JP3598329B2

JP3598329B2 - Interlocking structure of gears in ice tray drive

Info

Publication number: JP3598329B2
Application number: JP3327097A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 利昭宮前; 隆志池原
Original assignee: Sharp Corp
Current assignee: Sharp Corp
Priority date: 1997-01-30
Filing date: 1997-01-30
Publication date: 2004-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 2017-01-30
Also published as: JPH10220940A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、冷蔵庫の自動製氷装置において、製氷した氷を貯氷箱に貯めるまでの一連の装置に係り、特に製氷皿の回動に際して同軸に設けた２つのギアを連動して回動させる構造に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来から家庭用の冷蔵庫において、製氷皿で製氷が完了すればこれを検知してその下に設置された貯氷箱に氷を貯める構成は各種開示されている。
この自動製氷装置の基本的な技術は、製氷皿の水が凍ったことを検知し、次に貯氷箱の氷の残量を検知し、氷が満杯であれば製氷皿からの離氷を行わず、反対に氷がないか少ないことを検知した場合には製氷皿から離氷を行って貯氷箱に氷を貯めるというものであり、いずれにしても製氷皿を動作させた後には、再度最初の姿勢まで復帰させて一連の動作を完了する。
【０００３】
そして、上述したような動作を確実に行うためには、製氷皿が製氷位置にあるかどうか、貯氷箱に氷が存在するかどうか、製氷皿から離氷したかどうかなどを検出する必要があると同時に、製氷皿が現在どの位置にあるのかを把握しておかなければ正しい動作を行うことができない。
【０００４】
また、これに関連する技術としては、例えば特開平６−２４９５５６号公報に開示された技術があり、さらに、その改良技術として実開平６−７８７７０号公報に開示された技術がある。これらは製氷皿の回動時に連動して検氷レバーを作動させ、氷位の信号を得て製氷皿の駆動モータの回動を制御するものであったが、モータの回転力が伝達される単一のカム歯車にカムを設けて検氷レバーを連動動作させるものであった。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで、上記製氷皿の離氷作業を行う場合において、メインギアとサブギアの２つのギアを連動させて製氷皿の駆動制御を行う場合がある。これらのギアの歯同士の噛合に際しては、必ず歯の相互間に遊びが存在するから、そのままでは回動、反転を行う度に回動開始位置が僅かに変化してしまう。そのため、回動途中で製氷皿の位置に関する信号を出力しようとする場合、上記変化によって正確な位置信号を得ることができなくなるから、製氷皿の位置が正確に把握できないという問題があって製氷皿の駆動制御に支障を来す場合があった。
【０００６】
本発明では、上記各動作を行うにおいて、製氷皿の現在位置を確実に検出し、無駄のない正確な動作を行うことができるギアの連動構造を提供することを目的とするものである。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は上記課題を解決するために、同軸上に重ねて設けたメインギアおよびサブギアを駆動ギアを介して回動させるに際し、メインギアの軸周方向に取り付けた付勢バネでサブギアを正方向に付勢すると共にサブギアを先行して回動させるようにし、前記メインギアは、駆動ギアと噛合する外周の所定の領域に歯列を設け、前記駆動ギアの回動によって製氷皿を所定の角度だけ回動させ、製氷皿が始動時の水平状態にあるときは、前記歯列が駆動ギアと噛合を開始する直前状態の位置に前記歯列の先端を位置させて設け、前記サブギアを前記メインギアと共に回動させるため、前記サブギアの先端が所定の角度だけ回動した後に当接する係止壁を前記メインギアに設け、前記駆動ギアと噛合可能な歯列を所定の領域に設けたギア部を前記サブギアに設け、更に歯列のない部分を隔てて、共回りを継続させるための異なる歯列を同様に駆動ギアと噛合可能に前記サブギアに設け、検知突起を前記サブギアに設け、前記サブギア近くに貯氷量を検出するための氷位検出機構を設け、前記氷位検出機構には、氷位検出機構と連動する係止爪を設け、氷がないか少ない場合には、前記氷位検出機構の作動により、係止爪は大きく移動して前記検知突起と当接しない位置となり、氷が満杯の場合には、前記係止爪が前記サブギアと共に回動する前記検知突起を係止して、前記サブギアの回動を阻止することにより前記駆動ギアの回転が中止されるようにするという手段を採用したものである。
【０００８】
そして、同軸上に重ねて設けたメインギアおよびサブギアを駆動ギアを介して回動させるに際し、メインギアの軸周方向に取り付けた付勢バネでサブギアを正方向に付勢すると共にサブギアを先行して回動させるようにし、メインギアの表面軸周方向にバネ溝を設けると共に、メインギアと同軸上に設けたサブギアの裏面に上記バネ溝に陥入して摺動する案内突部を設け、バネ溝の一端と案内突部の後端間に付勢バネを緊縮状態で取り付けてサブギアを正方向に付勢すると共に、前記サブギアを前記メインギアと共に回動させるため、サブギアの先端が所定の角度だけ回動した後に当接する係止壁をメインギアに設け、前記メインギアは、駆動ギアと噛合する外周の所定の領域に歯列を設け、前記駆動ギアの回動によって製氷皿を所定の角度だけ回動させ、製氷皿が始動時の水平状態にあるときは、前記歯列が駆動ギアと噛合を開始する直前状態の位置に前記歯列の先端を位置させて設け、前記メインギアの軸周方向に、互いに山の長さが異なる第２カムと第４カムを所定の間隔をおいて設け、前記サブギアの軸周に、前記メインギアに設けた前記第２カム及び第４カムと軸方向に重なる、互いに山の長さが異なる第３カムと第１カムを所定の間隔をおいて設け、前記第３カムは、前記メインギアと共回りを開始したときにメインギアの第２カムが僅かに先行して重なり、前記各々のカムのいずれとも山の長さが異なる合成カムを形成する位置に設け、前記第３カム、第１カムの外側には、駆動ギアと噛合可能な歯列を所定の領域に設けたギア部を前記サブギアに設け、更に歯列のない部分を隔てて、共回りを継続させるための歯列を同様に駆動ギアと噛合可能に前記サブギアに設け、検知突起を前記サブギアに設け、前記サブギア近くに貯氷量を検出するための氷位検出機構を設け、前記氷位検出機構には、氷位検出機構と連動する係止爪を設け、氷がないか少ない場合には、前記氷位検出機構の作動により、係止爪は大きく移動して前記検知突起と当接しない位置となり、前記メインギアとサブギアを共回りさせ、氷が満杯の場合には、前記係止爪が前記サブギアと共に回動する前記検知突起を係止して、前記サブギアの回動を阻止することにより前記駆動ギアの回転が中止され、前記各々のカムの出現順序或いは出現形状が異なるようにする構成とした。
【０００９】
上記構成にかかる本発明のギアの連動構造は、サブギアを正方向に付勢して、駆動開始時に必ずサブギアの歯列が駆動ギアに当接するからサブギアと駆動ギアと確実に噛合して、回動開始位置に誤差を生じないようにできるものである。また、バネ溝の一端と係止壁でサブギアをメインギアに挟定して、メインギアと共回り可能とするものである。
【００１０】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明に係る製氷皿駆動装置におけるギアの連動構造を図面に示す実施の形態に基づいて説明する。
図１は自動製氷装置のうち製氷皿（図示せず）の回動・制御を行うユニットを示し、同図１（Ａ）に示すように、前箱１ａおよび後箱１ｂからなるケース１に下述する駆動制御構造を収納したうえ密閉したものである。２は製氷皿と連結し、該製氷皿を一定角度回動させて離氷動作を行わせるための皿回動軸であって、扁平とした先端をケース１の前箱１ａから突出させて設けるが、図３（Ａ）に示すように、この皿回動軸２の後端はケース１内でメインギア３と同軸に直結している。
【００１１】
図１（Ｂ）において、メインギア３は、図２、図３に示すように外周の一定領域のみに歯列４を設け、該部で駆動ギア５と噛合してその回動によって製氷皿を所定の角度だけ回動させるようにしたものであるが、製氷皿が始動時の水平状態にあるときは、図５▲１▼に示したように、上記歯列４が駆動ギア５と噛合を開始する直前状態である位置に歯列４の先端４ａを位置させて設けておく。これは、始動時に先ずサブギア６のみを先行して回動させ、続けてメインギア３を回動させるためである。
【００１２】
また、図３（Ｂ）に示すように、メインギア３の軸周方向には互いに山の長さが異なる第２カム７と第４カム８を所定の間隔をおいて設け、さらに、下述する付勢バネ９を収納するバネ溝１０を表面に設けると共にサブギア６をメインギア３と共に回動させるためのサブギアが当接する係止壁１１を設ける。
【００１３】
次に、６はサブギアであって上記メインギア３と同軸上に重ねて設けてなり、図４に示すように、その軸周に上記メインギア３に設けたカム７、８と軸方向に重なるように互いに山の長さが異なる第３カム１３と第１カム１４を所定の間隔をおいて設ける。このうち第３カム１３は図５▲３▼▲４▼に示したように、上記メインギア３と共回りを開始したときにメインギア３の第２カム７が僅かに先行して重なり、上記各カム７、８、１３、１４のいずれとも山の長さが異なる合成カム１５を形成するような位置に設けている。また、上記カム１３、１４の外側には上記メインギア３の歯列４と同径、同ピッチで駆動ギア５と噛合可能な歯列１６を一定領域に設けたギア部１７を設け、さらに歯列のない部分を隔てて下述する最大ひねり位置の段階で共回りを確実に継続させるための歯列１２を上記歯列４と同径、同ピッチで設けている。
【００１４】
さらにサブギア６の裏面の軸周方向には、上記メインギア３のバネ溝１０に陥入する案内突部１８を設け、上記バネ溝１０の一端とこの案内突部１８の後端の間に付勢バネ９を緊縮状態で取り付けてサブギア６が図面上、反時計回り方向（この方向を正方向とする）に回動するように付勢し、始動時に歯列１６の先頭１６ａが上記駆動ギア５の歯に当接するようにしておく。即ち、駆動ギア５の歯は付勢されたサブギア６が正方向に自由に回動しようとするのを係止する役割を果たし、駆動ギア５が回転を開始するときにはサブギア６の歯列１６と駆動ギア５の歯とが常に同じタイミングで確実に噛合するようになって、歯が噛合する際の遊びによってサブギア６の回動開始位置に誤差が生じないものである。また、メインギア３が回動を開始した後はメインギア３とサブギア６を一体として共回りさせる役割を有するものである。なお、１９は検知突起であって、氷位検出機構２０と連動して貯氷箱に氷が満杯の場合、メインギア３とサブギア６の共回りを中止できるようにしたものである。
【００１５】
次に、上記構成にかかる本発明のギアの連動構造の一連の動作について図５〜８に従って説明する。なお、始動時に皿回動軸２に連結した製氷皿は水平状態にあるものとする。図５▲１▼において、駆動ギア５が回転を開始すると、これに伴い付勢バネ９によって駆動ギア５の歯に当接するように正方向に付勢されたサブギア６の歯列１６が上記駆動ギア５と噛合し、サブギア６は皿回動軸２を中心に回動を始める。即ち、サブギア６が正方向に常時付勢されているため、駆動ギア５の回動と同時にサブギア６は必ず回動を開始し常に同じタイミングで回動を開始するから、回動開始位置に誤差を生じないのである。この時、付勢バネ９は図５▲２▼に示すようにサブギア６の回動分だけ伸長することになるが、まだ正方向への付勢力は維持している。また、メインギア３と駆動ギア５はこのときには噛合していないためメインギア３は回動せず、製氷皿は水平状態を維持している。
【００１６】
さらにサブギア６が回動して図５▲３▼に示すようにギア部１７の先端がメインギア３の係止壁１１に当接すると、そのままサブギア６がメインギア３を正方向に押してメインギア３とサブギア６が共回りを開始する。駆動ギア５はサブギア６のギア部１７との噛合が解除されると同時にメインギア３の歯列４と噛合し、メインギア３が回動するから、製氷皿は皿回動軸２を介して離氷する方向に回動を開始する。この時、サブギア６は僅かに伸長した付勢バネ９で同じ回動方向に付勢されているから、駆動ギア５との噛合が解かれても係止壁１１に押しつけられるように上記付勢バネ９で挟定され、図５▲４▼に示すようにメインギア３と一体となって共回りを継続する。
【００１７】
この動作と並行して、氷位検出機構２０では貯氷箱の氷位を検出するのであるが、氷がないか少ない場合は上記サブギア６の回動を阻止しないように動作し、氷が満杯の場合には、検知突起１９によってサブギア６のそれ以上の回動を阻止するものとする。例えば、氷がないか少ない場合は図５▲４▼に示したように氷位検出機構２０と連動する係止爪２１が大きく回動して検知突起と当接しないようにする。一方、氷が満杯の場合には図８▲４▼に示すように係止爪２１があまり回動せずサブギア６と共に回動する検知突起１９を係止して、サブギア６の回動を阻止する構成とするものである。
【００１８】
貯氷箱に氷がないか少ない状態でメインギア３とサブギア６の共回りが継続されると、メインギア３の第２カム７とサブギア６の第３カム１３は、メインギア３の第２カム７が僅かに先行して一部が互いに重なり、上記何れのカムとも山の長さが異なる合成カム１５を形成する。従って、メインギア３およびサブギア６の回動に従い、図６▲５▼〜▲８▼に示すように第１カム１４、合成カム１５、第４カム８の順番にカム山が出現することになる。
【００１９】
一方、氷が貯氷箱に満杯の場合、当初の動作は図７▲１▼〜▲３▼に示したように図５▲１▼〜▲３▼とほぼ同じであるが、図８▲４▼に示したように、検知突起１９が係止爪２１に係止されることによってサブギア６の回動が阻止され、メインギア３とサブギア６の共回りは中止される。即ち、図８▲５▼に示すように、上記合成カム１５は構成されず、メインギア３の第２カム７のみが進行して付勢バネ９は再び緊縮される。この場合、離氷作業を行わない決定がなされて駆動ギア５の回転が中止されるから、メインギア３およびサブギア６の回動に従って第１カム１４、第２カム７の順番にカム山が出現することになる。
【００２０】
なお、離氷後、或いは貯氷箱が満杯で駆動モータが反転して製氷皿をもとの水平位置に戻す場合は、概ね上記各工程を逆に辿ってなされる。
【００２１】
【発明の効果】
以上述べたように、請求項１または２に記載した発明は、メインギアと同軸に重ねたサブギアを連動させるに際し、サブギアを正方向に付勢するバネを設けたことによって、サブギアを先行して回動させることができると共に、初期状態で駆動ギアと当接させることでサブギアと駆動ギアを確実且つ常時同じタイミングで噛合させることができるから、回動開始位置を常に一定に維持することができて回動の位置的誤差を生じないようにして製氷皿の正確な駆動制御が可能となった。
【００２２】
さらに、メインギアとサブギアの二つのギアを連動させることによって貯氷箱の氷の有無で共回りをさせ、或いは中止して、状態に応じてカム山の出現順序或いは出現形状が異なるようにすることができるから、このカム山の形状を適当な信号に変換して利用すれば、製氷皿の回動位置が確実に把握でき、正確な駆動制御を行うことができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】（Ａ）は制御ユニットのケースの側面図、（Ｂ）はその内部構造の正面図である。
【図２】駆動ギアとメインギア、サブギアの噛合状態を示す部分拡大図である。
【図３】（Ａ）はメインギアの側面図、（Ｂ）は正面図である。
【図４】サブギアの正面図である。
【図５】製氷皿の、回動開始位置から検氷位置までの動作を示す説明図である。
【図６】製氷皿の、検氷位置から最大ひねり位置までの動作を示す説明図である。
【図７】貯氷箱に氷が満杯の場合の動作を示す説明図で、回動開始から検氷位置までの動作を示すものである。
【図８】氷が満杯の状態を検知した状態を示す説明図である。
【符号の説明】
３メインギア
５駆動ギア
６サブギア
９付勢バネ
１０バネ溝
１１係止壁
１８案内突部[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic ice making device for a refrigerator, and more particularly to a device for storing ice in an ice storage box, and more particularly to a structure in which two gears provided coaxially are rotated in association with the rotation of an ice tray. Things.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a home refrigerator, various types of configurations have been disclosed in which, when ice making is completed in an ice tray, this is detected, and ice is stored in an ice storage box installed thereunder.
The basic technology of this automatic ice making device is to detect that the water in the ice tray is frozen, then to detect the amount of ice remaining in the ice bin, and to release the ice from the ice tray if the ice is full. Conversely, if it is detected that there is no or little ice, the ice is removed from the ice tray and the ice is stored in the ice storage box. To complete the series of operations.
[0003]
In order to reliably perform the above-described operation, it is necessary to detect whether the ice tray is at the ice making position, whether there is ice in the ice storage box, whether the ice tray has been separated from the ice tray, and the like. At the same time, correct operation cannot be performed without knowing the current position of the ice tray.
[0004]
Further, as a technique related thereto, there is a technique disclosed in, for example, JP-A-6-249556, and a technique disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 6-78770 is an improved technique thereof. These devices operate the ice detecting lever in conjunction with the rotation of the ice tray to obtain a signal of the ice level and control the rotation of the drive motor of the ice tray, but the torque of the motor is transmitted. A single cam gear is provided with a cam so that the ice detecting lever is operated in conjunction.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, when performing the ice removing operation of the ice tray, the drive control of the ice tray may be performed by interlocking the two gears of the main gear and the sub gear. When the teeth of these gears mesh with each other, there is always play between the teeth, so that the rotation start position slightly changes each time the rotation or reversal is performed. Therefore, when trying to output a signal relating to the position of the ice tray during the rotation, an accurate position signal cannot be obtained due to the above change, and there is a problem that the position of the ice tray cannot be accurately grasped. In some cases, this may hinder the drive control.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to provide a gear interlocking structure capable of reliably detecting the current position of an ice tray in performing each of the above operations and performing a lean and accurate operation.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention solves the above problem by rotating a main gear and a sub-gear provided coaxially over a drive gear through a driving gear. The main gear is provided with a row of teeth in a predetermined area on the outer periphery that meshes with the drive gear, and the rotation of the drive gear moves the ice tray to a predetermined position. When the ice tray is rotated by an angle and the ice tray is in a horizontal state at the time of starting, the tip of the tooth row is provided at a position immediately before the tooth row starts meshing with the drive gear, and the sub gear is provided. A gear in which the main gear is provided with a locking wall which is brought into contact after the tip of the sub-gear rotates by a predetermined angle in order to rotate together with the main gear, and a tooth row meshable with the drive gear is provided in a predetermined area. Section A gear is provided, and a different tooth row for continuing the co-rotation is similarly provided on the sub gear so as to be able to mesh with the drive gear, with a portion having no tooth row provided, and a detection projection is provided on the sub gear, and near the sub gear, An ice level detection mechanism for detecting an ice storage amount is provided, and the ice level detection mechanism is provided with a locking claw that is interlocked with the ice level detection mechanism. The operation causes the locking claw to move greatly to a position where it does not come into contact with the detection protrusion, and when the ice is full, the locking claw locks the detection protrusion that rotates together with the sub-gear, Means is employed in which rotation of the drive gear is stopped by preventing rotation of the sub gear .
[0008]
When the main gear and the sub gear provided on the same axis are rotated through the drive gear, the sub gear is urged in the forward direction by the urging spring attached in the axial direction of the main gear, and the sub gear is advanced. In order to rotate, a spring groove is provided in the circumferential direction of the surface axis of the main gear, and a guide projection is provided on the back surface of the sub gear provided coaxially with the main gear so as to slide into the spring groove. A biasing spring is attached between one end of the spring groove and the rear end of the guide projection in a contracted state to bias the sub-gear in the forward direction and to rotate the sub- gear together with the main gear . The main gear is provided with a locking wall that comes into contact with the main gear after being turned by an angle , the main gear is provided with a row of teeth in a predetermined area on the outer periphery that meshes with the drive gear, and the rotation of the drive gear moves the ice tray to a predetermined position. angle When the ice tray is in a horizontal state at the time of starting, the tip of the tooth row is provided at a position immediately before the tooth row starts to mesh with the drive gear, and the shaft of the main gear is provided. In the circumferential direction, a second cam and a fourth cam having different peak lengths are provided at predetermined intervals, and the second cam, the fourth cam, and the shaft provided on the main gear are provided around the axis of the sub gear. A third cam and a first cam which are overlapped in the direction and have different mountain lengths are provided at a predetermined interval, and the third cam is a second cam of the main gear when the co-rotation with the main gear is started. Are slightly overlapped with each other, and are provided at positions forming a composite cam having a different peak length from each of the cams. Outside of the third cam and the first cam, teeth meshable with a drive gear are provided. A gear portion having a row provided in a predetermined area is provided on the sub-gear, and further a tooth row is provided. In the same manner, a tooth row for continuing corotation is provided on the sub gear so as to be able to mesh with the drive gear, a detection projection is provided on the sub gear, and an ice level for detecting an ice storage amount near the sub gear is provided. A detection mechanism is provided, and the ice level detection mechanism is provided with a locking claw interlocked with the ice level detection mechanism. When there is no or little ice, the locking claw is largely moved by the operation of the ice level detection mechanism. Then, it becomes a position not in contact with the detection protrusion, the main gear and the sub gear rotate together, and when the ice is full, the locking claw locks the detection protrusion that rotates together with the sub gear, The rotation of the drive gear is stopped by preventing the rotation of the sub gear, and the appearance order or appearance shape of each of the cams is made different .
[0009]
In the gear interlocking structure of the present invention according to the above configuration, the sub gear is urged in the forward direction, and at the start of driving, the teeth of the sub gear always contact the driving gear. This can prevent an error from occurring in the movement start position. Further, the sub-gear is sandwiched between the main gear by one end of the spring groove and the locking wall so that the sub-gear can rotate together with the main gear.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an interlocking structure of gears in the ice tray driving device according to the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a unit for rotating and controlling an ice tray (not shown) in the automatic ice making apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1A, the unit is placed in a case 1 comprising a front box 1a and a rear box 1b. The drive control structure described above is housed and sealed. Reference numeral 2 denotes a dish rotating shaft connected to the ice tray for rotating the ice tray by a predetermined angle to perform an ice-releasing operation, and has a flattened tip protruding from the front box 1a of the case 1. However, as shown in FIG. 3 (A), the rear end of the plate rotating shaft 2 is directly connected to the main gear 3 in the case 1 coaxially.
[0011]
In FIG. 1 (B), the main gear 3 is provided with a tooth row 4 only in a certain area on the outer periphery as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and meshes with a drive gear 5 at this portion to rotate the ice tray by its rotation. Although the rotation is made by a predetermined angle, when the ice tray is in a horizontal state at the time of starting, the tooth row 4 meshes with the drive gear 5 as shown in FIG. The leading end 4a of the tooth row 4 is provided at a position immediately before the start. This is because only the sub-gear 6 is rotated first and then the main gear 3 is rotated at the start.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 3B, a second cam 7 and a fourth cam 8 having different peak lengths are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the main gear 3, and are further described below. A spring groove 10 for accommodating the biasing spring 9 is provided on the surface, and a locking wall 11 is provided for contacting a sub gear for rotating the sub gear 6 together with the main gear 3.
[0013]
Next, reference numeral 6 denotes a sub-gear, which is provided coaxially with the main gear 3 so as to be coaxial with the main gear 3 and, as shown in FIG. 4, axially overlaps cams 7 and 8 provided on the main gear 3 around its axis. Thus, the third cam 13 and the first cam 14 having different peak lengths are provided at predetermined intervals. As shown in FIGS. 5 (3) and 4 (4), when the third cam 13 starts to rotate together with the main gear 3, the second cam 7 of the main gear 3 slightly overlaps, and Each of the cams 7, 8, 13, and 14 is provided at such a position as to form a composite cam 15 having a different peak length. Outside the cams 13 and 14, there is provided a gear portion 17 provided with a fixed area of a tooth row 16 which can mesh with the drive gear 5 at the same diameter and the same pitch as the tooth row 4 of the main gear 3, A tooth row 12 is provided with the same diameter and the same pitch as the above-mentioned tooth row 4 to ensure that the co-rotation is continued at the stage of the maximum twist position described below across a portion having no row.
[0014]
Further, a guide projection 18 is provided in the back surface of the sub gear 6 in the axial direction of the main gear 3 so as to enter into the spring groove 10 of the main gear 3, and is provided between one end of the spring groove 10 and the rear end of the guide projection 18. The biasing spring 9 is attached in a contracted state to urge the sub gear 6 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction in the drawing (this direction is defined as a positive direction). Make contact with the 5th tooth. That is, the teeth of the drive gear 5 serve to stop the biased sub gear 6 from freely rotating in the forward direction, and when the drive gear 5 starts to rotate, the teeth 16 of the sub gear 6 and the teeth 16 of the sub gear 6 are rotated. The teeth of the drive gear 5 are always reliably meshed at the same timing, and there is no error in the rotation start position of the sub gear 6 due to the play when the teeth mesh. Further, after the main gear 3 starts rotating, the main gear 3 and the sub-gear 6 have a role of integrally rotating together. Reference numeral 19 denotes a detection projection which can stop the co-rotation of the main gear 3 and the sub gear 6 when the ice storage box is full of ice in conjunction with the ice level detection mechanism 20.
[0015]
Next, a series of operations of the gear interlocking structure of the present invention according to the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the ice tray connected to the tray rotating shaft 2 at the time of starting is in a horizontal state. In FIG. 5 (1), when the drive gear 5 starts rotating, the tooth row 16 of the sub gear 6 urged in the forward direction by the urging spring 9 so as to contact the teeth of the drive gear 5 is driven. The sub-gear 6 starts to rotate around the counter-rotating shaft 2 by meshing with the gear 5. That is, since the sub gear 6 is constantly urged in the forward direction, the sub gear 6 always starts rotating at the same time as the driving gear 5 rotates and always starts rotating at the same timing. Does not occur. At this time, the urging spring 9 is extended by the rotation of the sub gear 6 as shown in FIG. 5B, but the urging force in the forward direction is still maintained. The main gear 3 and the driving gear 5 are not meshed at this time, so that the main gear 3 does not rotate, and the ice tray maintains a horizontal state.
[0016]
Further, when the sub-gear 6 rotates and the tip of the gear portion 17 abuts against the locking wall 11 of the main gear 3 as shown in FIG. 5 (3), the sub-gear 6 pushes the main gear 3 in the forward direction and the main gear 3 3 and the sub gear 6 start rotating together. The driving gear 5 is disengaged from the gear portion 17 of the sub gear 6 and simultaneously meshes with the tooth row 4 of the main gear 3, and the main gear 3 rotates. Rotation starts in the direction of ice removal. At this time, the sub-gear 6 is urged in the same rotational direction by the slightly extended urging spring 9, so that the sub-gear 6 is pressed against the locking wall 11 even when the engagement with the drive gear 5 is released. It is pinched by the spring 9 and continues to rotate together with the main gear 3 as shown in FIG.
[0017]
In parallel with this operation, the ice level detection mechanism 20 detects the ice level of the ice storage box. When there is no or little ice, the operation is performed so as not to prevent the rotation of the sub gear 6 and the ice is full. In this case, the detection projection 19 prevents the sub gear 6 from rotating further. For example, when there is no or little ice, as shown in FIG. 5 (4), the locking claw 21 interlocked with the ice level detection mechanism 20 is largely rotated so as not to come into contact with the detection projection. On the other hand, when the ice is full, as shown in FIG. 8 (4), the locking claw 21 does not rotate much, but locks the detection projection 19 which rotates together with the sub-gear 6 to prevent the rotation of the sub-gear 6. Configuration.
[0018]
When the main gear 3 and the sub gear 6 continue to rotate together with no or little ice in the ice storage box, the second cam 7 of the main gear 3 and the third cam 13 of the sub gear 6 become the second cam of the main gear 3. 7 slightly overlap and partially overlap each other to form a composite cam 15 having a different peak length from any of the above cams. Accordingly, according to the rotation of the main gear 3 and the sub gear 6, the cam hills appear in the order of the first cam 14, the composite cam 15, and the fourth cam 8 as shown in FIGS. .
[0019]
On the other hand, when the ice storage box is full of ice, the initial operation is almost the same as in FIGS. 5A to 5C as shown in FIGS. As shown in (2), the rotation of the sub gear 6 is prevented by the detection projection 19 being locked by the locking claw 21, and the co-rotation of the main gear 3 and the sub gear 6 is stopped. That is, as shown in FIG. 8 (5), the composite cam 15 is not formed, and only the second cam 7 of the main gear 3 advances, and the urging spring 9 is contracted again. In this case, it is determined not to perform the ice removing operation, and the rotation of the driving gear 5 is stopped. Therefore, according to the rotation of the main gear 3 and the sub gear 6, the cam hills appear in the order of the first cam 14 and the second cam 7. Will do.
[0020]
In addition, after the ice is removed or when the ice storage box is full and the drive motor is reversed to return the ice tray to the original horizontal position, the above steps are generally performed in reverse.
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the invention described in claim 1 or 2, when the sub-gear coaxially superimposed on the main gear is interlocked, the spring for biasing the sub-gear in the forward direction is provided, so that the sub-gear is moved forward. The sub-gear and the drive gear can be reliably and always meshed at the same timing by being able to rotate and being brought into contact with the drive gear in the initial state, so that the rotation start position can be always kept constant. Thus, accurate driving control of the ice tray can be performed without causing a positional error in rotation.
[0022]
Furthermore, the two gears of the main gear and the sub-gear are linked to rotate or stop together with the presence or absence of ice in the ice storage box, so that the appearance order or appearance shape of the cam peaks differs depending on the state. Therefore, if the shape of the cam peak is converted into an appropriate signal and used, the rotational position of the ice tray can be reliably grasped, and accurate drive control can be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is a side view of a case of a control unit, and FIG. 1B is a front view of an internal structure thereof.
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view showing a meshing state of a drive gear, a main gear, and a sub gear.
3A is a side view of a main gear, and FIG. 3B is a front view.
FIG. 4 is a front view of a sub gear.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the ice tray from a rotation start position to an ice detection position.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the ice tray from an ice detection position to a maximum twist position.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation when the ice storage box is full of ice, showing an operation from the start of rotation to an ice detecting position.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where a state where ice is full is detected.
[Explanation of symbols]
3 main gear 5 drive gear 6 sub gear 9 biasing spring 10 spring groove 11 locking wall 18 guide projection

Claims

When rotating the main gear and the sub gear provided on the same axis through the drive gear, the sub gear is urged in the forward direction by the urging spring attached in the axial direction of the main gear, and the sub gear is rotated in advance. Move it ,
The main gear is provided with a row of teeth in a predetermined area on the outer periphery that meshes with the drive gear, and rotates the ice tray by a predetermined angle by the rotation of the drive gear, so that the ice tray is in a horizontal state at the time of starting. Is provided with the tip of the tooth row positioned at a position immediately before the tooth row starts meshing with the drive gear,
In order to rotate the sub-gear together with the main gear, a locking wall that abuts after the tip of the sub-gear rotates by a predetermined angle is provided on the main gear,
The sub gear is provided with a gear portion provided with a tooth array capable of meshing with the drive gear in a predetermined area, and a different tooth array for continuing co-rotation with a drive gear is also provided with a portion having no tooth array. Provided on the sub gear so as to be meshable,
A detection projection is provided on the sub-gear, an ice level detection mechanism for detecting an ice storage amount is provided near the sub-gear, and the ice level detection mechanism is provided with a locking claw interlocked with the ice level detection mechanism,
When there is no or little ice, the locking claw is largely moved by the operation of the ice level detection mechanism to a position where it does not come into contact with the detection protrusion. A gear interlocking structure in the ice tray driving device, wherein the rotation of the drive gear is stopped by locking the detection projection that rotates together with the sub-gear and preventing the rotation of the sub-gear.

When rotating the main gear and the sub gear provided on the same axis through the drive gear, the sub gear is urged in the forward direction by the urging spring attached in the axial direction of the main gear, and the sub gear is rotated in advance. Move it,
A spring groove is provided in the circumferential direction of the surface axis of the main gear, and a guide projection is provided on the back surface of the sub gear provided coaxially with the main gear to slide into the spring groove by sliding into one end of the spring groove. In order to bias the sub-gear in the forward direction by attaching a biasing spring between the rear ends of the sub- gears and to rotate the sub- gear together with the main gear, it is necessary to rotate the sub- gear together with the main gear after the tip of the sub- gear has rotated by a predetermined angle. A contact wall is provided on the main gear ,
The main gear is provided with a row of teeth in a predetermined area on the outer periphery that meshes with the drive gear, and rotates the ice tray by a predetermined angle by the rotation of the drive gear, so that the ice tray is in a horizontal state at the time of starting. Is provided with the tip of the tooth row positioned at a position immediately before the tooth row starts meshing with the drive gear,
A second cam and a fourth cam having different peak lengths are provided at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of the main gear,
A third cam and a first cam, which are axially overlapped with the second cam and the fourth cam provided on the main gear and have different mountain lengths, are provided at a predetermined interval around the shaft of the sub gear, The third cam is located at a position where the second cam of the main gear slightly overlaps when the co-rotation with the main gear is started to form a combined cam having a different peak length from any of the respective cams. Provided in
Outside the third cam and the first cam, a gear portion provided with a gear train meshable with a drive gear in a predetermined area is provided on the sub gear, and further co-rotates with a portion having no gear train. A tooth row for causing the same to be engaged with the drive gear is provided on the sub gear,
A detection projection is provided on the sub-gear, an ice level detection mechanism for detecting an ice storage amount is provided near the sub-gear, and the ice level detection mechanism is provided with a locking claw interlocked with the ice level detection mechanism,
When there is no or little ice, the operation of the ice level detection mechanism causes the locking claw to move greatly to a position where it does not come into contact with the detection projection, so that the main gear and the sub gear rotate together, and the ice is full. In this case, the locking claw locks the detection protrusion that rotates together with the sub-gear, and stops the rotation of the sub-gear, thereby stopping the rotation of the driving gear, and the appearance order of the respective cams. or interlocking structures of gearing in the ice tray driving device appearing shape characterized by different.