JP3318211B2 - Automatic ice making equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention is provided in a refrigerator,
The present invention relates to an automatic ice making device that can automatically generate ice.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as an automatic ice making device for refrigerators, in order to achieve miniaturization and cost reduction, detection of the origin position and ice separation position of an ice making tray and detection of excess and deficiency of ice are performed with one switch. A driving unit for performing the operation is employed.

A conventional automatic ice making device is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-7.
There is one disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 8770.

Hereinafter, the conventional automatic ice making apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 22 is an overall side view of the automatic ice making device, and FIG. 23 is an enlarged cutaway plan view of a driving unit of the ice tray.

In FIG. 22, 1 is a driving unit for rotating the ice tray 2, 3 is an ice detecting lever which rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the ice tray 2, and 4 is a unit for holding the driving unit 1 and the ice tray 2. Frame
It is. Reference numeral 5 denotes a blocking unit that blocks the rotation of the ice tray 2 to impart a twist.

In FIG. 23, reference numeral 6 denotes a motor as a power source, 7 denotes a group of reduction gears, and a cam gear 8 having a drive shaft for rotating the ice tray 2 is arranged at the last stage.

When the cam gear 8 reverses by 1 ° from the home position, it comes into contact with the outer case 1a of the drive unit 1 to lock and stop.

Reference numeral 9 denotes an ice detecting shaft to which an ice detecting lever is attached. The ice detecting shaft 9 rotates the ice detecting lever 3 and the detecting member 10 in conjunction with the rotation of the cam gear 8.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a regulating member for preventing the rotation of the detecting member 10 only in the process in which the cam gear 8 reverses and the ice tray 2 returns.

The switch signal is generated when the ice tray 2 reaches the origin position and the ice release position and when the rotation of the detecting member 10 is stopped.

An ice storage box 12 is provided below the ice tray 2 and stores ice separated from the ice tray 2.

The operation of the conventional automatic ice making apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

First, when ice is formed on the ice tray 2, the ice
When the power to the heater 6 is started, the cam gear 8 rotates forward, and the ice tray 2 rotates toward the ice release position. At this time, when there is no ice to a predetermined height in the ice storage box 12, the ice detecting shaft 9 rotates and the ice detecting lever-3 and the detecting member 10 rotate, so that no switch signal is generated and it is determined that the ice is insufficient. Then, the ice tray 2 rotates to the ice release position.

When the ice tray 2 reaches the ice releasing position, a switch signal is generated, and the motor 6 stops once. Thereafter, the ice tray 2 starts to return toward the origin. In the process of the return, the regulating member 11 prevents the rotation of the detecting member 10, so that a switch signal is generated. The switch signal becomes a reference signal for detecting the origin position, and after the switch signal, when the cam gear 8 further reverses for a predetermined time, a switch signal indicating the origin position is generated.

After the switch signal of the origin position is generated, the cam gear 8 is further rotated backward by 1 °, locked and stopped.
° Forward rotation stops at the home position.

On the other hand, when there is ice above a predetermined height in the ice storage box 12, the ice detecting lever 3 hits the ice and is prevented from rotating even if the ice detecting shaft 9 tries to rotate. 1
0 does not rotate, a switch signal is generated and it is determined that ice is sufficient, and the ice tray 2 starts to return toward the origin position. After the origin signal is generated, the cam gear 8 is reversed by 1 ° until it locks.
Thereafter, the motor can be stopped at the origin position by rotating it forward by 1 ° and stopping.

[0017]

However, in the above-described conventional automatic ice making apparatus, the origin of the ice tray 2 is surely detected in the process of returning the ice tray 2 after the ice is removed. In the return process, the regulating member 11 for regulating the operation of the ice detecting lever 3 is disposed to forcibly generate a signal, and there is a disadvantage that the cost increases due to an increase in the number of parts.

An object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive automatic ice maker having a small number of components capable of reliably detecting the origin position without restricting the ice detecting lever.

[0019]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a method of rotating an ice tray until the switch signal is inverted when there is more than a predetermined amount of ice in an ice storage box. I changed the angle.

Thus, even if the ice detecting lever is not regulated, the switch signal is always inverted in the process of returning the ice tray, so that the origin position can be reliably detected based on the position where the signal is inverted. Can be.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a switch, a switch lever for operating the switch, and a first switch for outputting a signal to the switch via the switch lever when the ice tray is at a predetermined rotation position. Switch operating means; and the switch lever when there is no ice of a predetermined amount or more in the ice storage box.
And a second switch operating means for outputting a signal to the switch via the switch. When there is ice of a predetermined amount or more in the ice storage box, the ice making tray is moved from the origin position to the first position by the first switch operating means. The switch outputs a predetermined signal while rotating to a predetermined angle, and when there is no ice of a predetermined amount or more in the ice storage box, the ice making tray is set to the origin by the first switch operating means and the second switch operating means. The switch is configured to continuously output a predetermined signal while rotating from the position to a second predetermined angle larger than the first predetermined angle.

According to the above configuration, only the time interval until the switch signal is inverted due to the excess or deficiency of the ice in the ice storage box is changed, and the number of times the switch signal is inverted does not change. The origin position can be detected.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an automatic ice making device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same components as those in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

In FIG. 1 to FIG. 18, reference numeral 110 denotes a drive unit, and a motor 111, a worm gear 112 for reducing the rotation of the motor 111, a worm wheel gear 113,
The drive gear 114 and the cam gear 115 are arranged.

The driving gear 114 has a low tooth 11 having a shape in which one regular tooth 114a and the other tooth are cut out at a pitch circle length in the region of the tooth meshing with the cam gear 115.
4b and a regular gear region 114d composed of complete gears are provided adjacent to each other in the axial direction.

The cam gear 115 has a toothless portion 115a that does not mesh with the regular gear region 114d of the drive gear 114 when it is at the home position, a concave portion 115b on which the tips of the plurality of low teeth 114b slide, and a complete A gear 115c is provided. The toothless portion 115a and the concave surface portion 115b are provided side by side in the axial direction, and a complete gear portion 1 is provided on the left and right in the circumferential direction.
15c. The width of the concave portion 115b is shorter than the tooth width of the complete gear portion 115c.

When the plurality of low teeth 114b and the concave surface 115b face each other, power is not transmitted because the outer circumferences only come into sliding contact with each other. Then, power is transmitted from the time when the regular tooth 114a comes into contact with the side surface of the concave portion 115b,
Regular gear area 114d of drive gear 114 and cam gear 11
5 complete gears 115c mesh.

Reference numeral 116 denotes a rotating shaft, which comprises a mounting portion 116a located outside the driving portion 110, a driven portion 116b located inside the driving portion 110, and a driven projection 116c displaced in conjunction with the driven portion 116b. . Mounting part 116
The ice detection lever-3 is attached to a.

Reference numeral 117 denotes a rotation allowing cam for rotating the rotation shaft 116, which is provided on the cam gear 115. The rotatable cam 117 comprises a convex portion 117a and a concave portion 117b. When the driven portion 116b of the rotary shaft 116 is in contact with the convex portion 117a, the ice detecting lever-3 stops above the ice storage box 12. When the driven portion 116b enters the recess 117b, the driven portion 116b can rotate by a predetermined angle. At this time, the ice detecting lever 3 enters the inside of the ice storage box 12.

However, when ice is present in the ice storage box 12 at a predetermined height or more, the ice detection lever 3 hits the ice and is prevented from entering, so that the rotation of the rotation shaft 116 is prevented.

Then, the driven portion 116b is again moved to the convex portion 117.
a, the rotating shaft 116 is rotated in a direction for retracting the ice detecting lever 3 from the ice storage box 12.

Reference numeral 118 denotes switch means, and the button 11
A switch 119 that outputs a Lo signal when 9a is pressed and outputs a Hi signal when the button 119a is not pressed.
And a switch lever 120 which is rotated by an external force and pushes the button 119a or moves away from the button 119a.

The switch lever 120 has a shaft portion 120a,
It comprises a spring holding portion 120b, a first projection 120c, a second projection 120d, and a third projection 120e.

The shaft portion 120a is held by a bearing 110b provided on an outer case 110a of the driving portion 110, the first protrusion 120c is disposed at a position facing the button 119a of the switch 119, and the second protrusion 120d is provided at the second protrusion 120d. It is arranged at a position in contact with a switch operation cam 121 described later,
The protrusion 120e is disposed at a position where the protrusion 120e contacts the driven protrusion 116c when the rotation shaft 116 rotates by a predetermined angle or more.

The switch operation cam 121 is a cam gear 115
It is provided on the upper side and includes a convex portion 121a and a concave portion 121b. The switch operating cam 121 has a switch lever-1.
The 20 second protrusions 120d come into contact with each other.

One end 122 is held by the spring holding rod 110c of the outer case 110a, and the other end is the switch lever 12
The first projection 120c of the switch lever 120 is a spring held by the spring holding portion 120b of the switch 11.
The button 119a of No. 9 is urged in a direction in which the button 119a is fully pushed.

The second projection 120d is the switch operation cam 1
When the first protrusion 120c is in contact with the protrusion 121a of the switch 21, the first protrusion 120c is separated from the button 119a of the switch 119, and the second protrusion 120d is
When touching the button 1b, the first protrusion 120c pushes the button 119a of the switch 119 completely.

When the driven portion 116b of the rotation shaft 116 reaches the concave portion 117b of the rotation permitting cam 117 and the rotation shaft 116 rotates by a predetermined angle or more, the second projection 120d becomes the convex of the switch operation cam 121. Since the driven protrusion 116c presses the third protrusion 120e of the switch lever 120 before the contact with the concave portion 121b is changed from the contact with the portion 121a, the first protrusion 120c is pressed by the button 11 of the switch 119.
9a cannot be pushed out.

A spring 123 has one end held by the spring holding portion 116d of the rotating shaft 116 and the other end held by the spring holding rod 110d of the outer case 110a.
Is always urged in the direction of pressing against the rotation-allowing cam 117.

In this embodiment, when the ice tray 2 is at the predetermined rotation position, the switch 119 is switched via the switch lever 120.
A first switch operating means for outputting a Hi signal to the cam gear 115 is provided on the cam gear 115.
And a switch operation cam 121 with which the second protrusion 120d of the switch lever 120 contacts.

Also, when there is no ice of a predetermined amount or more in the ice storage box 12, the switch 119 is switched via the switch lever 120.
A second switch operating means for outputting a Hi signal to the cam gear 115 is provided on the cam gear 115 with a convex 117a and a concave 117b.
And a switch that is displaced in conjunction with the attachment portion 116a to which the ice detecting lever 3 is attached, the driven portion 116b, and the driven portion 116b. Third of lever 120
And a rotation shaft 116 composed of a driven protrusion 116c that presses the protrusion 120e.

The operation of the automatic ice making apparatus configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, the operation when there is no ice up to a predetermined height of the ice storage box 12 (insufficient ice) (see FIG. 19) will be described.

When the completion of the ice making is detected, the power supply to the motor 111 is started, the motor 111 rotates forward, and the driving gear 11
4 rotates (step 1). However, at the origin position, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
5b are facing each other and are only in sliding contact on the outer periphery,
The rotation of the drive gear 114 is not transmitted to the cam gear 115.

At this time, the second projection 120d of the switch lever 120 is connected to the switch operation cam 1 as shown in FIG.
Since the first protrusion 120c is away from the button 119a of the switch 119 because the first protrusion 120c is in contact with the top of the protrusion 121a of the switch 21, the switch signal is Hi.

On the other hand, the control section starts counting the time during which the switch signal outputs the Hi signal starting from the motor rotation start time (step 2).

When the drive gear 114 rotates by a predetermined angle and the regular teeth 114a in the special gear region 114c mesh with the side surface of the concave portion 115b, the rotation is transmitted to the cam gear 115, and the cam gear 115 Rolling is started, and the ice tray 2 starts to rotate in the ice releasing direction in conjunction with the forward rotation of the cam gear 115.

When the cam gear 115 rotates by a predetermined angle (10 °), the driven portion 116b of the rotating shaft 116 moves from the top of the convex portion 117a of the rotatable cam 117 to the inclined surface facing the concave portion 117b and rotates. First, the ice detection lever-3 enters the ice storage box 12.

When the cam gear 115 rotates by a predetermined angle or more,
When the rotation of the rotation shaft 116 exceeds a predetermined angle (25 °), the driven protrusion 116c is switched to the switch lever-1 as shown in FIG.
Since the 20th third projection 120e is pressed, the first projection 120c cannot press the button 119a of the switch 119, and the switch signal keeps the Hi state until the angle of the rotating shaft 116 becomes less than 25 °. .

The angle of the cam gear 115 is in the range of 20 ° to 8 °.
During 0 °, the driven portion 116b of the rotation shaft 116 comes to the position of the concave portion 117b of the rotation allowable cam 117, and the ice detection lever is moved.
If the rotation of the rotation shaft 3 is not stopped by the contact with the ice in the ice storage box 12, the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 116 becomes 35 °.

When the cam gear 115 rotates forward by about 84 °, the angle of the rotating shaft 116 becomes smaller than 25 °, and the driven projection 116c is separated from the third projection 120e. When the button 119a is pressed, the switch signal is inverted to Lo (Step 3
branch to the s side).

Thus, the control unit determines that the switch signal is H
The counting of the time during which the i signal is being output ends (step 4). In this case, since the switch signal Hi state exceeds a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) sufficient for the cam gear 115 to rotate by 30 °, it is determined that ice is insufficient (the step 5 is branched to the Yes side). ), The forward rotation of the cam gear 115 is continued by continuing the energization of the motor 111.

When the cam gear 115 rotates forward by 90 °, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the driven portion 116b of the rotating shaft 116 is moved from the concave portion 117b of the rotation allowing cam to the convex portion 11b.
Moving to the top of 7a, the ice detection lever-3 returns to the original standby position.

The ice tray 2 hits the blocking portion 5 slightly before the maximum rotation position of the ice tray 2, and is sufficiently twisted at the maximum rotation position of the ice tray 2 to remove the ice in the ice tray 2 into the ice storage box 12. Drop to

When the forward rotation of the cam gear 115 exceeds 160 °, the second projection 120d of the switch lever 120 comes into contact with the projection 121a of the switch operation cam 121, and the first projection 120c becomes the button 119a of the switch 119. And the switch signal is inverted to Hi (Step 6 is Ye
branch to the s side). The control unit determines that the ice tray 2 has reached the ice-releasing position by reversing the switch signal to Hi, and the motor 1
11 is stopped for a predetermined time (step 7). FIGS. 13 and 14 show this state. Thereafter, the ice making tray 2 is started to be returned by changing the rotation direction of the motor 111 (step 8).

Immediately after the return (the angle of the cam gear 115 becomes 1
60 ° or less), the second protrusion 120 d is moved from the top of the protrusion 121 a of the switch operation cam 121 to the recess 121.
b and the switch signal is inverted to Lo (step 9).
Branch to the Yes side).

In the return process of the ice tray 2, when the driven portion 116b of the rotation shaft 116 moves from the convex portion 117a of the rotation allowing cam 117 to the concave portion 117b, the driven portion 116c is rotated by a predetermined angle or more, and the driven protrusion 116c is moved to the third position. In this case, the switch signal is inverted to Hi in order to press the protrusion 120e of Step (10).
Branch to es side).

Further, the ice tray 2 rotates to reach the origin position, and the low teeth 114b of the special gear region 114c and the concave portion 115b again face each other and only make sliding contact on the outer periphery.
The rotation of the drive gear 114 is not transmitted to the cam gear 115, and the cam gear 115 stops at the origin position.

When the energization of the motor 111 is further continued and the stopped state of the cam gear 115 is released, FIGS.
When the cam gear 115 exceeds the home position by 20 °, the switch signal is inverted to Lo (step 1).
1 branches to the Yes side). Here, the control unit stops the rotation of the motor 111 for a predetermined time, temporarily stops the rotation of the cam gear 115 (step 12), and changes the rotation direction of the motor 111 again (step 13) to rotate the cam gear 115. About 20 °
Return to horizontal. In this case, it is confirmed that the switch signal has become Hi (Step 14 branches to the Yes side),
After 1 second, which is the time necessary for the cam gear 115 to return to the horizontal position, the power supply to the motor 111 is stopped (step 1).
5, step 16).

Next, an operation (see FIG. 20) when ice is present above the predetermined height of the ice storage box 12 (ice is sufficient) will be described.

When the completion of the ice making is detected, the motor 111 is energized and the drive gear 114 rotates (step 1). However, at the origin position, the low tooth 114b and the concave surface 115
The rotation of the driving gear 114 is not transmitted to the cam gear 115 because b is only in sliding contact with the facing outer periphery.

At this time, the second projection 120d of the switch lever 120 is connected to the switch operation cam 1 as shown in FIG.
Since the first protrusion 120c is away from the button 119a of the switch 119 because the first protrusion 120c is in contact with the top of the protrusion 121a of the switch 21, the switch signal is Hi.

On the other hand, the control section starts counting the time during which the switch signal outputs the Hi signal starting from the motor rotation start time (step 2).

When the drive gear 114 rotates by a predetermined angle and the regular teeth 114a in the special gear region 114c mesh with the side surface of the concave portion 115b, the rotation is transmitted to the cam gear 115, and the cam gear 115 Rolling is started, and the ice tray 2 starts to rotate in the ice releasing direction in conjunction with the forward rotation of the cam gear 115. When the cam gear 115 rotates by a predetermined angle (20 °), the driven portion 116b of the rotation shaft 116 moves from the convex portion 117a of the rotation allowable cam 117 to the concave portion 117b and starts rotating, and the ice detecting lever-3 stores the ice. It enters the box 12.

When the cam gear 115 rotates by a predetermined angle (10 °), the driven portion 116b of the rotating shaft 116 moves from the top of the convex portion 117a of the rotation allowing cam 117 to the inclined surface facing the concave portion 117b and rotates. First, the ice detection lever-3 enters the ice storage box 12.

However, the ice detecting lever-3 hits the ice in the ice storage box 12 and cannot enter any more, and the rotation of the rotation shaft 116 is prevented.

The rotation of the rotation shaft 116 is at a predetermined angle (25 °).
, The driven protrusion 116 as shown in FIG.
c cannot hold down the third protrusion 120e of the switch lever 120, and the first protrusion 120c moves from the top of the protrusion 121a of the switch operation cam 121 to the recess 121b at the moment when the second protrusion 120d moves to the recess 121b. The button 119a of the switch 119 is depressed and the switch signal is inverted to Lo (step 3).

Thus, the control unit determines that the switch signal is H
The counting of the time during which the i signal is being output ends (step 4). In this case, since the Hi state of the switch signal is within a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) sufficient for the cam gear 115 to rotate by 30 °, it is determined that ice is sufficient (the step 5 branches to the No side). Then, the rotation of the ice tray 2 is stopped (step 17), the rotation direction of the motor 111 is changed, and the cam gear 115 is returned toward the origin (step 18).

Immediately after the return (the angle of the cam gear 115 becomes 3
When it becomes 0 ° or less), the second protrusion 120d moves from the concave portion 121b of the switch operation cam 121 to the convex portion 121a, and the switch signal is inverted to Hi (Step 19 is Ye).
branch to the s side).

Further, the ice tray 2 rotates to reach the origin position, and the low teeth 114b of the special gear region 114c and the concave portion 115b again face each other and only make sliding contact on the outer periphery.
The rotation of the drive gear 114 is not transmitted to the cam gear 115, and the cam gear 115 stops at the origin position.

When the energization of the motor 111 is further continued and the stopped state of the cam gear 115 is released, FIGS.
When the cam gear 115 exceeds the home position by 20 °, the switch signal is inverted to Lo (step 1).
1 branches to the Yes side). Here, the control unit stops the rotation of the motor 111 for a predetermined time, temporarily stops the rotation of the cam gear 115 (step 12), and changes the rotation direction of the motor 111 again (step 13) to rotate the cam gear 115. About 20 °
Return to horizontal. In this case, it is confirmed that the switch signal has become Hi (Step 14 branches to the Yes side),
After 1 second, which is the time necessary for the cam gear 115 to return to the horizontal position, the power supply to the motor 111 is stopped (step 1).
5, step 16).

As described above, the automatic ice making device of the present embodiment
A switch 119 that outputs a Lo signal when the button 119a is pressed and a Hi signal when the button 119a is not pressed, a first protrusion 120c that presses the button 119a of the switch 119, and the first protrusion 120c presses the button 119a of the switch 119. A second projection 120d and a third projection 120e which receive an external force for turning in a direction in which the first button 120
The switch lever 120, which is provided with an urging force to rotate in the direction of pushing the 9a, and the ice tray 2 (cam gear 115) are -20 ° to + 30 ° with respect to the origin position (where-is the reverse direction, + (Indicating the normal rotation direction). A first switch operating means (provided on the cam gear 115) for outputting a Hi signal to the switch 119 via the switch lever 120 when the switch 119 is in the position of the convex 121a and the concave 121b. And a switch operation cam 121 with which the second projection 120d of the switch lever 120 comes into contact.) When there is no more ice than a predetermined amount in the ice storage box 12, a Hi signal is sent to the switch 119 via the switch lever 120. Second switch operating means for outputting (provided on the cam gear 115, comprising a convex portion 117a and a concave portion 117b, and makes contact with the driven portion 116b to rotate the rotating shaft 116. The rotation permitting cam 117, the mounting portion 116a to which the ice detecting lever-3 is mounted, and the driven portion 11
6b, the switch lever is displaced in conjunction with the driven portion 116b.
And a rotating shaft 116 composed of a driven projection 116c that pushes the third projection 120e of the ice tray 120. When there is ice of a predetermined amount or more in the ice storage box 12, the ice making tray 2 is operated by the first switch operating means. (Cam gear 115) is +
The switch 119 outputs a Hi signal during the rotation to 30 °, and when there is no ice of a predetermined amount or more in the ice storage box 12, the first signal is output.
The ice making tray 2 (cam gear 115) is moved approximately + 84 ° from the home position by the switch operating means and the second switch operating means.
The switch 119 is configured to output the Hi signal continuously during the rotation up to the maximum speed, so that the switch signal can be output regardless of the excess or shortage of ice in the process of returning the ice tray 2 without regulating the ice detecting lever. Since the inversion is always performed the same number of times, the origin position can be reliably detected by using the position where the signal is inverted as a reference.

As a result, it is possible to provide an inexpensive automatic ice making apparatus having a reduced number of parts, a simple structure, and a lower structure than the conventional example.

[0074]

As described above, the present invention provides a switch, a switch lever for operating the switch, and a signal output to the switch via the switch lever when the ice tray is at a predetermined rotation position. A first switch operating means; and a second switch operating means for outputting a signal to the switch via the switch lever when there is no ice of a predetermined amount or more in the ice storage box. When there is ice of a predetermined amount or more, the first switch operating means causes the switch to output a predetermined signal while the ice making tray rotates from the origin position to a first predetermined angle, and the predetermined amount of ice is stored in the ice storage box. When there is no ice, the switch is operated by the first switch operating means and the second switch operating means while the ice tray is rotated from the origin position to a second predetermined angle larger than the first predetermined angle. The switch signal is always inverted the same number of times in the process of returning the ice tray without restricting the ice detection lever, regardless of the excess or deficiency of ice. By using the position where the signal is inverted as a reference, the origin position can be reliably detected.

As a result, it is possible to provide an inexpensive automatic ice maker having a smaller number of parts than the conventional example, a simple structure, and a low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an entire automatic ice making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a driving unit in the automatic ice making device of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which a cam gear is removed from a driving unit in the automatic ice making device of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a cam gear of a driving unit in the automatic ice making device of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a cam gear rotation permitting cam and a switch operation cam in the automatic ice making device of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the meshing of a driving gear and a cam gear of a driving unit in the automatic ice making device of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an essential part plan view of the automatic ice making device of the embodiment when the cam gear is at the origin position.

FIG. 8 is an essential part front view of the automatic ice making apparatus of the embodiment when the cam gear is at the origin position.

FIG. 9 shows a cam gear 3 in the automatic ice making device of the embodiment.
Main part plan view at 0 ° forward rotation

FIG. 10 is an essential part front view of the automatic ice making device of the embodiment when the cam gear rotates forward by 30 °;

FIG. 11 is an essential part plan view of the automatic ice making device of the embodiment when the cam gear is rotated forward by 90 °;

FIG. 12 is an essential part front view of the automatic ice making device of the embodiment when the cam gear rotates forward by 90 °;

FIG. 13 is an essential part plan view of the automatic ice making device of the embodiment when the cam gear is rotated forward by 165 °;

FIG. 14 is an essential part front view of the automatic ice making device of the embodiment when the cam gear rotates forward at 165 °;

FIG. 15 is an essential part plan view of the automatic ice making device of the embodiment when the cam gear is rotated by 20 ° in reverse;

FIG. 16 is an essential part front view of the automatic ice making apparatus of the embodiment at the time of reverse rotation of the cam gear by 20 °;

FIG. 17 is an essential part plan view of the automatic ice making device of the embodiment when the cam gear is rotated forward by 30 ° when the ice is sufficient;

FIG. 18 is an essential part front view of the automatic ice making apparatus of the embodiment when the cam gear is rotated forward by 30 ° when the ice is sufficient.

FIG. 19 is a time chart showing an operation mode when the ice is insufficient in the automatic ice making apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a time chart showing an operation mode when the ice is sufficient in the automatic ice making apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit of the automatic ice making device of the embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a side view showing the entirety of a conventional automatic ice making device.

FIG. 23 is a partially cutaway enlarged plan view of a drive unit of a conventional automatic ice making device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Ice tray 3 Ice detection lever 12 Ice storage box 115 Cam gear 116 Rotating shaft 116a Attachment part 116b Follower part 116c Follower protrusion 117 Rotation allowable cam 117a Convex part 117b Concave part 119 Switch 119a Button 120 Switch lever 120c First protrusion 120d second projection 120e third projection 121 switch operation cam 121a convex 121b concave 122 spring

(56) References JP-A-6-249556 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F25C 1/10 F25C 5/18

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A switch; a switch lever for operating the switch; first switch operating means for outputting a signal to the switch via the switch lever when the ice tray is at a predetermined rotation position; via said switch lever and a second switch operating means for outputting a signal to said switch, said when there is a predetermined amount or more of ice in the ice storage box when no more than a predetermined amount of ice <br /> the switch to output a predetermined signal while said ice tray by a first switch operating means is rotated from the home position to a first predetermined angle, when there is no more than a predetermined amount of ice in the ice storage box the wherein the ice tray from the origin position by a first switching operation unit and the second switch operating means first
The switch is configured to continuously output a predetermined signal while rotating to a second predetermined angle larger than a predetermined angle of the ice storage box.
An automatic ice making device wherein the time interval until the signal is inverted changes .