JPH0754672Y2 - Drive device for ice tray for refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial field of application] The present invention relates to a positioning mechanism for a rotating member, and more particularly to a drive mechanism for an ice tray used in an ice making device that automatically performs water supply to ice removal. It is suitable.

[Prior art]

Conventionally, as an ice making device of this type, for example, an actual Kaihei 1-17
The one disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2685 is known.

In the conventional ice making device as described above, for example, water is automatically supplied to the substantially rectangular ice tray (rotating member) made of synthetic resin in a plan view, and cold air is supplied to the water stored in the ice tray. Then, the water is frozen. When this iced state is detected by the temperature sensor attached to the ice tray and the completion of ice making is detected, the connecting member connected to the side portion of the ice tray is rotated and the ice tray is connected to the connecting member. It is twisted while being inverted on the same axis as the rotation axis of the. Then, at this time, the ice tray is elastically distorted, and the ice is separated from the ice tray and falls into the ice storage container arranged below.

In this case, the ice tray is rotatably supported by a base and a support plate, which is inserted into the insertion portion of the base and has a substantially L-shape in a plan view.

Further, a positioning stopper is provided at a predetermined position on the support plate when the ice tray is turned over so as to prevent the ice tray from turning over at a predetermined angle or more by engaging with the ice tray.

Then, the connecting member connected to the ice tray is rotationally driven by a motor that constitutes a drive mechanism, so that the ice tray is inverted. Even after the ice tray is engaged with the stopper, the connecting member is further rotated by a predetermined angle, whereby the ice tray is twisted and elastically distorted. As a result, ice is peeled off from the ice tray.

In this case, the rotation operation of the connecting member is controlled by detecting the rotation of the connecting member at a predetermined angle with a limit switch and stopping the motor.

[Problems to be solved by the device]

However, in the conventional ice making device as described above, the stop control of the motor is performed based on the state of the output signal from the limit switch as described above. There is a risk of damage due to overload.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to position and stop the ice tray or the like in a safe state at all times without damaging the motor or the like constituting the drive mechanism used in the ice making device as described above, for example. It is an object of the present invention to provide a positioning mechanism for a rotating member that can be used.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the main means adopted by the present invention is, as its gist, an elastically bendable ice tray supported rotatably about its longitudinal axis,
When the ice tray is rotated at a predetermined angle by a drive source connected to one end in the longitudinal direction via a drive shaft, the other end of the ice tray comes into contact with a fixed stopper to stop and the ice tray is also made. In the drive device of the refrigerator ice tray for peeling off the ice stored in the ice tray by further rotating one end of the ice tray by further rotation, in the power transmission path from the drive source to the ice tray, A torque limiter that causes a slip when a torque of a predetermined value or more acts is provided, and timer means for measuring the rotation time of the drive source from the start of rotation of the drive source is provided, and the rotation of the ice tray is started. After the other end of the ice tray engages with the fixed stopper and its rotation is blocked, the ice tray is further twisted and a predetermined time longer than the time required for the ice in the ice tray to be peeled off. Above timer A driving device for a refrigerator ice tray, characterized in that so as to stop the rotation of the drive source when measured by stage.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of the present invention applied to, for example, an ice making device will be described to provide an understanding of the present invention. It should be noted that the following embodiments are examples of embodying the present invention and are not of the nature to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

Here, FIG. 1 shows the structure of an ice making device equipped with a positioning mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a plan view and FIG. ), The same figure (c) is a right side view in the same figure (a), FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ice making device, and FIG. 3 shows the structure of a support plate that supports the ice making plate. FIG. 3A is a plan view, FIG. 2B is a front view in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1C is a right side view in FIG. 1A, and FIG. FIG. 4A shows a left side view in FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4 shows a structure of an insertion portion of a base that supports the ice tray and the support plate, and FIG. (b) is a sectional view taken along the line A-A 'in the same figure (a), (c) is a sectional view taken along the line BB' in the same figure (a), and (d) is the same figure (a). C-C 'arrow cross section in , Figure 5 is a partial side sectional view of a torque limiter mechanism constituting the positioning mechanism, Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the torque limiter mechanism.

In the ice making device having the positioning mechanism according to this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 (a), (b), (c) and FIG. 2, the ice tray 1 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view is made of synthetic resin. Of the base 2 and the insertion portion 3 of the base 2 (see FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (d)), which is substantially L-shaped in plan view (see FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (a)). (See (d)) and is rotatably supported.

The ice tray 1 is made of synthetic resin and elastically distorts when the ice tray 1 is twisted. The inside of the ice tray 1 is partitioned into a plurality of storage parts so that a plurality of ice pieces of reasonable size can be made at one time.

The support plate 4 is formed, for example, by bending a stainless thin plate by press working.
The short part of the shaft part 1 _a protruding from the side part of the ice tray 1
The by fitting inserted to support the formulation ice tray 1 rotatably supporting hole 4 _a
Has been drilled. Furthermore, on the side of the support hole 4 _a, it engages a side edge portion of the ice tray 1, the stopper 4 _b, 4 _c for positioning the formulation ice tray 1 is formed.

The stopper 4 _b is for determining the initial position of the ice tray 1, by the side edge portions back surface side of the ice tray 1 and the said stopper 4 _b are engaged, the ice tray 1 The container is positioned so as to face upward, and in this state, water is supplied to the inside of the ice tray 1 to make ice.

The stopper _{4c functions} to position the ice tray 1 at a position where the ice tray 1 is rotated by a predetermined angle in the direction of arrow 5 (counterclockwise direction) in FIG. 1 (c) and inverted.
That is, when the ice tray 1 is rotated, the other side end back surface of the ice tray 1 and the stopper _4c are engaged,
Positioning of the ice tray 1 is performed. Then, at this position, the ice is peeled from the ice tray 1.

In this case, the ice tray 1 corresponds to a so-called rotating member, and the stopper _4c engages with the ice tray 1 at a predetermined position when the ice tray 1 is rotated by a predetermined angle and inverted. Thus, it corresponds to an engaging portion that blocks the rotation of the ice tray 1.

The long side of the support plate 4 and the insertion side end 4 _d of the insertion part 3 are in contact with the bottom surface 3 _a of the insertion part 3 so that the thickness direction of the support plate 4 ( abutment 4 _e for ensuring perpendicularity about arrow 6 directions) are formed by bending process. Further, the insertion side end portion 4 _{d of the} support plate 4 and the insertion portion 3 are arranged in the width direction of the support plate 4 when the support plate 4 is inserted into the insertion portion 3 (arrow 7 direction). Tapered fitting portions 4 _f and 3 _b for performing positioning with respect to.

Also, the the insertion end 4 _d the support plate 4 opening 4 _g, 4 _h
When the support plate 4 is inserted into the insertion portion 3, the lower end portion of the opening 4 _h and the engagement claw 3 _c provided in the insertion portion 3 engage with each other. By doing so, the base 2
The support plate 4 is prevented from coming off.

In a state where the support plate 4 is attached to the base 2 as described above, inserting the tip of the example driver or the like through the opening 4 _g of opening 3 _d and the support plate 4 which is formed in the insertion section 3 and, the engaging pawl 3 _c to the direction of arrow 8 is bent elastically by releasing the engagement between the lower end portion of the engaging pawl 3 _c and the opening 4 _h, the insertion of the base 2 The support plate 4 can be removed from the portion 3.

In this embodiment apparatus as described above, together with the contact portion 4 _e is provided in the support plate 4, the support plate 4 and the insertion portion 3
Since the tapered fitting portions 4 _f and 3 _b are formed in the support hole 4, the support hole 4 _a of the support plate 4 is positioned with respect to the base 2 with extremely high accuracy.

A connecting member 9 having a substantially U shape in a plan view is connected to a side portion of the ice tray 1 which is opposite to the shaft portion 1 _{a. The} connecting member 9 is the ice tray. It is rotatably supported by a portion on the side of the base 2 on the same axis as the shaft portion 1 _a of 1 and the support hole 4 _a of the support plate 4.

In this case, the connecting portions 9 _a , 9 _a between the connecting member 9 and the side portion of the ice tray 1 are rotated when the connecting member 9 is rotated and the ice tray 1 is inverted and twisted. In order to elastically distort the whole ice tray 1, the ice tray 1 is provided at both ends in the axial direction of the ice tray 1 which is eccentric from the connecting member 9 and the rotation axis of the ice tray 1.

Therefore, when the ice is removed from the ice tray 1, the entire ice tray 1 is effectively distorted, and the problem in the conventional device that the ice remains inside the ice tray 1 without being peeled off is substantially eliminated. Completely resolved.

The connecting member 9 is connected to the motor 12 via a torque limiter mechanism 11 and a reduction mechanism 10 composed of a plurality of gears. In this case, the output shaft 12 _{a of the} motor 12 (second
(See the figure) constitutes the drive shaft.

The structure of the torque limiter mechanism 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

That is, the output shaft 12 of the motor 12 is passed through the reduction mechanism 10.
_A plurality of disc springs 15 and disc-shaped clutch plates 16 and 17 are interposed between the gear 13 connected to a and the output shaft 14 connected to the connecting member 9. Above clutch plate 1
6 is the gear 13 when the claw 16 _b and the gear 13 are engaged with each other.
The clutch plate 17 is rotatable together with the disc spring 15 and the like, and the clutch plate 17 is connected to the output shaft 14 side. Then, on the same circumference of the clutch plates 16 and 17, a plurality of semi-spherical protrusions 16 _a , 16 _a , 16 _a for torque transmission are provided.
…, 17 _a , 17 _a ,… are projected.

In this case, the inner surface of the protrusion 17 _a of the protrusion 16 _a of the outer surface side and the clutch plates 17 of the clutch plate 16 is engageable.

The rotation of the motor 12 is controlled by the output shaft _12a and the reduction mechanism 1
It is transmitted to the connecting member 9 via 0, gear 13, clutch plates 16 and 17, and output shaft 14.

In this case, the torque transmitted via the protrusion 17 _a of the protrusion 16 _a and the clutch plates 17 of the clutch plate 16 is determined by the elastic force of the disc springs 15, the elastic force, in the present embodiment apparatus , The ice tray 1 is inverted and engaged with the stopper _4c to prevent its rotation, and further, a torque is transmitted to such an extent that the ice tray 1 can be entirely distorted so that all the ice can be separated. It is set to be done.

It should be noted that the torque limiter mechanism 11 need not be engaged by engaging with the output shaft 14 when the ice tray 1 is turned over and bent so that the ice tray 1 can always be flexed by a predetermined amount in a stable manner. It is also possible to provide a positioning projection on the side of the base 2 to prevent such a rotation. Further, even when the ice tray 1 is returned to the initial position, the output shaft 14 is engaged with the base 2 in that state in order to position the ice tray 1 on the connecting member 9 side. A protrusion may be provided to position the torque limiter mechanism 11 in the reverse rotation state.

In the device of this embodiment, the output shaft 12 _{a of the} motor 12 is provided in a control device (not shown) that controls the ice making device.
A timer that measures the rotation time of the ice tray 1 is configured.
State but is rotated engaged with the stopper 4 _c, distorted overall to the rotation is prevented time required for the torque limiter mechanism 11 starts slipping (the ice tray 1 causes the detaching ice When the above time is measured by the timer, the rotation of the motor 12 is controlled to be stopped.

The control procedure as described above is performed after the ice is peeled off and then the ice tray 1
Also applies when returning to the initial position.

That is, the site where the ice tray 1 corresponds in the starting position of the ice tray 1 of formulation ice tray 1 is reversed by the motor 12 is engaged with the stopper 4 _b for example the torque limiter mechanism 11 and the base 2 side The torque limiter mechanism 11 starts slipping due to the engagement with the engaging portion provided on the motor, and the rotation of the motor 12 is controlled when the time is measured by the timer.

Therefore, in the apparatus of this embodiment, extremely high reliability can be obtained as compared with the conventional control method in which the motor 12 is turned on and off by detecting the rotational position of the ice tray 1 with the limit switch. You can That is, in the control using the limit switch, if the limit switch is damaged for some reason as described above, there is a risk that the motor 12 will be overloaded and damaged.

The ice making device according to the present embodiment is configured as described above.

In the ice making device, when the ice tray 1 is in the initial state (in the state shown in FIG. 1), the ice tray 1 is
Cold water is supplied to the water stored in the water and the water freezes. When this iced state is detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) attached to the bottom of the ice tray 1 and the completion of ice making is detected, the motor 12 rotates to rotate the connecting member 9, The ice tray 1 is twisted while being inverted and coaxial with the rotation axis of the connecting member 9. At this time, since the whole ice tray 1 is elastically distorted, the ice tray 1 is entirely peeled off without remaining on the ice tray 1 and falls into an ice storage container (not shown) arranged below. .

In this case, when the full state of ice in the ice storage container is detected by the sensing lever 18 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), the motor 12 is not drive-controlled.

[Effect of device]

According to the present invention, as described above, the elastically bendable ice tray is rotatably supported around its longitudinal axis, and the ice tray is connected to one longitudinal end thereof via the drive shaft. When the ice tray is rotated by a predetermined angle, the other end of the ice tray comes into contact with a fixed stopper to stop, and further, one end of the ice tray is further rotated to twist the ice tray to rotate the ice tray. In a drive device for an ice tray for a refrigerator that peels off the ice stored in the power transmission path from the drive source to the ice tray, a torque limiter that causes a slip when a predetermined torque or more acts is interposed, A timer means for measuring the rotation time of the drive source from the start of rotation of the drive source is provided, the rotation of the ice tray is started, and the other end of the ice tray engages with the fixed stopper. Rotation After stopping, the rotation of the drive source is stopped when the predetermined time longer than the time required for the ice tray to be further twisted and the ice in the ice tray to be peeled off is measured by the timer means. Since it is a drive device for an ice tray for a refrigerator, by applying the positioning mechanism to the ice making device as described above, for example, a motor or the like constituting the drive mechanism used in the ice making device is damaged. Therefore, the ice tray can be positioned and stopped in a safe state at all times.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A and 1B show the structure of an ice making device having a positioning mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a plan view and FIG. 1B is a front view in FIG. FIG. 1C is a right side view of FIG. 1A, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ice making device, and FIG. 3 is a structure of a supporting plate that supports the ice tray. , (A) is a plan view,
The same figure (b) is a front view in the same figure (a), the same figure (c) is a right side view in the same figure (a), and the same figure (d) is the same figure (a).
FIG. 4 is a left side view of FIG. 4, and FIG. 4 shows the structure of the insertion part of the base that supports the ice tray and the support plate, FIG. (A) is a front view, and (b) is the same figure. A- in (a)
A 'arrow sectional drawing, the figure (c) is B- in the figure (a).
A sectional view taken along the line B ′ in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a partial side sectional view of the torque limiter mechanism constituting the positioning mechanism, and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the torque limiter mechanism. [Explanation of symbols] 1 ... ice tray, 1 _a ... Shaft part 2 ... Base part 3 ... Insert part 3 _a ... Bottom surface, 3 _b ... Fitting part 4 ... Support plate, 4 _a Support hole 4 _c ... Stopper ( Engagement part) 4 _d ... Insertion side end part 4 _e ... Contact part, 4 _f ... Fitting part 9 ... Connection member, 9 _a ... Connection part 11 ... Torque limiter mechanism, 12 ... Motor 12 _a ... Output shaft, 13 ... gear 14 ... output shaft, 15 ... disc spring 16, 17 ... clutch plate 16 _a, 17 _a ... projection

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An elastically bendable ice tray is rotatably supported about its longitudinal axis, and the ice tray is rotated by a predetermined angle by a drive source connected to one longitudinal end thereof. At this time, the other end of the ice tray comes into contact with a fixed stopper to stop, and one end of the ice tray is further rotated to twist the ice tray to separate the ice stored in the ice tray. In a drive device for an ice tray for a refrigerator, a torque limiter that causes a slip when a torque of a predetermined value or more acts is provided in a power transmission path from the drive source to the ice tray, and the drive source starts rotating. A timer means for measuring the rotation time of the drive source is provided, and the rotation of the ice tray is started, the other end of the ice tray engages with the fixed stopper, and the rotation is blocked. The dish is twisted The drive device for the ice tray for a refrigerator, characterized in that the rotation of the drive source is stopped when a predetermined time longer than the time required for the ice in the ice tray to be peeled off is measured by the timer means. .