JPH08313130A - Driving device for automatic ice making machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To facilitate assembling work and contrive miniaturization by a method wherein a torsion spring is interposed between a first rotary body, rotated by the oscillation of a transmitting member, and a second rotary body, arranged coaxially with the first rotary body and connected to an ice detecting arm to turn integrally. CONSTITUTION: An ice detecting mechanism 10 is provided with an ice detecting lever 26, operated by a cam gear 5 and oscillated, a protective ring 31, turned by the oscillation of the ice detecting lever, and an ice detecting shaft 30, arranged coaxially with the protective ring 31 and connected to an ice detecting arm to turn integrally. A torsion spring 32 is interposed between the protective ring 31 and the ice detecting arm. Accordingly, the oscillating motion of a transmitting member is converted directly into a rotary motion and the rotary motion can be transmitted to a detecting arm. On the other hand, a connecting part between the transmitting member and the detecting arm can be miniaturized whereby the assembling work of components is facilitated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is installed in a refrigerator,
The present invention relates to a drive device for an automatic ice maker that automatically manufactures ice and automatically replenishes the manufactured ice when a shortage of ice in the ice storage container is detected. More specifically, it is a drive device of an automatic ice maker that detects the amount of ice storage in an ice storage container based on the descending amount of an ice detection arm, and absorbs an external force acting on the ice detection arm, and a cam gear inside the drive device. The present invention relates to a drive device for an automatic ice maker, which is protected by the above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, household refrigerators and the like having an automatic ice making function have been known, and as a drive device for an automatic ice making machine attached to this refrigerator, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-24.
Drive device 10 for ice tray disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 9556
There is 0.

In this ice tray driving device 100, as shown in FIG.
As shown in, a safety mechanism is interposed between the cam gear 101 side and the ice detecting shaft 102 side to which the ice detecting bar (ice detecting arm) is attached. This safety mechanism is slider 1
03, a spring 104 and the like. Therefore, when an external force acts on the ice detecting bar and the ice detecting shaft 102 is rotated in a so-called reverse drive state, this external force is absorbed by the bending of the spring 104 due to the displacement of the slider 103, and is transferred to the ice detecting lever 105 side. There is no transmission. This prevents damage to the ice detecting lever 105 and gears related thereto.

[0004]

However, in the safety mechanism of the drive device described above, when the ice detecting bar is moved up and down by operating the cam gear 101, the swinging of the ice detecting lever 105 is performed once by the linear movement of the slider 103. After converting to
The engaging piece 1 sandwiching this linear motion between the engaging protrusions 106
07, it is converted into the rotational movement of the ice detecting shaft 102 in this process. For this reason, the number of parts of the constituent members increases, and the assembling work is troublesome. Further, as is clear from FIG. 28, the safety mechanism itself becomes large and requires a large occupied space, so that so-called space efficiency deteriorates.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a drive device for an automatic ice maker which can facilitate the assembling work and can be downsized.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, when the ice storage amount in the ice storage container is detected based on the descending amount of the ice detecting arm and the shortage of the ice storage amount is recognized, In a drive unit of an automatic ice maker that inverts the ice tray to drop ice into the ice storage container and then returns the ice tray to produce ice, a motor and a rotation transmission means for transmitting the rotation of the motor, A cam gear that is rotated by the rotation transmission means, a connecting shaft that is provided on the cam gear and that rotates the ice tray, and an ice detecting mechanism that is operated by the cam gear to move up and down the ice detecting arm are provided. The mechanism includes a transmission member which is operated by a cam gear and swings, a first rotating body which is rotated by the swinging of the transmission member, a coaxial arrangement with the first rotating body, and is connected to an ice detecting arm. Second rotating body that rotates integrally with the lever Together comprising, first and second
It is configured by interposing a torsion spring between the rotating bodies.

[0007]

Therefore, when the motor rotates, this rotation is transmitted to the cam gear through the rotation transmission means, and the transmission member is swung to rotate the first rotating body. The rotation of the first rotating body is transmitted to the second rotating body via the torsion spring, and the ice detecting arm is operated. On the other hand, when an external force acts on the ice detecting arm, the rotation of the second rotating body is absorbed by twisting the torsion spring.
Transmission of external force to the rotating body is prevented.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The structure of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

1 and 2 show an automatic ice making machine according to the present invention. This automatic ice making machine 1 is installed in an ice making room of a refrigerator. The automatic ice maker 1 includes an ice tray 2 arranged above an ice storage container (not shown), an ice detection arm 3 that moves up and down to detect the amount of ice storage in the ice storage container, and the ice tray 2 and the ice detection arm 3 are interlocked. It is configured to include a drive device 4 that is driven. The drive unit 4 lowers the tip of the ice detecting arm 3 into the ice storage container and detects the presence or absence of ice in the ice storage container based on the descending distance. When the driving device 4 detects a shortage of ice, the driving device 4 reverses the ice tray 2 to drop the ice into the ice storage container. The inverted ice tray 2
The contact piece 7 provided on the machine frame 6 of the refrigerator is twisted and deformed, and ice is dropped by utilizing this deformation. afterwards,
The drive unit 4 returns the ice tray 2 and water is poured into the ice tray 2 to produce ice.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the drive unit 4 is connected to the ice tray 2 and a cam gear 5 for reversing the ice tray 2, an ice detecting mechanism 10 operated by the cam gear 5, and a switch mechanism. 11 and a brake mechanism 12 are provided.

The cam gear 5 is rotated by a motor 13. The rotation of the motor 13 is transmitted to the cam gear 5 via the rotation transmission means 14. The rotation transmission means 14 is composed of a worm (rotational force transmission member) 15 connected to the output shaft 13a of the motor 13, and first and second gears 17 and 18 for sequentially decelerating the rotation of the worm 15. . As shown in detail in FIG. 5, a washer 16 is fitted and fixed to the output shaft 13a of the motor 13. The washer 16 is inserted into the worm 15. The washer 16 has a substantially rectangular shape. Therefore, there is no slippage between the output shaft 13a of the motor 13 and the worm 15, and they rotate together.

As shown in detail in FIG. 4, the first gear 17 is rotatably supported between the upper case 8 and the lower case 9. The first gear 17 is a worm wheel 17
a and a pinion 17b, which are integrally molded. The worm wheel 17a includes the worm 15
Meshes with.

The second gear 18 has an upper case 8 and a lower case 9.
It is rotatably supported between. This second gear 18
Includes a gear 18a and a pinion 18b, which are integrally molded. The gear 18a is the first gear 17
It meshes with the pinion 17b. Also, pinion 1
8b meshes with the gear 5a of the cam gear 5. Therefore, the rotation of the output shaft 13a of the motor 13 is transmitted to the cam gear 5 while being decelerated one after another by the rotation transmitting means 14.

FIG. 6 shows the cam gear 5. A connecting shaft 19 is integrally formed with the cam gear 5. The connecting shaft 19 projects from the hole 8 a provided in the upper case 8 to the outside of the drive device 4 and is connected to the ice tray 2. Therefore, the cam gear 5 and the ice tray 2 rotate integrally.

A groove 20 is formed on the one side surface 5b of the cam gear 5 facing the upper case 8 along the circumferential direction. A protrusion 21 formed on the inner surface of the upper case 8 is inserted into the groove 20 to limit the rotatable angle of the cam gear 5 to a predetermined range. That is, the position where the projection 21 contacts the both end surfaces of the groove 20 is the rotation limit position of the cam gear 5. In the case of this embodiment, the cam gear 5 can rotate in the range of -8 degrees to 170 degrees.

On the other hand, an annular recess 22 is formed on the other side surface 5c of the cam gear 5 which faces the lower case 9.
The inner peripheral surface of the concave portion 22 constitutes the first cam surface 23, and the outer peripheral surface constitutes the second and third cam surfaces 24, 25. Each cam surface 23 to 25 is formed into a predetermined shape.

A friction ring 42 is mounted on the shaft portion of the cam gear 5. Friction ring 4
2 is arranged between the other side surface 5c of the cam gear 5 and the lower case 9 and frictionally engages with the cam gear 5. A protrusion 42a is integrally formed at a predetermined position of the friction ring 42. The protrusion 42a can inhibit the swing of the ice making lever 26 described later.

Further, a cutout (not shown) is provided on the end surface of the friction ring 42 on the lower case 9 side. This notch fits into a projection body (not shown) integrally formed with the lower case 9. The notch is formed larger than the protrusion. Therefore, the friction ring 42 is
Interlocking with the rotation of the cam gear 5, both ends of the notch can rotate within a range in which they come into contact with the protrusions. In this embodiment,
The friction ring 42 is moved from the position shown in FIG.
It rotates in the range up to the position shown in 8.

The ice detecting mechanism 10 includes an ice detecting lever (transmission member) 26 operated by the cam gear 5, a connector 27 connecting the ice detecting lever 26 to the ice detecting arm 3, and an ice detecting lever 2.
The coil spring 28 for oscillating 6 is provided.

The ice detecting lever 26 is arranged between the cam gear 5 and the lower case 9 and is swingably mounted coaxially with the second gear 18. A cylindrical convex portion 26a is formed on a surface of one end of the ice detecting lever 26 facing the cam gear 5. The convex portion 26 a is a cam follower of the first cam surface 23 formed on the cam gear 5. A protrusion 29 is formed on the surface of the ice detecting lever 26 facing the lower case 9 near one end thereof. The protrusion 29 can inhibit the swing of the magnet lever 33 described later. Further, the other end of the ice detecting lever 26 has a bridge shape that opens toward the lower case 9, as shown in detail in FIG. 7. A connector 27 is connected to the other end of the ice detecting lever 26 by utilizing this bridge shape.

As shown in FIG. 8, the connector 27 includes a protection ring (first rotating body) 31 on the ice detecting lever 26 side, an ice detecting shaft (second rotating body) 30 on the ice detecting arm 3 side, and these. It is composed of a torsion spring 32 interposed between the two. The small diameter portion 30 a of the ice detecting shaft 30 is inserted into the protection ring 31. Therefore, the ice detecting shaft 30 and the protection ring 3
1 is arranged coaxially. The ice detecting shaft 30 and the protection ring 31 are a pair of locking pieces 3 formed integrally with the ice detecting shaft 30.
0b, 30c and the pair of locking pieces 31a, 31b integrally formed with the protection ring 31 can relatively rotate within a range until they come into contact with each other.

Both ends of the torsion spring 32 have locking portions 3 formed integrally with the ice detecting shaft 30 and the protection ring 31.
It is caught in 0d and 31c. The torsion spring 32 is previously twisted with a predetermined force before assembly,
A preload in the torsional direction is applied between the ice detecting shaft 30 and the protection ring 31 to regulate their relative rotation. 9 shows the ice detecting shaft 30 in detail, and FIG. 10 shows the protection ring 31 in detail.

An arm 31d is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the protection ring 31 so as to extend radially outward. The arm 31d is inserted from the lower case 9 side into a bridge-shaped opening at the other end of the ice detecting lever 26. Therefore, when the ice detecting lever 26 swings, as shown in FIG. 7, the arm 31d moves as the other end of the ice detecting lever 26 moves.
The tip of the protective ring 31 is also moved, and the protective ring 31 rotates. The rotation of the protective ring 31 is transmitted to the coaxial ice detecting shaft 30 via the torsion spring 32. This ice inspection axis 30
An ice detecting arm 3 is attached to the. That is, the swinging motion of the ice detecting lever 26 is directly converted into the rotating motion of the connector 27, and the ice detecting arm 3 is moved up and down. Since the ice detecting shaft 30 and the protection ring 31 are coaxially arranged, the connector 27 can be downsized.

The connector 27 thus constructed functions as a safety device that absorbs an input from the ice detecting arm 3 side and protects the ice detecting lever 26 and the cam gear 5. That is,
When an external force acts on the ice detecting arm 3, the ice detecting shaft 30 rotates integrally with the ice detecting arm 3 and enters a so-called reverse drive state. However, the rotation of the ice detecting shaft 30 is caused by the rotation of the ice detecting shaft 3
0 and the protection ring 31 rotate relative to each other, and the torsion spring 32 is elastically deformed to be absorbed, so that the protection ring 31 connected to the ice detecting lever 26 is not forcibly rotated.

On the other hand, a shaft 31e is formed at the tip of the arm 31d of the protection ring 31 toward the ice detecting shaft 30 side. One end of the spring 28 is locked to this arm 31d. The other end of the spring 28 is locked at a predetermined position on the lower case 9. Therefore, the protection ring 31, that is, the connector 27 is preloaded in the direction of lowering the ice detecting arm 3, and the ice detection lever 26 is preloaded in the direction of swinging.

As shown in FIG. 11, the switch mechanism 11 includes a magnet lever 33 operated by the cam gear 5,
The Hall IC 34 is configured to change the detection signal according to the swing of the magnet lever 33.

The magnet lever 33 is the ice detecting lever 26.
And a lower case 9, and is swingably attached to a shaft portion 9a integrally formed with the lower case 9.
A cylindrical convex portion 33a is formed on the surface of the one end portion of the magnet lever 33 on the cam gear 5 side. This convex part 3
Reference numeral 3a is a cam follower of the second cam surface 24 formed on the cam gear 5. Therefore, when the cam gear 5 rotates, the convex portion 33a moves in the radial direction of the cam gear 5 along the second cam surface 24, and the magnet lever 33 swings. The magnet lever 33 can swing between a non-actuated position shown by a chain double-dashed line in the figure and a swing position shown by a solid line.

A protrusion 35 is formed at a predetermined position on the magnet lever 33. The protrusion 35 is located near a protrusion 29 formed on the ice detecting lever 26.
The magnet lever 33 cannot swing when the protrusion 29 is in contact with the protrusion 35. On the other hand, a permanent magnet 36 that affects the Hall IC 34 is attached to the other end of the magnet lever 33.

The Hall IC 34 is fixed on the printed wiring board 37 attached to the lower case 9, and is arranged so as to face the permanent magnet 33 at the other end when the magnet lever 33 is in the inoperative position. There is. The Hall IC 34 is electrically connected to the controller 39. When the magnet lever 33 is in the non-actuated position, the Hall IC 34 outputs a low level signal (hereinafter, referred to as L signal) to the controller 39 as a detection signal. On the other hand, when the magnet lever 33 is swung, the Hall IC 34 outputs a high level signal (hereinafter, referred to as H signal) to the controller 39 as a detection signal.

The Hall IC 34 outputs H signals at three positions while the cam gear 5 rotates from -8 degrees to 170 degrees. That is, recesses are formed at predetermined three positions on the second cam surface 24 for operating the magnet lever 33, and the projections 33a of the magnet lever 33 reach these recesses and reach the recesses. The Hall IC 34 outputs an H signal each time is oscillated. The output H signal is an ice making position signal,
The controller 39 recognizes the ice detection position signal (identification signal) or the ice separation position signal. The controller 39 recognizes the rotation angle θ of the cam gear 5 based on these signals.

A hook shaft 33b is formed integrally with one end of the magnet lever 33. This hook axis 3
One end of a spring 38 is locked to 3b. The spring 38 constantly pulls the magnet lever 33 toward the swing position.

The brake mechanism 12 is composed of a braking lever (braking member) 40 operated by the cam gear 5 and a flange 41 which is a portion to be braked. The braking lever 40 is arranged between the cam gear 5 and the worm 15, and the upper case 8
It is swingably attached to a shaft 43 composed of a column integrally formed with the column and a column formed in the lower case 9.
A cylindrical protrusion 40 a protruding toward the cam gear 5 is integrally formed at the tip of the braking lever 40. This convex part 4
Reference numeral 0a is a cam follower of the third cam surface 25 formed on the cam gear 5. Therefore, when the cam gear 5 rotates, the convex portion 40 a moves inward in the radial direction of the cam gear 5 along the third cam surface 25, and the braking lever 40 swings.
The braking lever 40 swings between a non-actuated position shown by a solid line in FIG. 11 and a braking position shown by a chain double-dashed line. When the braking lever 40 is swung to the braking position, the worm 1 is frictionally engaged with the flange 41 integrally formed with the worm 15.
A braking force for rotation of 5 is generated. Flange 41
Has a larger diameter than the gear portion of the worm 15.

An arm portion 40b is formed at the base end of the braking lever 40. The other end of the spring 38 is locked to the arm 40b. Therefore, the braking lever 40 is always pulled toward the non-operating position by the spring force of the spring 38. That is, the spring 38 is bridged between the braking lever 40 and the magnet lever 33, and attracts the magnet lever 33 to the swing position side and the braking lever 40 to the non-operating position side, respectively.

The controller 39 comprises a microcomputer. As shown in FIG. 12, the Hall IC 34 is electrically connected to the input side of the controller 39, and the motor 13 is electrically connected to the output side. The controller 39 also has a timer circuit. Further, the storage device of the controller 39 stores a basic operation program and an initial setting program. The controller 39 repeatedly executes these control programs and operates the motor 13 in the forward or reverse direction based on the detection signal supplied from the Hall IC 34 or the like.

Next, the operation of the drive unit 1 of this automatic ice making machine will be described. The controller 39 appropriately executes the basic operation program and the initial setting program, and operates as shown in FIG.

When the basic operation program is not executed, the cam gear 5 is returned to the ice making position (position where the rotation angle θ is 0 degree). In this state, the ice tray 2 is held horizontally. FIG. 17 shows each cam surface 23 in this state.
25, and the ice detecting mechanism 10, the switch mechanism 11, and the brake mechanism 1 operated by these cam surfaces 23 to 25.
The positional relationship with 2 is shown. The first cam surface 23 for operating the ice detecting mechanism 10 moves the convex portion 26a to the outside in the radial direction, and pulls the ice detecting lever 26 back to the non-operating position. In this state, the ice detecting arm 3 is stored on the side of the ice tray 2 as shown by the solid line in FIG. On the other hand, the convex portion 33 a of the switch mechanism 11 moves radially outward along the second cam surface 24, and the convex portion 40 a of the brake mechanism 12 also.
a has moved radially outward along the third cam surface 25. Therefore, the magnet lever 33 is swung to the swing position by the spring force of the spring 38, and the braking lever 40 is pulled back to the non-actuated position.

First, the case where the controller 39 executes the basic operation programs shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 will be described. The controller 39 starts execution of this basic operation program, for example, when the door of the refrigerator is closed after being opened and when it is confirmed that the ice tray 2 is made of ice. In this basic operation program, the operation mode when the amount of ice storage is insufficient or the operation mode when the amount of ice storage is satisfied shown in FIG. 13 is executed according to the amount of ice storage in the ice storage container.

Now, consider a case where the amount of ice storage in the ice storage container is insufficient. The controller 39, which has started the execution of the basic operation program, rotates the motor 13 in the forward direction to rotate the cam gear 5 in the arrow CW direction in FIG. 17 in step S1 of FIG. Next, the controller 39 proceeds to step S2, determines whether or not the detection signal supplied from the Hall IC 34 is the L signal, and repeatedly executes this step S2 until the L signal is detected. When the H signal (ice making position signal) is detected without being able to detect the L signal, it is considered that the cam gear 5 has not yet fully rotated from the ice making position.

When the cam gear 5 is sufficiently rotated in the CW direction and the second cam surface 24 for operating the switch mechanism 11 moves the convex portion 33a inward in the radial direction as shown in FIG. 18, the magnet lever is moved. 33 swings. This allows
The detection signal of the Hall IC 34 changes from the H signal to the L signal, and the ice making position signal is turned off. Therefore, the determination result of step 2 becomes affirmative (YES), and the controller 3
9 advances to step 3 to set a predetermined time T1 in the timer circuit.

Here, this time T1 corresponds to the controller 3
9 is a time sufficiently longer than the time required to detect the ice storage amount in the ice storage container. If the ice detection position signal cannot be detected before the time T1 elapses, it can be considered that the ice storage amount in the ice storage container is insufficient. In this embodiment, the time T1 is set to 6 seconds.

The controller 39 then proceeds to step S4.
Then, it is determined whether or not the detected signal is the H signal. The H signal detected in this state is an ice detection position signal. When the rise of the ice detection position signal cannot be confirmed and the determination result is negative (NO), the controller 39 proceeds to step S5 and determines whether or not the set time of the timer has elapsed. And the controller 39
Is the step S until the timer set time T1 elapses.
4 and S5 are repeated. In this state, the cam gear 5 is rotating in the direction of the arrow CW in the figure, so when the rotation angle θ reaches 10 degrees, the convex portion 26a of the ice detecting mechanism 10 reaches the concave portion of the first cam surface 23. To do.

Now, as the cam gear 5 rotates in the direction of arrow CW, the friction ring 42 also rotates in the same direction, and the protrusion 42a is located away from the ice detecting lever 26. Further, when the ice storage amount in the ice storage container is insufficient, the ice detecting arm 3 can be lowered to a predetermined position without being obstructed by the ice in the ice storage container. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, the convex portion 26 a moves inward in the radial direction along the concave portion of the first cam surface 23, and swings the ice detecting lever 26. As a result, the connector 27 is rotated and the tip of the ice detecting arm 3 starts to descend.

When the rotation angle θ of the cam gear 5 reaches 32 degrees, the ice detecting lever 26 swings to the swing position, and the protrusion 29 formed on the swing lever 26 causes the switch mechanism 11 to move. It hits a protrusion 35 formed on the magnet lever 33. Therefore, the magnet lever 33 cannot be swung by being pressed by the projecting piece 29.
Therefore, the cam gear 5 further rotates in the arrow CW direction,
Even if the convex portion 33a of the switch mechanism 11 reaches the concave portion of the second cam surface 24, the convex portion 33a does not move along the second cam surface 24, and as shown in FIG. Move away from the cam surface 24. In this state, the permanent magnet 36 faces the Hall IC 34, and the Hall IC 34 is L
The signal is continuously supplied to the controller 39.

Therefore, the determination result in step S4 is negative, and the controller 39 executes step S5 and continues to step S4 until the timer set time T1 elapses.
Return to Since the magnet lever 33 cannot swing while the ice detecting arm 3 is descending, the controller 39 does not detect the H signal and repeats steps S4 and S5.

Further, when the cam gear 5 is rotated in the direction of the arrow CW, the convex portion 33a of the magnet lever 33 comes into contact with the second cam surface 24 again, and even if the protrusion 29 of the ice detecting lever 26 causes the magnet lever 33 to rotate. The magnet lever 33 does not swing even when the pressing of the magnet is released. Therefore, if the amount of ice storage in the ice storage container is insufficient, the ice detection position signal will not be output,
A so-called active low control method is used.

When the rotation angle θ of the cam gear 5 reaches 58 degrees, the convex portion 26a begins to move radially outward along the first cam surface 23. Further, when the rotation angle θ of the cam gear 5 reaches 80 degrees, the convex portion 26a of the ice detecting lever 26 moves to the first position.
After passing through the recessed portion of the cam surface 23, the ice detecting lever 26 returns to the non-operating position as shown in FIG. Even in this state, as described above, the magnet lever 33 does not swing, and the Hall IC 34 continues to supply the L signal to the controller 39. Therefore, the controller 39
Repeats steps S4 and S5.

After some time, the time T1 set in the timer elapses. As a result, the determination result of step S5 becomes affirmative, and the controller 39 proceeds to step S6. The controller 39 recognizes that the ice storage amount in the ice storage container is insufficient because the H signal, that is, the ice detection position signal cannot be detected during the elapse of the set time T1 of the timer.

In step S6, the controller 39 determines whether the detection signal has changed from the L signal to the H signal. The cam gear 5 is still rotating in the arrow CW direction,
When the rotation angle θ reaches 160 degrees, as shown in FIG. 21, the convex portion 33a of the magnet lever 33 moves to the second cam surface 2
4, the magnet lever 33 swings. Therefore, the wheel IC 34 supplies the H signal to the controller 39 instead of the L signal. The H signal in this case is an ice-breaking position signal. In this state, the ice tray 2 hits the contact piece 7 and is twisted and deformed, and the ice is removed from the ice tray 2 and drops into the ice storage container. Controller 39
Recognizes that the ice in the ice tray 2 has been replenished into the ice storage container by detecting the ice separation position signal.

When the cam gear 5 further rotates in the direction of the arrow CW and the rotation angle θ of the cam gear 5 reaches 170 degrees, the end surface of the groove 20 formed in the cam gear 5 has the projection 2 of the upper case 8.
In the case of 1 and becomes a so-called mechanical lock state, it becomes impossible to rotate in the direction of arrow CW thereafter.

On the other hand, since the ice removal position signal has risen, the determination result of step S6 becomes affirmative, and the controller 39 proceeds to step S7 to stop the motor 13 for one second. After that, the controller 39 proceeds to step S8 of FIG. 15 and reverses the motor 13 to rotate the cam gear 5 in the CCW direction. After this, the cam gear 5 enters the return stroke.

Next, the controller 39 proceeds to step S9, and determines whether or not the detection signal has changed from the H signal to the L signal. While the H signal is being detected, that is, when the ice-breaking position signal rises, it is considered that the cam gear 5 has not yet been sufficiently separated from the ice-breaking position. The controller 39 repeats step S9 until it detects the L signal and confirms that the ice removal position signal has been turned off.

Then, the cam gear 5 rotates in the direction of the arrow CCW, and as shown in FIG.
When 3a passes through the recessed portion of the second cam surface 24, the magnet lever 33 is returned to the inoperative position. Therefore,
The ice clearance position signal is turned off. On the other hand, the cam gear 5 has an arrow C
By rotating in the CW direction, the friction ring 42 frictionally engaged with the cam gear 5 also rotates in the same direction, and the projection 42a enters the inside of the ice detecting lever 26 in the radial direction.

When the signal of the Hall IC 34 changes to the L signal, the controller 39 proceeds to step S10 and determines whether or not the detection signal changes from the L signal to the H signal. Then, the controller 39 repeatedly executes step S10 until the detection signal changes to the H signal.

Here, since the cam gear 5 is rotating in the direction of the arrow CCW in the figure, the convex portion 26a of the ice detecting mechanism 10 has the first position.
The concave portion of the cam surface 23 is reached. However, since the projection 42a of the frinkion ring 42 is inserted inside the ice detecting lever 26 in the radial direction, the ice detecting lever 26 cannot swing. That is, in the return stroke of the cam gear 5,
The ice detecting arm 3 does not descend, and the ice detecting arm 3 can be protected.

Since the ice detecting lever 26 does not swing,
The protrusion 29 does not press the protrusion 35. This point is different from the state shown in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 23, the convex portion 33 of the switch mechanism 11 is
When a reaches the recessed portion of the second cam surface 24, the magnet lever 33 swings. Therefore, the detection signal of the Hall IC 34 changes from the L signal to the H signal, and the identification signal rises. That is, in the return stroke of the cam gear 5, the controller 39 can always detect the identification signal, and it is not necessary to change the control method depending on the presence or absence of the identification signal, and the control method can be simplified. it can. In FIG. 13, this identification signal is indicated by a chain double-dashed line.

As a result, the determination result of step S10 becomes affirmative, and the controller 39 proceeds to step S11. Then, in this step S11, the controller 3
9 confirms whether the detection signal has changed from the H signal to the L signal in order to confirm that the identification signal has been turned off.
The controller 39 proceeds to step S until detecting the L signal.
11 is repeatedly executed.

When the cam gear 5 further rotates in the direction of the arrow CCW and the rotation angle θ returns to 41 degrees, the convex portion 33a of the switch mechanism 11 escapes from the concave portion of the second cam surface 24. Therefore, the magnet lever 33 returns to the non-operating position, and the detection signal of the Hall IC 34 changes from the H signal to the L signal. As a result, the determination result of step S11 becomes affirmative, and the controller 39 proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, the controller 39 determines whether the detection signal has changed from the L signal to the H signal. Then, the controller 39 repeatedly executes this step S12 until it detects the H signal. Now, when the cam gear 5 rotating in the direction of arrow CCW is returned to the ice making position, the state shown in FIG. 17 is reached, and the convex portion 33a of the switch mechanism 11 is guided to the concave portion of the second cam surface 24 and is radially extended. Move to the outside. Therefore, the magnet lever 33 swings, and the detection signal changes from the L signal to the H signal. As a result, the ice making position signal rises, the determination result of step S12 becomes affirmative, and the controller 39 proceeds to step 13 to stop the rotation of the motor 13. When the cam gear 5 returns to the ice making position, the empty ice tray 2 is returned to the horizontal state.

Next, the controller 39 carries out step S14.
Then, after the empty ice tray 2 is filled with water, the execution of this program is terminated. Then, when the execution start condition of the above-mentioned program is satisfied, the execution of this program is started again.

On the other hand, consider a case where the amount of ice storage in the ice storage container is sufficient. In this case, it is not necessary to reverse the ice tray 2 to perform the ice removing work, and the ice tray 2 should be immediately returned to the ice making position.

When the amount of ice storage in the ice storage container is sufficient, the ice detecting arm 3 cannot hit the ice in the ice storage container and descend. Therefore, the drive device 4 starts from the state shown in FIG. 17, and the cam gear 5 moves from the ice making position to the arrow CW.
When the rotation angle θ reaches 41 degrees after being rotated in the direction,
As shown in FIG. 24 following the state of FIG. 18 described above, the ice detection lever 26 cannot swing, and the convex portion 26a of the ice detection mechanism 10 separates from the first cam surface 23. Therefore, the protrusion 29 does not press the protrusion 35 formed on the magnet lever 33 of the switch mechanism 11, and the convex portion 33a of the switch mechanism 11 moves along the concave portion of the second cam surface 24.
The magnet lever 33 swings.

Therefore, in step S3 of FIG. 14, the Hall IC is set before the time T1 set in the timer elapses.
The signal at 34 changes from the L signal to the H signal. That is, the ice detection position signal rises and the determination result of step S4 becomes affirmative, and the controller 39 proceeds to step S15 of FIG. 16 to stop the motor 13 for one second. Immediately thereafter, the cam gear 5 immediately returns to the return stroke, and the controller 39
Advances to step S16 to reverse the motor 13 to rotate the cam gear 5 in the arrow CCW direction.

In step S17, the controller 39 determines whether or not the detection signal has changed from the H signal to the L signal in order to confirm that the ice detection position signal has been turned off.
The controller 39 repeatedly executes this step S17 until it detects the L signal. Then, the cam gear 5 starts to rotate in the direction of the arrow CCW, and the convex portion 3 of the switch mechanism 11
When 3a is removed from the recessed portion of the second cam surface 24, the magnet lever 33 returns to the non-operating position, and the signal of the Hall IC 34 changes from the H signal to the L signal. As a result, the determination result of step S17 becomes affirmative, and the controller 39
Proceeds to step S18.

In step S18, the controller 39 determines whether the detection signal has changed from the L signal to the H signal. This H signal is an ice making position signal, and the controller 3
9 can know that the cam gear 5 has returned to the ice making position. Then, the controller 39 repeatedly executes this step S18 until it detects the H signal.

When the rotation angle θ of the cam gear 5 returns to 0 degrees and the cam gear 5 returns to the ice making position, the convex portion 33a of the switch mechanism 11 reaches the concave portion of the second cam surface 24 and the magnet The lever 33 swings and the detection signal changes from the L signal to the H signal. Therefore, since the ice making position signal rises and the determination result of step S18 becomes affirmative, the controller 39 proceeds to step 19 to stop the rotation of the motor and ends the execution of this program. In this state, the ice tray 2 is returned to the horizontal state. Then, when the execution start condition of this program is satisfied, the execution of this program is started again.

Next, the initialization program shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 will be described. The controller 39 starts the execution of this initial setting program when the drive device 4 of the automatic ice maker is turned on.

When the electricity supply to the drive device 4 is cut off due to a trouble such as a power failure during the operation of the automatic ice maker 1, and the electricity supply is restarted, the controller 39 first executes this initialization program. . If the supply of electricity is cut off during operation, the controller 39 loses sight of the inverted position of the ice tray 2, that is, the rotation angle θ of the cam gear. Therefore,
The controller 39 returns the cam gear 5 to the ice making position in order to detect the position of the cam gear 5.

First, the controller 39 reverses the motor 13 in order to rotate the cam gear 5 in the arrow CCW direction in step S21 of FIG. Next, the controller 39 proceeds to step S22 and determines whether or not the detection signal of the Hall IC 34 is the H signal. The Hall IC 34 outputs the H signal because the position of the cam gear 5 is the ice making position,
Only when in the ice detection (identification) position and the ice separation position.
The controller 39 rotates the cam gear 5 in the arrow CCW direction until the cam gear 5 reaches any one of these positions, that is, until the H signal is detected, step S2.
Repeat 2

When the H signal is detected, step S
The determination result of 22 is affirmative, and the controller 39 proceeds to step S23. In this state, it is unknown whether the detected H signal is the ice making position signal, the identification signal, or the ice releasing position signal. Among the three types of signals, the identification signal and the ice-breaking position signal are changed to the L signal when the convex portion 11a of the switch mechanism 11 passes through the concave portion of the second cam surface 24.
That is, the identification signal and the ice-breaking position signal are turned off after the elapse of a fixed time after the rising. Therefore, if the H signal currently detected by the controller 39 continues for a relatively long time, this signal is the ice making position signal, and the cam gear 5
Is thought to have returned to the ice making position.

Therefore, the controller 39 sets the predetermined time T2 in the timer in step S23. In this embodiment, the time T2 is set to 3 seconds. In this embodiment, the identification signal and the ice separation position signal do not continue for a time longer than 3 seconds, and the signal continued for a time longer than 3 seconds can be said to be an ice making position signal.

The controller 39 proceeds to step S24 and determines whether or not the H signal disappears, that is, whether or not it changes to the L signal. When the H signal is continuously output, the determination result of step S24 is negative,
The controller 39 proceeds to step S25. Then, until the timer set time T2 elapses, step S24
Then, the off state of the H signal is detected.

If the detection signal changes to the L signal before the lapse of the time T2 set in the timer in step S23 and the determination result in step S24 is affirmative, the signal currently rising is identified. Signal or ice position signal. Therefore, in this case, the controller 39 returns to step S22 and returns to H
Monitor the rising edge of the signal. That is, the controller 39
Repeats steps S22 to S25 until it detects an H signal that continues for time T2, and waits for the rising of the ice making position signal.

If the H signal continues even after the timer set time T2 has elapsed, the controller 39 recognizes the ice making position signal. In this case, the cam gear 5 that has continued to rotate in the direction of the arrow CCW while waiting for the elapse of the time T2 passes through the ice making position and reaches the rotation limit position (rotation angle θ).
Has reached the position of -8 degrees). At this time, as shown in FIG. 27, the third cam surface 25 moves the convex portion 40a of the brake mechanism 12 inward in the radial direction, and causes the braking lever 40 to gradually swing. Therefore, the braking lever 40 starts to frictionally engage with the flange 41 and generates a braking force that serves as a rotational resistance of the worm 15.

The worm 15 is the output shaft 13 of the motor 13.
It is connected to a. Therefore, the braking force can be generated at a stage before the rotation of the output shaft 13a is transmitted to the gears 17 and 18 to be decelerated and the rotational torque thereof is increased. Therefore, as compared with the case where the braking force is generated after the rotational torque is increased, a relatively large braking force can be obtained with respect to the rotational torque, and the braking force can be effectively applied to this rotational torque. You can

Therefore, the rotational torque input from the motor 13 to the worm 15 is reduced, and the cam gear 5 is rotated with a relatively small rotational torque via the rotation transmission means 14.
Then, the cam gear 5 reaches the rotation limit position while being rotated by this small rotation torque, and causes the end surface of the groove 20 to collide with the projection 21 formed on the upper case 8. However, since the rotating torque in this case is small, the impact generated by this collision is weakened. Further, although the cam gear 5 is pressed to the rotation limit position until a short set time T2 elapses after reaching the rotation limit position, the rotation torque input to the cam gear 5 is Is small, and the damage to the cam gear 5 and the rotation transmitting means 14 is extremely small.

When the timer set time T2 has elapsed, the determination result of step S25 becomes affirmative, and the controller 39 proceeds from step S25 to step S26 to stop the rotation of the motor 13 for one second. next,
The controller 39 proceeds to step S28 in FIG.
The motor 13 is normally rotated to rotate the cam gear 5 in the arrow CW direction. By rotating the cam gear 5 in the direction of the arrow CW, it is possible to release the stress that is generated in the rotation transmission means 14 and the like by being pressed to the rotation limit position.

After that, the controller 39 executes the step S2.
In step 9, it is determined whether the detection signal has changed from the H signal to the L signal. Now, when the H signal is output, it is considered that the cam gear 5 is located between the rotation limit position and the ice making position. The controller 39 repeats step S29 until it detects the L signal.

When the detection signal changes to the L signal, that is, when the ice making position signal is turned off, it is considered that the cam gear 5 has reached the ice making position. At this point, the controller 29 knows that the cam gear 5 is at a position where the rotation angle θ is 0 degree. That is, the controller 39 can know the position of the missing cam gear 5. Therefore, the determination result of step S29 becomes affirmative, and the controller 39 proceeds to step S30.

In step S30, the controller 39 sets the time T3 in the timer. In this embodiment, for example, 0.2 seconds is set. Thereafter, the controller 39 repeats step S31 until the time T3 elapses, and rotates the cam gear 5 in the arrow CW direction for the time T3. As a result, the position of the signal can be recognized after passing through the origin and then stopped at the position of the signal.

The controller 39 then proceeds to step S3.
After executing 2 and stopping the motor 13 for only one second, the process proceeds to step S33, and the motor 13 is rotated in the reverse direction in order to rotate the cam gear 5 in the arrow CCW direction.

The controller 39 then proceeds to step S3.
In step 4, it is determined whether the detection signal has changed from the L signal to the H signal, that is, whether the cam gear 5 has correctly returned to the ice making position. The controller 39 repeatedly executes step S34 until it detects the H signal, and rotates the cam gear 5. When the cam gear 5 accurately returns to the ice making position and the controller 39 detects the H signal, the determination result of step S34 becomes affirmative, and the controller 39 causes the step S34 to proceed.
Proceeding to 35, the motor 13 is stopped. After that, the controller 39 ends this program. Then, when the start condition of this program is satisfied, the controller 39 executes this program again and returns the cam gear 5 to the ice making position.

Also, when starting or stopping the motor 13, due to its inertia, the starting or stopping is actually slightly deviated from the time when the controller 39 controls.

The above embodiment is one example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the brake mechanism 12 of this embodiment, the flange 41 as the braked portion is integrally formed with the worm 15 on the output shaft 13a of the motor 13, but the position where the braked portion is provided is at this position. For example, the braked portion may be integrally formed with the first gear 17 and the second gear 18.

[0085]

As described above, in the drive device for the automatic ice maker according to the present invention, the ice detecting mechanism is rotated by the transmission member which is operated by the cam gear and is oscillated, and the oscillation of the transmission member. A first rotating body and a second rotating body which is arranged coaxially with the first rotating body and which is connected to the ice detecting arm and rotates integrally therewith, and further comprises first and second rotating bodies. A torsion spring is interposed between them. Therefore, the swinging motion of the transmission member can be directly converted into the rotary motion of the first and second rotating bodies, and this rotary motion can be transmitted to the ice detecting arm, and the first and second rotating bodies can be coaxially moved. Since it is arranged at, the connecting portion between the transmission member and the ice detecting arm can be downsized. Further, since the first and second rotating bodies are coaxially arranged and the torsion spring is interposed between them, the assembling work of these members becomes easy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an automatic ice making machine according to a drive device to which the present invention is applied.

2 is a side view of the automatic ice maker of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a drive device of an automatic ice maker to which the present invention is applied, a part of which is cut so that the inside can be observed.

FIG. 4 is a development view showing a cross section of the drive device of FIG. 3 and showing a connection relationship of its rotation transmitting means.

5 is a cross-sectional view of a worm of the driving device of FIG.

6A and 6B show a cam gear of the drive device shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 6A being a plan view thereof, and FIG. 6B being a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

7 is a cross-sectional view showing a connected state of an ice detection lever and a connector of the drive device of FIG.

8 is an exploded view showing an assembled state of a connector of the drive unit of FIG.

9 shows an ice detecting shaft of the connector of FIG. 8, (A) is an end view thereof, (B) is a sectional view taken along the line BB of (A),
(C) is an end view seen from the opposite side of (A).

10 shows a protective ring of the connector of FIG. 8, (A)
Is an end view thereof, (B) is a sectional view taken along the arrow line BB of (A), and (C) is an end view seen from the opposite side of (A).

11 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a switch mechanism and a brake mechanism of the drive device shown in FIG.

12 is a block diagram showing a control system of the drive device shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an operating state of the drive device in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a first half portion of a basic operation program executed by a controller of the drive device of the automatic ice maker shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart diagram of the latter half of the basic operation program executed by the controller of the drive device for the automatic ice maker shown in FIG. 3.

16 is a flowchart showing the basic operation program executed by the controller of the drive device of the automatic ice maker shown in FIG. 3, following FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an operating state of the drive device of the automatic ice maker of FIG. 3, and showing a positional relationship between the first to third cam surfaces at the ice making position and the ice detecting mechanism, the switch mechanism, and the brake mechanism.

FIG. 18 shows the operating condition of the drive device of the automatic ice maker shown in FIG. 3, showing the first to third positions at a position slightly rotated from the state of FIG.
It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of a 3rd cam surface and an ice detecting mechanism, a switch mechanism, and a brake mechanism.

FIG. 19 is a view showing the operating condition of the drive device of the automatic ice maker of FIG. 3, showing the positional relationship between the first to third cam surfaces with the ice detecting arm being lowered and the ice detecting mechanism, the switch mechanism, and the brake mechanism. FIG.

FIG. 20 shows the operating condition of the drive device of the automatic ice maker shown in FIG. 3, in which the ice detecting arm that has been lowered is raised.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a third cam surface and an ice detecting mechanism, a switch mechanism, and a brake mechanism.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an operating state of the drive device of the automatic ice maker of FIG. 3, showing the positional relationship between the first to third cam surfaces at the ice separating position and the ice detecting mechanism, the switch mechanism, and the brake mechanism.

FIG. 22 shows an operating state of the drive device of the automatic ice maker shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of a 3rd cam surface and an ice detecting mechanism, a switch mechanism, and a brake mechanism.

23 shows an operating state of the drive device of the automatic ice maker shown in FIG. 3, and shows a positional relationship between the first to third cam surfaces and the ice detecting mechanism, the switch mechanism, and the brake mechanism when the identification signal is raised. It is a figure.

FIG. 24 shows the operating condition of the drive device of the automatic ice maker shown in FIG. 3, showing the first condition when the ice detecting position signal is raised.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a third cam surface and an ice detecting mechanism, a switch mechanism, and a brake mechanism.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart diagram of the first half part of the initialization program executed by the controller of the drive device of the automatic ice maker shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart diagram of the latter half of the initialization program executed by the controller of the drive device of the automatic ice maker shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 27 is a view showing an operating state of the drive device of the automatic ice maker shown in FIG. 3, showing the first to third cam surfaces and the ice detecting mechanism, the switch mechanism and the brake mechanism immediately before the cam gear reaches the rotation limit position. It is a positional relationship diagram.

FIG. 28 is a partially cutaway enlarged rear view of a conventional ice tray drive device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic ice maker 2 Ice tray 4 Drive device 5 Cam gear 10 Ice detection mechanism 11 Switch mechanism 12 Brake mechanism 13 Motor 14 Rotation transmission means 15 Worm 25 Cam surface 40 Braking lever 40a Convex portion 41 Flange

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. When the amount of ice storage in the ice storage container is detected based on the descending amount of the ice detecting arm and the lack of the amount of ice storage is recognized,
In a drive device of an automatic ice maker for inverting an ice making tray to drop ice in the ice storage container, and then returning the ice making tray to produce ice, a motor and a rotation transmitting means for transmitting rotation of the motor, A cam gear rotated by the rotation transmitting means, a connecting shaft provided on the cam gear for rotating the ice tray, and an ice detecting mechanism operated by the cam gear to move the ice detecting arm up and down. The ice detecting mechanism is arranged to be coaxial with the first rotating body, a transmitting member that is operated by the cam gear to swing, a first rotating body that is rotated by swinging of the transmitting member, and An automatic ice maker driving device comprising a second rotating body connected to an ice detecting arm and rotating integrally therewith, and a torsion spring interposed between the first and second rotating bodies.