, the ice block S that is in contact with the uneven edge 73 hardly moves along the uneven edge 73 to the inner corners of the contact portion 71 and the holding portion 72. Even if the ice block S moves to the inner corner of the contact portion 71 and the holding portion 72, the posture of the ice block S is forcibly changed at the curved surface portion 75, so Move towards. Accordingly, the ice block S hardly occurs between the left edge 43A or the upper edge 43B of the ice intake port 43 and the spiral blade 49 of the ice carrier 42. Occurrence of chipping is prevented, and the quality of the ice block S to be conveyed does not deteriorate. Moreover, since the biting of the ice block S is prevented, it is possible to suitably prevent the conveyance cylinder 41 and the spiral blade 49 of the ice conveyance body 42 from being damaged.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a main part of the ice transfer device C2 of the second embodiment. The ice transport device C2 of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the structure for preventing the ice lump S from being caught, and the basic configuration of the transport cylinder 41 and the ice transport body 42 is almost the same as that of the first embodiment. It is. Therefore, here, a configuration related to the structure for preventing the ice block S from being caught will be described.

  In the ice transport device C2 of the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the spiral blade 49 of the ice transport body 42 has an edge 49 </ b> A that faces the ice intake port 43 when the ice transport body 42 rotates. A notch 80 extending to the required length is provided. This notch 80 is located at the downstream end in the transport direction of the left edge 43A of the ice intake port 43, that is, at a position spaced from the upper edge 43B to the upstream side in the transport direction beyond the maximum width W of the ice block S. It is provided over a range of about 120 degrees. That is, the upper end of the notch 80 is positioned upstream (downward) by an interval H set to be equal to or larger than the maximum width W of the ice block S from the upper edge 43B of the ice intake port 43, and upstream (downward) from this position. ) To the required length.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the distance L2 from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 48 to the notch 80 is a state in which a part of the ice block S to be transported faces the inside of the ice intake port 43. Is set to be smaller than the distance L3 from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 48 to the center of gravity G of the ice block S. And the distance L2 from the outer peripheral surface of the said rotating shaft 48 in the said notch part 80 is the same also in any site | part in the circumferential direction of the spiral blade 49. FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the distance L1 from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 48 to the end edge 49A of the spiral blade 49 is such that the ice block S to be transported slightly hits the left edge 43A of the ice intake port 43. In the state of being caught in contact, the relationship is greater than the distance L3 from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 48 to the center of gravity G of the ice mass S.

  Therefore, in the ice transfer device C2 of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the ice block S, which partially contacts the left edge 43A of the ice intake port 43 due to the rotation of the ice transfer body 42, is formed into the spiral blade 49. Since the center of gravity G of the ice block S and the spiral blade 49 overlap in the transport direction while being moved upward while being pushed at a portion where the notch 80 is not formed, the balance of the ice block S is maintained. Carry in the state. In the ice transport device C2 of the second embodiment, when the notch 80 comes below the ice block S due to the rotation of the ice transport body 42, the center of gravity G of the ice block S and the notch 80 overlap in the transport direction. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the ice mass S is out of balance and the posture is changed so that the ice mass S is inclined to the outside of the transport cylinder 41, so that the ice mass S is removed from the left edge 43A. It is designed to be removed.

  Therefore, in the ice transport device C2 of the second embodiment, when the ice block S transported by the rotation of the ice transport body 42 arrives at the notch 80 provided in the spiral blade 49, as shown in FIG. The posture of the ice block S is forcibly changed by the notch 80. And since the ice block S loses its balance when the posture changes, the ice block S comes off from the left edge 43A of the ice intake port 43. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the ice block S from being caught between the ice intake port 43 and the spiral blade 49 of the ice carrier 42. Therefore, the cracking and chipping of the ice block S due to biting are prevented, and the quality of the transported ice block S is not deteriorated. Moreover, since the biting of the ice block S is prevented, it is possible to suitably prevent the conveyance cylinder 41 and the spiral blade 49 of the ice conveyance body 42 from being damaged.

(Example of change)
(1) In the first embodiment, the biting prevention member 70 is L-shaped with the holding portion 72, but the biting prevention member 70 is securely attached to the left side edge 43 </ b> A of the ice intake port 43. If possible, it may be formed in an I-shape consisting only of the contact portion 71.
(2) In the first embodiment, the width V of each recess 73A constituting the uneven edge 73 is set to be equal to or longer than the length W1 of one side of the ice block S on the assumption of the ice block S that is a regular hexahedral ice cube. The width V of each recess 73A is not limited to this, and may be equal to or less than the length W1 of one side of the ice block S, and may be smaller than the length W1 as long as it is equal to or greater than ½ of the length W1.
(3) In the first embodiment, the left edge 43A of the ice intake port 43 may be formed in an uneven shape, and the left edge 43A may be used as the uneven edge 73.
(4) The concavo-convex shape of the concavo-convex edge 73 in the first embodiment is not limited to the form illustrated in the first embodiment, and is changed to a wave form, a form in which the concave portion 73A is a V-type, or the like Is possible. And the uneven | corrugated edge part 73 is not limited to what provided the several recessed part 73A in multiple numbers with the same space | interval, You may provide several recessed parts 73A in every different space | interval. Moreover, each recessed part 73A may differ in the width | variety and dent amount of each recessed part 73A. Further, the number of the recessed portions 73A disposed is not limited to five in the embodiment.
(5) In the second embodiment, the length of the notch 80 in the extending direction of the edge 49A of the spiral blade 49 is not limited to that shown in the embodiment. For example, the notch 80 may be provided over the entire portion of the spiral blade 49 that faces the ice intake port 43. Further, the notch 80 has a form in which the spiral blade 49 is notched in a straight line and is cut out in a crescent shape, or a form in which the distance L2 from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 48 is changed in the circumferential direction. Also good. Further, a plurality of notches 80 may be provided at the edge 49A of the spiral blade 49 at every required interval.
(6) In the second embodiment, the distance L2 from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 48 to the notch 80 and the distance L1 from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 48 to the edge 49A of the spiral blade 49 The difference (L1-L2) may be set to ½ or more of the maximum width W of the ice block S. Even with this setting, the balance of the ice block S can be broken when the notch 80 reaches the ice block S, and the ice block S can be detached from the left edge 43A of the ice intake port 43.
(7) The first embodiment and the second embodiment may be implemented simultaneously with the biting prevention structure. That is, if the uneven edge 73 is provided in the left edge 43A of the ice intake port 43 and the notch 80 is formed in the spiral blade 49 of the ice carrier 42, the attitude displacement of the ice block S is further promoted. Thus, the biting of the ice block S can be suitably prevented.
(8) The ice intake port 43 is not limited to the rectangular shape exemplified in each embodiment, and may be an elliptical shape, a circular shape, a triangular shape, a pentagonal shape or more. In the case of the circular ice intake port 43, the front in the rotational direction of the ice transport body 42 that conveys the ice mass S from the ice intake port 43 to the ice discharge port 44 is viewed from the front of the ice intake port 43. The edge portion is located on the rotation direction side of the ice transport body 42 from the portion having the maximum width in the transport direction of the ice block S.
(9) In each of the embodiments, a regular hexahedral ice cube is illustrated as the ice block S, but the ice block S is not limited to a square ice, and may be a sphere, a spheroid, a polyhedron, or the like. In the case of a spherical ice block S, the diameter of the ice block S corresponds to one side W1 and the maximum width W1 of ice cubes. Further, in the case of the spheroid ice block S, the outer diameter of the minor axis of the ice block S corresponds to one side W1 of the ice cube, and the outer diameter of the major axis corresponds to the maximum width W of the ice cube.
(10) As illustrated in the embodiment, the ice transfer device is a device in which the transfer cylinder 41 and the ice transfer body 42 rotatably disposed in the transfer cylinder 41 are vertically arranged. It is not limited to this, The thing standing up diagonally with the required inclination angle, and the thing extended horizontally may be sufficient.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ice storage chamber, 41 Conveyance cylinder (cylindrical body), 42 Ice conveyance body, 43 Ice intake port, 44 Ice discharge port 48 Rotating body, 49 Spiral blade, 49A Spiral blade, 71 Contact part (opening edge part)
73 uneven edge, 80 notch, G center of gravity, L2 distance, L3 distance, S ice block, W maximum width

Claims (5)

A cylindrical body (41) provided with an ice intake port (43) opened in the ice storage chamber (10) and an ice discharge port (44) opened outside the ice storage chamber (10), and in the cylindrical body (41) The spiral blade (49) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation shaft (48) that is disposed along the cylindrical body (41) and the spiral blade (49) faces the ice intake port (43). A transport body (42), and transporting the ice block (S) taken into the cylindrical body (41) from the ice intake port (43) by the rotation of the ice transport body (42) to the ice discharge port (44). In the ice conveyor
An opening edge portion (71) of the ice intake port (43) positioned forward in the rotational direction of the ice transport body (42) for transporting ice blocks (S) from the ice intake port (43) to the ice discharge port (44). ) Is provided with an uneven edge (73) which is uneven in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body (41). A cylindrical body (41) provided with an ice intake port (43) opened in the ice storage chamber (10) and an ice discharge port (44) opened outside the ice storage chamber (10), and in the cylindrical body (41) The spiral blade (49) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation shaft (48) that is disposed along the cylindrical body (41) and the spiral blade (49) faces the ice intake port (43). A transport body (42), and transporting the ice block (S) taken into the cylindrical body (41) from the ice intake port (43) by the rotation of the ice transport body (42) to the ice discharge port (44). In the ice conveyor
The spiral blade (49) of the ice carrier (42) is provided with a notch (80) at the edge (49A) facing the ice intake port (43) when the ice carrier (42) rotates. An ice conveying device characterized by that.   An opening edge portion (71) of the ice intake port (43) positioned forward in the rotational direction of the ice transport body (42) for transporting ice blocks (S) from the ice intake port (43) to the ice discharge port (44). The ice conveying device according to claim 2, further comprising an uneven edge (73) which is uneven in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body (41).   The notch (80) is provided at a position spaced from the downstream end in the transport direction of the ice intake port (43) to the upstream side in the transport direction beyond the maximum width (W) of the ice block (S). The ice conveying device according to 2 or 3. The ice carrier (42) is disposed in the cylindrical body (41) such that the rotating shaft (48) extends in the vertical direction, and the ice block is rotated as the ice carrier (42) rotates. (S) is configured to convey upward, and
When the distance (L2) from the rotation shaft (48) to the notch (80) is in a state where a part of the ice block (S) faces the inside of the ice intake port (43), the rotation shaft (48) The ice carrying device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, which is set to be smaller than a distance (L3) from the outer peripheral surface to the center of gravity (G) of the ice block (S).

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