JPH06317370A - Automatic icemaker - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent an operating malfunction due to condensation and icing due to opening a door by providing an upper plate molded with a hollow part therein to hold a driver and an icemaking tray engaged at one side with the driver and rotatably inserted at the other into an icemaking tray supporting hole provided at the plate. CONSTITUTION:The automatic icemaker comprises an upper plate 23 molded with a hollow part therein to hold a driver 7, and an icemaking tray 6 engaged at one side with the driver 7 and rotatably inserted at the other into an icemaking tray supporting hole 23c provided at the plate 23. Thus, the plate 23 is formed to have the hollow part thereby to improve a strength of the plate 23 and to eliminate use of a member for supporting the driver 7, the tray 6 and particularly a metal frame, etc. In this manner, an operating malfunction due to condensation, icing due to switching of a door can be prevented.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic ice making device mounted on a refrigerator or a refrigerator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional automatic ice making device is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
There is one described in Japanese Patent No. 15466. The contents will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIGS. 6 to 9, 1 is a refrigerator main body, 2 is a freezer compartment, 3 is a door of the freezer compartment 2, 4 is an automatic ice making device, and 5 is an apparatus 4. It is an ice storage box that stores ice.

Reference numeral 6 denotes an ice tray, which has a drive unit 7 for driving the ice tray 6. Reference numeral 8 is a metal frame which rotatably supports the rear end of the ice tray 6 and one of which is fixed to the drive device 7 with screws or the like. The ice tray 6 is for supplying water to make ice cubes, and is made of a flexible material. The drive device 7 is a device that reverses and twists the ice tray 6 in each ice making cycle to drop the ice blocks therein into the ice storage box 5.

In addition, the mounting structure of the driving device 7 and the like is such that the first engaging member 10 provided on the upper plate 9 and the second engaging member 11 provided on the driving device 7 and the two engaging members 10, 11 are connected to each other. The elastic member 12 is interposed between 13 is a drive unit 7
The drive device lead wire taken out from the connector 14 is a connector attached to the lead wire 13.

The connector 14 is connected to a connector (not shown) attached to a body side lead wire taken out from the side wall of the body 1. As shown in FIG. 9, the connecting portions of both connectors are housed in a recess 15 provided in the front wall of the housing of the drive unit 7, and are waterproofed by fitting an elastic sealing material 16 in the opening on the front side thereof. It has become.

Further, according to Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 52-18755, as shown in FIG. 10, the drive device 7 is provided with an ice detecting lever 17 for detecting the amount of ice stored in the ice storage box 5, and ice is produced in the ice tray 6. When the ice detecting lever 17 operates, it detects whether the amount of ice storage in the ice storage box 5 is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, and if it is less than or equal to the predetermined amount, the ice tray 6 is rotated to start the ice removing operation.

Further, generally, an ice tong 18 shown in FIG. 11 as a device for picking up ice in the ice making box 5 is commercially available as a structure which is set at a predetermined position of the freezer compartment 2 and the door 3.

[0008]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, the frame 8 is made of metal to withstand the torque when the ice tray 6 is rotated by the drive device 7, but the warm air invades by opening and closing the door 3. Due to this, there is a risk of malfunction of the automatic ice making device 4 due to dew condensation, and there is a risk of creaking noise due to rattling of the mounting portion, and the cost is also high. Further, the elastic seal member 16 is required for the housing portion of the lead wire 13 for housing the connector 14 for waterproofing.

Further, as an operation for detecting the amount of ice storage, the ice detection lever 17 prevents the ice detection lever 17 from being broken when the ice storage box 5 is pulled out forward when the ice storage lever 5 is lowered into the ice storage box 5. Although a cutout is usually provided at the rear of the box 5, if the ice detection lever 17 is displaced to the left or right, it may be caught by the ice storage box 5, and the destruction is not completely prevented.

Further, when the ice tongs 18 for picking up ice are placed in the freezer compartment 2 and the door 3, the usability is very poor,
When stored in the ice storage box 5, the ice detection lever 17 and
It has been a factor of failure such as being caught in the ice tray 6.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an automatic ice making device of the present invention includes an upper plate which holds a drive device and which is molded hollow inside, and one of which is fitted to the drive device and the other It comprises an ice tray which is rotatably inserted into an ice tray supporting hole provided on the upper plate, and a stopper which is provided on the upper plate in the rotating direction of the ice tray.

Further, the upper plate is constituted by an opening hole provided in a portion communicating with the hollow portion, a step portion provided around the opening hole, and a plate fitted in the step portion. is there.

Further, a side plate having a fitting hole attached to the side wall of the freezer compartment, a left side plate having a fitting piece engaging with the fitting hole and fixed to the left side of the upper plate, and a back surface of the ice tray are provided. It is composed of a fixed sensor for detecting the completion of ice making and a connector hole provided in the side plate into which a power connector connected to a connector of a cord of a driving device is fitted.

Also, a flange extending downward from the top plate,
It is composed of a side plate fixed to one side of the roof and a freezer compartment sensor inserted and fixed between the flange and the side plate.

Further, a drive unit installed in the freezing compartment, an ice detection lever attached to the drive unit for detecting full ice, an ice tray rotatably attached by the drive unit, and an ice tray installed below the ice tray. The ice storage box has a rear portion having an arcuate shape, and a cutout provided at the rear portion of the ice storage box at a position facing the ice detecting lever.

Further, a drive device installed in the freezing compartment,
This drive device is rotatably attached to the ice tray, and an ice storage box installed at the lower portion of the ice tray and having an ice tong fitting groove formed in the front portion for picking up ice is formed.

[0017]

With the above construction, since the upper plate is hollow-molded, the strength of the upper plate is improved, the members supporting the drive unit, especially the metal frame, can be eliminated, and the malfunction due to icing can be prevented, and the cost can be reduced. Can be achieved. Further, by closing the opening hole for forming the hollow portion of the upper plate, it is possible to prevent a problem such as cracking of the upper plate due to intrusion of water into the hollow portion.

Further, since the cord connector is housed between the side plate attached to the side wall of the freezer compartment and the left side plate fixed to the upper side, waterproofing can be surely performed.

Further, since the freezing sensor is positioned between the flange of the top plate and the side plate, it is possible to prevent the temperature from rising when water is supplied to the ice tray and to perform stable freezing room control.

Further, since the shape of the rear portion of the ice storage box is an arc shape and the notch is formed, even if the ice storage box is pulled out when the ice detection lever is lowered, the ice detection lever is guided in the arc shape and the notch portion is formed. Since it passes, it can be prevented from being destroyed.

Further, since the ice tongs for picking up the ice can be installed in the front part of the ice storage box, it is easy to use and it is possible to prevent the drive device from being broken down by being left inside the ice storage box.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same components as those of the conventional one are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

1 to 5 show the structure of an automatic ice making device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 19 is an automatic ice making device, 7 is a drive device for driving the ice tray 6,
Is an ice storage box, and the rear part has an arc shape 20a, and the notch 20
b is formed.

Reference numeral 21 is an ice detection lever provided on the drive unit 7 for detecting the amount of ice in the ice storage box 20, and its tip 21a.
Has an inclined surface facing upward and is mounted so as to face the notch 20b of the ice storage box 20. Reference numeral 22 denotes an ice tongue, which is a fitting groove 20 formed in the front part of the ice storage box 20.
It is installed in c.

Reference numeral 23 is an upper plate having a hollow portion 23a,
A first engaging member 23b for mounting the elastic member 12 is formed on the second engaging member 11 of the drive device 7. Reference numeral 23c is an ice tray supporting hole for rotatably supporting a shaft 6a formed at the rear portion of the ice tray 6, and 23d is a stopper for releasing ice at a predetermined position during ice removal of the ice tray 6, that is, during rotation operation. Is.

Reference numeral 23e is an opening hole for enclosing nitrogen gas or the like for forming the hollow portion 23a of the upper plate 23.
3f is a stepped portion provided around the opening hole 23e,
The plate 24 is fitted in the step portion 23f.

Reference numeral 25 is a side plate attached to the side wall of the freezer compartment 2 and has a fitting hole 25a and a connector hole 25b. Reference numeral 26 is a left side plate fitted and fixed to the left side of the upper plate 23, and 26a is a fitting piece formed in the left side plate 26 and engaged with the fitting hole 25b.

Reference numeral 27 is a flange extending downward on the right side of the upper plate 23 in the drawing, and 28 is a right side plate fitted and fixed to the right side of the upper plate 23. 29 detects the temperature of the freezer compartment 2,
This is a freezer compartment sensor that starts a cooling operation when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, and is inserted and fixed between the extension flange 27 and the right side plate 28. The right side plate 27 has a freezer compartment sensor 29.
Sensor hole 2 to make it easier to detect the temperature of freezer 2.
8a is provided, and conversely there is no hole in the extension flange 27, and the heat effect due to warm water entering and leaving the ice tray 6 is prevented, so the accurate temperature inside the freezer compartment 2 can be detected. .

Reference numeral 13 is a drive device lead wire taken out from the drive device 7, 30 is a sensor fixed to the back surface of the ice making tray 6 to detect the completion of ice making, and 31 is a lead wire of the sensor 30 attached to the drive device lead wire. It is a connector. This connector 31 passes through the connector hole 26b of the left side plate 26 and is connected to the connector 32 attached to the main body side lead wire for power supply fitted in the connector hole 25b of the side plate 25. With this configuration, the left side plate 26 is connected to the connectors 31, 32.
Prevents water from entering the area.

With the above construction, since the upper plate 23 is hollow-molded, the strength of the upper plate 23 is improved, and it is necessary to use a member for supporting the drive unit 7 and the ice tray 6, particularly a metal frame or the like. It is possible to prevent malfunction due to dew condensation and freezing caused by opening and closing the door, and to reduce cost.

Further, since the rear portion of the ice storage box 20 has an arcuate shape 20a, even if the ice storage box 20 is pulled out with the ice detection lever 21 lowered, the tip 21a of the ice detection lever 21 is pulled out.
Even if it is deviated in the left-right direction, it is guided by the arcuate shape 20a and passes through the notch 20b, so that it is not destroyed.

Further, since the ice tongue 22 for picking up ice is set at a predetermined position in the ice storage box 20, it is easy to use when taking out the ice, and there is no danger of being left inside the ice storage box 20, and ice detection is performed. It is possible to prevent troubles such as being caught when the lever 21 and the ice tray 6 are rotated.

[0033]

As described above, the automatic ice making device of the present invention is
An upper plate that holds the drive unit and has a hollow interior, an ice tray that is fitted into the drive unit and one is rotatably inserted into an ice tray support hole provided in the upper plate, and this ice tray And a stopper provided on the upper plate in the direction of rotation.

Further, the upper plate includes an opening hole provided in a portion communicating with the hollow portion, a step portion provided around the opening hole, and a plate fitted in the step portion. is there.

Furthermore, a side plate having a fitting hole attached to the side wall of the freezer compartment, a left side plate having a fitting piece engaging with the fitting hole and fixed to the left side of the upper plate, and a back surface of the ice tray are provided. It is composed of a fixed sensor for detecting the completion of ice making and a connector hole provided in the side plate into which a power connector connected to a connector of a cord of a driving device is fitted.

Further, a flange extending downward from the top plate,
It comprises a side plate fixed to one side of the top plate and a freezer compartment sensor inserted and fixed between the flange and the side plate.

A drive unit installed in the freezer compartment, an ice detection lever attached to the drive unit for detecting full ice, an ice tray rotatably attached by the drive unit, and an ice tray installed below the ice tray. The ice storage box has a rear portion having an arcuate shape, and a cutout provided at the rear portion of the ice storage box at a position facing the ice detecting lever.

Further, a drive device installed in the freezing compartment,
It consists of an ice tray that is rotatably attached by this drive device and an ice storage box that is installed in the lower portion of the ice tray and has an ice tong fitting groove formed in the front to hold the ice tongue. The effect is obtained.

Since the upper plate is hollow-molded, the strength of the upper plate is improved, members for supporting the driving device, especially the metal frame can be eliminated, malfunctions due to freezing can be prevented, and cost can be reduced. Further, by closing the opening hole for forming the hollow portion of the upper plate, it is possible to prevent a problem such as cracking of the upper plate due to intrusion of water into the hollow portion.

Further, since the cord connector is housed between the side plate attached to the side wall of the freezer compartment and the left side plate fixed to the upper side, waterproofing can be surely performed.

Further, since the freezer compartment sensor is located between the flange of the top plate and the right side plate, it is possible to prevent the temperature rise when supplying water to the ice tray, and to perform stable freezer compartment control.

Further, since the rear portion of the ice storage box has a circular arc shape and the notch is formed, even if the ice storage box is pulled out when the ice detecting lever is lowered, the water supply lever is guided in the circular arc shape and passes through the notch. Therefore, destruction can be prevented.

Further, since the ice tongs for picking up the ice can be installed in the front part of the ice storage box, it is easy to use and it is possible to prevent the drive device from being broken due to being left inside the ice storage box.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an automatic ice making device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of an automatic ice making device.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the automatic ice making device.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part of a rear portion of the upper plate.

FIG. 5 is a top view showing an ice storage box and an ice detection lever.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a conventional refrigerator.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part of a conventional automatic ice making device.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of essential parts of the automatic ice making device.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a main part of a drive device mounting portion.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing another conventional example.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of ice tongs.

[Explanation of symbols]

 6 ice tray 7 drive device 19 automatic ice making device 20 ice storage box 20a arc shape 20b notch 21 ice detecting lever 22 eye stong 23 upper plate 23a hollow portion 23c ice tray support hole 23d stopper 23e opening hole 23f step portion 24 plate 25 side plate 25b Connector hole 26 Left side plate 27 Flange 28 Right side plate 29 Freezer sensor 31, 32 Connector

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An upper plate that is installed in a freezing chamber and holds a drive unit and has a hollow interior, and one is fitted to the drive unit and the other is rotated into an ice tray support hole provided in the upper plate. An automatic ice making device comprising an ice making tray freely inserted and a stopper provided on the upper plate in the rotating direction of the ice making tray. 2. An opening hole provided in a portion communicating with the hollow portion of the upper plate, and a step portion provided around the opening hole,
The automatic ice making device according to claim 1, comprising a plate which is fitted to the step portion and closes the opening hole. 3. A side plate having a fitting hole attached to a side wall of a freezer compartment, a left side plate having a fitting piece engaging with the fitting hole and fixed to a left side of an upper plate, and a back surface of an ice tray. 2. A fixed sensor for detecting the completion of ice making, and a connector hole provided in the side plate into which a power connector connected to a cord connector of a drive unit is fitted.
The described automatic ice making device. 4. A flange extending downward from the top plate, a side plate fixed to one side of the upper plate, and a freezer compartment sensor inserted and fixed between the flange and the side plate. The described automatic ice making device. 5. A drive unit installed in the freezer compartment, an ice detection lever attached to the drive unit to detect full ice, an ice tray rotatably attached by the drive unit, and an ice tray installed below the ice tray. An automatic ice making device comprising: an ice storage box having a circular arc-shaped rear part; and a notch provided at a position facing the ice detection lever at the rear part of the ice storage box. 6. A drive unit installed in a freezer compartment, an ice tray rotatably mounted by this drive unit, and an ice tongue fitting groove formed in the lower portion of the ice tray for holding ice at the front. Automatic ice-making device consisting of an ice storage box.