JP2613012B2 - Ice machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ice making machine incorporated in a refrigerator or the like to make ice.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many refrigerators have an ice maker incorporated therein. This type of ice maker automatically supplies water to the ice tray, and after ice making, the ice tray is rotated to release ice,
The ice is dropped into an ice storage box provided below, and an appropriate amount of ice is always stored.

[0003] As an ice machine incorporated in a refrigerator,
For example, there is one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 54-17137.

Hereinafter, the conventional ice making machine will be described with reference to FIGS. A conventional ice maker includes an ice maker mechanical main body 101, an ice tray 102, an ice storage box 103 for storing ice, and an ice detecting lever 104 driven by the mechanical main body 101.

[0005] Inside the mechanism body 101, a motor 105 and a reduction gear unit 106 are incorporated. The final gear of the final stage of the reduction gear unit 106 is the ice tray 102.
The ice tray 102 rotates together with the final gear. The ice detecting lever 104 is usually located in the ice storage box 103 and is driven by the reduction gear unit 106.

The rotation position of the ice tray 102 is detected by two switch means 107 for detecting an ice making position (horizontal position) and detecting an ice release position (maximum rotation position). Ice detection lever 10
The detection of the rotation position of No. 4 is performed by the switch means 108. Further, a harness from the motor 105 and a harness of the switch means 107 and 108 are provided in the mechanical main body 101.

[0007] In the ice making machine configured as described above,
When the completion of ice making is detected, the ice tray 102 is rotated by the rotation of the motor 105, and the ice is separated from the ice tray 102 and falls into the ice storage box 103. At this time, the ice detecting lever 104 swings together with the ice tray 102. At this time, if there is ice, the ice detecting lever 104 does not return to its original position.
The movement of 4 confirms the presence of ice.

As an extension of the above configuration, there is an ice making machine disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-58669. In this ice maker, the rotation position of the ice detecting lever 104 is detected by the switch means 108 as in the past, and the horizontal position of the ice tray 102 locks the gear, and detects the motor lock current to detect the horizontal position. Was something.

[0009]

Problems to be Solved by the Invention
In the ice maker disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7, two switch means 107 are required for detecting the position of the ice tray 102,
It is difficult to simplify the structure such as the number of assembling steps and harness processing, and it is difficult to reduce the cost.

Further, in the ice maker disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-58669, a switch for detecting the horizontal position of the ice tray 102 is unnecessary, but a motor and a gear are used to detect the horizontal position of the ice tray. Since the gears are locked and detected by the lock current, the mechanical damage to the gears is large and the brush life of the motor may be adversely affected.

In view of the above problems, the present invention does not lock the motor and gear for detecting the horizontal position of the ice tray, and detects the maximum rotation position of the ice tray and the position of the ice detecting lever by one switch means. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ice making machine that can be detected by the method.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, an ice making machine according to the present invention forms a final stage of a gear train for transmitting a forward rotation and a reverse rotation of a motor to an ice tray, and has a concave cam surface in a predetermined area. An ice detecting shaft having an arm urged to abut the cam surface and rotatably supported in accordance with a change in the cam surface; and an ice detecting shaft connected to the ice detecting shaft. An ice detection lever that enters or exits the ice storage box before the ice tray reaches the maximum rotation position in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft;
A detection switch which is operated by a displacement of a switch lever and outputs a signal for reversing the motor so that the ice tray returns to the horizontal position; and a detection switch for when the ice detecting lever enters or exits the ice storage box. A first projection provided on the final gear so as to be retractable and urged in a projecting direction at a position opposed to the switch lever and displacing the switch lever when projected, and the switch lever when the ice tray is at a maximum rotation position. A second protrusion provided on the final gear at a position opposed to the first gear and displacing the switch lever; and a switch provided when the ice detecting lever provided on the ice detecting shaft enters the ice storage box by a predetermined position or more. A projecting portion which enters the lever in the direction of displacement and hinders the displacement of the switch lever, and a portion of the final gear when the ice tray returns to the horizontal position. A toothless region provided in the final gear so as not to mesh with the gear of the stage; and the ice making tray is rotated in the direction of the ice removing operation when the final gear is no longer meshed with the gear of the preceding stage due to the toothless region. Biasing means for biasing the final gear in a direction.

[0013]

In the above configuration, the ice tray after the ice making is completed is
It is rotated by a motor and a gear train interlocked with the rotation of the motor. The ice detection shaft is rotated by the cam surface of the final gear, and the ice detection lever connected to the ice detection shaft enters the ice storage box before the ice tray reaches the maximum rotation position. At this time, if there is a predetermined amount of ice in the ice storage box, the ice detecting lever cannot enter the ice storage box beyond a predetermined position, so that the projection of the ice detecting shaft cannot enter in the displacement direction of the switch lever. The switch lever cannot be disturbed, the switch lever is displaced by the first projection, and the detection switch outputs a signal for reversing the motor so that the ice tray returns to the horizontal position.

If there is no predetermined amount of ice in the ice storage box,
The ice detecting lever enters the ice storage box at a predetermined position or more, and in conjunction with this, the protrusion of the ice detecting shaft enters in the direction of displacement of the switch lever to hinder the displacement of the switch lever. Therefore, the first projection retreats because the switch lever is not displaced, and the detection switch does not operate, and the rotation of the ice tray is continued. And
When the ice tray reaches the maximum pivot position, the ice in the ice tray falls into the ice bin, the switch lever is displaced by the second protrusion, and the detection switch reverses the motor so that the ice tray returns to the horizontal position. Output a signal for

When the ice tray returns to the horizontal position, the final gear connected to the ice tray does not engage with other gears due to the missing tooth region and does not rotate, so that the ice tray is held horizontally. When the ice tray again enters the ice releasing operation, the final gear is easily biased by the biasing means in a direction in which the ice tray rotates in the direction of the ice releasing operation so that the final gear easily meshes with another gear and rotates.

As described above, the ice making machine of the present invention does not lock the motor and gears for detecting the horizontal position of the ice tray, and detects the maximum rotation position of the ice tray and the position detection of the ice detecting lever.
It can be detected by two switch means.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An ice making machine according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 201 denotes a mechanical unit of an ice maker, 202 denotes an ice tray rotatably connected to the mechanical unit 201, 203 denotes a bearing that rotatably supports the ice tray 202, and 204 denotes ice after ice making. And is provided below the ice tray 202. Reference numeral 205 denotes an ice detection lever, and the mechanical unit 201
And enters the ice storage box 204 to detect the amount of ice storage.

Next, the internal structure of the mechanical unit 201 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes a box-shaped housing, and a screw hole 3 for fastening a cover 2 fitted to the housing 1 is provided at a corner of the housing. Reference numeral 4 denotes a rib provided on the bottom surface 5 of the housing 1, into which a motor 7 as a driving source is fitted and fixed. A worm gear 9 is fitted into the shaft output shaft 8 of the motor 7 via a joint 8 a, and the tip of the worm gear 9 is carried by a bearing 10 extending from the bottom surface 5 of the housing 1.

A first gear 1 having a worm wheel portion 11 and a spur gear portion 12 at a position where it meshes with the worm gear 9
3 is provided, and the second gear 1 meshed with the
4 and a third gear 15 meshing with the second gear 14, and a final gear 16 meshing with the third gear 15 constitute a gear train. The final gear 16 meshed with the third gear 15 is composed of a gear portion 17, an outer peripheral cam 18 extending upward, and a shaft 26 extending downward.
An arc-shaped concave portion 16d is provided around the shaft 26.

The housing 1 is provided with a hole 1a through which the shaft 26 penetrates outwardly, and an arc-shaped convex portion 1d which fits around the hole 1a with the arc-shaped concave portion 16d of the final gear 16. The outer peripheral cam 18 is connected to the first projection 22 and the second projection 22.
And a circumferential portion 24 that smoothly connects them.

The entire length of the arc-shaped convex portion 1d is set to the arc-shaped concave portion 16d.
The coil spring 30 is arranged in the space 32 so that the space 32 is formed when the two are fitted together so that the space 32 is formed.

Here, the second projection 23 is formed integrally with the outer peripheral cam 18, but the first projection 22 is fitted with a coil spring 22 b on a stepped rod-like rod 22 a and then is inserted into the outer peripheral cam 18 in that state. Through hole 18a provided
And the one end of the rod 22a is stopped by a retaining ring 22c, so that the rod 22a does not come off the outer peripheral cam 18.

The first projection 22 is urged in the centrifugal direction by a coil spring 22b, but retracts when a predetermined external force is applied.

The gear portion 17 includes a gear region 17a and a toothless region 17b. The gear region 17a meshes with the third gear 15 in a section from the horizontal position to the ice release position of the ice tray 202.

The cam surface 20 extends in the tooth width direction in the tooth missing region 17b.
Are formed, and the cam surface 20 has an upper surface 20a and a lower surface 20a.
b and a slope 20c connecting them. Also, the lower surface 20
b and the inclined surface 20c constitute a concave cam surface.

The shaft 26 has a protruding portion 27 protruding outside from a hole 1 a provided in the housing 1 and connected to an ice tray 202.

Reference numeral 36 denotes an ice detecting shaft for driving the ice detecting lever 205, and a shaft portion 36a and a guide 3 for preventing axial deflection.
6b. A torque limiter 36c composed of a torsion coil spring is installed in the center,
Receives an abnormal torsional torque when the torque limiter 3
6c absorbs abnormal torsional torque and prevents damage to the ice detecting shaft 36. The shaft 36a is rotatably held by a bearing 39 provided on the housing 1. One end of the ice detection shaft 36 on the side to be joined to the ice detection lever 205 projects outside from a portion where the side wall of the housing 1 is cut out in a U-shape.

At one end of the ice detecting shaft 36, an arm 40 whose tip slides on the cam surface 20 of the final gear 16, and a projection 41 which protrudes in the axial direction are formed. The gear 16 is in contact with the cam surface 20.

Reference numeral 42 denotes a bias spring, which urges the arm 40 of the ice detecting shaft 36 toward the cam surface 20 of the final gear 16.

Reference numeral 43 denotes a substrate, which is a groove 44 of the housing 1.
And is pressed and fixed to the cover 2 as well. The detection switch 45 is directly attached to the substrate 43.

Further, a test switch 49 for confirming the test operation of the ice making machine is provided on the substrate 43 at a position where the test switch 49 can be operated from outside.

The detection switch 45 is at a position where it can be turned on and off by the outer peripheral cam 18 via the switch lever 47. The switch lever 47 is the button 4 of the detection switch 45.
5a and is operated.

The projection 41 of the ice detecting shaft 36 is
When it rotates by a certain amount or more, it contacts the bent portion 47b of the switch lever 47 and is arranged at a position where the movement of the switch lever 47 can be prevented.

Rotation direction of motor 7 and final gear 16
When the motor 7 rotates in the reverse direction (counterclockwise as viewed from the shaft output shaft 8), the final gear 16 rotates forward (clockwise as viewed from the shaft 26).
When the motor 7 rotates forward, the final gear 16 rotates reversely.

The ice storage amount is determined to be insufficient when the ice detection shaft 36 is rotated by a predetermined amount or more and the detection switch 45 does not output a signal. On the other hand, when the detection switch 45 outputs a signal without rotating the ice detection shaft 36 by a predetermined amount or more, it is determined that the ice storage amount is sufficient.

Here, the driving of the final gear 16 and the ice detecting shaft 36 will be described. When the motor 7 is rotated in reverse by control from a control unit (not shown), and the final gear 16 rotates forward, the arm 40 of the ice detecting shaft 36
0a → slope 20c → lower surface 20b → slope 20c → upper surface 20
a, the ice detection shaft 36 is rotated to lower and raise the ice detection lever 205, and the ice tray 2
Rotate 02 to the icing angle. This series of driving is
Driving means.

Further, the motor 7 is rotated forward under the control of the control unit, and the final gear 16 is simultaneously rotated reversely while returning the ice tray 202 to the origin, so that the arm 40 of the ice detecting shaft 36 is moved to the cam surface 20. By contacting the upper surface 20a, the inclined surface 20c, the lower surface 20b, the inclined surface 20c, and the upper surface 20a in this order, the ice detecting shaft 36 is rotated to lower and raise the ice detecting lever 205. This series of driving is referred to as second driving means.

When the motor 7 is rotated in the reverse direction by the control of the control unit and the final gear 16 rotates forward, the arm 40 of the ice detecting shaft 36 contacts the upper surface 20a → the inclined surface 20c on the cam surface 20. By rotating the ice detecting shaft 36, the ice detecting lever is rotated.
205 is lowered. When the ice detecting lever 205 does not descend below a predetermined position, the motor 7 rotates forward and the final gear 16 rotates reversely, and the arm 40 of the ice detecting shaft 36 is inclined on the cam surface 20 from the slope 20c to the upper surface. By making contact in the order of 20a, the ice detecting shaft 36 is rotated to raise the ice detecting lever 205. This series of driving is referred to as third driving means.

The operation of the automatic ice maker constructed as described above will be described. Pump to ice tray 202 (not shown)
When the thermistor serving as ice making detecting means (not shown) detects that the temperature is below the set temperature and the ice making is completed, a signal is inputted from a control unit (not shown) and the motor 7 is turned on. To reverse. When the motor 7 rotates in the reverse direction, the worm gear 9, the first, second, and third gears 13, 14, 1
5 sequentially rotates, is decelerated, and the rotation is transmitted to the final gear 16.

When the final gear 16 starts to rotate forward, the arm 40 of the ice detecting shaft 36, which first contacted the upper surface 20a of the cam surface 20 of the final gear 16 according to the first driving means, is moved from the upper surface 20a. It moves along the slope 20c to the lower surface 20b. In conjunction with this, the ice detection shaft 36 rotates,
The ice detecting lever 205 is provided for the ice storage box 20 provided below the ice making machine.
It descends into 4. At this time, if ice has not been stored in the ice storage box 204, the ice detecting lever 205 descends to the lowest point, and the projection 41 of the ice detecting shaft 36 faces the detection switch 45 side of the free end 47b of the switch lever 47. When the first projection 22 of the outer peripheral cam 18 pushes down the action point 47 a of the outer peripheral cam 18, the action point 47 a does not lower and the rod 2 of the hole 22 is reversed.
2a is retracted, and the internal button 45a of the detection switch 45 cannot be operated. Therefore, the detection switch 45
Does not output a signal, it is determined that ice is insufficient.

At this time, the motor 7 continues to rotate in the reverse direction, the forward rotation of the final gear 16 continues, the ice detecting shaft 36 reaches the upper surface 20a of the cam surface 20 again, and the ice detecting lever 205 is moved to the ice storage box 2.
Pull up from 04. As long as the motor 7 continues to rotate in the reverse direction, it comes into contact with the upper surface 20a. Ice tray 2
02 is rotated to a position where the ice inside is twisted by a predetermined angle and the inner ice is released, the outer peripheral cam 18 of the final gear 16
Of the switch lever 47 at the action point 47
Since a is pushed downward, the switch lever 47 is pushed down, and the internal button 45a of the detection switch 45 operates to output a signal.

At this time, it is determined that ice removal has been completed, and the motor 7 starts normal rotation and returns the ice tray 202 to the home position.
Preparation for the next ice making operation is completed. Here, before returning to the origin position according to the second driving means, the ice detecting shaft 36 performs the ice detecting operation once again to confirm the amount of ice stored in the ice storage box 204 again.

Conversely, if there is ice in the ice storage box 204, the ice detecting lever 205 does not descend to the lowest point and stops halfway according to the third driving means, so that the arm 40 of the ice detecting shaft 36 is turned off. The floating state is maintained without reaching the lower surface 20b from the slope 20c of the cam surface 20. At this time, the projection 41 of the ice detecting shaft 36 does not come into contact with the free end 47b of the switch lever 47, and when the first projection 22 of the outer peripheral cam 18 pushes down the action point 47a, the switch lever 47 is also pushed down and the detection switch is pushed. The internal button 45a of 45 operates to output a signal. At this time, it is determined that there is ice, and the motor 7 rotates forward to return the ice tray 202 to the home position, and waits as it is.

Here, the final gear 16 is an ice tray 20.
After the rotation of the second gear 2 is returned to the horizontal position, the third gear 15 comes into contact with the third gear 15 in the missing tooth region 17b.
Even if 5 rotates, it stops.

The first gear 13, the second gear 14, and the third gear 15 are connected to the motor 7 after the final gear 16 stops.
Stops and stops rotating.

The timing of stopping the motor 7 is determined by the ice tray 20.
2 starts the reverse rotation and then stops after a predetermined time has elapsed.

As described above, the ice making machine of the present embodiment forms the final stage of the gear train for transmitting the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the motor 7 to the ice tray 202 and has a final gear 16 having a concave cam surface in a predetermined area. An ice detecting shaft 36 having an arm 40 urged to abut against the cam surface 20 and rotatably supported in accordance with a change in the cam surface 20; and an ice detecting shaft 36 connected to the ice detecting shaft 36. The ice tray 202 moves into and out of the ice storage box 204 before the ice tray 202 reaches the maximum rotation position in conjunction with the rotation, and the ice tray 202 is moved to the horizontal position by operating by the displacement of the switch lever 47. A detection switch 45 for outputting a signal for reversing the motor 7 to return, and a detection switch 45 which is urged in a protruding direction at a position facing the switch lever 47 when the ice detection lever 205 enters or leaves the ice storage box 204, and is retracted. Freely phi The first projection 22 provided on the gear 16 and displacing the switch lever 47 when protruding, and the switch lever 47 displaced on the final gear 16 at a position facing the switch lever 47 when the ice tray 202 is at the maximum rotation position. The second projection 23 to be made
When the ice detection lever 205 is inserted into the ice storage box 204 at a predetermined position or more, the protrusion 41 enters in the direction of displacement of the switch lever 47 and hinders the displacement of the switch lever 47.
When the ice tray 202 returns to the horizontal position, the toothless region 17b provided in the final gear 16 so as not to mesh with the gear 15 at the preceding stage of the final gear 16; Since the ice tray 202 has the coil spring 30 for urging the final gear 16 in a direction in which the ice tray 202 rotates in the direction of the ice-releasing operation, the maximum rotation position of the ice tray 202 is detected and the position of the ice detection lever 205 is determined. The detection can be performed by one switch means 45, the configuration is simplified, and the cost can be reduced. Further, since the detection of the horizontal position of the ice tray 202 is not performed by locking the motor and the gear as in the related art, the durability of the gear and the motor is improved, and the life of the motor can be extended.

[0048]

As described above, the ice making machine according to the present invention comprises: a final gear having the final stage of the gear train for transmitting the forward and reverse rotations of the motor to the ice tray and having a concave cam surface in a predetermined area;
An ice detection shaft having an arm urged to contact the cam surface and rotatably supported in accordance with a change in the cam surface;
An ice detecting lever which is connected to the ice detecting shaft and enters or exits the ice storage box before the ice tray reaches the maximum rotation position in conjunction with the rotation of the ice detecting shaft, and operates by a displacement of a switch lever. A detection switch for outputting a signal for reversing the motor so that the ice tray returns to the horizontal position; and a position facing the switch lever when the ice detection lever enters or exits the ice storage box. A first projection which is provided on the final gear so as to be urged backward in the projecting direction and which displaces the switch lever at the time of projection, and a first projection which is opposed to the switch lever when the ice tray is at the maximum rotation position. A second projection provided on a final gear for displacing the switch lever; and a switch provided when the ice detection lever provided on the ice detection shaft has entered the ice storage box by a predetermined position or more. A projection that penetrates the bar in the direction of displacement and hinders the displacement of the switch lever; and a notch provided in the final gear so that when the ice tray returns to the horizontal position, the ice tray does not mesh with the previous gear of the final gear. A tooth area, and biasing means for biasing the final gear in a direction in which the ice tray rotates in the direction of the ice releasing operation when the final gear is no longer meshed with the preceding gear due to the missing tooth area. Therefore, the detection of the maximum rotation position of the ice tray and the detection of the position of the ice detecting lever can be detected by one switch means, so that the configuration is simplified and the cost can be reduced. Further, since the horizontal position of the ice tray is not detected by locking the motor and the gear as in the related art,
The durability of the gears and the motor is improved, and the life of the motor can be extended.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of an ice making machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a mechanical unit of the ice making machine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway plan view of a mechanical unit of the ice making machine in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a main part side view showing a final gear cam surface and an ice detection axis of the ice making machine in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a main part of a mechanical body of a conventional ice making machine.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part showing an ice tray, an ice storage box and an ice detecting lever of the conventional ice making machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 7 Motor 15 Gear 16 Final Gear 17b Tooth Missing Area 20 Cam Surface 22 First Projection 23 Second Projection 30 Coil Spring 36 Ice Detection Shaft 40 Arm 41 Projection 45 Switch 47 Switch Lever 202 Ice Plate 204 Ice Storage Box 205 Ice Detection Lever

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A final gear, which constitutes the last stage of a gear train for transmitting forward and reverse rotations of a motor to an ice tray and having a concave cam surface in a predetermined area, is urged to abut against the cam surface. An ice detection shaft having an arm and rotatably supported in accordance with a change in the cam surface; and an ice tray connected to the ice detection shaft and reaching the maximum rotation position in conjunction with the rotation of the ice detection shaft. An ice detection lever which enters or exits the ice storage box beforehand; a detection switch which operates by a displacement of a switch lever to output a signal for reversing the motor so that the ice tray returns to a horizontal position; A first lever which is urged in a projecting direction at a position facing the switch lever when the ice lever enters or exits the ice storage box and is provided on the final gear so as to be capable of retreating;
A second projection provided on the final gear at a position facing the switch lever when the ice tray is at the maximum rotation position and displacing the switch lever;
A projection provided on the ice detecting shaft, for projecting in the direction of displacement of the switch lever when the ice detecting lever enters the ice storage box at a predetermined position or more, and disturbing the displacement of the switch lever; When the final gear is no longer meshed with the preceding gear due to the missing tooth region provided in the final gear so that the final gear no longer meshes with the preceding gear of the final gear when returning to the horizontal position. An urging means for urging the final gear in a direction in which the ice tray rotates in the direction of the ice releasing operation.