JPH07174443A - Icemaker - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect a maximum potating position of an icemaking tray and a position of an ice detecting lever by one switch means by energizing a final gear toward a direction of rotating the tray in an ice releasing operation when the gear is not engaged with a gear of a front stage in a cutout tooth region. CONSTITUTION:A cutout tooth region 17b is so provided at a final gear 16 as not to be engaged with a gear 15 of a front stage of the gear 16 when an icemaking tray 202 is returned to a horizontal position. When the gear 16 is not engaged with the gear 15 by the region 17b, the gear 16 is energized by a coiled spring 30 in a direction for rotating the tray 202 in a direction of ice releasing. Thus, positions of a maximum rotating position of the tray 202 and an ice detecting lever 205 can be detected by one switch means 45, and its structure can be simplified.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ice making machine incorporated in a refrigerator or the like to make ice.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many refrigerators are equipped with an ice making machine. This type of ice machine automatically supplies water to the ice tray, and after ice making, the ice tray is rotated to release the ice.
Ice is dropped in an ice storage box provided below to store an appropriate amount of ice at all times.

As an ice machine incorporated in a refrigerator,
For example, there is one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 54-17137.

The conventional ice making machine will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The conventional ice maker comprises an ice making machine mechanism main body 101, an ice making tray 102, an ice storage box 103 for storing ice making ice, and an ice detection lever 104 driven by the mechanism main body 101.

A motor 105 and a reduction gear unit 106 are built in the mechanical body 101. The final gear of the reduction gear unit 106 is the ice tray 102.
The ice tray 102 rotates directly with the final gear. Further, the ice detecting lever 104 is normally located inside the ice storage box 103 and is driven by the reduction gear unit 106.

The rotation position of the ice tray 102 is detected by two switch means 107 for detecting the ice making position (horizontal position) and for detecting the ice releasing position (maximum rotation position). Ice detecting lever 10
The rotation position of No. 4 is detected by the switch means 108. Further, the harness from the motor 105 and the harness of the switch means 107, 108 are arranged in the mechanical body 101.

In the ice making machine configured as described above,
When the completion of ice making is detected, the ice tray 102 is rotated by the rotation of the motor 105, and the ice is released from the ice tray 102 and drops into the ice storage box 103. At this time, the ice detecting lever 104 swings together with the ice tray 102. At this time, if there is ice, the ice detection lever 104 does not return to its original state, so the ice detection lever 10
The movement of 4 confirms the presence of ice.

There is an ice making machine disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-58669 as a development of the above structure. In this ice making machine, the rotational position of the ice detecting lever 104 is detected by the switch means 108 as in the conventional case, the gear is locked at the horizontal position of the ice tray 102, and the horizontal position is detected by detecting the lock current of the motor. It was a thing.

[0009]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
In the ice making machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7, two switch means 107 are required for detecting the position of the ice tray 102,
It is difficult to reduce the cost because it is difficult to simplify the structure such as the number of assembling steps and the harness processing.

Further, the ice making machine disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-58669 does not require a switch means for detecting the horizontal position of the ice tray 102, but a motor and a gear are used for detecting the horizontal position of the ice tray. Since the gear is locked and detected by the lock current, the mechanical damage to the gear is large and the brush life of the motor may be adversely affected.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides one switch means for detecting the horizontal position of the ice tray without locking the motor and gear, and for detecting the maximum rotation position of the ice tray and the position of the ice detecting lever. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an ice-making machine that can be detected by.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, an ice making machine of the present invention comprises a final stage of a gear train for transmitting normal rotation and reverse rotation of a motor to an ice tray, and a concave cam surface in a predetermined area. A final gear having an arm, an ice detecting shaft having an arm biased to come into contact with the cam surface and rotatably supported according to a change in the cam surface, and the ice detecting shaft connected to the ice detecting shaft. An ice detection lever that moves in and out of the ice storage box before the ice tray reaches the maximum rotation position in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft;
A detection switch that operates by the displacement of the switch lever to output a signal for reversing the motor so that the ice tray returns to the horizontal position, and the detection lever when the ice detection lever enters or leaves the ice storage box. A first protrusion that is biased in a protruding direction at a position facing the switch lever and is provided in the final gear so as to be capable of moving backward, and displaces the switch lever when protruding; and the switch lever when the ice tray is in the maximum rotation position. A second protrusion provided on the final gear for displacing the switch lever at a position opposed to the final gear, and the switch provided when the ice detecting lever provided on the ice detecting shaft enters the ice storage box at a predetermined position or more. When the protrusion enters the displacement direction of the lever and interferes with the displacement of the switch lever and the ice tray returns to the horizontal position, A toothless region provided in the final gear so as not to mesh with a step gear, and the ice tray rotates in the ice removing operation direction when the final gear is disengaged with the preceding gear due to the toothless region. Urging means for urging the final gear in the direction.

[0013]

In the above structure, the ice tray on which the ice making is completed is
It is rotated by a motor and a gear train interlocked with the rotation of the motor. Then, the ice detecting shaft is rotated by the cam surface of the final gear, and the ice detecting lever connected to the ice detecting shaft enters the ice storage box before the ice tray reaches the maximum rotating position. At this time, if there is a predetermined amount of ice in the ice storage box, the ice detection lever cannot enter the ice storage box beyond a predetermined position, and therefore the projection of the ice detection shaft cannot enter in the displacement direction of the switch lever. The displacement of the switch lever cannot be disturbed, the switch lever is displaced by the first projection, and the detection switch outputs a signal for reversing the motor so that the ice tray returns to the horizontal position.

If there is not a predetermined amount of ice in the ice storage box,
The ice detecting lever enters into the ice storage box at a predetermined position or more, and in conjunction with this, the projection of the ice detecting shaft enters in the displacement direction of the switch lever to obstruct the displacement of the switch lever. Therefore, the first protrusion moves backward because the switch lever is not displaced, the detection switch does not operate, and the rotation of the ice tray continues. And
When the ice tray reaches the maximum rotation position, the ice in the ice tray falls into the ice storage box, the switch lever is displaced by the second protrusion, and the detection switch reverses the motor so that the ice tray returns to the horizontal position. To output the signal.

When the ice tray is returned to the horizontal position, the final gear connected to the ice tray does not mesh with other gears due to the toothless region and does not rotate, so that the ice tray is held horizontally. When the ice tray is put into the ice removing operation again, the final gear is biased by the biasing means in the direction to rotate the ice tray in the ice removing operation direction, so that the final gear easily meshes with other gears and rotates.

As described above, the ice maker according to the present invention detects the horizontal position of the ice tray without locking the motor and the gear, and detects the maximum turning position of the ice tray and the position of the ice detecting lever.
It can be detected by one switch means.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An ice making machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, 201 is a mechanical unit of an ice making machine, 202 is an ice tray rotatably connected to the mechanical unit 201, 203 is a bearing portion that rotatably supports the ice tray 202, and 204 is ice after ice making. Is an ice storage box for storing ice and is installed below the ice tray 202. Reference numeral 205 denotes an ice detection lever, which is the mechanical unit 201.
Driven into the ice storage box 204 to detect the ice storage amount.

Next, the internal structure of the mechanical unit 201 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a box-shaped housing, and a screw hole 3 for fastening a cover 2 fitted with the housing 1 is provided at the corner top. Reference numeral 4 denotes a rib provided on the bottom surface 5 of the housing 1, into which a motor 7 as a drive source is fitted and fixed. A worm gear 9 is fitted into the shaft output shaft 8 of the motor 7 via a joint 8a, and the tip of the worm gear 9 is carried by a bearing 10 extending from the bottom surface 5 of the housing 1.

A first gear 1 having a worm wheel portion 11 and a spur gear portion 12 at a position meshing with the worm gear 9.
3 is provided, and the second gear 1 that meshes with it is further provided.
4 and the third gear 15 that meshes with the second gear 14, and the final gear 16 that meshes with the third gear 15 form a gear train. The final gear 16 meshed with the third gear 15 includes a gear portion 17, an outer peripheral cam 18 extending above the gear portion 17, and a shaft 26 extending downward.
An arcuate recess 16d is provided around the shaft 26.

The housing 1 is provided with a hole 1a which allows the shaft 26 to penetrate therethrough, and an arcuate convex portion 1d which fits into the arcuate concave portion 16d of the final gear 16 around the hole 1a. The outer peripheral cam 18 includes a first protrusion 22 and a second protrusion 22.
The projection 23 and the circumferential portion 24 that smoothly connects the projections.

The entire length of the arc-shaped convex portion 1d is set to the arc-shaped concave portion 16d.
The coil spring 30 is arranged in the space 32 so that the space 32 is formed when the two are fitted to each other by setting the coil spring 30 shorter.

Here, the second protrusion 23 is formed integrally with the outer peripheral cam 18, but the first protrusion 22 is stepped and the coil spring 22b is fitted into the rod-shaped rod 22a and the outer peripheral cam 18 is preliminarily attached in that state. Through hole 18a provided
When the rod 22a is inserted into the outer peripheral cam 18, the rod 22a is stopped at one end of the rod 22a with a retaining ring 22c.

The first protrusion 22 is urged in the centrifugal direction by the coil spring 22b, but moves back when a predetermined external force is applied.

The gear portion 17 is composed of a gear region 17a and a toothless region 17b. The gear region 17a meshes with the third gear 15 in a section where the ice tray 202 is from the horizontal position to the ice removing position.

A cam surface 20 is provided in the tooth width direction in the toothless area 17b.
And the cam surface 20 includes an upper surface 20a and a lower surface 20a.
It consists of b and the slope 20c connecting these. Also, the lower surface 20
b and the inclined surface 20c form a concave cam surface.

The shaft 26 has a projecting portion 27 that projects outward from a hole 1a provided in the housing 1 and is connected to the ice tray 202.

Reference numeral 36 is an ice detecting shaft for driving the ice detecting lever 205, and a shaft portion 36a and a guide 3 for preventing axial runout.
I have 6b. A torque limiter 36c composed of a torsion coil spring is installed in the central portion of the ice detecting shaft 36.
Limiter 3 when the unit receives abnormal torsional torque
6c absorbs abnormal twisting torque to prevent damage to the ice detecting shaft 36. The shaft portion 36a is rotatably held by a bearing portion 39 provided in the housing 1. One end of the ice detecting shaft 36 on the side joined to the ice detecting lever 205 projects to the outside from a portion where the side wall of the housing 1 is cut out in a U shape.

An arm 40, the tip of which slides on the cam surface 20 of the final gear 16, and a projection 41 protruding in the axial direction are formed at one end of the ice detecting shaft 36. It is arranged to be in contact with the cam surface 20 of the gear 16.

Reference numeral 42 denotes a bias spring, which biases the arm 40 of the ice detecting shaft 36 toward the cam surface 20 of the final gear 16.

Reference numeral 43 is a substrate, and a groove 44 of the housing 1
It is fitted into the cover 2 and is fixed by pressing on the cover 2. A detection switch 45 is directly attached to the board 43.

Further, the board 43 is provided with a test switch 49 for confirming the test operation of the ice maker at a position where the operation can be confirmed from the outside.

The detection switch 45 is in a position where it is turned on and off by the outer peripheral cam 18 via a switch lever 47. The switch lever 47 is the button 4 of the detection switch 45.
5a is contacted and operated.

Incidentally, the projection 41 of the ice detecting shaft 36 is provided with
Is arranged at a position where it abuts the bent portion 47b of the switch lever 47 when it rotates more than a certain amount, and the movement of the switch lever 47 can be prevented.

The direction of rotation of the motor 7 and the final gear 16
As for the relationship of the rotation direction, when the motor 7 reverses (counterclockwise when viewed from the shaft output shaft 8 side), the final gear 16 rotates normally (clockwise when viewed from the shaft 26 side).
When the motor 7 rotates in the normal direction, the final gear 16 rotates in the reverse direction.

The ice storage amount is judged to be insufficient when the ice detection shaft 36 has rotated a predetermined amount or more and the detection switch 45 does not output a signal. On the other hand, when the ice detecting shaft 36 does not rotate by a predetermined amount or more and the detection switch 45 outputs a signal, it is determined that the ice storage amount is sufficient.

Driving of the final gear 16 and the ice detecting shaft 36 will now be described. When the motor 7 is rotated in the reverse direction by the control of a control unit (not shown) and the final gear 16 is rotated in the normal direction, the arm 40 of the ice detecting shaft 36 is moved to the upper surface 2 on the cam surface 20.
0a → slope 20c → bottom surface 20b → slope 20c → top surface 20
By making contact in the order of a, the ice detecting shaft 36 is rotated to lower and raise the ice detecting lever 205, and at the same time, the ice tray 2
Rotate 02 to the ice clearance angle. This series of drive is the first
Drive means.

Further, the motor 7 is normally rotated under the control of the control unit, and the final gear 16 is simultaneously rotated in the reverse direction while the ice tray 202 is returned to the origin, and the arm 40 of the ice detecting shaft 36 is moved to the cam surface 20. By contacting the upper surface 20a, the sloped surface 20c, the lower surface 20b, the sloped surface 20c, and the upper surface 20a in this order, the ice detecting shaft 36 is rotated and the ice detecting lever 205 is lowered and raised. This series of drive is referred to as second drive means.

Further, when the motor 7 is rotated in the reverse direction by the control of the control unit and the final gear 16 is rotated in the normal direction, the arm 40 of the ice detecting shaft 36 is brought into contact with the upper surface 20a → the inclined surface 20c on the cam surface 20. By doing so, the ice detecting shaft 36 is rotated to rotate the ice detecting lever.
205 is lowered. When the ice detecting lever 205 does not descend below a predetermined position, when the motor 7 is rotated in the normal direction and the final gear 16 is rotated in the reverse direction, the arm 40 of the ice detecting shaft 36 is slanted on the cam surface 20 from the slope 20c to the upper surface. The ice detecting shaft 36 is rotated by bringing the ice detecting levers 205 into contact with each other in the order of 20a to raise the ice detecting lever 205. This series of drive is referred to as a third drive means.

The operation of the automatic ice maker configured as described above will be described. Pump to ice tray 202 (not shown)
When the thermistor, which is an ice making detecting means (not shown), indicates that the temperature is below the set temperature and the ice making is completed, a signal is input from the control unit (not shown) and the motor 7 is turned on. Reverse. When the motor 7 rotates in the reverse direction, the worm gear 9, the first, second and third gears 13, 14, 1
5 sequentially rotates, is decelerated, and the rotation is transmitted to the final gear 16.

When the final gear 16 starts to rotate in the normal direction, the arm 40 of the ice detecting shaft 36, which was initially in contact with the upper surface 20a of the cam surface 20 of the final gear 16 according to the first driving means, moves from the upper surface 20a. It moves along the slope 20c to the lower surface 20b. In conjunction with that, the ice detecting shaft 36 rotates,
The ice detecting lever 205 is an ice storage box 20 provided below the ice making machine.
It descends within 4. At this time, if ice is not stored in the ice storage box 204, the ice detecting lever 205 descends to the lowest point, and the protrusion 41 of the ice detecting shaft 36 is a surface of the free end 47b of the switch lever 47 on the detection switch 45 side. When the first projection 22 of the outer peripheral cam 18 pushes the action point 47a of the outer cam 18 downward, the action point 47a does not decrease, and conversely the rod 2 of the hole 22 does not move.
2a moves backward, and the internal button 45a of the detection switch 45 cannot be operated. Therefore, the detection switch 45
Since no signal is output from, it is determined that the ice is insufficient.

At this time, the motor 7 continues to rotate in the reverse direction, the normal rotation of the final gear 16 continues, the ice detecting shaft 36 reaches the upper surface 20a of the cam surface 20 again, and the ice detecting lever 205 is stored in the ice storage box 2.
Pull up from 04. Then, as long as the reversal of the motor 7 continues, it will be in contact with the upper surface 20a. Ice tray 2
When 02 is twisted at a fixed angle and rotated to a position where the ice inside is released, the outer peripheral cam 18 of the final gear 16 is rotated.
The second protrusion 23 of the
Since a is pushed down, the switch lever 47 is pushed down and the internal button 45a of the detection switch 45 is operated to output a signal.

At this time, it is determined that the ice removal is completed, the motor 7 starts to rotate normally, and the ice tray 202 is returned to the origin position.
Complete the preparations for the next ice making operation. Here, the ice detecting shaft 36 performs the ice detecting operation again before returning to the origin position by the second driving means, and the ice storage amount of the ice storage box 204 is confirmed again.

On the contrary, if there is ice in the ice storage box 204, the ice detecting lever 205 does not descend to the lowest point and stops midway according to the third driving means, so that the arm 40 of the ice detecting shaft 36 moves. The cam surface 20 is maintained in a floating state without reaching the lower surface 20b from the inclined surface 20c. At this time, the protrusion 41 of the ice detecting shaft 36 does not contact the free end 47b of the switch lever 47, and when the first protrusion 22 of the outer peripheral cam 18 pushes down the action point 47a, the switch lever 47 is also pushed down and the detection switch. The internal button 45a of 45 is operated and a signal is output. At this time, it is determined that there is ice, the motor 7 is rotated in the normal direction, the ice tray 202 is returned to the origin position, and the stand-by condition is maintained.

The final gear 16 is the ice tray 20.
After the gear 2 is rotated in the reverse direction until it is returned to the horizontal position, it comes into contact with the third gear 15 in the toothless region 17b.
It is stopped even if 5 is rotating.

The first gear 13, the second gear 14, and the third gear 15 are connected to the motor 7 after the final gear 16 is stopped.
Will stop rotating when it stops.

The timing for stopping the motor 7 is determined by the ice tray 20.
After 2 starts reversing, it is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed.

As described above, the ice making machine of the present embodiment constitutes the final stage of the gear train for transmitting the normal rotation and the reverse rotation of the motor 7 to the ice tray 202, and the final gear 16 having the concave cam surface in the predetermined region. An ice detecting shaft 36 that has an arm 40 that is biased to come into contact with the cam surface 20 and that is rotatably supported according to changes in the cam surface 20, and an ice detecting shaft 36 that is connected to the ice detecting shaft 36. The ice tray 202 moves into and out of the ice storage box 204 before the ice tray 202 reaches the maximum rotation position in conjunction with the rotation, and the ice lever 202 is moved to a horizontal position by operating the switch lever 47. The detection switch 45 that outputs a signal for reversing the motor 7 so that the motor 7 returns and the detection lever 45 is urged in the protruding direction and retracted at a position facing the switch lever 47 when the ice detection lever 205 enters or leaves the ice storage box 204. Freely The first protrusion 22 provided on the Lugear 16 for displacing the switch lever 47 at the time of protrusion, and the switch lever 47 provided on the final gear 16 at a position facing the switch lever 47 when the ice tray 202 is at the maximum rotation position, displaces the switch lever 47. The second protrusion 23 and the ice detecting shaft 36
When the ice detection lever 205 enters the ice storage box 204 at a predetermined position or more, the projection 41 is inserted in the displacement direction of the switch lever 47 to obstruct the displacement of the switch lever 47.
Then, when the ice tray 202 returns to the horizontal position, the toothless region 17b provided in the final gear 16 so as not to mesh with the gear 15 in the previous stage of the final gear 16, and the toothless region 17b causes the final gear 16 to move to the gear 15. Since the ice tray 202 has a coil spring 30 that biases the final gear 16 in a direction to rotate in the ice removing operation direction when the ice tray 202 is no longer meshed with the ice tray 202, detection of the maximum rotation position of the ice tray 202 and the position of the ice detection lever 205 are performed. The detection can be detected by one switch means 45, the configuration is simplified, and the cost can be reduced. Further, unlike the conventional case, the horizontal position of the ice tray 202 is not detected by locking the motor and the gear, so that the durability of the gear and the motor is improved and the life of the motor can be extended.

[0048]

As described above, the ice making machine of the present invention comprises a final gear which forms the final stage of the gear train for transmitting the normal rotation and the reverse rotation of the motor to the ice tray and has a concave cam surface in a predetermined region.
An ice detecting shaft having an arm portion biased to come into contact with the cam surface and rotatably supported according to a change in the cam surface;
It is operated by the displacement of a switch lever and an ice detection lever that is connected to the ice detection shaft and moves in and out of the ice storage box before the ice tray reaches the maximum rotation position in association with the rotation of the ice detection shaft. A detection switch that outputs a signal to reverse the motor so that the ice tray returns to a horizontal position, and a position that faces the switch lever when the ice detection lever enters or leaves the ice storage box. A first protrusion that is urged in a protruding direction to be freely retracted in the final gear and that displaces the switch lever when protruding; and a position that opposes the switch lever when the ice tray is at the maximum rotation position. A second protrusion provided on the final gear for displacing the switch lever, and the switch provided when the ice detecting lever provided on the ice detecting shaft enters the ice storage box at a predetermined position or more. A protrusion provided in the displacement direction of the bar that interferes with the displacement of the switch lever, and a gap provided in the final gear so that when the ice tray returns to the horizontal position, the protrusion does not mesh with the preceding gear of the final gear. A tooth region and a biasing unit that biases the final gear in a direction in which the ice tray rotates in an ice removing operation direction when the final gear is disengaged from the preceding gear due to the toothless region. Therefore, the detection of the maximum turning position of the ice tray and the detection of the position of the ice detecting lever can be detected by one switch means, and the configuration is simplified and the cost can be reduced. In addition, since the horizontal position of the ice tray is not detected by locking the motor and gear as in the conventional case,
The durability of the gear and the motor is improved, and the life of the motor can be extended.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of an ice making machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a mechanical unit portion of the ice making machine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway plan view of a mechanical unit portion of the ice making machine in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a main part showing a final gear cam surface and an ice detecting shaft of the ice making machine in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a mechanical body of a conventional ice making machine.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an essential part showing an ice tray, an ice storage box and an ice detection lever of the conventional ice making machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 7 motor 15 gear 16 final gear 17b toothless area 20 cam surface 22 first protrusion 23 second protrusion 30 coil spring 36 ice detecting shaft 40 arm 41 protrusion 45 switch 47 switch lever 202 ice tray 204 ice storage box 205 ice detecting lever

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A final gear that forms a final stage of a gear train that transmits normal rotation and reverse rotation of a motor to an ice tray and has a concave cam surface in a predetermined region, and is urged to come into contact with the cam surface. An ice detecting shaft that has an arm and is rotatably supported according to the change of the cam surface; and the ice tray reaches a maximum rotation position in association with the rotation of the ice detecting shaft that is connected to the ice detecting shaft. An ice detection lever that moves in and out of the ice storage box before, and a detection switch that outputs a signal for reversing the motor so that the ice tray returns to a horizontal position by the displacement of the switch lever. When the ice lever enters or exits the ice storage box, the final gear is biased in a projecting direction at a position facing the switch lever and is provided in the final gear so as to be retractable. The first lever displaces the switch lever when projecting.
And a second protrusion provided on the final gear at a position facing the switch lever when the ice tray is at the maximum rotation position to displace the switch lever.
A protrusion provided on the ice detecting shaft and that enters the displacement direction of the switch lever and interferes with the displacement of the switch lever when the ice detecting lever enters the ice storage box over a predetermined position, and the ice tray. When the gear returns to the horizontal position, the toothless region provided in the final gear so that the gear does not mesh with the gear in the previous stage of the final gear, and the toothless region prevents the final gear from meshing with the gear in the preceding stage. An ice making machine comprising: a biasing unit that biases the final gear in a direction in which the ice tray rotates in the ice separating operation direction.