JP2019035548A - Ice maker - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an ice maker which enables work of attaching a water level sensor to the ice maker or replacing the water level sensor to be quickly performed with less labor by eliminating a screw for fixing the water level sensor.SOLUTION: A sensor holding structure S1 for detachably attaching and holding a water level sensor 51 to a water supply tank 13 is provided between a sensor frame 59 and a sensor attachment part 50 of the water supply tank 13. The sensor holding structure S1 comprises: a lock arm 90 formed at the sensor frame 59; and an engagement body 120 which is provided at the sensor attachment part 50 and engages with the lock arm 90.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an ice making machine, and more particularly to an improvement in a water level sensor for detecting a water level of a tank body in which ice making water is stored.

  The water level sensor according to the present invention includes a float that moves up and down in accordance with fluctuations in the level of ice-making water in the water supply tank, and a magnet switch that is turned on and off by the vertical movement of the float. The structure is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 and is publicly known. In the ice making machine 1 of Patent Document 1, the float 18 is moved up and down by the fluctuation of the water level in the water supply tank (storage tank) 12 and the tip of a vertical float shaft (arm) 19 provided above the float 18 is turned on and off. The water level sensor is composed of the switch 20 to be operated. The switch 20 is fixed to a support plate 22 provided in a cover 21 that hermetically covers the switch 20 with fixing screws, and the cover 21 is attached to the side wall of the ice making machine body 1 with screws 23. A cylindrical guide portion 24 is integrally formed on the lower surface of the cover 21, and the float shaft 19 can move up and down along the guide portion 24.

  In the water level sensor configured as described above, the float shaft 19 is passed through the guide portion 24, and the switch 20 is fixed to the support plate 22 of the cover 21 with a fixing screw, whereby the float 18, the float shaft 19, and A switch 20 or the like can be attached to the cover 21. Further, with the float 18, the float shaft 19, the switch 20, and the like mounted on the cover 21, the cover 21 is screwed into the side wall of the ice making machine main body 1 with the screw 23, thereby attaching the water level sensor to the ice making machine main body 1. be able to.

Microfilm (Fig. 4) of Japanese Utility Model Application Nos. 55-144961 (No. 54-44144)

  As described above, in the ice making machine described in Patent Document 1, since the water level sensor is attached to the ice making machine main body 1 using the fixing screw 23, the water level sensor is attached to the inside of the narrow ice making machine. In addition, it is necessary to fasten the fixing screw 23 using a tool in the machine room, which makes the installation work complicated and takes a lot of work. Also, when replacing the water level sensor, it is necessary to loosen the screw 23 using a tool in a narrow chamber or machine room, and to remove the water level sensor together with the cover 21 from the side surface of the ice making machine main body 1 for maintenance work. It takes a lot of work. The same applies to the case where only the switch 20 is exchanged. It is necessary to remove the switch 20 together with the cover 21 by loosening the screw 23 using a tool in a narrow cabinet or machine room, which takes a lot of trouble. Furthermore, in the form of Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the screw for fixing the switch 20 or the screw 23 for fixing the support plate 22 may drop and fall into the cabinet.

  The present invention was made in order to solve the problems of the conventional ice making machine as described above, and by removing the fixing screw for the water level sensor, the water level sensor can be attached to the ice making machine or replaced. An object of the present invention is to provide an ice making machine that can perform work quickly and with less effort.

  The present invention includes an ice making unit 3 that cools ice making water to produce ice, a water supply tank 13 that stores ice making water, and a sensor mounting unit 50 provided in the water supply tank 13. An ice making machine including a water level sensor 51 for detecting the water level of the water is intended. The water level sensor 51 supports a float 57 that moves up and down in response to fluctuations in the ice making water level in the water supply tank 13, a switch 58 that is turned on and off by the vertical movement of the float 57, and the float 57 and the switch 58. Sensor frame 59. Between the sensor frame 59 and the sensor mounting portion 50 of the water supply tank 13, a sensor holding structure S <b> 1 for detachably mounting the water level sensor 51 on the water supply tank 13 is provided. The sensor holding structure S <b> 1 includes a lock arm 90 formed on the sensor frame 59 and an engagement body 120 that is provided on the sensor mounting portion 50 and engages with the lock arm 90.

  The water supply tank 13 is formed in a bottomed container shape having an upper opening with a bottom portion 42 and peripheral walls 43, 44, and 45 erected along the periphery of the bottom portion 42. The sensor mounting portion 50 includes a rectangular bottom wall 52 that projects forward from the front peripheral wall 45, left and right walls 53 and 54 that are erected from the periphery of the bottom wall 52, and a front wall 55. 13 is formed as a bottomed container-shaped compartment having an upper opening. The lock arm 90 extends downward and includes a pair of left and right arms 122 having a lock claw 123 at the lower end, and an engagement body 120 formed on each of the left and right walls 53 and 54 of the sensor mounting portion 50; 90 lock claws 123 are configured to engage with each other.

  The switch 58 is mounted on the sensor frame 59 in a state of being molded as a switch holder 104. Between the switch holder 104 and the sensor frame 59, a switch holding structure S2 for detachably mounting the switch holder 104 to the sensor frame 59 is provided. The switch holding structure S <b> 2 is provided on the engagement arm 106 that is elastically deformable formed on the switch holder 104, the engagement claw 107 protruding from the engagement arm 106, and the sensor frame 59. And a stopper 108 that restricts the switch holder 104 from falling off.

  The float 57 includes a float shaft 60 that is supported by the sensor frame 59 so as to be movable up and down, and a float body 62 that is provided at the lower end of the float shaft 60 and exhibits buoyancy. The sensor frame 59 is provided with a support 91 having a bearing portion 97 and supporting the float shaft 60. The float shaft 60 is partially formed with a cross-shaped restricting portion 68, and a bearing 97 formed on the support 91 is formed as a cross-shaped cross-sectional opening that pivotally supports the restricting portion 68 so as to be movable up and down. Yes.

  The float body 62 is formed in a cylindrical container shape having a circular top wall 83 on the upper side. The interior of the float body 62 is partitioned into a plurality of equally divided cavities 88 by a plurality of partition walls 87 extending radially at equal angular intervals around the center of the top wall 83. A float shaft 60 is connected to the central portion of the top wall 83.

  In the ice making machine according to the present invention, the sensor holding structure S1 including the lock arm 90 formed on the sensor frame 59 and the engagement body 120 provided on the sensor mounting portion 50 and engaged with the lock arm 90 is used. The water level sensor 51 is assembled to the float chamber 50. According to this, compared with the form which attaches the water level sensor 51 to the water supply tank 13 using a screw etc., work work is remarkably efficient, and the installation work and replacement work of the water level sensor 51 can be quickly performed with less labor. . It is also excellent in that there is no risk of falling screws and the like, and there is no risk of contamination.

  In the present invention, the switch 58 is molded as the switch holder 104 so as to be mounted on the sensor frame 59, and the engagement arm on the switch holder 104 side is provided between the switch holder 104 and the sensor frame 59. A switch holding structure S2 including 106, an engaging claw 107, and a stopper 108 on the sensor frame 59 side is provided. According to this, compared with the form which assembles switch 58 to sensor frame 59 using a screw etc., work work of switch 58 and replacement work can be performed rapidly with less effort. It is also excellent in that there is no risk of falling screws and the like, and there is no risk of contamination.

  The float shaft 60 is formed with a cross-shaped restricting portion 68 and the support 91 is formed with a cross-shaped bearing portion 97 that pivotally supports the restricting portion 68 so as to be movable up and down. The float 57 can be moved up and down in a proper posture at a proper position. As described above, since the float 57 can be appropriately moved up and down in accordance with a change in the water level in the water supply tank 13, the water level sensor 51 having excellent reliability can be obtained. In addition, since the float body 62 is provided below the float shaft 60, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of malfunction due to the scale adhering to the float shaft 60 and contribute to the improvement of the reliability of the water level sensor 51.

  The interior of the float body 62 is partitioned into a plurality of equally divided cavities 88 by a plurality of partition walls 87 extending radially at equiangular intervals around the center of the top wall 83. A float shaft 60 was connected to the central portion of 83. According to this, since the buoyancy of the float body 62 in the front-rear and left-right directions can be made uniform, the float 57 can be moved up and down in an appropriate posture while suppressing the tilting of the float body 62 and the float 57. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately move the float 57 up and down according to a change in the water level of the water supply tank 13, and to improve the reliability of the water level sensor 51.

It is a vertical front view of the water level sensor of the ice making machine which concerns on this invention. It is a vertical front view which shows schematic structure of an ice making machine. It is a vertical front view of an ice making part and a water supply tank. It is a vertical side view of a water level sensor, and is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. It is a figure which shows the mounting structure of the magnet with respect to a float axis | shaft, and is the BB sectional drawing of FIG. It is a cross-sectional top view which shows a float body, and is CC sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a cross-sectional plan view which shows the support structure by the sensor frame of the upper part of a float axis | shaft, and is the DD sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a cross-sectional top view which shows the support structure by the sensor frame of the lower part of a float axis | shaft, and is the EE sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the water level sensor which shows the assembly structure of the switch and float with respect to a sensor frame. (A) (b) is a figure explaining the assembly | attachment method of the float with respect to a sensor frame. It is a figure explaining the assembly | attachment method of the switch with respect to a sensor frame. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the assembly method to the float chamber of a water level sensor.

  1 to 12 show an embodiment in which the ice making machine according to the present invention is applied to a cell type ice making machine. In the present embodiment, front / rear, left / right, and upper / lower follow the cross arrows shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 12, and the front / rear, left / right, and upper / lower indications shown in the vicinity of each arrow. As shown in FIG. 2, the cell-type ice making machine includes an upper ice making chamber 1 configured as a heat insulating box and a machine room 2 defined on the lower side of the ice making chamber 1. An ice making unit (ice making unit) 3 is arranged. Inside the machine room 2, cooling units such as a compressor 4, a condenser 5, and a blower fan 6 are arranged. The refrigerant liquid liquefied by the condenser 5 is supplied to the ice making unit 3 to produce ice. Do. Although not shown, an outlet for taking out the generated ice is opened in front of the ice making chamber 1, and this outlet can be opened and closed by a door that swings back and forth.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ice making unit 3 includes a unit base 9 fixed to the ceiling of the ice making chamber 1, an ice making case 10 fixed to the lower surface of the base 9, and a group of cells 11 provided in the ice making case 10. A water supply tray 12 that supplies ice-making water to the water supply, a water supply tank 13 provided on the lower surface of the water supply tray 12, and the like. In addition to the previous members, the ice making unit 3 includes a tray operating mechanism 15 that tilts the water supply tray 12 and the water supply tank 13 up and down between the ice making position and the deicing position, and ice water at room temperature in the water supply tray 12 and the water supply tank 13. And a drain pan 17 for draining the ice making water remaining in the water supply tank 13 without being made ice and the washing water of the water supply tray 12. The ice making unit 3 alternately performs an ice making process and an ice removing process to generate cube-shaped ice and stores it in the ice making chamber 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the water supply tray 12 is formed of a plastic molded product including a square dish-shaped tray body 20 that opens downward and a water channel frame 21 that is fixed to the lower surface of the tray body 20. The water channel frame 21 includes a branch water channel 22 that branches in correspondence with the group of cells 11, and a group of ice supply water that spouts and supplies ice-making water toward the cell 11 on the upper wall of the tray body 20 that faces each branch water channel 22. Nozzle holes 23 are opened. The nozzle hole 23 is arranged so as to face substantially the center of the opening surface of the cell 11, and a return hole 24 is provided around the nozzle hole 23 to allow the ice-making water in the cell 11 to flow down to the water supply tank 13. ing. A discharge channel 26 of a pressurizing pump 25 provided in the water supply tank 13 is connected to the proximal end portion of the water channel frame 21. When the pressurizing pump 25 is driven during ice making, the ice making water in the water supply tank 13 is pressurized by the pressurizing pump 25 and fed to each branch water channel 22 and is ejected from the nozzle hole 23 into the cell 11. . The ice making water that has not frozen in the cell 11 is returned to the water supply tank 13 through the return hole 24. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 27 indicates a suction port of the pressure pump 25.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the water supply tray 12 and the water supply tank 13 are fixed to a tray bracket 30, and are pivotally supported by a tilt shaft 31 provided at the upper end of the bracket 30 so as to be vertically tiltable. The water supply tray 12 and the water supply tank 13 are moved up and down around the tilting shaft 31 by the tray operation mechanism 15, and the ice making position where the water supply tray 12 faces the lower surface of the ice making case 10 is separated from the ice making case 10. Tilt up and down between descending ice break positions. The tray operating mechanism 15 is of a tension motor 33 (see FIG. 2), a pair of front and rear drive arms 34 that are reciprocally tilted by the motor 33, and a tension coil type that is hooked between the drive arm 34 and the water supply tray 12. It is comprised by the interlocking spring 35 grade | etc.,. When the tilting motor 33 is driven forward and backward in response to a command signal from the control unit, the water supply tray 12 and the water supply tank 13 can tilt up and down between the ice making position and the ice releasing position.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the water supply unit 16 includes a water supply pipe 37 disposed above the tilting base end of the water supply tray 12, a raw water passage 38 connected to the water supply pipe 37 and a water pipe (not shown), and a raw water passage 38. It is comprised by the solenoid valve 39 etc. which were provided in. A group of water supply holes 40 for supplying ice-making water (tap water) toward the water supply tray 12 is opened on the lower surface of the water supply pipe 37. By feeding normal temperature tap water from the water supply pipe 37, a predetermined amount of ice making water can be stored in the water supply tank 13 in the ice making process, or the upper surface of the water supply tray 12 is washed in the ice removing process. Water can be supplied. The storage of ice-making water in the water supply tank 13 is performed by the control unit opening and closing the electromagnetic valve 39 based on a detection signal of a water level sensor 51 described later.

  The water supply tank 13 has a bottom portion, front and rear peripheral walls, and left and right peripheral walls, and is formed of a square dish-shaped plastic molded product that opens upward. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 42 indicates the bottom of the water supply tank 13, reference numeral 43 indicates the left peripheral wall, and reference numeral 44 indicates the right peripheral wall. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 45 indicates a front peripheral wall of the water supply tank 13. The bottom portion 42 is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the front-rear direction in plan view, and a front peripheral wall 45, a rear peripheral wall, a left peripheral wall 43, and a right peripheral wall 44 are erected on the periphery of the bottom portion 42. The bottom part 42 is formed so as to be inclined downward toward the suction port 27 of the pressurizing pump 25. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 47 indicates a pair of left and right screws that connect the water supply tray 12 and the water supply tank 13, and in FIG. 12, reference numeral 48 indicates a boss having a screw hole 49 that allows the insertion of these screws 47. The water supply tray 12 and the water supply tank 13 are connected by screwing a screw 47 into the female screw portion of the water supply tray 12 through the screw hole 49 of the water supply tray 12.

  As shown in FIG. 12, a float chamber 50 projects from the outer surface of the front peripheral wall 45, and a water level sensor 51 is accommodated in the float chamber 50. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 12, the float chamber 50 serving as a sensor mounting portion is formed from a square rectangular bottom wall 52 that projects forward from the front peripheral wall 45 of the water supply tank 13 and a peripheral edge of the bottom wall 52. The left and right walls 53 and 54 and the front wall 55 are provided, and the rear communicates with the water supply tank 13 and is formed as a bottomed container-shaped compartment having an upper opening.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the water level sensor 51 includes a float 57 that moves up and down in response to fluctuations in the ice making water level in the water supply tank 13, and a magnet switch (switch) 58 that is turned on and off by the vertical movement of the float 57. And a sensor frame 59 that supports the float 57 and the magnet switch 58. The float 57 includes a float shaft 60 that extends in the vertical direction, a magnet 61 that is attached to the float shaft 60 to turn on and off the magnet switch 58, and a float body 62 that is provided at the lower end of the float shaft 60 and exhibits buoyancy. Is done. The float shaft 60 has a quadrangular columnar lower shaft portion 63 extending from the float body 62, a columnar upper shaft portion 64 formed above the lower shaft portion 63, and a rear end from the upper end of the lower shaft portion 63. It is composed of a projecting magnet holding portion 65 and the like, and is composed of a resin molded product formed integrally with a ceiling wall 83 (to be described later) constituting the float body 62. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, wing pieces 66 project in the left-right direction on the left and right surfaces of the middle part of the lower shaft part 63 in the vertical direction. In the middle of the direction, a cross-shaped restricting portion 68 is formed in which the wing piece 66 and the front and rear end portions 67 of the quadrangular prism intersect perpendicularly. As shown in FIG. 7, the upper shaft portion 64 is formed in a non-circular cross section having a flat surface 69 on the front and rear. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 70 indicates a guide piece projecting in a block shape toward the front direction at the upper end of the lower shaft portion 63 associated with the boundary with the upper shaft portion 64, and reference numeral 71 indicates the lower shaft portion. A reinforcing rib formed in a triangular shape at the lower end of 63 is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the magnet holding portion 65 has a front wall 74, a rear wall 75, and a right wall 76, and is formed in a hollow square container shape having an opening on the left side. By pushing the square block-shaped magnet 61 into the hollow interior, the magnet 61 can be held in an outer fitting shape. Reference numeral 77 denotes a stopper formed on the rear wall 75 for preventing the magnet 61 pushed into the hollow interior from coming off. The stopper 77 is composed of an arm 78 that is cantilevered from the right end of the rear wall 75 and is elastically deformable, and an engagement piece 79 that is bulged and formed on the front surface of the free end of the arm 78. Since the joining piece 79 engages with the left end surface of the magnet 61, the magnet 61 can be prevented from falling off from the magnet holding portion 65. 5 and 9, reference numeral 80 denotes an opening for pushing out the magnet 61 formed in the right wall 76.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the float body 62 is connected to a float shaft 60, a circular ceiling wall 83 formed integrally with the float shaft 60, and a bottomed container connected to the ceiling wall 83. And a case 84. The case 84 is a resin molded product including a bottom wall 85 having an outer dimension substantially equal to that of the top wall 83 and a peripheral wall 86 extending upward from the periphery of the bottom wall 85, and the peripheral wall 86 is externally fitted to the top wall 83. The case 84 is connected to the top wall 83 by welding or bonding the two 86 and 83 together. As shown in FIG. 6, four partition walls 87 extending radially at equal angular intervals (90 degrees) around the center portion of the bottom wall 85 are formed inside the case 84. In the float body 62, a cavity 88 that is equally divided into four is defined by 87.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 9, the sensor frame 59 is made of a resin molded product, and is provided below the float case 89 and a float case 89 that accommodates the magnet 61 that constitutes the float 57 so as to be movable up and down. And a pair of left and right lock arms 90 for attaching the water level sensor 51 to the float chamber 50. The float case 89 includes a square plate-like base wall 91 formed on the lower side, left and right side walls 92 and 93 erected from the upper surface of the base wall 91, and a square plate formed above the side walls 92 and 93. A partition chamber 96 is formed between the base wall 91 and the upper wall 94 and has openings on both the front and rear sides. Bearing portions 97 and 98 for supporting the float shaft 60 so as to be movable up and down are provided in the center of the respective plate surfaces of the base wall 91 and the upper wall 94. The float 57 is a bearing portion on both walls 91 and 94. Mounting grooves 100 and 101 for assembling to 97 and 98 are continuously provided facing forward.

  As shown in FIG. 7, an upper bearing portion 98 formed on the upper wall 94 and supporting the upper shaft portion 64 is a circular opening, and a mounting groove 101 is continuously provided from the front end toward the front. Yes. The horizontal groove dimension of the mounting groove 101 is set smaller than the horizontal opening dimension of the bearing portion 98 and smaller than the horizontal width of the upper shaft portion 64. Furthermore, the horizontal dimension of the mounting groove 101 is set to be larger than the horizontal width of the guide piece 70.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the lower bearing portion 97 formed on the base wall 91 is an opening formed in a substantially cross shape corresponding to the restricting portion 68 of the lower shaft portion 63, and extends forward from the front end thereof. A mounting groove 100 is continuously provided. The left and right groove dimensions of the mounting groove 100 are set to be smaller than the left and right opening dimensions of the bearing portion 97 and smaller than the left and right widths of the restricting portion 68 of the lower shaft portion 63. Furthermore, the horizontal dimension of the mounting groove 100 is set to be larger than the horizontal width of the lower shaft portion 63.

  As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 11, the magnet switch 58 is mounted from the rear in the compartment 96 of the float case 89 of the sensor frame 59 in the state of being molded as a switch holder 104. The switch holder 104 includes a square block switch block 105 formed by enclosing the magnet switch 58 in a resin mold, and a pair of left and right elastically deformable projections projecting forward from the front surface of the switch block 105. The arm 106 is composed of a joint arm 106 and an engaging claw 107 projecting from the front end of each engaging arm 106 in the laterally outward direction. The left and right side walls 92 and 93 of the sensor frame 59 are formed with stoppers 108 that engage with the engaging claws 107 and restrict the switch holder 104 from coming off. The stopper 108 is an engagement recess formed by cutting out in a U-shape from the front edge of each of the left and right side walls 93 and 94 to the rear, and the engagement claw 107 is provided in the stopper 108 that is the engagement recess. The engagement of the switch holder 104 to the rear is restricted by the engagement. The switch holding structure S2 is configured by the engaging arm 106 and the engaging claw 107 on the switch holder 104 side, and the stopper 108 on the sensor frame 59 side.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the left and right side walls 92 and 93 extending from the rear edge to the stopper 108 are connected to the first straight portion 110 having a uniform thickness and the front end of the first straight portion 110. An inclined portion 111 whose thickness dimension gradually increases toward the front is provided, and a second straight portion 112 that is connected to the front end of the inclined portion 111 and has a uniform thickness dimension. When the switch holder 104 is pushed forward from the rear side of the sensor frame 59, the tip of the engaging claw 107 comes into contact with the first straight portion 110, the inclined portion 111, and then the second straight portion 112 in order. The engaging arm 106 is bent and deformed. Further, when the switch holder 104 is pushed in and the switch holder 104 is completely loaded in the compartment 96 of the sensor frame 59, the engaging claw 107 falls into the stopper 108 and engages, so that the switch holder 104 cannot be pulled out. Retained. 9 and 11, reference numeral 113 denotes a guide wall that protrudes from the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls 92, 93 and receives the lower surface of the engaging claw 107. The guide claw 107 extends along the guide wall 113. However, by pushing the switch holder 104 forward, the engaging claw 107 can be surely lowered and engaged with the stopper 108.

  In FIG. 11, reference numeral 114 denotes a detection signal transmission lead extending from the magnet switch 58. The lead wire 114 extends from the left surface of the switch block 105 and is connected to a control unit (not shown). As shown in FIG. 11, the rear end portion of the left side wall 92 is notched in order to secure the wiring area of the lead wire 114, and the length dimension of the left side wall 92 in the front-rear direction is the right side wall. It is shorter than that of 93. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 11, reference numeral 115 denotes a guide piece that is cantilevered from the outer surface of the left side wall 92 and secures an insertion path for the lead wire 114. Reference numeral 116 denotes The reinforcing rib which supports a guide piece is shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 9, and 12, a sensor for detachably mounting a water level sensor 51 to the water supply tank 13 between the sensor frame 59 and the float chamber 50 of the water supply tank 13. A holding structure S1 is provided. The sensor holding structure S1 includes a pair of left and right lock arms 90 formed on the base wall 91 of the sensor frame 59, and a pair of left and right engagement bodies formed on the left and right walls 53 and 54 of the float chamber 50 and engaged with the lock arms 90. 120. The engagement body 120 is formed as a quadrangular prism rib-like body that integrally protrudes outward from the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls 53 and 54 and runs in the front-rear direction. The lock arm 90 is formed above an elastically deformable arm 122 projecting downward from the left and right ends of the base wall 91, a lock claw 123 projecting from the lower end of each arm 122, and the lock claw 123. And an engagement recess 124 that receives the engagement body 120. As shown in FIG. 12, recessed portions 125 for receiving the base wall 91 of the sensor frame 59 are formed in the upper ends of the left and right walls 53 and 54 constituting the float chamber 50.

  As described above, by pushing the water level sensor 51 downward from the upper side of the float chamber 50, the engagement recesses 124 and the lock claws 123 of the lock arm 90 on the water level sensor 51 side are moved to the engagement body 120 on the float chamber 50 side. The water level sensor 51 can be fixed to the float chamber 50 so as not to be separated. In addition, since the front and rear surfaces of the base wall 91 are received by the front and rear walls of the recess 125, the rocking movement of the lock arm 90 in the front and rear direction can be restricted. By adopting the sensor holding structure S1 as described above, the water level sensor 51 can be securely attached and fixed to the float chamber 50 so as not to swing in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction.

  Next, a method for assembling the water level sensor 51 will be described. First, the magnet 61 is assembled to the magnet holding portion 65 of the float 57. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the magnet 61 can be assembled to the magnet holding portion 65 by pushing the magnet 61 into the hollow through the left opening while curving the arm 78. Next, the float 57 is assembled to the sensor frame 59. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the lower shaft positioned between the restricting portion 68 of the float shaft 60 and the float body 62 in the mounting groove 100 of the base wall 91 of the sensor frame 59. While aligning the part 63 and aligning the guide piece 70 of the float shaft 60 in the mounting groove 101 of the upper wall 94, the float 57 is pushed backward. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the mounting groove 100 has a horizontal dimension that is set larger than the horizontal width of the lower shaft portion 63, and the horizontal dimension of the mounting groove 101 is Since it is set to be larger than the left and right width of the guide piece 70, the float 57 can be pushed backward along the mounting grooves 100 and 101. Next, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the float shaft 60 reaches the bearing portions 97 and 98, the float 57 is pushed down. Thereby, the cylindrical upper shaft portion 64 of the float shaft 60 is supported by the circular bearing portion 98 of the upper wall 94, and the cross-shaped restricting portion 68 of the lower shaft portion 63 of the float shaft 60 is fixed to the base wall. 91 is supported by a substantially cross-shaped bearing portion 97 which is opened in a substantially cross shape. Thus, the float 57 can be assembled in the sensor frame 59 so as to be movable up and down.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the switch holder 104 is mounted from the rear side of the sensor frame 59 using the engagement arms 106 and 106 and the engagement claws 107 and 107. Thus, the magnet switch 58 can be assembled to the sensor frame 59. As described above, the water level sensor 51 including the float 57, the magnet switch 58, and the sensor frame 59 as shown in FIG. 12 can be obtained.

  Next, the water level sensor 51 is assembled to the float chamber 50 of the water supply tank 13 using the sensor holding structure S1. Specifically, the engagement concave portion 124 and the lock claw 123 of the lock arm 90 on the water level sensor 51 side are engaged with the engagement body 120 on the float chamber 50 side in an uneven manner. As described above, the water level sensor 51 can be attached and fixed to the float chamber 50.

  Since the switch holder 104 is mounted from the rear side of the sensor frame 59, as shown in FIG. 4, when the water level sensor 51 is assembled to the float chamber 50, the rear surface of the switch holder 104 is connected to the water supply tank 13. It faces the front peripheral wall 45. Since the front-rear facing distance between the float case 89 of the sensor frame 59 and the front peripheral wall 45 is set smaller than the front-rear dimension of the switch block 105 of the switch holder 104, the stopper 108 and the engaging claw 107 Even when the engaged state is released, the switch holder 104 is not completely detached from the sensor frame 59.

  As indicated by phantom lines in FIG. 4, the upper limit of movement of the float 57 in the sensor frame 59 is defined by the upper surface of the magnet holding portion 65 contacting the lower surface of the switch holder 104. The movement limit is defined by the lower surface of the magnet holding portion 65 being in contact with the upper surface of the base wall 91. Further, when the switch holder 104 is mounted on the sensor frame 59, the float 57 is prevented from moving upward to the assembly position described above by the switch holder 104, so that the float 57 falls off the sensor frame 59. There is nothing. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 127 is provided on each of the upper wall and the lower wall of the magnet holder 65 for the purpose of preventing the magnet holder 65 from sticking to the lower surface of the switch holder 104 or the upper surface of the base wall 91. The rib is shown.

  Further, the arm 122 of the lock arm 90 is pushed outward in the left and right directions to release the concave / convex engagement state of the engagement body 120, the engagement concave portion 124, and the lock claw 123, and then the sensor frame 59 is pulled upward. The water level sensor 51 can be removed from the float chamber 50 and the entire water level sensor 51 can be replaced. Further, after removing the water level sensor 51 from the float chamber 50 as described above, the engagement arm 106 is pushed and spread to release the engagement state between the stopper 108 and the engagement claw 107, and the switch holder 104 is moved backward. The switch holder 104 can be detached from the sensor frame 59 by pulling it out to the side, and the magnet switch 58 can be replaced together with the switch holder 104 by assembling a new switch holder 104 to the sensor frame 59 from this state. Furthermore, the float 57 can be removed from the sensor frame 59 by removing the switch holder 104 from the sensor frame 59 as described above, and then moving the float 57 upward and then pulling it forward. The float 57 can be exchanged together with the magnet 61 by assembling the simple float 57 to the sensor frame 59.

  As described above, according to the ice making machine of the present embodiment, the sensor holding unit including the lock arm 90 formed on the sensor frame 59 and the engagement body 120 provided in the float chamber 50 and engaged with the lock arm 90. The water level sensor 51 can be assembled to the float chamber 50 using the structure S1. Thereby, compared with the form which attaches the water level sensor 51 to the water supply tank 13 using a screw etc., work operation | work of the water level sensor 51 and replacement | exchange work can be performed rapidly and with much less work efficiency. It is also excellent in that there is no risk of falling screws and the like, and there is no risk of contamination.

  Similarly, according to the ice making machine of the present embodiment, the magnet switch 58 is mounted on the sensor frame 59 in the state of being molded as the switch holder 104, and the switch holder 104 and the sensor frame 59 are Since the switch holding structure S2 including the engagement arm 106 on the switch holder 104 side, the engagement claw 107, and the stopper 108 on the sensor frame 59 side is provided, the magnet switch 58 is attached to the sensor using a screw or the like. Compared to the mode of assembling to the frame 59, the work of attaching and replacing the magnet switch 58 can be quickly performed with less work and with much higher work efficiency. It is also excellent in that there is no risk of falling screws and the like, and there is no risk of contamination.

  Since the cross shaft-shaped restricting portion 68 is formed on the lower shaft portion 63 of the float shaft 60 and the cross-shaped bearing portion 97 that supports the restricting portion 68 so as to be movable up and down is formed on the base wall 91, Tilt can be suppressed and the float 57 can be moved up and down to an appropriate position in an appropriate posture. Therefore, since the float 57 can be moved up and down appropriately according to the water level change of the water supply tank 13 and the float chamber 50, the water level sensor 51 excellent in reliability can be obtained. In addition, since the float body 62 is provided below the float shaft 60, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of malfunction due to the scale adhering to the float shaft 60 and contribute to the improvement of the reliability of the water level sensor 51.

  The interior of the float body 62 is partitioned into a plurality of equally divided cavities 88 by a plurality of partition walls 87 extending radially at equiangular intervals around the center of the top wall 83. If the float shaft 60 is connected to the central portion of the 83, the buoyancy of the float body 62 in the front, rear, left and right can be made uniform. Thus, since the float 57 and the float 57 can be prevented from tilting and the float 57 can be moved up and down in an appropriate posture, the float 57 can be moved up and down appropriately according to the water level change of the water supply tank 13. . As described above, according to the present embodiment, the reliability of the water level sensor 51 can be improved.

  In the above embodiment, the cell type ice making machine that makes ice by the cell method has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to an auger type ice making machine. Specific configurations of the sensor holding structure S1 and the switch holding structure S2 are not limited to those shown in the above embodiments. The switch 58 is not limited to a magnet switch, and may be a limit switch or an optical switch.

3 Ice making part (ice making unit)
13 Water supply tank 42 Bottom 43 Left peripheral wall 44 Right peripheral wall 45 Front peripheral wall 50 Sensor mounting part (float chamber)
51 Water Level Sensor 52 Left Wall 53 Right Wall 54 Front Wall 57 Float 58 Switch (Magnet Switch)
59 sensor frame 60 float shaft 62 float body 68 regulating part 83 top wall 87 partition wall 88 cavity 90 lock arm 91 support body (base wall)
97 Bearing portion 104 Switch holder 106 Engaging arm 107 Engaging claw 108 Stopper 120 Engaging body 122 Arm 123 Locking claw S1 Sensor holding structure S2 Switch holding structure

Claims (5)

The ice making part (3) for producing ice by cooling the ice making water, the water supply tank (13) for storing the ice making water, and the sensor mounting part (50) provided in the water supply tank (13), In an ice making machine comprising a water level sensor (51) for detecting the water level in the water supply tank (13),
The water level sensor (51) includes a float (57) that moves up and down according to fluctuations in the level of the ice making water in the water supply tank (13), and a switch (58) that is turned on and off by the vertical movement of the float (57). And a sensor frame (59) for supporting the float (57) and the switch (58),
Between the sensor frame (59) and the sensor mounting part (50) of the water supply tank (13), a sensor holding structure for detachably mounting the water level sensor (51) to the water supply tank (13) ( S1) is provided,
The sensor holding structure (S1) includes a lock arm (90) formed on the sensor frame (59) and an engagement body (120) provided on the sensor mounting portion (50) and engaged with the lock arm (90). An ice making machine characterized by comprising. The water supply tank (13) is formed in a bottomed container shape having an upper opening with a bottom portion (42) and a peripheral wall (43, 44, 45) erected along the periphery of the bottom portion (42). ,
The sensor mounting portion (50) includes a rectangular bottom wall (52) projecting forward from the front peripheral wall (45), and left and right walls (53, 54) erected from the periphery of the bottom wall (52). A front wall (55), communicating with the water supply tank (13), and formed as a bottomed container-shaped compartment having an upper opening;
The lock arm (90) includes a pair of left and right arms (122) extending downward and having a lock claw (123) at the lower end,
The engagement body (120) formed on each of the left and right walls (53, 54) of the sensor mounting portion (50) and the lock claw (123) of the lock arm (90) are engaged with each other. The ice making machine according to claim 1. The switch (58) is mounted on the sensor frame (59) in a state of being molded as a switch holder (104).
Between the switch holder (104) and the sensor frame (59), there is provided a switch holding structure (S2) for detachably mounting the switch holder (104) on the sensor frame (59).
The switch holding structure (S2) includes an elastically deformable engaging arm (106) formed on the switch holder (104), an engaging claw (107) protruding from the engaging arm (106), and a sensor frame. The ice making machine according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a stopper (108) provided on (59) and configured to engage with the engaging claw (107) and restrict drop-off of the switch holder (104). The float (57) includes a float shaft (60) supported by the sensor frame (59) so as to be movable up and down, and a float body (62) provided at the lower end of the float shaft (60) to exhibit buoyancy. And
The sensor frame (59) is provided with a support (91) having a bearing portion (97) and supporting the float shaft (60).
A regulation part (68) having a cross-shaped cross section is partially formed on the float shaft (60), and a bearing part (97) formed on the support (91) pivotally supports the regulation part (68) so as to be movable up and down. The ice making machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ice making machine is formed as an opening having a cross-shaped cross section. The float body (62) is formed in a cylindrical container shape having a circular top wall (83) above,
The interior of the float body (62) has a plurality of equally-divided cavities (88) by a plurality of partition walls (87) extending radially at equiangular intervals around the center of the top wall (83). It is divided into
The ice making machine according to claim 4, wherein a float shaft (60) is connected to a central portion of the top wall (83).

Images