JPH06281305A - Returning method for ice making tray - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a shortening of the life of a motor attributed to operating condition by eliminating longer continuation of failure thereof in rotation while being energized, namely, a lock state in the process of reversing the motor to return an ice making tray. CONSTITUTION:After the generation of an ice detection signal when filling with ice occurs or the generation of an ice separation signal in the ice separating operation, a motor 15 is kept rotating in the direction of reversion thereof, namely, in the direction of returning an ice making tray 2 without being controlled hourly. The position at which an output signal of one switch 14 is generated is detected in the combination of later changes in the level of the output signal of the switch 14 and the expiration state of a time in a controller. Thus, the time of reversing the motor 15 is limited from the position thereby enabling the setting of the energization time of the motor 15 under a lock state as short as possible.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for returning an ice tray to an original position after an ice detecting operation or an ice releasing operation in an apparatus for driving an ice tray of a refrigerator.

[0002]

[Prior Art] The patent applicant has proposed a "driving device for an ice tray", which is the premise of the present invention, by the patent application filed on February 26, 1993. First, it will be described in detail. , Clarify its technical challenges.

1 and 2 show the overall construction of the ice tray drive device 1. The ice tray drive device 1 is installed on the ice storage container in the ice making chamber of the refrigerator in order to turn over the ice tray 2 and swing the ice detecting bar 3.

The ice tray 2 is of a rectangular top opening type, and is a driven shaft which is connected to the drive portion 4 of the ice tray drive device 1 on one of the opposite sides and fixed to the machine frame 6 of the refrigerator on the other side. 5 is supported in a reversible state with respect to 5, and at the time of reversing, that is, from the upward state to the downward state, that is, at one end of the rotation range, for example, the contact piece 7 fixed to the machine frame 6
Then, it is twisted and deformed, so that the ice inside is released and dropped into the ice storage container below.

Further, the ice detecting bar 3 is an ice tray driving device 1
It is attached to the ice detecting shaft 10 at the lateral position of the split type cases 8 and 9 and comes into contact with the ice in the ice storage chamber by rotating the required angle from the horizontal position, for example, about the maximum operating angle of 37 degrees. As a result, the full-ice condition is detected, and when the contact is absent, the insufficient amount of ice storage is detected.

Next, FIGS. 3 to 8 show the structures of the cam gear 11, the ice detecting lever 12, the switch operating lever 13 and the switch 14 incorporated in the cases 8 and 9, and the DC motor for driving them. 15 and the like are shown. The motor 15 is fixed to the inside of the case 8 together with the printed circuit board 37 as shown in FIG. 8 in addition to FIG. 3, and its rotation is caused by the worm 16, the worm wheel 17, and the gears 18 and 19 for deceleration. Through cam gear 1
1 is transmitted.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, the cam gear 11 is rotatably supported by the output shaft 20 integral with the cam gear 11 with respect to the bearing portions of the cases 8 and 9, The first cam 21 is formed by the contour of one side surface,
In addition, the second cam 2 is formed by the other discontinuous circumferential ridge.
2, a stopper 23 for restricting the rotation angle of the cam gear 11 and a protrusion 24 for driving the lock lever 25 are formed. Output shaft 2
A part of 0 projects from the case 8 to the outside, and the projecting portion serves as an oval drive unit 4.

The stopper 23 corresponds to the stopper receivers 26 and 27 formed in the case 8 in order to regulate the rotation angle of the cam gear 11 as shown in FIG. 6, and in addition to the ice tray 2, the cam gear 11 and the output. The rotation range of the shaft 20 is restricted within approximately 180 degrees. As shown in FIG. 4, the lock lever 25 is a claw portion at the tip and corresponds to the step portion 47 formed on the boss portion of the worm 16, and by the contact thereof,
Even when the motor 15 is energized, the motor 15 and the worm 16 are forcibly stopped.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the first cam 21 is in contact with the cam follower 28 of the ice detecting lever 12 at the contour portion, and the displacement allowance region 29 is formed at the recess portion. ing. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the second cam 22 is in contact with the cam follower 30 of the switch operating lever 13 on the outer peripheral wall, and the cam gear 11 is discontinuous at the discontinuous portion.
A displacement permissible area 31 corresponding to the reference position, a displacement permissible area 32 corresponding to the displacement permissible area 29, and a displacement permissible area 33 corresponding to the end of rotation of the cam gear 11 are formed.

As shown in FIG. 8, the switch operating lever 13 and the lock lever 25 are both rotatably supported by a lever shaft 34 integral with the case 8, and a pulling spring provided between them. They are urged by 35 in different rotation directions. Switch operating lever 1
3 has a permanent magnet 36 at its tip, and the magnetic flux of this permanent magnet 36 corresponds to the switch 14 such as a Hall IC mounted on the printed circuit board 37.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ice detecting lever 12 is rotatably supported at one end with respect to a lever shaft 39 integral with the case 8, and intersects with the output shaft 20 at a portion of the elongated hole 40. Then, the ice detecting shaft 1 is directly attached to the tip side portion or with the slider 41 interposed as seen in this embodiment.
It is related to 0. That is, the slider 41 is fitted in a movable state inside the slide guide 42 formed on the ice detecting lever 12, and the spring between the spring receiver 44 of the slider 41 and the spring receiver 45 of the ice detecting lever 12 is inserted. It is integrated through 43,
Two engaging protrusions 46 are engaged at the tip with an engaging piece 48 that is integral with the ice detecting shaft 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, the ice detecting shaft 10 is constantly urged clockwise in FIG. 5 by a pulling spring 49 hooked on the case 8 at the lower side. As a result, the ice detecting bar 3 is always urged in the counterclockwise direction in FIG.
3, the force is always applied in the clockwise direction in FIG. 3, that is, in the direction of bringing the cam follower 28 into contact with the contour of the first cam 21.

The ice detecting lever 12 is a switch operating lever 1.
3 has a displacement preventing portion 50 at a portion corresponding to 3, and by bringing this portion into contact with a part of the switch operating lever 13, for example, a displacement inhibiting piece 51 integral therewith, the rotation range of the switch operating lever 13 is increased. Regulate.

Next, FIG. 9 shows a control system of the motor 15. The controller 52 has a program for initial setting, lock release processing, and basic operation built-in for each of the embodiments described below, and receives various command signals as well as output signals from the switch 14 and the like as input to the drive circuit 53. Give an operation command to. The drive circuit 53 rotates the motor 15 in the forward rotation direction with a required torque during the ice detecting operation and the ice removing operation,
Further, at the time of the ice detecting operation or the returning operation after the ice removal, a current in the reverse direction smaller than the current at the time of normal rotation is supplied to rotate the motor 15 in the reverse direction with a small torque.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the drive circuit 53. The drive circuit 53 is of a transistor drive type, and includes a transistor Tr1, a motor 15, and a transistor Tr4 between a power supply terminal 54 of 12 VDC.
Is connected in series, and similarly, the transistor Tr2, the resistor R, the motor 15 and the transistor Tr3 are connected in series between the power supply terminals 54, and the base connector or base of these transistors Tr1, Tr2, Tr3, Tr4 is connected. Resistor R is placed between the input terminal for control and the input terminal
1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 are connected, and diodes D1, D2, D3, D for absorbing surge current are connected as necessary.
It is configured by combining four.

When the controller 52 turns on the transistor Tr4 by the control output, the transistor Tr1 is turned on.
Since the base potential of is reduced and the transistor Tr1 is turned on, the motor 15 rotates in the forward direction, that is, the clockwise direction (CW direction). At this time, the transistor T
Since r3 is off, the transistor Tr2 does not turn on.

When the controller 52 turns on the transistor Tr3 with the control output, the transistor Tr2 is turned on, the voltage is divided by the resistor R, and a voltage lower than the power supply voltage is applied between the terminals of the motor 15. 15
Rotates in the reverse direction to return the output shaft 20, that is, in the counterclockwise direction (CCW direction). As a result, the torque of the motor 15 during reverse rotation is kept lower than during normal rotation.

Next, FIG. 11 shows a series of operations of the ice tray drive device 1. By the periodic operation command from the operation program or the compulsory operation command from the outside,
The controller 52 uses the drive circuit 53 to drive the motor 15
Is driven in the forward rotation direction with a required torque, and the cam gear 11 is slowly rotated counterclockwise in FIGS. 3, 6, 7, and 8. The time required for the cam gear 11 to rotate 170 degrees is set to about 10 seconds.

By rotating the cam gear 11 and the drive unit 4 integral with the shaft 20 thereof in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3 and the like, the ice tray 2 slowly rotates in the reverse direction. At the same time, the first cam 21 rotates in the same direction, and the cam follower 28 of the ice detecting lever 12 falls into the depression, that is, the displacement allowance region 29 due to the elasticity of the pulling spring 49. Then, the lever shaft 39 is rotated clockwise, and the ice detecting shaft 10 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 5 via the slider 41. This ice inspection axis 10
2 rotates the ice detecting bar 3 counterclockwise in FIG.

When there is no ice storage amount or when the ice storage amount is insufficient, the ice detecting bar 3 is in a state where there is no obstacle in the ice storage container,
Rotate to the maximum operating angle. For this reason, the ice detecting lever 12 is interlocked with the movement of the ice detecting bar 3 to allow the displacement allowable range 29.
Is displaced to a deep position, and the displacement blocking portion 50 is moved to a direction approaching the displacement blocking piece 51 as shown in FIGS. This prevents the switch operating lever 13 from rotating.

However, when the ice storage amount is satisfied, the ice detecting bar 3
Is hit on the ice in the ice storage container and stops halfway, so the ice detecting shaft 10 does not rotate beyond the full ice detection level. At this time, since the cam follower 28 does not fall into the displacement allowance region 29 and is floated, the ice detecting lever 12 is interlocked with it and is not displaced to the position where the displacement blocking portion 50 is brought into contact with the displacement blocking piece 51. As a result, the switch operating lever 13 becomes rotatable as shown in FIG.

In the range where the cam gear 11 rotates from 55 degrees to 85 degrees, the ice detecting lever 12 passes through the displacement allowable range 29 at the cam follower 28 and comes into contact with the contour of the first cam 21. Return to position. After that, the ice detecting lever 12 comes into contact with the arc-shaped contour portion of the first cam 21 by the cam follower 28, so that the ice detecting lever 12 is not rotated.

On the other hand, in the portion of the second cam 22, the displacement allowable range 31 in the range of -12 degrees to 11 degrees, the displacement allowable range 32 in the range of 33 degrees to 47 degrees, and the range of 170 degrees to 190 degrees. Since the displacement allowance area 33 is formed, the switch operation lever 1 is provided at the displacement allowance areas 31, 32, 33.
When the cam follower 30 of No. 3 corresponds, the switch operation lever 13 displaces the permanent magnet 36 in the direction away from the switch 14.

The switch 14 generates an "H" level output when it is separated from the permanent magnet 36, but when it faces the permanent magnet 36 and approaches it, it changes to an "L" level signal. Therefore, the output signal of the switch 14 is
Corresponding to the displacement permissible areas 31, 32 and 33, the original position signal of the “H” level, the ice detecting signal and the ice releasing signal are input to the controller 52. In this way, the switch 14 detects the state of full ice by both ends of the rotation region of the ice tray 2 and the ice detecting operation during the rotation. Here, when the switch 14 is generating an "H" level output signal, the switch 14 is in the on state, and when the output signal of the switch 14 is in the "L" level state, the switch 1
4 is an off state. In the flowcharts described later, switch-on and switch-off indicate the on state or off state of the switch 14.

As described above, the controller 52 continues to generate the output for rotating the motor 15 in the forward rotation direction when receiving the operation command. During the operation in the normal rotation direction, the output signal of the switch 14 changes from "L" level to "H".
When the level changes, that is, when the ice detection signal or the ice removal signal is generated, the controller 52 causes the motor 15 to reverse the reverse rotation time by the output signal of the switch 14. This reverse rotation time is set to, for example, about 16 seconds as the time for rotating the cam gear 11 by [170 degrees + margin angle].

The controller 52 causes the motor 15 to rotate in the reverse direction, and after the reverse rotation time of 16 seconds has elapsed, stops the motor 15 and returns it to the original point of -1 degree, and then instantaneously, for example, 0.
The cam gear 11 is returned to the ice making position by rotating it for 2 seconds in the forward direction. This operation is a lock release process, and the stopper 23 of the cam gear 11 is surely brought into contact with the stopper receiver 26 to mechanically position it, and then a short 0.
The rotation of the motor 15 in the forward direction corresponding to the time of 2 seconds is set to eliminate the stress of the drive system, that is, the operating state of the drive force, and complete the return operation.

When the ice storage amount is insufficient due to the ice detecting operation, the ice detecting lever 12 is largely displaced, and the displacement blocking portion 50 approaches the displacement blocking piece 51 of the switch operating lever 13. Therefore, in the initial stage of rotation in the normal direction, the switch operating lever 13 is displaced by the displacement allowance region 31, and the original position signal as the output of the switch 14 at the “H” level is changed to the “L” level, and then the switch operating lever is changed. 13 tries to fall into the next allowable displacement area 32.

However, the displacement preventing piece 51 of the switch operating lever 13 is in the displaced state, and the displacement preventing portion 50 of the ice detecting lever 12 is in the displaced state.
The switch actuating lever 13 does not fall into the displacement permissible area 32 because it hits. Therefore, when the ice storage amount is insufficient, the output of the switch 14 remains at the “L” level,
This means that the "H" level ice detection signal is not output.

Therefore, the controller 52 rotates the motor 15 to rotate the cam gear 11 to an ice-free position of about 170 degrees until an ice-free signal is obtained as an "H" level output signal. As a result, the ice tray 2 is inverted, and immediately before being completely inverted, that is, by hitting the abutting piece 7 at one end of the rotation range, the ice tray 2 is twisted and deformed, and the ice inside is released and dropped into the ice storage container. .

When the cam gear 11 rotates to the ice-free position,
When the switch operating lever 13 falls into the displacement permissible area 33, the signal of the switch 14 changes from the “L” level to the “H” level, and the ice release signal is obtained, the controller 52 causes the motor 15 to rotate in the reverse rotation time. As described above, by reversing for about 16 seconds, the cam gear 11 is returned to the origin of -1 degree, and the stopper 23 of the cam gear 11 is brought into contact with the stopper receiver 26 to stop it, and the forward rotation is instantaneously performed, so that the ice making of 0 degree is performed. Turn to the position to release the drive system stress.

At the time of this reverse rotation, the current limited by the resistor R passes through the motor 15, so that the output torque of the motor 15 becomes
It is suppressed to about 1/2 to 1/4 as low as the normal rotation. As a result, a returning operation that is lighter than that during normal rotation can be ensured, moreover, unnecessary force does not act, and the drive system is protected. It should be noted that an ice detection signal is output when the ice detection operation is performed during this reverse rotation operation and the ice is full due to ice separation, but the ice detection signal at this time is not related to the reverse rotation operation of the motor 15. It is like this.

Next, at the time of the ice detecting operation, when the ice storage amount is full, the rotation amount of the ice detecting bar 3 decreases due to the contact of the ice detecting bar 3 with the ice. The ice detecting lever 12 is within the range of the full ice detection level, hardly falls into the displacement allowance region 29, and the displacement blocking portion 50 is not moved to the position where it comes into contact with the displacement blocking piece 51 of the switch operating lever 13.

Therefore, the cam gear 11 has a rotation angle of 33 degrees to 47 degrees.
The cam follower 30 of the switch actuating lever 13 falls into the displacement allowable range 32 within the rotation range of up to 4 degrees, and the permanent magnet 3
6 is changed from a position facing the switch 14 to a position not facing the switch 14. As a result, the switch 14 outputs an "H" level ice detection signal to notify the controller 52 of the full ice condition.

Therefore, the controller 52 uses the switch 1
The signal change from the "L" level to the "H" level of 4 is detected, that is, the ice detection signal corresponding to the full ice state is obtained, and the motor 15 is reversed for the reverse rotation time of about 16 seconds, and the same as above. Then, the cam gear 11 is stopped by the abutting relationship between the stopper 23 and the stopper receiver 26, and then 0.2
Instantly rotate forward for only 2 seconds and return to the ice making position of 0 degree.

At this time, the rotation angle required for the return of the cam gear 11 is about 34 degrees in the reverse rotation direction, which may be sufficiently smaller than about 171 degrees at the time of the ice removing operation. Therefore, while the motor 15 is still energized, the rotation stop state of the motor 15, that is, the locked state, continues for most of the reverse rotation time, but the current during reverse rotation is kept low by the resistor R. There is almost no adverse effect on the drive system.

The movement of the ice detecting lever 12 is indirectly performed via the slider 41 and the spring 43.
A safety mechanism is added so that it can be transmitted to. Therefore, even if an external force is applied to the ice detecting bar 3 and the ice detecting shaft 10 rotates in the reverse drive state, the force is still applied to the slider 4.
It is absorbed by the bending of the spring 43 associated with the displacement of 1. Therefore, the ice detection lever 12 is not transmitted to the ice detection lever 12, and thereby the damage of the ice detection lever 12 and gears related thereto can be prevented in advance.

Even if the cam gear 11 does not stop by rotating more than 170 degrees due to an abnormality while the cam gear 11 is rotating in the normal direction, the protrusion 24 of the cam gear 11 at 180 degrees.
4 hits the lock lever 25 and rotates it counterclockwise in FIG. 8, so that the tip end of the lock lever 25 is shown in FIG.
As described above, the stepped portion 47 of the worm gear 16 is applied, and the motor 15 is forcibly stopped in the energized state to be in the locked state. Therefore, the cam gear 11 does not rotate more than 180 degrees, and the ice tray 2 and internal parts related thereto are not subjected to a large force and destroyed. Since the worm wheel 17 rotates at a high speed and has a small torque, it is forcibly stopped by a relatively small force by the engagement of the lock lever 25 and the step portion 47.

[Problems of the prior art]

In the prior art, the reverse rotation time of the motor 15 is set to 16 seconds, and the reverse rotation time is
It is given as the same time as the returning operation of the ice removing operation and the returning operation after the ice detecting operation. Considering variations in the rotation speed characteristics of the DC motor 15 and fluctuations in the drive voltage, this reverse rotation time must be set large with a margin in order to ensure the reliability of the return operation. When the reverse rotation time is set to a large value, when the reverse rotation is started from the ice detection time point, after the cam gear 11 returns to the origin by the reverse rotation, the motor 15 remains in the energized state and the locked state in which it does not rotate continues for a long time. Further, even when returning to the origin after ice-breaking, the motor is energized for a sufficient time, which is not preferable because the locked state becomes long.

[0039]

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make an ice tray 2
In the process of reversing the motor 15 in order to restore the
The purpose is to prevent the motor 15 from shortening its life due to the operating state so that the state in which the motor 15 does not rotate in the energized state, that is, the locked state is not continued for a long time.

[0040]

In view of the above object, the present invention provides a reverse rotation direction without controlling the motor 15 after generation of an ice detection signal at full ice or after generation of an ice removal signal at the time of ice removing operation. That is, the ice tray 2 is rotated in the returning direction, and then the level change of the output signal of the switch 14 and the controller 52 are performed.
By combining with the end state of the timer time in
By detecting the generation position of the output signal of one switch 14 and limiting the reverse rotation time of the motor 15 from this position, the energization time in the locked state of the motor 15 is set as short as possible.

[0041]

[First Embodiment] In the first embodiment, in the process of reverse rotation of the output shaft 20,
Until the output signal level of the switch 14 first changes from the "L" level to the "H" level, it is reversed without any time limit, and when the signal level changes, that is, if the ice storage amount is satisfied by deicing. , When the ice detection signal comes out,
Or, even if the ice is removed, if the ice storage capacity is still insufficient, or if the ice level is full at the time of ice detection, when the in-situ signal is output, rotate by the required timer time from the time of occurrence. , Stopper 23 of cam gear 11
Is an example in which the output shaft 20 is stopped by abutting against the stopper receiver 26.

FIG. 12 shows the switch 14 in the first embodiment.
3 shows the temporal correspondence between the output signal of the Hall IC, that is, the generation position of the original position signal, the ice detection signal, and the ice removal signal, and the timer time. The timer time and the like correspond to the time required to rotate each section. In addition, FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 respectively show a control content of the controller 52, that is, an initial setting flowchart, a lock release processing flowchart, and a basic operation flowchart.

The initial setting flow chart of FIG. 13 is performed in the initial use stage in order to set the output shaft 20 to the ice making position where the rotation angle is 0 degree. The rotation direction for this purpose is set only in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction. This is because, when water is contained in the ice tray 2, the water may be supplied to the ice storage container as it is.

In the first step 1, the power is turned on, the initialization flow chart is started, and in the next step 2, the motor 15 rotates counterclockwise.
The output shaft 20 starts rotating counterclockwise. When the switch is turned on, that is, the switch 14 is turned on in the next step 3, the timer time + α (margin) time is set in step 4. Here, the following magnitude relations are set as conditions.

Timer time + α time> Timer time + α time>

When the switch 14 is turned off before the timer ends in step 5, since the switch on in step 3 is due to the ice detection signal, step 4,
5 is repeated. However, in step 5, the timer time +
When α time has passed and the timer has ended, it can be confirmed that the switch-on in step 3 is due to the original position signal. Therefore, the controller 52 executes the step 7
After the stop time of 1 second has been reached, the lock release process is performed in step 8, and the flowchart of the initial setting is ended in the next step 9.

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart of the lock release processing of the above step 8. As described above, in this unlocking process, the output shaft 20 is moved from the origin position of -1 degree to
This is for relieving the stress of the drive system by returning to the ice making position of 0 degree, and after starting the lock release processing in step 1, the motor 15 is normally rotated (CW) in step 2.
Rotation at the same time, at the same time, the reverse rotation time of 0.2 seconds is set in the timer in step 3, the end of the timer time is confirmed in the next step 4, and the motor 15
Is stopped, the process reaches step 6 and the flowchart is ended. As a result, the output shaft 20 returns to the 0 degree position, so that the ice tray 2 is set in the horizontal state and set to the ice making 1.

Next, FIG. 15 shows the sequence of basic operations. After the completion of ice making in step 1 or after a certain period of time has elapsed in the standby end state or based on a forced command from the outside, the motor 15 rotates in the normal direction in step 2,
At step 3, the fall of the original position signal is confirmed by confirming that the switch 14 is off, and at step 4, the timer time ++ α time is set for detecting the ice detection signal.

When the elapse of the timer time is confirmed in step 6 before the switch 14 is turned on in step 5, if the ice detection signal is not output during this timer time,
That is, it is confirmed that the ice storage amount is insufficient, so the motor 1
In step 5, the ice removing operation is performed by continuing the rotation in the normal direction.

When the switch 14 is turned on in the following step 7, that is, when the ice-free signal is generated, the motor 14 is stopped for one second in the next step 8, and then the step 9 is performed.
The output shaft 20 is rotated in the return direction, that is, the counterclockwise direction, and the falling edge of the ice removal signal due to the switch-off in step 10 is confirmed. In the following step 11, the rising position of the ice detection signal or the original position signal is checked by switching on. Check. At the time of step 11, it cannot be specified whether the switch-on state is due to the ice detection signal or the in-situ signal.

Therefore, in order to deal with any of the signals in step 12, the timer time required from the time the ice detection signal is generated until the original position is returned to -1 degree +++
When the α time is set and it is confirmed that the timer has ended in the next step 13, the output shaft 20 always rotates to the origin position. If the switch-on in step 10 is due to the home position signal, the timer time +
Since the extra time is set for the time of, the motor 14 is in the locked state with the energized state corresponding to this time. In the following step 14, 1
After the stop for a second, the unlocking process described above is performed in step 15, the water supply operation is performed on the ice tray 2 in step 16, and the operation is ended in the following step 17.

Timer time ++ in step 5 above
When the switch 14 is turned on before the lapse of α time, it can be confirmed that the ice is in a full ice state. Therefore, after the motor 15 is stopped for 1 second in step 18, it is rotated counterclockwise in step 19 and then in step 20. After confirming the switch-off by the ice detection signal in step 2 and the switch-on by the original position signal in step 21, the timer time + α time is set in the following step 22, and the end of the timer time + α time is confirmed in step 23, After a one-second stop in step 24 and the lock release process in step 25, the process enters the standby state in step 26 to prepare for the ice detecting operation or ice removing operation thereafter.

According to this embodiment, the rotation angle corresponding to the time limit of the output shaft 20 is a maximum of 4 degrees from 47 degrees to -1 degree.
Since about 8 degrees is sufficient, even if the time delay reversal time (timer time + α time) required for it is given, it will be about 5 seconds. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time during which the motor 15 is not energized in the counterclockwise direction while being set to the energized state, and to shorten the useless operation of the energized stop state.

[0054]

Second Embodiment In a second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the second cam 22 and the switch 14 forcibly generate an identification signal between an ice detection signal and an ice removal signal. Is. FIG. 17 shows an example of the second cam 22. Between the displacement allowable range 32 and the displacement allowable range 33, 70 degrees to 84
A displacement allowance region 38 is formed over the range of degrees. When the cam follower 30 of the switch operating lever 13 falls into the displacement allowable range 38, the switch 1
The Hall IC as No. 4 is in the ON state, and "H"
Generate a level identification signal.

Also in the case of this embodiment, the same initial setting flow chart and lock release processing flow chart as in the first embodiment are used. The following conditions are set here.

Timer time + α time> Timer time + α time> Timer time + α time>

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart of the basic operation. After the completion of ice making in step 1 or after a certain period of time has elapsed in the standby end state or based on a forced command from the outside, the motor 15 rotates in the forward direction in step 2 and the switch 14 is turned off in step 3. By
It is confirmed that the original position signal has fallen, and in the subsequent step 4, the timer time ++ α time is set for detecting the ice detection signal. If the elapse of the timer time is confirmed in step 6 before the switch 14 is turned on in step 5, it is confirmed that the ice detection signal has not been output during this timer time, that is, the state of insufficient ice storage amount is confirmed. The motor 15 continues to rotate in the forward rotation direction.

Turning on the switch 14 in the following step 7,
The presence of the identification signal is confirmed by turning off the switch 14 in step 8, and when the switch 14 is turned on in the next step 9, that is, when the ice releasing signal is generated, it means that the ice releasing operation is completed. Motor 1 in the next step 10
4 is stopped for 1 second, then in step 11, the motor 1
The rotation direction of 5 is converted, and the output shaft 20 is rotated in the return direction, that is, the counterclockwise direction.

After confirming the fall of the ice releasing signal due to the switch-off in step 12, the identification signal is invalidated by overcoming the switch-on in step 13 and the switch-off in step 14, and then, in step 15, the ice detecting signal is detected. A timer time of ++ α is set to overcome the problem.

By setting the timer time ++ α time, the motor 15 ignores the generation of the ice detection signal during the timer time ++ α time in order to return the output shaft 20 to a position close to the generation angle of the original position signal. After the timer time ++ α time has elapsed in step 16, the following step 1
When the switch 7 is turned on, the rising position of the original position signal is detected. In step 18 thereafter, the timer time + α time required to return to the origin position is set.

At the time when the end of the timer is confirmed in the next step 19, the output shaft 20 always rotates to the origin position. In the following step 20, after stopping for 1 second, the above-mentioned lock release processing is performed in step 21, and then step 2
In step 2, the ice tray 2 is supplied with water, and in step 23, the operation ends.

In step 5 above, the timer time is ++
When the switch 14 is turned on before the lapse of α time, it can be confirmed that it is in the full ice state, so after the motor 15 is stopped for one second in step 24, it is rotated counterclockwise in step 25, and then in step 26. Switch 1 by ice detection signal at
After confirming that the switch 4 is turned off and the switch is turned on by the home position signal in step 27, the timer time + α time is set in the following step 28, the end of the timer time + α time is confirmed in step 29, and in step 30, After stopping for 1 second and the unlocking process in step 31, the process enters the standby state in step 32, and prepares for the ice detecting operation or the ice removing operation thereafter.

As described above, when the controller 52 detects the identification number during the return rotation, the timer time ++ α
After the elapse of the timer time, the original position signal is detected by the first rising change of the output signal, and the motor 15 is stopped after the timer time + α time, for example, 1.5 seconds, from the detection time point. Thereby, similarly to the above, the cam gear 11 and the output shaft 20 surely return to the original position,
The energization time of the motor 15 when the stopper 23 and the stopper receiver 26 are in contact with each other can be suppressed to a minimum limit of, for example, 1 second or less.

[0064]

Third Embodiment As shown in FIG. 19, the third embodiment is an example in which an identification signal having a short time width is generated between the original position signal and the ice detection signal. Here, the following conditions are set.

Timer time + α time> Timer time + α time> Timer time + α time <Timer time + α time <Timer time + α time <Timer time + α time <

FIG. 20 shows the structure of the second cam 22 for that purpose. The second cam 22 is provided between the displacement allowance region 31 and the displacement allowance region 32 to generate an identification signal.
It has a displacement allowable area 55.

Next, FIG. 21 shows the operation of initial setting in the third embodiment. After the program is started by turning on the power in step 1, the motor 15 and the output shaft 20 rotate counterclockwise in step 2, and the switch 14 operates in step 3.
The confirmation of the ON state of the ED confirms the existence position of the ice-breaking signal, the ice-detection signal, the identification signal or the in-situ signal, but one of these signals is not yet specified.

In the following step 4, by timer 1,
The timer time + α time is set, and the timer 2 sets the timer time + α time.
If the switch 14 is turned off before the timer time of the timer 1 or the timer 2 ends in step 5, the rotation start position of the output shaft 20 is around the fall of the ice clearance signal, the ice detection signal or the identification signal. Since it is estimated that there is, the timer time + α time is set for the confirmation in the next step 6, and it is confirmed that the switch 14 is turned on in the following step 8 before the expiration of this timer time in the step 7. By doing so, it can be specified that the switching on / off in Steps 3 and 5 is due to the identification signal.

However, when the timer time expires before the switch 14 is turned on in step 7, the process returns to step 3,
The above steps are repeated to identify the identification signal. When the identification signal is specified, the timer time + α time is set in the following step 9, and the following step 10
Confirm the end of the timer time with, and in step 11,
After the stop for a second, the lock release process of step 12 is performed, and the initial setting operation is finished in step 13.

On the other hand, even when the switch 14 is not turned off in step 5 and the timer time of the timer 1 is ended in step 14 and the switch 14 is turned off in step 15, the process returns to the step before step 3 and the above-mentioned steps are performed again. The steps are repeated. Also in Step 16 that follows, Timer 2
When the timer time has passed, the output shaft can be predicted to be in the home position, but confirmation is required. At this time, it is predicted that the ice tray 2 is not filled with ice and that the ice tray 2 is filled with water.

Therefore, in the next step 17, the rotation operation of the motor 15 is stopped for the time required for the ice making operation, and the ice tray 2
Wait for the water inside to become ice. This prevents the ice detecting operation and the ice removing operation from being performed in a state where the water inside the ice tray 2 is not iced in the subsequent rotation process of the output shaft 20 in the normal rotation direction. .

When the time required for the ice making time in step 17 has elapsed, the motor 15 rotates clockwise so that the output shaft 20 near the generation of the original position signal is rotated slightly clockwise once. , Take steps to make sure it stays in place. That is, in step 18, the switch 14
By confirming that the switch 14 is turned on in step 19 and confirmed that the switch 14 is turned off in step 20, the rotational position of the output shaft 20 is set close to the identification signal and the ice detection signal. After stopping for one second in step 21, the process returns to step 2 again to repeat the initial setting operation. The output shaft 20 is set to the ice making position by the above initial setting operation.

Next, FIG. 22 shows the sequence of basic operations. From the ice making completion state or the waiting end state in step 1, the motor 15 is operated in step 2 for ice detecting and ice removing operations.
Rotates clockwise, the switch 14 is turned off in the following step 3 to confirm the fall of the original position signal, and the switch 14 is turned on and off in the following steps 4 and 5 to overcome the identification signal to invalidate the signal. At step 6, the timer time ++ α time is set.

When the timer time has elapsed in step 8 without the switch 14 being turned on in step 7, the output shaft 20 reverses the ice tray 2 to perform the ice removing operation because the ice storage amount is insufficient. enter. Switch 1 in the next step 9
After confirming the deicing signal from the ON state of 4, after stopping for 1 second in step 10, the original position detection processing in step 11 and the water supply operation in step 12 are performed, and the series of operations is ended in step 13. .

When the switch 14 is turned on in step 7 before the timer time ++ α time expires, the original position detection process is performed in the following step 14, and then the water supply operation is performed in step 15. At 16 go into standby.

Next, FIG. 23 shows a series of operations in the original position detection process. After the start of Step 1, the motor 15 and the output shaft 20 rotate counterclockwise in Step 2, and after the switch 14 is turned off in Step 3, the on-state of the switch 14 is confirmed in Step 4 to confirm that the deicing signal is generated. , The location of ice detection signals, identification signals or in-situ signals is confirmed, but one of these signals has not yet been identified.

In the following step 5, the timer 1
The timer time + α time is set, and the timer 2 sets the timer time + α time.
If the switch 14 is turned off before the timer time of the timer 1 or the timer 2 ends in step 6, the rotation start position of the output shaft 20 is around the falling edge of the ice clearance signal, the ice detection signal or the identification signal. Since it is estimated that there is, the timer time + α time is set for the confirmation in the next step 7, and it is confirmed in step 8 that the switch 14 is turned on before the timer time elapses. By doing so, it is possible to specify that the switching on / off in Steps 4 and 6 is due to the identification number or the abnormal signal having a short time width.

However, when the timer time expires before the switch 14 is turned on in step 8, the process returns to step 4,
The above steps are repeated to identify the identification signal. When the identification signal is specified, the timer time + α time is set in the following step 10, and the following step 1
The end of the timer time is confirmed in 1 and after the stop for 1 second in step 12, the lock release process of step 13 is performed, and the initial setting operation is ended in step 14.

On the other hand, even if the switch 14 is not turned off in step 6 and the timer time of the timer 1 ends in step 15 and the switch 14 is turned off in step 16, the process returns to the step before step 4 and the above-mentioned steps are performed again. The steps are repeated. Also in Step 17 that follows, Timer 2
When the timer time has passed, it is determined that there is an abnormality, and the motor is stopped in step 18. Step 19
After the abnormality identification processing is performed in step S20, the original position detection processing ends in step S20. In this case, since the original position can be reliably identified by the identification signal, the locked state can be shortened.

[0080]

[Fourth Embodiment] In the fourth embodiment, the output shaft 20 after the ice removing operation is performed.
This is an example in which an ice detection signal for always indicating a full ice state is generated during the reverse rotation or return rotation of irrespective of whether the ice storage amount is excessive or insufficient. Therefore, in FIG. 24, the ice detection signal is represented by a solid line rather than a broken line.

FIG. 25 shows the first cam 21 of this embodiment.
And the configuration of the auxiliary cam 60. First cam 2
1 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. The auxiliary cam 60 is rotatably combined with the output shaft 20, and the rotation of the auxiliary cam 60 is restricted by the elongated hole 62 of the auxiliary cam 60 with respect to the pin 61 of the first cam 21.

When the output shaft 20 rotates in the normal direction, the auxiliary cam 60 keeps the displacement allowance region 29 open.
Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the ice detection signal may or may not be generated depending on the ice storage amount.

On the other hand, in the process in which the output shaft 20 rotates in the reverse direction, that is, the returning direction, and the ice tray 2 returns from the inverted state to the original state, the auxiliary cam 60 closes the displacement allowance region 29. The displacement prevention unit 50 is separated from the switch operating lever 13. Therefore, the switch operating lever 13 is
Since the switch 14 is always displaced in the displacement allowance region 29 in a direction away from the switch 14, the switch 14 always generates an ice detection signal in the returning process regardless of whether the ice storage amount is satisfied or not.

FIG. 26 shows the sequence of basic operations.
In this embodiment as well, the flowchart of the initialization and unlock processing is the same as that in the first embodiment. After the completion of ice making in step 1 or after a certain period of time has elapsed in the standby end state or based on a forced command from the outside, the motor 15 rotates in the forward direction in step 2 and the switch 14 is turned off in step 3. As a result, the fall of the original position signal is confirmed, and in the subsequent step 4, the timer time ++ α time is set for detecting the ice detection signal.

If the elapse of the timer time is confirmed in step 6 before the switch 14 is turned on in step 5, no ice detection signal is output during this timer time.
That is, it is confirmed that the ice storage amount is insufficient, so the motor 1
In step 5, the ice removing operation is performed by continuing the rotation in the normal direction.

When the switch 14 is turned on in the following step 7, that is, when an ice-free signal is generated, the motor 14 is stopped for one second in the next step 8, and then the step 9 is performed.
The output shaft 20 is rotated in the return direction, that is, the counterclockwise direction, and the falling edge of the ice removal signal due to the switch-off in step 10 is confirmed. Then, the ice-detection signal position is changed by switching on in step 11 and off in step 12. Check.

The in-situ signal is confirmed after the switch is turned on in step 13. In the next step 14, the timer time + α time is set, and the return to the original position is confirmed by the end of the timer time in step 16 provided that the switch 14 is not turned off in step 15. After this, in step 17, the operation is stopped for 1 second, the lock release process in step 18, the water supply operation in step 19, and then a series of operations is ended in step 20.

In step 5 above, the timer time ++
When the switch 14 is turned on before the lapse of α time, it can be confirmed that it is in the full ice state, so after the motor 15 is stopped for one second in step 21, it is rotated counterclockwise in step 22 and then in step 23. After confirming that the switch is turned off by the ice detection signal in step 24 and the switch is turned on by the original position signal in step 24, the timer time + α time is set in step 25, and when the switch is not turned off in step 26, step 27 After confirming the end of the timer time + α time, the step 1 is stopped for 1 second, the lock release process is performed in step 29, and the standby state of step 30 is entered to prepare for the subsequent ice detecting operation or ice removing operation.

[0089]

[Relationship between Embodiments] Although the basic operation is sufficient in Embodiment 1, an unexpected state, for example, a moving part hits something in the middle, or an object is caught in the moving part, the output is performed. In order to prevent the shaft 20 from locking or becoming immobile in the locked state, the second embodiment and the third embodiment are necessary.
Alternatively, Example 4 is used.

In the above embodiment, the ice detecting lever 12 and the switch actuating lever 13 are of the rotating type, but these displacements may be linear displacements. It can also be constituted by a linear guide mechanism or the like. Further, the switch 14 is not limited to a hall element and the like, but can be configured as a contact type. Therefore, the combination of the switch operating lever 13 and the switch 14 is appropriately changed depending on the type of switch.

Although not described in each of the above embodiments, it is preferable to provide a monitoring timer separately from the operation flowchart to monitor the abnormality. That is, this monitoring timer is set to a time that is, for example, about twice as long as the predicted operation time when the motor rotates. Then, if the operation is not completed within this timer time, the control side determines that some abnormality has occurred in the unit and cuts off the power supply to the motor. This can prevent damage to the equipment.

[0092]

According to the present invention, even when a normal DC motor is used, the locked state in which the energization is stopped can be shortened as much as possible.
The life of the motor and rotating parts can be extended.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall plan view of a drive device for an ice tray.

FIG. 2 is an overall side view of an ice tray driving device.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway enlarged rear view of the main part of the drive device of the ice tray.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view seen from below of a portion of a cam gear.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a drive portion of the ice detecting shaft.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view of the first cam of the cam gear.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view of a second cam of the cam gear.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of a correspondence relationship between a switch operating lever and a lock lever corresponding to a cam gear.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a control system of a motor.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of a motor drive circuit.

FIG. 11 is a time chart diagram during operation.

FIG. 12 is a time chart diagram during the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of initial setting according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of lock release processing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the basic operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a time chart diagram during the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the basic operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a second cam used in the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a time chart diagram during the operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a second cam of the third embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of initial setting according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the basic operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of an original position detection process according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a time chart diagram during the operation of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged plan view of a first cam and an auxiliary cam.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the basic operation of the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Ice tray driving device 2 Ice tray 3 Ice detecting bar 4 Driving part 5 Driven shaft 6 Machine frame 7 Contact piece 8 Split type case 9 Split type case 10 Ice detecting shaft 11 Cam gear 12 Ice detecting lever 13 Switch operating lever 14 switch 15 motor 16 worm 17 worm wheel 18 gear 19 gear 20 output shaft 21 first cam 22 second cam 23 stopper 24 protrusion 25 lock lever 26 stopper receiver 27 stopper receiver 28 cam follower 29 displacement allowance 30 cam follower 31 Displacement allowance range 32 Displacement allowance range 33 Displacement allowance range 34 Lever shaft 35 Pulling spring 36 Permanent magnet 37 Printed circuit board 38 Displacement allowance range 39 Lever shaft 40 Long hole 41 Slider 42 Slide guide 43 Spring 44 Spring bearing 45 Spring bearing 46 Engagement protrusion 47 Stepped portion 48 Engagement piece 49 Pulling spring 50 Displacement prevention part 51 Displacement prevention piece 52 Controller 53 Drive circuit 54 Power supply terminal 55 Displacement allowable range 60 Auxiliary cam 61 Pin 62 Long hole

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Katsumi Matsumoto 1020 Kiga, Iida City, Nagano Sankyo Seiki Co., Ltd. Iida Factory

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an ice tray drive device (1) for rotating an ice tray (2) by a motor (15) to remove ice, reverse and reverse the ice tray, both ends of a rotation range of the ice tray (2), and One switch (1 to detect the full ice condition by the ice detection operation during rotation)
4), the ice tray (2) is returned by the combination of the output signal of the switch (14) and the timer output, and the ice tray (2) is returned by the rotation end detection of the ice tray (2) for returning after the ice removal. Switch (14) at the turning end by reversing (2)
The ice tray (2) is stopped at the original position by the output signal of the switch (14) and the timer time after the detection state is released.