JP6962771B2

JP6962771B2 - Ice machine

Info

Publication number: JP6962771B2
Application number: JP2017192403A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 拓也富倉; 洋一小川
Original assignee: フクシマガリレイ株式会社
Priority date: 2017-10-02
Filing date: 2017-10-02
Publication date: 2021-11-05
Anticipated expiration: 2037-10-02
Also published as: JP2019066103A

Description

本発明は、氷を貯留する貯氷室の側壁に、スコップを支持するスコップホルダが固定された製氷機に関する。 The present invention relates to an ice maker in which a scoop holder for supporting a scoop is fixed to a side wall of an ice storage chamber for storing ice.

この種の製氷機は、例えば非特許文献１に開示されている。そこでは、クランク状の縦断面を有するスコップホルダが、貯氷室の側壁に固定されている。具体的には、スコップホルダの下側の板状部分が、摘み付きのネジで貯氷室の側壁に締結固定されており、上側の板状部分と該側壁との間に、上面と前後面が開口する細長い収容溝が形成されている。この収容溝に対し、下向きにしたスコップの一方の側板を前方から差し込むことにより、スコップをスコップホルダに支持させて、貯氷室内に収納することができる。 This type of ice maker is disclosed in, for example, Non-Patent Document 1. There, a scoop holder with a crank-shaped vertical cross section is fixed to the side wall of the ice storage chamber. Specifically, the lower plate-shaped portion of the scoop holder is fastened and fixed to the side wall of the ice storage chamber with a screw with a knob, and the upper surface and the front and rear surfaces are between the upper plate-shaped portion and the side wall. An elongated accommodating groove that opens is formed. By inserting one side plate of the scoop facing downward into the storage groove from the front, the scoop can be supported by the scoop holder and stored in the ice storage chamber.

発明協会公開技報公技番号２０１０−５０５６８１号Invention Association Public Technical Bulletin Public Technical No. 2010-505681

非特許文献１の製氷機においては、スコップホルダを固定するネジの操作頭部（摘み）が貯氷室内に露出している。そのため、ユーザーがスコップで氷を掬い取る際などに、誤ってスコップが操作頭部に接触し、ネジが回る（緩む）ことがある。ネジが完全に緩んでしまうと、スコップホルダからネジが分離して、貯氷室内に貯留されている氷の上に落下してしまう。全てのネジが完全に緩んでしまった場合には、ネジだけでなくスコップホルダも落下してしまう。ここで、スコップホルダは氷よりも十分に大きいため、落下しても氷の中に紛れ込むことは無いが、小形のネジは氷の中に紛れ込み易く、氷と共に掬い取られるおそれがある。例えば飲食店において、店員が氷入りのカップ飲料を作製する際に、氷の中にネジが混入していることに気付かなければ、ネジを含むカップ飲料がそのまま客に提供されてしまい、大きな問題となる。 In the ice machine of Non-Patent Document 1, the operating head (picking) of the screw for fixing the scoop holder is exposed in the ice storage chamber. Therefore, when the user scoops ice with a shovel, the shovel may accidentally come into contact with the operating head and the screw may turn (loose). If the screws are completely loosened, they will separate from the scoop holder and fall onto the ice stored in the ice storage chamber. If all the screws are completely loosened, not only the screws but also the scoop holder will fall. Here, since the scoop holder is sufficiently larger than the ice, it does not get mixed in the ice even if it falls, but the small screw easily gets mixed in the ice and may be scooped up with the ice. For example, in a restaurant, when a clerk makes a cup beverage containing ice, if he / she does not notice that screws are mixed in the ice, the cup beverage containing screws is provided to the customer as it is, which is a big problem. It becomes.

本発明の目的は、貯氷室の側壁にスコップホルダをネジで固定する製氷機において、ネジの操作頭部に対するスコップの接触に起因するネジの緩みを防止することにある。また本発明の目的は、万一ネジが完全に緩んでしまった場合でも、ネジが氷の中に紛れ込むことを防止することにある。 An object of the present invention is to prevent loosening of a screw due to contact of a scoop with a screw operating head in an ice maker in which a scoop holder is fixed to a side wall of an ice storage chamber with a screw. Another object of the present invention is to prevent the screw from being mixed into ice even if the screw is completely loosened.

本発明は、氷を貯留する貯氷室２の側壁に、スコップ９０を支持するスコップホルダ１７が固定されている製氷機を対象とする。スコップホルダ１７は、貯氷室２の側壁にネジ２０で締結固定される締結座２１と、スコップ９０を着脱可能に支持する支持部２２とを備えている。締結座２１で受け止められるネジ２０の操作頭部２８の周囲が、該操作頭部２８を超える高さの包囲壁４２で囲まれている。ネジ２０の操作頭部２８から伸びるネジ軸２９を、基端側の小径の丸軸部３０と、先端側の大径の雄ネジ部３１とで構成する。スコップホルダ１７の締結座２１には、雄ネジ部３１をねじ込み可能な雌ネジ部３７を有する通孔３６を形成する。ネジ軸２９の丸軸部３０が通孔３６に臨む状態で、雄ネジ部３１を貯氷室２の側壁にねじ込まれている。本発明において、ネジ２０の操作頭部２８の周囲を囲むとは、その全周を途切れることなく囲む形態だけでなく、その全周を断続的あるいは部分的に囲む形態も含むものとする。 The present invention is intended for an ice maker in which a scoop holder 17 for supporting a scoop 90 is fixed to a side wall of an ice storage chamber 2 for storing ice. The scoop holder 17 includes a fastening seat 21 that is fastened and fixed to the side wall of the ice storage chamber 2 with screws 20, and a support portion 22 that detachably supports the scoop 90. The operation head 28 of the screw 20 received by the fastening seat 21 is surrounded by a surrounding wall 42 having a height exceeding the operation head 28 . The screw shaft 29 extending from the operating head 28 of the screw 20 is composed of a small-diameter round shaft portion 30 on the base end side and a large-diameter male screw portion 31 on the tip end side. The fastening seat 21 of the scoop holder 17 is formed with a through hole 36 having a female screw portion 37 into which the male screw portion 31 can be screwed. The male screw portion 31 is screwed into the side wall of the ice storage chamber 2 with the round shaft portion 30 of the screw shaft 29 facing the through hole 36. In the present invention, surrounding the operation head 28 of the screw 20 includes not only a form that surrounds the entire circumference of the screw 20 without interruption but also a form that intermittently or partially surrounds the entire circumference.

スコップホルダ１７の支持部２２が、締結座２１の上端部から横向きに伸びる横壁２３と、横壁２３の上面から上向きに伸びる縦壁２４とを備えており、横壁２３が包囲壁４２の上部を構成している形態を採ることができる。 The support portion 22 of the scoop holder 17 includes a horizontal wall 23 extending laterally from the upper end portion of the fastening seat 21 and a vertical wall 24 extending upward from the upper surface of the horizontal wall 23, and the horizontal wall 23 constitutes the upper portion of the surrounding wall 42. It can take the form of a shovel.

貯氷室２の側壁と横壁２３と縦壁２４とによって、上面と前後面が開口する収容溝２５を区画する。スコップ９０の側板９６を収容溝２５に差し込むことにより、スコップ９０をスコップホルダ１７で支持することが可能である。収容溝２５の底面を、前後中央から両端へ向かって下り傾斜させることができる。 The side wall of the ice storage chamber 2, the horizontal wall 23, and the vertical wall 24 partition a storage groove 25 having an upper surface and a front and rear surface. By inserting the side plate 96 of the scoop 90 into the accommodating groove 25, the scoop 90 can be supported by the scoop holder 17. The bottom surface of the accommodating groove 25 can be inclined downward from the center of the front and rear toward both ends.

縦壁２４を横壁２３の先端部から立設することができる。 The vertical wall 24 can be erected from the tip of the horizontal wall 23.

スコップホルダ１７の締結座２１を、複数個のネジ２０で貯氷室２の側壁に締結固定して、各ネジ２０の操作頭部２８の周囲を包囲壁４２で個別に囲むことができる。 The fastening seat 21 of the scoop holder 17 can be fastened and fixed to the side wall of the ice storage chamber 2 with a plurality of screws 20, and the circumference of the operating head 28 of each screw 20 can be individually surrounded by the surrounding wall 42.

包囲壁４２の下端部に排水口５２を形成することができる。 A drainage port 52 can be formed at the lower end of the surrounding wall 42.

本発明に係る製氷機では、スコップホルダ１７の締結座２１で受け止められるネジ２０の操作頭部２８の周囲を、これより高い包囲壁４２で囲むものとした。これによれば、ユーザーがスコップ９０で氷を掬い取る際などに、ネジ２０の操作頭部２８に対するスコップ９０の接触を防止して、当該接触に起因するネジ２０の緩みを防止することができる。従って、ネジ２０が完全に緩んでスコップホルダ１７から分離することや、スコップホルダ１７が貯氷室２の側壁から分離して落下することを的確に防止できる。 In the ice machine according to the present invention, the circumference of the operating head 28 of the screw 20 received by the fastening seat 21 of the scoop holder 17 is surrounded by a higher surrounding wall 42. According to this, when the user scoops ice with the scoop 90, it is possible to prevent the scoop 90 from coming into contact with the operating head 28 of the screw 20 and prevent the screw 20 from loosening due to the contact. .. Therefore, it is possible to accurately prevent the screw 20 from being completely loosened and separated from the scoop holder 17, and the scoop holder 17 from being separated from the side wall of the ice storage chamber 2 and falling.

スコップホルダ１７の締結座２１に形成される通孔３６が、ネジ２０の雄ネジ部３１をねじ込み可能な雌ネジ部３７を有する形態を採ることができる。これによれば、製氷機の各部から生じる振動（冷凍機の駆動による振動、貯氷室２の扉の開閉による振動など）の影響などにより、一部のネジ２０が完全に緩み、雄ネジ部３１が貯氷室２の側壁から分離した場合でも、雄ネジ部３１が雌ネジ部３７で受け止められる。雄ネジ部３１を雌ネジ部３７に沿って緩めない限りは、ネジ２０がスコップホルダ１７から分離して落下することはない。また、全てのネジ２０が完全に緩んでしまった場合でも、スコップホルダ１７とネジ２０が一体に落下する。このように、本発明によれば、ネジ２０が単独で落下して、貯氷室２内の氷の中に紛れ込むことを確実に防止できる。 The through hole 36 formed in the fastening seat 21 of the scoop holder 17 can take a form having a female screw portion 37 into which the male screw portion 31 of the screw 20 can be screwed. According to this, some of the screws 20 are completely loosened due to the influence of vibrations generated from each part of the ice maker (vibrations caused by driving the refrigerator, vibrations caused by opening and closing the door of the ice storage chamber 2, etc.), and the male screw portion 31 Is separated from the side wall of the ice storage chamber 2, the male screw portion 31 is received by the female screw portion 37. Unless the male screw portion 31 is loosened along the female screw portion 37, the screw 20 will not separate from the scoop holder 17 and fall. Further, even if all the screws 20 are completely loosened, the scoop holder 17 and the screws 20 fall together. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably prevent the screw 20 from falling alone and being mixed into the ice in the ice storage chamber 2.

スコップホルダ１７の支持部２２の横壁２３が、ネジ２０の操作頭部２８を囲む包囲壁４２の上部を構成していると、包囲壁４２の上部を構成する壁を横壁２３とは別に形成する場合に比べて、スコップホルダ１７の形状を簡素化して、その製造コストを削減することができる。 When the side wall 23 of the support portion 22 of the scoop holder 17 constitutes the upper part of the surrounding wall 42 surrounding the operating head 28 of the screw 20, the wall forming the upper part of the surrounding wall 42 is formed separately from the side wall 23. Compared with the case, the shape of the scoop holder 17 can be simplified and the manufacturing cost thereof can be reduced.

収容溝２５の底面を前後中央から両端へ向かって下り傾斜させると、スコップ９０に付着した水滴が収容溝２５の底面に滴下しても、その前端または後端へ向かって流れ落ちるため、収容溝２５の底面に水滴が溜まり難く衛生的である。 When the bottom surface of the accommodating groove 25 is tilted downward from the center of the front-rear direction toward both ends, even if water droplets adhering to the scoop 90 drip on the bottom surface of the accommodating groove 25, they flow down toward the front end or the rear end of the accommodating groove 25. It is hygienic because water droplets do not easily collect on the bottom surface of the shovel.

横壁２３の先端部から縦壁２４を立設すると、貯氷室２の側壁と縦壁２４の対向間隔、すなわち収容溝２５の左右方向の幅寸法を大きく確保して、収容溝２５に対するスコップ９０の側板９６の差し込みを容易にすることができる。また、収容溝２５の幅寸法を大きく確保すると、タオルなどを巻いた指先を収容溝２５に挿入して、その表面の水滴や汚れを拭き取ることができる。貯氷室２の側壁からスコップホルダ１７を一旦取り外さなくても、同ホルダ１７を簡単に清掃できる。 When the vertical wall 24 is erected from the tip of the horizontal wall 23, the distance between the side wall of the ice storage chamber 2 and the vertical wall 24, that is, the width dimension of the storage groove 25 in the left-right direction is largely secured, and the scoop 90 with respect to the storage groove 25 is secured. The side plate 96 can be easily inserted. Further, if the width dimension of the accommodating groove 25 is secured to be large, a fingertip wrapped with a towel or the like can be inserted into the accommodating groove 25 to wipe off water droplets and dirt on the surface thereof. The holder 17 can be easily cleaned without removing the scoop holder 17 from the side wall of the ice storage chamber 2.

スコップホルダ１７を複数個のネジ２０で固定し、各ネジ２０の操作頭部２８の周囲を包囲壁４２で個別に囲むと、複数個の操作頭部２８を１つの包囲壁４２でまとめて囲む場合に比べて、包囲壁４２で囲まれる空間すなわち操作頭部２８を収容する空間の開口面積を小さくすることができる。これにより、スコップ９０が当該空間の内側へ侵入し難くなるので、操作頭部２８へのスコップ９０の接触と、当該接触に起因するネジ２０の緩みをより的確に防止できる。 When the scoop holder 17 is fixed with a plurality of screws 20 and the operation head 28 of each screw 20 is individually surrounded by the surrounding wall 42, the plurality of operating heads 28 are collectively surrounded by one surrounding wall 42. Compared with the case, the opening area of the space surrounded by the surrounding wall 42, that is, the space accommodating the operation head 28 can be reduced. As a result, the scoop 90 is less likely to enter the inside of the space, so that the contact of the scoop 90 with the operating head 28 and the loosening of the screw 20 due to the contact can be more accurately prevented.

包囲壁４２の下端部に排水口５２を形成すると、操作頭部２８の周囲の包囲壁４２や締結座２１に付着した氷片や水滴を、排水口５２から包囲壁４２の外方へ落下させることができる。これにより、包囲壁４２の内側に水滴が溜まり難く衛生的である。 When the drainage port 52 is formed at the lower end of the siege wall 42, ice pieces and water droplets adhering to the siege wall 42 and the fastening seat 21 around the operation head 28 are dropped from the drainage port 52 to the outside of the siege wall 42. be able to. As a result, water droplets are less likely to collect inside the surrounding wall 42, which is hygienic.

本発明の実施例に係るセル型製氷機のスコップホルダの横断平面図であり、図３におけるＡ−Ａ線断面図である。It is a cross-sectional plan view of the scoop holder of the cell type ice maker according to the Example of this invention, and is the cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. セル型製氷機の内部の概略構成を示す縦断正面図である。It is a vertical sectional front view which shows the schematic structure of the inside of a cell type ice maker. スコップホルダの縦断正面図である。It is a vertical sectional front view of a scoop holder. 図３におけるＢ−Ｂ線断面図である。FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. スコップホルダの斜視図である。It is a perspective view of a scoop holder.

（実施例）図１から図５に、本発明をセル型製氷機に適用した実施例を示す。本実施例における前後、左右、上下とは、図１および図２に示す交差矢印と、各矢印の近傍に表記した前後、左右、上下の表示に従う。図２に示すように、本実施例に係るセル型製氷機では、断熱壁１で囲まれる貯氷室２の上部に、氷を製造する製氷ユニット３が配置される。製氷ユニット３で製造された氷は下方に落下して、貯氷室２の下部に堆積する。なお本発明は、製氷ユニット３が貯氷室２の外部に配置されるオーガ式製氷機などにも適用することができる。 (Examples) FIGS. 1 to 5 show examples in which the present invention is applied to a cell-type ice maker. The front-back, left-right, and up-down in this embodiment follow the crossing arrows shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the front-back, left-right, and up-down indications shown in the vicinity of each arrow. As shown in FIG. 2, in the cell-type ice maker according to the present embodiment, the ice making unit 3 for producing ice is arranged above the ice storage chamber 2 surrounded by the heat insulating wall 1. The ice produced by the ice making unit 3 falls downward and accumulates in the lower part of the ice storage chamber 2. The present invention can also be applied to an auger type ice maker in which the ice making unit 3 is arranged outside the ice storage chamber 2.

製氷ユニット３は従来公知の構成からなり、下向きに開口する一群のセルを有する製氷ケース４と、一群の製氷用水の噴射口を有する給水トレー５と、製氷用水を貯留する給水タンク６などで構成される。製氷工程では、不図示の冷凍機から供給される低温低圧の冷媒液によって、製氷ケース４が氷結温度まで冷却される。さらに、給水タンク６の下部に設けたポンプユニット７が駆動して、給水トレー５の各噴射口から製氷ケース４の各セルへ向かって製氷用水が噴射される。これにより、各セル内で製氷用水が氷結して氷が形成される。 The ice making unit 3 has a conventionally known configuration, and includes an ice making case 4 having a group of cells that open downward, a water supply tray 5 having a group of ice making water injection ports, a water supply tank 6 for storing ice making water, and the like. Will be done. In the ice making step, the ice making case 4 is cooled to the freezing temperature by a low temperature and low pressure refrigerant liquid supplied from a refrigerator (not shown). Further, a pump unit 7 provided in the lower part of the water supply tank 6 is driven to inject ice making water from each injection port of the water supply tray 5 toward each cell of the ice making case 4. As a result, the ice-making water freezes in each cell to form ice.

製氷が完了すると、各セル内から氷を分離させるために製氷ケース４が加熱される。さらに、給水トレー５と給水タンク６が支軸９のまわりに揺動操作されて、製氷ケース４の下面から離れて右方へ下り傾斜する離氷姿勢となる。給水トレー５と給水タンク６を揺動操作するトレー操作機構１０は、正逆転可能なモーター１１と、モーター１１で往復傾動操作される前後一対の駆動アーム１２と、給水トレー５と駆動アーム１２の間に掛止される引張り型のコイルばね１３などで構成される。セル内で加熱されて表面が融けた氷は、セルから落下して給水トレー５上を滑り落ち、同トレー５の右端（揺動端）から貯氷室２の底部へ向かって落下する。 When ice making is complete, the ice making case 4 is heated to separate the ice from within each cell. Further, the water supply tray 5 and the water supply tank 6 are oscillated around the support shaft 9, and the ice making posture is set so that the water supply tray 5 and the water supply tank 6 are tilted downward to the right away from the lower surface of the ice making case 4. The tray operating mechanism 10 that swings the water supply tray 5 and the water supply tank 6 includes a motor 11 capable of forward and reverse rotation, a pair of front and rear drive arms 12 that are tilted back and forth by the motor 11, and the water supply tray 5 and the drive arm 12. It is composed of a tension type coil spring 13 or the like that is hooked between them. The ice that has been heated in the cell and whose surface has melted falls from the cell, slides down on the water supply tray 5, and falls from the right end (swinging end) of the tray 5 toward the bottom of the ice storage chamber 2.

製氷ユニット３の下方には、離氷姿勢の給水タンク６からの排水を受ける排水パン１６が配置されており、排水パン１６の下方における貯氷室２の左壁に、スコップ９０を支持するスコップホルダ１７が固定されている。貯氷室２の前壁には、断熱扉で開閉される氷の取出口１８が形成されており、この取出口１８に臨む位置にスコップホルダ１７は配置される。そのため、この製氷機を初めて利用するユーザーであっても、取出口１８を開放してすぐに、スコップホルダ１７で支持されるスコップ９０を見付けることができる。 A drain pan 16 that receives drainage from the water supply tank 6 in an ice-removing posture is arranged below the ice making unit 3, and a scoop holder that supports the scoop 90 is placed on the left wall of the ice storage chamber 2 below the drain pan 16. 17 is fixed. An ice outlet 18 opened and closed by a heat insulating door is formed on the front wall of the ice storage chamber 2, and the scoop holder 17 is arranged at a position facing the outlet 18. Therefore, even a user who uses this ice machine for the first time can find the scoop 90 supported by the scoop holder 17 immediately after opening the outlet 18.

図２においてスコップ９０は、氷受け部９１と把手９２を一体に備えるプラスチック成形品からなる。氷受け部９１は、断面逆へ字状の底板９３と、底板９３の前縁から立設された前板９４と、底板９３の左右縁から立設された左右一対の側板９５・９６とで形成されている。把手９２は、氷受け部９１の前板９４の外面から前方へ伸びている。このスコップ９０をスコップホルダ１７に支持させるには、氷受け部９１の開口が下向きになるように上下反転させて、氷受け部９１の一方の側板９６を、スコップホルダ１７と貯氷室２の壁面との間に前方から差し込む。ここで、一方の側板９６とは、氷受け部９１の開口が上を向く使用姿勢における右側の側板９６のことである。 In FIG. 2, the scoop 90 is made of a plastic molded product including an ice receiving portion 91 and a handle 92 integrally. The ice receiving portion 91 is composed of a bottom plate 93 having an inverted cross section, a front plate 94 erected from the front edge of the bottom plate 93, and a pair of left and right side plates 95 and 96 erected from the left and right edges of the bottom plate 93. It is formed. The handle 92 extends forward from the outer surface of the front plate 94 of the ice receiving portion 91. In order to support the scoop 90 on the scoop holder 17, the ice receiving portion 91 is turned upside down so that the opening of the ice receiving portion 91 faces downward, and one side plate 96 of the ice receiving portion 91 is placed on the wall surface of the scoop holder 17 and the ice storage chamber 2. Insert from the front between and. Here, the one side plate 96 is the right side plate 96 in the usage posture in which the opening of the ice receiving portion 91 faces upward.

図３においてスコップホルダ１７は、クランク状の縦断面を有するプラスチック成形品からなり、貯氷室２の左壁に固定される下側の締結座２１と、スコップ９０を支持する上側の支持部２２とを一体に備えている。締結座２１は、上下寸法よりも前後寸法が大きい垂直板からなり、前後一対のネジ２０で締結固定される（図４参照）。支持部２２は、締結座２１の上端部から右方（横向き）に伸びる横壁２３と、横壁２３の右端部（先端部）から上方へ伸びる縦壁２４とで構成される。これら横壁２３および縦壁２４と貯氷室２の左壁とによって、上面と前後面が開口する収容溝２５が区画されている。この収容溝２５にスコップ９０の側板９６を差し込むことにより、スコップ９０をスコップホルダ１７で支持することができる。 In FIG. 3, the scoop holder 17 is made of a plastic molded product having a crank-shaped vertical cross section, and has a lower fastening seat 21 fixed to the left wall of the ice storage chamber 2 and an upper support portion 22 for supporting the scoop 90. Is provided in one piece. The fastening seat 21 is made of a vertical plate having a front-rear dimension larger than the vertical dimension, and is fastened and fixed with a pair of front-rear screws 20 (see FIG. 4). The support portion 22 is composed of a horizontal wall 23 extending to the right (horizontally) from the upper end of the fastening seat 21 and a vertical wall 24 extending upward from the right end (tip) of the horizontal wall 23. The horizontal wall 23, the vertical wall 24, and the left wall of the ice storage chamber 2 partition a storage groove 25 having an upper surface and a front and rear surface. By inserting the side plate 96 of the scoop 90 into the accommodating groove 25, the scoop 90 can be supported by the scoop holder 17.

横壁２３の左右方向の幅寸法Ｗ１は、スコップホルダ１７の全体の左右寸法に一致している。このように横壁２３を広幅に形成し、さらに横壁２３の右端部から縦壁２４を立設すると、貯氷室２の左壁と縦壁２４の対向間隔、すなわち収容溝２５の左右方向の幅寸法Ｗ２を大きく確保することができる。本実施例では、横壁２３（スコップホルダ１７）の幅寸法Ｗ１を２４ｍｍに設定し、収容溝２５の幅寸法Ｗ２を１８ｍｍに設定した。 The width dimension W1 in the left-right direction of the side wall 23 matches the entire left-right dimension of the scoop holder 17. When the horizontal wall 23 is formed wide in this way and the vertical wall 24 is erected from the right end of the horizontal wall 23, the distance between the left wall of the ice storage chamber 2 and the vertical wall 24, that is, the width dimension in the left-right direction of the accommodation groove 25 A large amount of W2 can be secured. In this embodiment, the width dimension W1 of the side wall 23 (scoop holder 17) is set to 24 mm, and the width dimension W2 of the accommodating groove 25 is set to 18 mm.

収容溝２５の幅寸法Ｗ２は、スコップ９０の側板９６の厚みよりも十分に大きいため、収容溝２５に対して側板９６を容易に差し込むことができる。また、収容溝２５の幅寸法Ｗ２は、平均的な人の指の太さよりも大きいため、タオルなどを巻いた指先を収容溝２５に挿入して、その表面の水滴や汚れを拭き取ることができる。縦壁２４の上部は外向きに傾斜しているため、収容溝２５に対して上方から指先を容易に挿入することができる。図４において収容溝２５の底面（横壁２３の上面）は、その前後中央から両端へ向かってそれぞれ下り傾斜しており、その傾斜角度は１°である。この傾斜によれば、スコップ９０に付着した水滴が収容溝２５の底面に滴下しても、その前端または後端へ向かって流れ落ちるため、収容溝２５の底面に水滴が溜まり難く衛生的である。 Since the width dimension W2 of the accommodating groove 25 is sufficiently larger than the thickness of the side plate 96 of the scoop 90, the side plate 96 can be easily inserted into the accommodating groove 25. Further, since the width dimension W2 of the accommodating groove 25 is larger than the thickness of an average person's finger, a fingertip wrapped with a towel or the like can be inserted into the accommodating groove 25 to wipe off water droplets and dirt on the surface thereof. .. Since the upper portion of the vertical wall 24 is inclined outward, the fingertip can be easily inserted into the accommodating groove 25 from above. In FIG. 4, the bottom surface of the accommodating groove 25 (the upper surface of the lateral wall 23) is inclined downward from the center of the front and rear toward both ends, and the inclination angle is 1 °. According to this inclination, even if the water droplets adhering to the scoop 90 drip on the bottom surface of the accommodating groove 25, the water droplets flow down toward the front end or the rear end thereof, so that the water droplets are less likely to collect on the bottom surface of the accommodating groove 25 and are hygienic.

図１においてネジ２０は、合成樹脂製の操作頭部２８を有する化粧ネジからなり、操作頭部２８から伸びる金属製のネジ軸２９は、基端側の小径の丸軸部３０と、先端側の大径の雄ネジ部３１とで構成されている。貯氷室２の左壁におけるスコップホルダ１７の取付個所では、断熱壁１を構成する金属製の内箱３３の外面側（貯氷室２の反対側）に、金属製の補強板３５が取り付けられており、この補強板３５には、雄ネジ部３１をねじ込み可能な前後一対のネジ孔３２が形成されている。内箱３３には、ネジ孔３２に臨む開口３４が形成されている。スコップホルダ１７の締結座２１には、ネジ２０用の前後一対の通孔３６が形成されており、これら通孔３６の周面には、その軸方向の全長にわたって、雄ネジ部３１をねじ込み可能な雌ネジ部３７が形成されている。 In FIG. 1, the screw 20 is a decorative screw having an operating head 28 made of synthetic resin, and the metal screw shaft 29 extending from the operating head 28 has a small-diameter round shaft portion 30 on the base end side and a tip side. It is composed of a large-diameter male screw portion 31 of the above. At the attachment point of the scoop holder 17 on the left wall of the ice storage chamber 2, a metal reinforcing plate 35 is attached to the outer surface side (opposite side of the ice storage chamber 2) of the metal inner box 33 constituting the heat insulating wall 1. The reinforcing plate 35 is formed with a pair of front and rear screw holes 32 into which a male screw portion 31 can be screwed. The inner box 33 is formed with an opening 34 facing the screw hole 32. A pair of front and rear through holes 36 for screws 20 are formed in the fastening seat 21 of the scoop holder 17, and a male screw portion 31 can be screwed into the peripheral surface of these through holes 36 over the entire length in the axial direction. A female screw portion 37 is formed.

ネジ２０の操作頭部２８を受け止める締結座２１の締結面４１には、操作頭部２８の周囲を囲む包囲壁４２が形成されている。図４および図５において包囲壁４２は、スコップ９０の支持部２２を兼ねる横壁２３と、横壁２３の前後端および前後中央から下向きに伸びる前後壁４３・４４および中央壁４５とで構成される。前後壁４３・４４と中央壁４５はそれぞれ、前後幅が一定である上側の垂直部４６・４７・４８と、下方へ行くに従って前後幅が大きくなる下側の拡幅部４９・５０・５１とで構成される。また、前後壁４３・４４と中央壁４５は、締結面４１からの突出寸法が下方へ行くに従って徐々に小さくなっている。中央壁４５が締結面４１に直交するのに対し、前壁４３と後壁４４の横断面は楔状に形成されている（図１参照）。これに伴い、前壁４３の前面と後壁４４の後面は、貯氷室２の左壁から離れるほど、スコップホルダ１７の前後中央へ近付く方向に傾斜している。 A surrounding wall 42 surrounding the operation head 28 is formed on the fastening surface 41 of the fastening seat 21 that receives the operation head 28 of the screw 20. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the surrounding wall 42 is composed of a horizontal wall 23 that also serves as a support portion 22 for the scoop 90, and front and rear walls 43 and 44 and a central wall 45 that extend downward from the front and rear ends of the side wall 23 and the front and rear center. The front and rear walls 43 and 44 and the center wall 45 are composed of an upper vertical portion 46, 47, 48 having a constant front and rear width and a lower widening portion 49, 50, 51 whose front and rear width increases as the front and rear walls increase downward, respectively. It is composed. Further, the front and rear walls 43 and 44 and the central wall 45 gradually become smaller as the protruding dimension from the fastening surface 41 goes downward. While the central wall 45 is orthogonal to the fastening surface 41, the cross sections of the front wall 43 and the rear wall 44 are formed in a wedge shape (see FIG. 1). Along with this, the front surface of the front wall 43 and the rear surface of the rear wall 44 are inclined in a direction closer to the front-rear center of the scoop holder 17 as the distance from the left wall of the ice storage chamber 2 increases.

前側のネジ２０の操作頭部２８は、横壁２３と前壁４３と中央壁４５によって、上方と前方と後方の三方を囲まれており、後側のネジ２０の操作頭部２８は、横壁２３と中央壁４５と後壁４４によって、上方と前方と後方の三方を囲まれている。これら包囲壁４２（横壁２３・前壁４３・後壁４４・中央壁４５）の締結面４１からの突出寸法は、操作頭部２８の軸方向（左右方向）の高さ寸法よりも大きく設定されている。このように、操作頭部２８の周囲を、これより高い包囲壁４２で囲むと、ユーザーが貯氷室２内の氷をスコップ９０で掬い取る際に、誤ってスコップ９０がスコップホルダ１７の締結座２１へ向かって来ても、スコップ９０が操作頭部２８の周囲に接触する前に、包囲壁４２でスコップ９０を受け止めることができる。これにより、操作頭部２８の周囲へのスコップ９０の接触と、当該接触に起因するネジ２０の緩みを防止することができる。 The operating head 28 of the screw 20 on the front side is surrounded by the side wall 23, the front wall 43, and the central wall 45 on three sides, upper, front, and rear, and the operating head 28 of the screw 20 on the rear side is the side wall 23. The central wall 45 and the rear wall 44 surround the upper, front, and rear sides. The protruding dimension of these surrounding walls 42 (horizontal wall 23, front wall 43, rear wall 44, central wall 45) from the fastening surface 41 is set to be larger than the height dimension of the operating head 28 in the axial direction (horizontal direction). ing. In this way, if the operation head 28 is surrounded by a higher surrounding wall 42, the scoop 90 mistakenly scoops the ice in the ice storage chamber 2 with the scoop 90, and the scoop 90 mistakenly holds the fastening seat of the scoop holder 17. Even when approaching 21, the scoop 90 can be received by the siege wall 42 before the scoop 90 comes into contact with the periphery of the operating head 28. This makes it possible to prevent the scoop 90 from coming into contact with the periphery of the operating head 28 and the screw 20 from being loosened due to the contact.

なお、操作頭部２８の右面すなわち操作面は包囲壁４２で囲まれていないため、スコップ９０の角部分などが操作面に接触することはあるが、操作面への接触でネジ２０が回る（緩む）ことは殆どない。また、前後壁４３・４４と中央壁４５の締結面４１からの突出寸法は、下方へ行くに従って徐々に小さくなっているが、少なくとも操作頭部２８の下端よりも上側においては、各壁４３・４４・４５の突出寸法が操作頭部２８の高さ寸法よりも大きく設定されている（図３参照）。そのため、操作頭部２８の下方からスコップ９０が向かって来ても、スコップ９０の角部分が上を向くような場合を除いて、スコップ９０が操作頭部２８の下部周囲に接触する前に、各壁４３・４４・４５の突端面でスコップ９０を受け止めることができる。従って、スコップ９０が操作頭部２８の下部周囲に接触することは非常に稀である。各壁４３・４４・４５の拡幅部４９・５０・５１は、垂直部４６・４７・４８に比べて突出寸法は小さいが、その代わりに前後幅が大きく、操作頭部２８の真下へ向かって張り出しているため、スコップ９０の操作頭部２８への接触防止に関して高い効果を発揮する。 Since the right side of the operation head 28, that is, the operation surface is not surrounded by the surrounding wall 42, the corner portion of the scoop 90 may come into contact with the operation surface, but the screw 20 turns due to the contact with the operation surface ( It rarely loosens). Further, the protruding dimension of the front and rear walls 43 and 44 and the central wall 45 from the fastening surface 41 gradually decreases toward the lower side, but at least above the lower end of the operation head 28, each wall 43. The protruding dimensions of 44 and 45 are set to be larger than the height dimension of the operating head 28 (see FIG. 3). Therefore, even if the scoop 90 comes from below the operating head 28, before the scoop 90 comes into contact with the lower periphery of the operating head 28, except when the corner portion of the scoop 90 faces upward. The scoop 90 can be received at the tip surface of each wall 43, 44, 45. Therefore, it is very rare for the scoop 90 to come into contact with the lower periphery of the operating head 28. The widened portions 49, 50, 51 of each wall 43, 44, 45 have a smaller protruding dimension than the vertical portions 46, 47, 48, but instead have a larger front-rear width, toward directly below the operating head 28. Since it is overhanging, it is highly effective in preventing the scoop 90 from coming into contact with the operating head 28.

前壁４３と中央壁４５の拡幅部４９・５１の下端部の間、および、中央壁４５と後壁４４の拡幅部５１・５０の下端部の間には、それぞれ排水口５２が形成されている。操作頭部２８の周囲の包囲壁４２や締結座２１に付着した氷片や水滴は、これらの排水口５２を介して包囲壁４２の外方へ落下するので、包囲壁４２の内側に水滴が溜まり難く衛生的である。また、スコップホルダ１７の締結面４１に正対する側面視において、各ネジ２０の操作頭部２８と、その周囲を囲む包囲壁４２との間には、操作頭部２８の外径と同程度の幅の空間が形成されている。そのため、タオルなどを巻いた指先を当該空間に挿入して、操作頭部２８の表面やその周囲に付着した水滴や汚れを容易に拭き取ることができる。 Drainage ports 52 are formed between the lower ends of the widened portions 49 and 51 of the front wall 43 and the central wall 45, and between the lower ends of the widened portions 51 and 50 of the central wall 45 and the rear wall 44, respectively. There is. Ice fragments and water droplets adhering to the siege wall 42 and the fastening seat 21 around the operation head 28 fall to the outside of the siege wall 42 through these drain ports 52, so that water droplets are generated inside the siege wall 42. It is hard to collect and is hygienic. Further, in a side view facing the fastening surface 41 of the scoop holder 17, between the operating head 28 of each screw 20 and the surrounding wall 42 surrounding the operating head 28, the diameter is about the same as the outer diameter of the operating head 28. A space of width is formed. Therefore, a fingertip wrapped with a towel or the like can be inserted into the space to easily wipe off water droplets and dirt adhering to the surface of the operation head 28 and its surroundings.

本実施例では、前壁４３の前面と後壁４４の後面、および、拡幅部４９・５０・５１の右面（突端面）などを傾斜面で形成した。これによれば、ユーザーが氷を掬い取る際に、スコップ９０がスコップホルダ１７に引っ掛かることを効果的に防止できる。さらに、スコップホルダ１７の外面の複数個所を傾斜面で形成すると、スコップホルダ１７の全体がユーザーに与える印象を柔らかなものにすることができる（図５参照）。 In this embodiment, the front surface of the front wall 43, the rear surface of the rear wall 44, and the right surface (protruding end surface) of the widened portions 49, 50, and 51 are formed by inclined surfaces. According to this, when the user scoops the ice, the scoop 90 can be effectively prevented from being caught by the scoop holder 17. Further, by forming a plurality of locations on the outer surface of the scoop holder 17 with inclined surfaces, the impression given to the user by the entire scoop holder 17 can be softened (see FIG. 5).

貯氷室２の左壁に対するスコップホルダ１７の取り付けは以下の手順で行う。まず、２個のネジ２０をスコップホルダ１７に連結する。すなわち、各ネジ２０のネジ軸２９を、締結座２１の締結面４１の側から通孔３６にねじ込む。このねじ込みは、ネジ軸２９の雄ネジ部３１が通孔３６の雌ネジ部３７を通過して、締結面４１の裏面から突出するまで行う。雄ネジ部３１の通過後に通孔３６内に位置する丸軸部３０は、通孔３６よりも軸方向に長くかつ小径である。そのため、上記連結作業の後の各ネジ２０は、同ホルダ１７から分離不能であるが、同ホルダ１７に対して軸方向に相対スライド可能である。 The scoop holder 17 is attached to the left wall of the ice storage chamber 2 according to the following procedure. First, the two screws 20 are connected to the scoop holder 17. That is, the screw shaft 29 of each screw 20 is screwed into the through hole 36 from the side of the fastening surface 41 of the fastening seat 21. This screwing is performed until the male screw portion 31 of the screw shaft 29 passes through the female screw portion 37 of the through hole 36 and protrudes from the back surface of the fastening surface 41. The round shaft portion 30 located in the through hole 36 after passing through the male screw portion 31 is longer and smaller in the axial direction than the through hole 36. Therefore, each screw 20 after the connection work is inseparable from the holder 17, but can slide relative to the holder 17 in the axial direction.

次いで、２個のネジ２０を連結したスコップホルダ１７を、貯氷室２の左壁の取付個所へ移動させ、締結座２１の裏面から突出する各ネジ２０の雄ネジ部３１を、内箱３３に形成された開口３４を介して、補強板３５に形成されたネジ孔３２にねじ込む。操作頭部２８が締結面４１に密着するまで各ネジ２０をねじ込むと、締結座２１が貯氷室２の左壁に締結固定されて、スコップホルダ１７の取り付けが完了する。 Next, the scoop holder 17 connecting the two screws 20 is moved to the mounting location on the left wall of the ice storage chamber 2, and the male screw portion 31 of each screw 20 protruding from the back surface of the fastening seat 21 is attached to the inner box 33. It is screwed into the screw hole 32 formed in the reinforcing plate 35 through the formed opening 34. When each screw 20 is screwed in until the operation head 28 is brought into close contact with the fastening surface 41, the fastening seat 21 is fastened and fixed to the left wall of the ice storage chamber 2, and the attachment of the scoop holder 17 is completed.

上記のように本実施例では、各ネジ２０の操作頭部２８の周囲を包囲壁４２で囲むことにより、操作頭部２８の周囲へのスコップ９０の接触と、当該接触に起因するネジ２０の緩みを防止することができる。万一、製氷機の各部から生じる振動（冷凍機の駆動による振動、貯氷室２の扉の開閉による振動など）の影響などにより、一方のネジ２０が完全に緩み、雄ネジ部３１が貯氷室２の左壁から分離した場合でも、雄ネジ部３１が雌ネジ部３７で受け止められる。雄ネジ部３１を雌ネジ部３７に沿って緩めない限りは、ネジ２０がスコップホルダ１７から分離して落下することはない。また、両方のネジ２０が完全に緩んでしまった場合でも、スコップホルダ１７とネジ２０が一体に落下する。このように、本実施例によれば、ネジ２０が単独で落下して、貯氷室２内の氷の中に紛れ込むことを確実に防止できる。 As described above, in the present embodiment, by surrounding the operation head 28 of each screw 20 with the surrounding wall 42, the scoop 90 comes into contact with the periphery of the operation head 28, and the screw 20 caused by the contact. Loosening can be prevented. In the unlikely event that the vibration generated from each part of the ice machine (vibration caused by driving the refrigerator, vibration caused by opening and closing the door of the ice storage chamber 2, etc.) causes one screw 20 to loosen completely, the male screw portion 31 becomes the ice storage chamber. Even when separated from the left wall of 2, the male screw portion 31 is received by the female screw portion 37. Unless the male screw portion 31 is loosened along the female screw portion 37, the screw 20 will not separate from the scoop holder 17 and fall. Further, even if both screws 20 are completely loosened, the scoop holder 17 and the screws 20 fall together. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reliably prevent the screw 20 from falling alone and being mixed into the ice in the ice storage chamber 2.

本実施例に係る製氷機では、貯氷室２の右側に片寄って氷が堆積するため、氷が最も堆積し難い貯氷室２の左端部にスコップホルダ１７を配置したが、場合によっては貯氷室２の右壁にスコップホルダ１７を固定してもよい。本実施例のスコップホルダ１７は前後対称であるため、左右反転させれば右壁に固定することができ、さらに上記の実施例と同一の方法で使用することができる。ただし、スコップ９０の収納状態においては、上記の実施例とは反対側の側板９５が収容溝２５に差し込まれる。 In the ice maker according to the present embodiment, since ice is deposited on the right side of the ice storage chamber 2, the scoop holder 17 is arranged at the left end of the ice storage chamber 2 where ice is most difficult to accumulate. However, in some cases, the ice storage chamber 2 The scoop holder 17 may be fixed to the right wall of the. Since the scoop holder 17 of this embodiment is symmetrical in the front-rear direction, it can be fixed to the right wall by inverting it horizontally, and can be used in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. However, in the stowed state of the scoop 90, the side plate 95 on the opposite side of the above embodiment is inserted into the accommodating groove 25.

包囲壁４２の形状は上記の実施例で示したものに限られず、例えば円筒状や多角形筒状などに形成してもよい。操作頭部２８の周囲を断続的に囲む壁で包囲壁４２を構成してもよい。締結座２１の通孔３６の軸方向の全長にわたって雌ネジ部３７を形成する必要は無く、通孔３６の軸方向の一部のみに雌ネジ部３７を形成してもよい。 The shape of the surrounding wall 42 is not limited to that shown in the above embodiment, and may be formed into, for example, a cylindrical shape or a polygonal tubular shape. The surrounding wall 42 may be composed of a wall that intermittently surrounds the operation head 28. It is not necessary to form the female screw portion 37 over the entire length of the through hole 36 of the fastening seat 21 in the axial direction, and the female screw portion 37 may be formed only in a part of the through hole 36 in the axial direction.

２貯氷室
１７スコップホルダ
２１締結座
２２支持部
２３横壁
２４縦壁
２５収容溝
２８操作頭部
２９ネジ軸
３０丸軸部
３１雄ネジ部
３６通孔
３７雌ネジ部
４２包囲壁
５２排水口
９０スコップ 2 Ice storage chamber 17 Scoop holder 21 Fastening seat 22 Support part 23 Horizontal wall 24 Vertical wall 25 Storage groove 28 Operating head 29 Screw shaft 30 Round shaft part 31 Male screw part 36 Through hole 37 Female screw part 42 Surrounding wall 52 Drain port 90 Scoop

Claims

A scoop holder (17) that supports the scoop (90) is fixed to the side wall of the ice storage chamber (2) that stores ice.
The scoop holder (17) includes a fastening seat (21) that is fastened and fixed to the side wall of the ice storage chamber (2) with screws (20), and a support portion (22) that detachably supports the scoop (90). Shovel,
The operation head (28) of the screw (20) received by the fastening seat (21) is surrounded by a surrounding wall (42) having a height exceeding the operation head (28) .
The screw shaft (29) extending from the operation head (28) of the screw (20) is composed of a small-diameter round shaft portion (30) on the base end side and a large-diameter male screw portion (31) on the tip end side. And
The fastening seat (21) of the scoop holder (17) is formed with a through hole (36) having a female screw portion (37) into which the male screw portion (31) can be screwed.
An ice maker characterized in that a male screw portion (31) is screwed into a side wall of an ice storage chamber (2) in a state where a round shaft portion (30) of a screw shaft (29) faces a through hole (36).

The support portion (22) of the scoop holder (17) includes a horizontal wall (23) extending laterally from the upper end portion of the fastening seat (21) and a vertical wall (24) extending upward from the upper surface of the horizontal wall (23). Shovel,
The ice maker according to claim 1, wherein the side wall (23) constitutes the upper portion of the surrounding wall (42).

The side wall of the ice storage chamber (2), the horizontal wall (23), and the vertical wall (24) divide a storage groove (25) that opens the upper surface and the front and rear surfaces.
By inserting the side plate (96) of the scoop (90) into the accommodating groove (25), the scoop (90) can be supported by the scoop holder (17).
The ice maker according to claim 2 , wherein the bottom surface of the accommodating groove (25) is inclined downward from the center of the front and rear toward both ends.

The ice maker according to claim 3, wherein the vertical wall (24) is erected from the tip of the horizontal wall (23).

The fastening seat (21) of the scoop holder (17) is fastened and fixed to the side wall of the ice storage chamber (2) with a plurality of screws (20).
The ice maker according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operation head (28) of each screw (20) is individually surrounded by a surrounding wall (42).

The ice maker according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein a drain port (52) is formed at the lower end of the surrounding wall (42) .