KR20010051251A - Driving device for automatic ice-making machine, automatic ice-making machine, and refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a driver for automatic ice maker in which an inexpensive switch, e.g. a tact switch, for engaging/disengaging contacts is employed as an ice detecting switch and that switch can perform ice detecting operation surely regardless of dew formation. CONSTITUTION: The driver 5 for automatic ice maker 1 turns down an ice pan 2 to drop ices upon detecting deficiency of ice in an ice storage container and then resets the ice pan 2 and makes ices. The driver 5 has a switch interlocked with driving operation of the ice pan 2. The switch is turned on/off through engaging/disengaging of contacts which engage normally when ices are made while stopping operation of the driver 5.

Description

DRIVING DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC ICE-MAKING MACHINE, AUTOMATIC ICE-MAKING MACHINE, AND REFRIGERATOR}

The present invention relates to a driving device, an automatic ice maker, and a refrigerator of an automatic ice maker for replenishing manufactured ice when the ice is installed in the refrigerator and the ice shortage is detected in the storage container.

Recently, a household refrigerator having an automatic ice making function is known, but as an apparatus for driving an automatic ice maker attached to the refrigerator, for example, an ice making plate disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-264646 filed by the present applicant first Driving device and the like. In such automatic ice makers, the ice detection arm for detecting the amount of ice in the ice storage container is operated by an AC synchronous motor or a DC motor. This detection arm is often driven by a cam surface or the like formed on a cam tooth as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-264646.

The cam gear is made with the ice arm in the air state, the ice making position for producing ice, the ice making position for detecting whether the ice is in ice, and the ice tray is twisted when the ice in the ice storage container is insufficient. It is configured to have at least three positions, such as a ribbing position for icing ice.

As the cam gears rotate, the ice cubes move up and down, and the amount of ice in the storage container is detected. In this detection operation, a detection signal is generated at each of the ice making position, the full ice position, and the ice breaking position in order to confirm the position of the detection arm. The motor driving the detection arm is controlled on or off or in the rotational direction by this detection signal.

In such a conventional automatic ice maker, a non-contact switch mechanism using a hall IC or the like, a sealed micro switch, or the like is used as a position sensor to detect the above-described detection positions. However, these switch mechanisms require expensive switches because of their high cost.

Therefore, the present applicant has developed a duct switch which is switched on / off by contact / engagement of the contact with the rotation angle of the cam gear as a detection means. However, the developed product is in an open state for making ice. Therefore, water droplets easily come into contact with the duct switch contact at this ice making position. If the water droplets on the contact part freeze, there is a risk that the duct switch will not automatically operate during the ice detection operation.

That is, in the refrigerator, condensation is likely to occur when the temperature in the refrigerator where the outside air enters through the door opening and closing operation increases. In addition, when the door is half-open due to an operation error or the like, condensation is likely to occur. Due to these various reasons, dew condensation occurs on the contact part of the duct switch, and if the on / off operation is not performed normally, the normal ice detection operation is not performed, and the operation of icing ice from the ice tray is not performed. There is a problem that can not supplement.

In addition, various kinds of food are stored in the refrigerator, and various kinds of organic gas are generated. Therefore, when the contact part of the contact of the duct switch is exposed to the air in the refrigerator, there is a risk of corrosion by organic gas. In this way, if corrosion occurs at the contact portion of the contact point, contact failure may occur, and the normal ice detection operation is not performed, and the operation of ice-icing away from the ice making plate is also not performed. As a result, the problem is that ice deficiency can't replenish the ice.

In addition, when the contact portion of the contact point of the duct switch leads to water droplets due to condensation, a voltage of DC is applied therebetween, whereby silver ions move and grow in the electrolyte. When so-called migration occurs, there is a risk of shorting the contacts between non-contact states.

1 is a plan view of main parts of an automatic ice maker of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the automatic ice maker of Figure 1;

3 is a front view showing the driving device of the automatic ice maker of FIG. 1 by detaching one case so that the inside can be observed.

4 is a cross-sectional exploded view showing the connection relationship of the rotation transfer means of the drive device of FIG.

Fig. 5 is a view showing the cam difference of the drive device of Fig. 4, (A) is a plan view seen from arrow VA direction in Fig. 4, and (B) is a bottom view seen from VB direction in Fig. 4;

6 is a view showing a friction member of the driving device of FIG. 4, (A) is a rear view of the back of FIG. 4, (B) is a view of (A) in the direction of arrow VIB, and (C) is (B). VIC-VIC cross section.

FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating an ice detection shaft of the driving device of FIG. 3. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a side view of FIG. 7 viewed in the direction of arrow VIII. FIG.

9 is a IX-IX cross-sectional view of FIG.

10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X in FIG.

Fig. 11 is a bottom view of the switch crimp lever of the drive device of Fig. 3 seen in the direction of arrow XI;

Fig. 12 is a side view of Fig. 11 viewed in the direction of arrow XII.

Figure 13 is a side cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the duct switch of the drive device of Figure 3;

14 is a view showing the operation of the automatic ice maker of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an outline of an operation performed by the driving apparatus of the automatic ice maker shown in FIG. 1; FIG.

Fig. 16 is a flowchart of an initial setting operation program executed by the drive device of the automatic ice maker shown in Fig. 1;

FIG. 17 is a part of a flowchart of a basic operation program executed by the driving apparatus of the automatic ice maker shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a part of a flowchart of a basic operation program executed by the driving apparatus of the automatic ice maker shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a part of a flowchart of a basic operation program executed by the driving apparatus of the automatic ice maker shown in FIG.

※ Explanation of symbols about main part of drawing ※

1: automatic ice maker 2: ice tray

3: detection arm 5: driving device

10: Cam Chi-Cha 11: Detection Device

12: switch mechanism 13: DC motor

15: Worm 25: Output shaft

28: Cam surface for detection shaft 29: Cam surface for switch crimping lever

41: switch crimp lever 42: duct switch

42d: movable contact 42e: fixed contact

The present invention uses an inexpensive switch that engages / disengages contacts, for example, a duct switch, etc., as a switch for detecting the ice, and this switch is not affected by condensation. It is an object to provide a drive device.

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, when the ice shortage in the ice storage container is detected, the ice tray is inverted and the ice is dropped into the ice storage container, and then the ice tray is returned to its original position. A switch is provided for engaging and disengaging contact points in conjunction with driving of an ice making plate, and an on / off conversion is performed by using this engaging and disengaging operation. It is constantly joining while it is being done.

In this way, since the contacts are always in contact during ice making, condensation or the like does not occur between the contacts, and corrosion by organic gas can be prevented. In addition, if the switch is turned on while the ice is being manufactured by always bringing the contact into contact, the contact will remain in contact while the ice is being produced for a long time, thereby preventing migration.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, when an ice shortage in the ice storage container is detected, the ice tray is inverted and the ice is dropped into the ice storage container, and then the ice tray is returned to its original position. And a switch which engages and disengages the contacts in conjunction with and performs the on / off conversion by using the joining and disengaging, which switches the contacts when the ice making plate is in an ice making position where ice is produced. It is on.

In this way, since the contacts are engaged when the ice making plate is in the ice making position, condensation or the like generated during ice making does not occur between the contacts, thereby preventing corrosion by organic gas. In addition, if the switch is turned on by contacting the contact in the ice making position, the contact remains in contact while the ice production takes a lot of time, thereby preventing migration.

Another invention is in addition to the above-mentioned driving device of each automatic ice maker, the switch is composed of a duct switch. As a result, a switch for detecting a predetermined rotational angle of the ice making plate can be manufactured at low cost, and it can be made a reliable operation, and can be a driving device of an automatic ice maker that can realize low cost and high reliability.

In still another aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-described driving device of each automatic ice maker, the switch detects any of the lack of ice or the satisfaction of the ice in the storage container by coupling the contact points. Therefore, it is possible to reliably detect the amount of ice in the ice storage container, which can be used as a driving device of the automatic ice maker with high reliability.

In still another aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-described driving device of each automatic ice maker, the switch detects this ice position by engaging a contact when the ice plate is inverted and iced. Therefore, it is possible to reliably detect the motion (icing) when the ice is dropped into the ice storage container, which can be used as a driving device of the automatic ice maker with higher certainty of the motion.

Another invention is in addition to the above-described driving device of each automatic ice maker, the switch is an ice making position and its surrounding position where the ice making plate manufactures ice, an ice detection position that detects the amount of ice in the ice storage container and its peripheral position and ice If the position is other than the position and its peripheral position, the contact is separated. In this way, since the contact point of the switch is released only during a short time operation such as a series of ice-breaking and ice-breaking operations, condensation or the like occurring during ice-making does not occur between the contacts, and corrosion by organic gas can be prevented. In addition, when the switch mechanism is turned on by contacting the contact in the ice making position, the contact remains in contact while consuming a lot of time for ice production, thereby preventing migration.

The present invention also provides an ice tray, a storage container that receives the ice in the ice tray, a detection arm that detects the amount of ice in the storage container, and an ice tray that rotates the ice tray while driving the ice box. An automatic ice maker having a drive device for dropping ice into an ice storage container, comprising: a switch which engages and disengages a contact in conjunction with driving of an ice making plate, and which switches on and off by using this coupling and disengagement. The switch is always connected with the contact while ice is being produced while the driving device is in a stopped state.

In this way, since the contacts of the switch are in constant contact at the time of ice making, condensation or the like does not occur between the contacts, and corrosion by organic gas can be prevented. In addition, if the switch is turned on while the ice is being produced by always making the contact, the contact will remain in contact while the ice is produced for a long time, thereby preventing the migration phenomenon.

In addition, the refrigerator of the present invention includes a driving device of each of the above-mentioned automatic ice makers, an ice tray, a storage container that receives ice in the ice tray, and an ice detection arm that detects the amount of ice in the storage container. All or part of the operation control is performed by a control circuit provided in the refrigerator main body. Therefore, part or all of the control circuit for the drive device of the automatic ice maker can be combined with the control circuit of the refrigerator main body to simplify the drive circuit mechanism for the drive device of the automatic ice maker of the refrigerator and reduce the force.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 show a driving apparatus of an automatic ice maker and an ice maker driven by the driving apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The automatic ice maker 1 automatically performs ice making, ice-making, etc., and is installed in the ice-making chamber of a refrigerator, and is operated by the drive method mentioned later.

The automatic ice maker 1 includes an ice making plate 2 disposed above an ice storage container (not shown), an ice making arm 3 serving as an ice detecting means for lifting and lowering the amount of ice storage in the ice storage container, and an ice making plate. And (2) a liquid supply means (not shown) for supplying a liquid such as water, and a drive device 5 for driving the ice making plate 2 and the ice detection arm 3 in conjunction with each other. In the lower part of the ice making plate 2, the service ground 1a which detects the temperature of an ice making plate is arrange | positioned. In this embodiment, ordinary drinking water is used as the liquid.

The driving device 5 lowers the tip of the icebreaking arm 3 into the storage container, and detects the presence or absence of ice in the storage container based on the descending distance. When the drive unit 5 detects a lack of ice, the drive unit 5 inverts the ice making plate 2 to the ice making position and drops the ice in the storage container. In other words, the inverted ice tray 2 is twisted and deformed by the protrusion 2a on the other end thereof contacting a contact piece (not shown) arranged on the base 6 of the refrigerator or automatic ice maker 1, and using this deformation. Drop the ice. Thereafter, the driving device 5 returns the ice making plate 2 to the ice making position. The liquid is supplied to the ice making plate 2 at this ice making position, and ice is manufactured.

The driving device 5 is a cam tooth 10 connected to the ice making plate 2 and reversed as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and an ice making mechanism operated by the cam tooth 10 to operate the sensing arm 3. (11) and the switch mechanism 12 are comprised. Moreover, the internal mechanism of this drive device 5 is arrange | positioned in the case 9 which consists of two cases 9a and 9b.

The cam gear 10 is rotated by the DC motor 13 serving as a drive source. That is, the rotation of the DC motor 13 is transmitted to the cam gear 10 through the rotation transmission means (14). The rotation transmission means 14 is a worm 15 connected to the output shaft 13a of the DC motor 13 through a connecting plate 15a, and a first gear 16 for sequentially decelerating the rotation of the worm 15. And the second gear 17 and the third gear 18.

The distal end portion of the worm 15 is supported to freely rotate to a bearing made of polyester elastomer, which is fitted and fixed in the bearing fixing portion 19 of the case 9b. The bearing 20 is made of a more flexible material than the worm 15 made of polyacetal and the case 9b made of ABS, thereby reducing the rattle generated by the rotation of the worm 15.

The first gear 16 is arranged on the shaft portion 21 formed in the case 9b such that rotation is freely movable in the axial direction. The center of rotation of the first gear 16 has a cap shape in which a ceiling portion is blocked, so that the inner surface of the blocked portion can contact the protrusion 21a formed at the tip of the shaft portion 21 in point contact. In addition, a ring-shaped convex edge 16a is formed on one side of the toothed surface of the first gear 16, and the convex edge 17a is formed on one side of the toothed surface of the second tooth 17. And at two points, each of the point contact portions can be in sliding contact with the point contact (slightly larger contact area than the point contact of the above-described protrusion 21a).

The first gear 16 configured as described above rotates while being biased toward either the case 9a side or the case 9b side according to the rotational direction of the worm 15. That is, since the first gear 16 requires strong torque when the ice tray 2 is rotated to the icing position side, the inner surface of the portion blocked by the biased side of the case 9b is applied to the case 9b and the projection 21a at the tip of the shaft portion 21. Rotate while touching in point contact with. Therefore, the transmission loss due to friction is minimized at the time of rotation in this direction, and the torque transmission efficiency of the DC motor 13 is good, so that the rotational force of the strong transmission torque can be transmitted to the cam gear 10.

On the other hand, when the ice making plate 2 is rotated to the side returning to the ice making position at the time of initializing described later, it is preferable that the torque is inversely weakened, so that the convex edge 16a is biased toward the case 9a. It rotates while slidingly contacting the convex edge 17a of 17) by point contact at two points. For this reason, when rotating in this direction, since the contact part is far from the rotation center, the torque loss by friction increases, and the torque transmission efficiency of the DC motor 13 worsens. As a result, the rotational force due to the weak transmission torque is transmitted to the cam gear 10. In addition, the surface contact of the first and second gears 16 and 17 may cause the teeth to interfere with each other due to burrs formed on the contact surfaces or teeth of the gears 16 and 17. In the embodiment, the point contact by two points which can rotate smoothly by surface contact is employ | adopted.

The 1st gear 16 comprised as mentioned above, the 2nd gear 17 and the 3rd gear 18 provided with the convex edge 17a which can make sliding contact with this 1st gear 16 are all large diameter gears. It consists of a pinion part of a part and a small diameter. The gear part of the first gear 16 is engaged with the worm 15, and the pinion part of the first gear 16 is engaged with the gear part of the second gear 17. The pinion portion of the second gear 17 is engaged with the gear portion of the third gear 18, and the pinion portion of the third gear 18 is engaged with the gear 10a of the cam gear 10. Therefore, the rotation of the output shaft 13a of the DC motor 13 is transmitted to the cam gear 10 while being continuously decelerated by the rotation transmission means 14.

5A and 5B show the cam gear 10. That is, FIG. 5 (A) is a view of the cam gear 10 from the same direction as in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 (B) is a view of FIG. 5 (A) from the rear.

The output shaft 25 is integrally formed with the cam tooth 10. The output shaft 25 protrudes outward from the drive device 5 from the hole disposed in one case 9a and is connected to the ice making plate 2. Therefore, the cam tooth 10 and the ice making plate 2 are integrally rotated.

Moreover, the edge part of the side of the output shaft 25 which is not connected to the ice making plate 2 becomes a cylinder shape, and is supported so that it may rotate freely by the circular support part 7 arrange | positioned at the case 9b. Moreover, the cylindrical friction member 8 is arrange | positioned so that the outer peripheral surface of the edge part of this output shaft 25 may be provided.

The cylindrical precushion member 8 is capable of being rotated integrally with respect to the output shaft 25 by a frictional force. As shown in Fig. 6, a cutout groove 8a is formed in the lower edge of the precushion member 8 (an end of the side opposite to the case 9b), and both ends of the groove 8a are formed in the case 9b. It is possible to contact with the convex portion formed in the groove. Therefore, the precushion member 8 can rotate only in the range where both ends of the groove 8a and the bolling part on the case 9b side contact. In addition, two planar portions 8c and 8c are arranged on the inner circumferential wall of the precushion member 8 slightly over the lower edge. Both of the flat portions 8c and 8c serve as sites for further ensuring the integral rotation between the precushion member 8 and the output shaft 25. The relationship between the precushion member 8 and the output shaft 25 is integrally rotated until the friction member 8 contacts the both ends of the groove 8a and the convex portions on the case 9b side, and by contact, Even after the rotation is prevented, only the output shaft 25 can rotate.

In addition, on the outer circumferential surface of the tubular precushion member 8, a blocking piece 8b for preventing rotation of the ice cube 31 to be described later is disposed. The stopper piece 8b is not fitted with the engaging piece 31b of the detection axis 31 when the cam tooth difference 10 rotates to the icing position side, but only when the cam tooth difference 10 rotates to the ice level position. It engages with the engaging piece 31b of (31), and is made to block the rotation of the ice detection shaft 31. As shown in FIG. And when the rotation of the ice detection shaft 31 is prevented by this blocking piece 8b, the switch compression lever 31d of the switch piece rotation stop part formed in the detection axis 31 switches ON / OFF the duct switch 42 ( The duct switch 42 can be freely switched on and off without falling within the rotation range of 41).

When the icing arm 3 returns from the icing position to the icing position when the duct switch 42, which is either on or off, is used to identify the lack of ice and the full ice in the icing operation. It is necessarily to be turned on in the middle. In other words, if the ice arm 3 falls to the predetermined position in the ice storage container, it is determined that ice is insufficient, and the cam gear 10 is rotated to the ice position to drop the ice. When returning to the ice making position, there is a case where the ice is already in the ice state by the first ice and the ice is not enough. Therefore, an imbalance occurs in the on / off of the duct switch 42 after the icing, which is not preferable for control. The friction member 8 is a member for ensuring that the duct switch 42 is turned on at the time of the return operation from the icing position to the ice making position so that such a problem does not occur.

Moreover, the groove | channel 26 is formed along the circumferential direction in the one side surface 10b which opposes the one case 9a of the cam gear 10, as shown in FIG.4 and FIG.5 (a). A projection (not shown) formed in the inner surface of one case 9a is inserted into the groove 26, and the angle at which the cam gear 10 can rotate is limited to a predetermined range. That is, the position where the projection of the case 9a contacts the both end surfaces 26a and 26b of the groove 26 is the rotation limit position of the cam tooth 10. In the case of this embodiment, the cam tooth 10 is rotatable in the range of -6 degrees to 168 degrees. In addition, this rotation angle operates in the range of 0 degree to 160 degree as usual, except for the case of performing mechanical locking by rotating to -6 degree at the time of initialization.

On the other hand, in the other side surface 10c which opposes the other case 9b of the cam gear 10, the annular recess 27 is formed like FIG.4 and FIG.5 (b). In the concave portion 27, the cam face 28 for the detection shaft having the inner wall as the cam is disposed, and the switch pressing lever cam face 29 having the inner wall as the cam surface is similarly formed on the outside thereof. Each cam surface 28 and 29 is formed in the inner circumferential surface portion of the side wall of the speaker portion which is disposed to extend substantially parallel to the axis serving as the rotation center of the cam tooth 10.

The detection axis cam surface 28 includes the detection non-operating position 28a, the detection and drop operation unit 28b, the ice shortage detection position 28c, and the detection and return operation unit 28d. The detection non-operation position 28a is a section for holding the detection arm 3 in a state in which the detection arm 3 is not lowered, and the position where the detection axis 31 is in contact with the initial position of the cam gear 10 is set to 0 degrees. The case is formed in a section of -6 degrees to 11 degrees and 79 degrees to 168 degrees. In addition, the ice-falling lowering operation part 28b becomes a section for gradually lowering the ice-covering arm 3 when ice is insufficient, and is formed in a section of 11 degrees to 35 degrees. The ice shortage detection position 28c serves as a section for holding the ice detection arm 3 in a lowered state when there is insufficient ice, and is formed in a section of 35 degrees to 55 degrees. The ice detection return operation unit 28d serves as a section for raising the lowered ice detection arm 3, and is formed in a section of 55 degrees to 79 degrees.

On the other hand, the switch crimping lever cam surface 29 has a first signal generating cam portion 29a for outputting a signal at -6 degrees to 5 degrees including an ice making position (0 degrees) and an ice sensing position (42 degrees). The second signal generation cam portion 29b for outputting the signal at 42 to 48 degrees including the third signal generation for outputting the signal at 160 to 168 degrees including the icing position (160 degrees). It has a cam part 29c. With this arrangement, when the rotation angle of the cam gear 10 is at the ice making position, the ice making position and the ice making position, the contacts 42d and 42e (see Fig. 13) of the duct switch 42 are brought into contact with each other to turn on the switch. The switch crimping lever 41 is rotated in the direction of rotation.

In addition, the signal which generate | occur | produces in an ice making position is called an original position signal, and the 1st signal generation cam part 29a is able to generate | occur | produce a signal in the range of -19 degree-5 degree in the shape. The signal generated at the sensing position is called an sensing position signal. In addition, the signal which generate | occur | produces in an icing position is called an icing signal, and the 3rd signal generation cam part 29c makes it generate | occur | produce a signal in the range of 160 degree-179.5 degree in shape.

The ice detection mechanism 11 is a mechanism for identifying whether the amount of ice in the ice storage container is full or insufficient, and when the ice detection arm 3 is lowered into the ice storage container and lowered from the predetermined level position, it is determined that the ice is insufficient. have. In addition, the detection mechanism 11 is operated by the cam gear 10 and at the same time, the detection shaft 31 for operating the detection arm 3 and the engaging convex portion 31a of the detection shaft 31 are connected to the cam gear 10. It consists of the coil spring 32 which presses so that it may rotate to the direction which pushes toward the cam surface 28 for an inspection axis. In the driving device 5 of the automatic ice maker 1 of the present embodiment, when the ice arm 3 rotates more than 30 degrees, it is determined that the ice is insufficient.

The ice detection shaft 31 is operated by the cam gear 10, and can rotate up to 35 degrees. The ice detection shaft 31 is disposed between the cam gear 10 and the case 9b. 7 to 10, the inspection shaft 31 is coupled to the convex portion 31a, coupling piece 31b, spring coupling portion 31c, switch piece rotation stop portion 31d, and thrust prevention It has the projection 31e, the arm connection part 31f, the case base part 31g, and the guide piece 31h.

The case receiving portion 31g composed of the convex portion at one end of the inspection axis 31 is supported to be freely rotated by the receiving hole (not shown) formed in the case 9b. On the other hand, the female connecting portion 31f formed at the other end of the sensing axis 31 is projected out of the case 9 and the point portion of the sensing arm 3 is fitted to the female connecting portion 31f. .

In addition, the engaging convex portion 31a formed in the vicinity of the case receiving portion 31g of the inspection axis 31 is projected outward from the outer circumferential surface of the inspection axis 31 in the radial direction as shown in FIG. 8 to be curved at an intermediate position. It is possible to rotate the center of rotation along with the inspection axis 31 as the center of rotation. The engaging convex portion 31a serves as a cam floor that comes into contact with the cam face 28 for the ice detection shaft formed on the cam tooth 10.

Moreover, similarly, the engaging piece 31b arrange | positioned near the edge part of the detection axis 31 is able to contact the blocking piece 8b of the friction member 8 arrange | positioned coaxially with the output shaft 25. As shown in FIG. Moreover, the spring coupling part 31c is arrange | positioned so that it may couple | engage with the coil spring 32 to the side close to the edge part on the case receiving part 31g side slightly in the axial center of the inspection axis 31. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the detection axis 31 pushes the engagement convex part 31a toward the cam surface 28 for the detection axis of the cam gear 10 by the return force of the compressed coil spring 32 in the direction of arrow B of FIG. Is rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 8.

The switch piece rotation stopping portion 31d is disposed near the end of the arm connecting portion 31f side of the ice detection shaft 31 to prevent rotation of the switch crimping lever 41 that turns the duct switch 42 on and off. It is supposed to. The switch piece rotation stopping part 31d is rotated to the switch crimping lever 41 when the detection axis 31 is rotated to lower the detection arm 3 when the detection axis 31 is rotated by 30 degrees or more. The contact of the switch crimping lever 41 is prevented by contact. Thereby, the switch piece rotation stopping part 31d acts so that the duct switch 42 will not be turned on when the detection shaft 31 rotates more than 30 degrees.

Moreover, the thrust fall prevention protrusion 31e is formed over the perimeter between the switch piece rotation stop part 31d and the female connection part 31f in the axial direction of the detection axis 31. As shown in FIG. For this reason, the detection axis 31 can move only a predetermined range in the thrust direction.

The guide piece 31h is formed at a position slightly closer to the arm connecting portion 31f side in the axial direction center of the inspection axis 31. This guide piece 31h enters in the guide groove (not shown) formed in the rear part of the ceiling of the case 9a, and is moved along this guide groove. For this reason, the detection axis 31 is guided with respect to the case 9a by the guide piece 31h, and can rotate in the range which the guide piece 31h can move in this guide groove. In addition, the rotation range of the inspection axis 31 is about 35 degrees.

The detection device 11 configured in this way transmits the motion of the detection axis 31 operating along the cam surface 28 for the detection axis to the detection arm 3. That is, when the ice detection arm 3 stops its movement by full ice, the ice detection shaft 31 stops its rotation with the ice detection arm 3. In addition, the detection mechanism 11 restricts the operation of the switch compression lever 41 by the switch pressing lever cam surface 29 when the ice detection arm 3 is rotated by a predetermined angle due to lack of ice during the detection operation. have. For this reason, when the ice is insufficient during the ice detection operation, the switch crimping lever 41 does not rotate and the contacts 42d and 42e of the duct switch 42 do not contact each other.

In addition, the coil spring 32 is disposed in the case 9b, and once accommodated in the contracted state in the spring box 52, so that one end is caught by the spring coupling portion 31c of the above-mentioned ice detection shaft 31 in this state. It is. That is, the spring box 52 has an open upper side, one side wall is constituted by the side wall of the case 9b, and the other three side walls are entered from the bottom surface of the case 9b. A slit (not shown) is disposed on the side wall of the rear end of the spring box 52 (center side of the case 9b), and the spring coupling portion 31c enters the spring box 52 in the slit, and the coil spring ( The detection axis 31 and the coil spring 32 are engaged by further contracting the 32 toward the side wall formed by the side wall of the case 9b.

In addition, when the assembly is thus assembled, the back end portion of the spring coupling portion 31c is squeezed toward the convex portion 9c (see Fig. 9) formed in the slit by the force of the coil spring 32. The part 9c is made to contact. In this state, the cam gear 10 is loaded, and the cam gear 10 is in a position where it is in an ice detection state, that is, a position where the ice gear detection position portion 28c of the cam surface 28 for the ice detection shaft of the cam gear 10 is in contact with the cam gear. If the coupling convex portion 31a is assembled, the cam tooth 10 can be easily assembled without receiving the spring force of the coil spring 32.

In this way, the coil springs 32 are adapted to bias the detection arm 3 toward the usual detection position. That is, a bias force is applied in the direction which makes the engagement convex part 31a of the detection axis | shaft 31 contact the cam surface 28 for an detection axis. This force is directed toward the outer circumference from the center of the cam gear 10, but is assembled so as to be a force that does not interfere when the cam gear 10 is assembled. For this reason, the cam tooth 10 does not incline or float by the force of the coil spring 32. FIG. After weaving the cam gear 10 and finally assembling the case 9a, the guide piece 31h of the inspection axis 31 is introduced into the guide groove (not shown) of the case 9, and the detection axis 31 ) Rotates 35 degrees, which is the limit of the normal rotation range. It is woven in a state rotated 35 degrees at such an ice detection position, and then driven by a driving circuit to make an ice making position and then shipped.

The switch mechanism 12 is configured to perform on / off conversion by engaging and disengaging the contacts in conjunction with driving of the ice making plate 2. The switch mechanism 12 includes a switch pressing lever 41 operated by the cam gear 10, a duct switch 42 which is turned on / off by swinging the switch pressing lever 41, and a switch pressing lever 41. The switch piece rotation stop part 31d which acts to prohibit the rocking | fluctuation of this, and the coil spring 44 which gives the force for rocking the switch crimping lever 41 are comprised. In addition, the drive device 5 of the automatic ice maker 1 of the embodiment of the present invention can be manufactured at low cost since a low-cost duct switch 42 is used to perform on / off conversion by contacting / detaching a contact as a switch. .

The switch crimping lever 41 is supported so as to rotate freely in each U-shaped groove 53a disposed at the upper edge portions of the two end plates 53 placed on the bottom surface of one case 9b. The switch crimping lever 41 has a "卜" shape when viewed from the side as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. And the cam contact part 41a used as the cam floor which contacts the cam surface 29 for switch crimping levers of the cam gear 10 is arrange | positioned at the upper end part. Therefore, when the cam tooth 10 rotates, the cam contact part 41a moves along the cam surface 29 for switch press levers in the radial direction of the cam tooth 10, and the switch press lever 41 will rock.

Further, at a predetermined position of the switch crimping lever 41, a protruding arm 41b serving as a crimped portion attached to the coil spring 44 is formed. This projection arm 41b is located in the vicinity of the switch piece rotation stop part 31d arrange | positioned at the ice-cream shaft 31. As shown in FIG. The switch crimping lever 41 cannot oscillate in the state of contacting the projection arm 41b with the switch piece pivot stopping portion 31d.

On the other hand, the button 42a of the duct switch 42 is arrange | positioned in the position which opposes the projection arm 41b. In addition, a mountain-shaped protrusion 41c is disposed on a surface of the switch crimp lever 41 that does not face the duct switch 42 of the protrusion arm 41b and enters one end of the coil spring 44.

Moreover, the center part of the switch crimping lever 41 is a rotation support part 41d which supports rocking | fluctuation, and both ends of this rotation support part 41d enter in each U-shaped groove 53a, and this rotation support part 41d is made into the rotation support part 41d. To swing around the center. In addition, a swing restricting portion 41e is disposed in the switch crimping lever 41, and the swing restricting portion 41e is loaded in a regulating box provided in the case 9b. Therefore, the switch crimping lever 41 does not incline and tilt one side of the pivot support portion 41d from the bottom of the U-shaped groove 53a, and the swing center does not shift so that the cam face 29 for the switch crimping lever is precisely positioned. It is supposed to work accordingly.

The duct switch 42 is fixed to the case 9b and connected to the wiring board 51 connected to the rear end of the DC motor 13. The duct switch 42 is a case where the switch crimping lever 41 is in an inoperative state, that is, when the cam gear 10 is in the 0 degree position and ice is produced in the driving stop state, or when the ice is iced during the ice detection operation. When the operation is terminated, the switch is pressed by the switch crimping lever 41 which is subjected to the biasing force of the coil spring 44. This crimping generates a home position signal, an ice detection signal, and an ice breaking signal. When the ice making plate 2 is in a position other than these, the duct switch 42 is turned off because the contact 42d and 42e, which will be described later, are separated from each other.

The inner structure of the duct switch 42 has a tubular housing 42b, a cover 42c disposed to cover the upper end opening of the housing 42b, and a tip portion protrudes from the cover 42c as shown in FIG. The rear end side of the button 42a disposed inside the housing 42c, the movable contact 42d which is bent at the same time as the rear end of the button 42a and the movable contact 42d, and can be fixed to the movable contact 42d It consists of the contact piece 42e.

In this embodiment, the regular button 42a is pressed against the switch crimping lever 41 in the ice making position, and the movable contact 42d and the fixed contact 42e come in contact with each other. Therefore, no dew condensation, which occurs due to the opening of the door of the refrigerator during ice making or during ice making, does not occur at the contact portions of the contacts 42d and 42e, and also prevents corrosion by organic gas. When the switch is turned on by always bringing the contacts 42d and 42e into contact with each other, the so-called migration phenomenon in which silver ions move and grow in the electrolyte can be prevented without generating a potential difference between the contacts 42d and 42e. .

In this way, the duct switch 42, which is always on at the ice making position, performs the ice detection operation, and when the ice in the ice storage container is insufficient, the cam gear 10 rotates from the ice making position (0 degrees) to the ice making position (160 degrees). It won't turn on until That is, when the cam gear 10 rotates 5 degrees, the duct switch 42 causes the button of the duct switch 42 to counteract the bias force of the spring coil 44 by the cam lever 10. The contacts 42d and 42e are separated from 42a, and once the duct switch 42 is turned off.

And when the cam gear 10 rotates 42 degrees, it tries to swing the switch crimping lever 41 by the spring force of the cam gear 10 and the spring coil 44, but at this time, the switch piece rotation base of the detection axis 31 The branch part 31d operates to prevent the swing of the switch crimping lever 41. As a result, when the ice detection shaft 31 is rotated more than a predetermined angle (30 degrees in this case) in the ice deficiency state, the position where the detection signal is generated, that is, the rotation angle of the cam gear 10, is 42 to 48 degrees. (42) is not turned on and the detection signal is not output. Therefore, the duct switch 42 is not turned on until the cam gear 10 is in the moving position rotated by 160 degrees.

On the other hand, the duct switch 42 is turned on when the cam gear 10 rotates from the ice making position (0 degree) to the ice making position (42 degrees) in the case of manmming in the ice storage container. That is, the duct switch 42 is turned off once the cam gear 10 rotates 5 degrees as described above, but the spring force of the cam gear 10 and the spring coil 44 when the cam gear 10 rotates 42 degrees. To swing the switch crimping lever 41 again.

At this time, the inspection lever 3 does not descend to a predetermined position in the container because the inside of the storage container is full ice. Therefore, the sensing piece 31 does not rotate more than a predetermined angle, and the switch piece rotation stop part 31d of the sensing axis 31 does not operate. As a result, the switch crimping lever 41 swings and compresses the button 42a of the duct switch 42 so that the contacts 42d and 42e come in contact with each other.

In addition, the drive device of the automatic ice maker of the present embodiment performs control to reversely rotate the cam tooth 10 based on the first signal output and the drive time after starting the ice detection operation. Therefore, when the cam gear 10 is rotated 42 degrees at the time of ice and the ice is insufficient, the DC motor 13 is stopped at the time when the cam gear 10 is rotated 160 degrees, and then control is performed to reverse rotation. have.

In addition, when the DC motor 13 is stopped by the first signal output when the cam gear 10 is rotated 42 degrees, the driving time is monitored. Based on this, the DC motor 13 is monitored based on the initial signal output after the reverse rotation. The drive of the motor 13 is stopped. Accordingly, the cam gear 10 stops at its original position (0 degrees = ice making position) or its peripheral position.

On the other hand, if the DC motor 13 is stopped by the first signal output when the cam gear 10 is rotated by 160 degrees, the driving time is monitored for a long time and based on the second signal output after the reverse rotation, The drive of the DC motor 13 is stopped. That is, the first signal output is a signal indicating that the cam tooth difference 10 is returned to the position of 48 to 42 degrees (confirmation signal at the time of return), and the second signal is returned to the position which becomes 5 degrees as the cam tooth difference 10. The DC motor 13 is stopped based on the second signal because it is a signal indicating that it is a signal. Accordingly, the cam gear 10 stops at its original position (0 degrees = ice making position) or its peripheral position. In the return stroke, the signal output when the cam tooth 10 is 48 degrees to 42 degrees is generated by the friction member 8 whether the ice is short or satisfied.

Moreover, the recessed part is arrange | positioned in three positions on the cam face 29 for switch crimping levers mentioned above. These three recesses become the first, second and third signal generating cam portions 29a, 29b and 29c described above, and the cam contact portions 41a of the switch crimp lever 41 are fitted into these recesses. Each time the switch pressing lever 41 is to swing to the duct switch 42 side. The duct switch 42 is turned on if the switch piece rotation stop part 31d of the detection ice shaft 31 does not operate at the time of this shaking.

Next, the operation of the automatic ice maker 1 will be described. The controller (not shown) properly executes the basic operation program and the initial setting program, and operates as shown in Figs. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19.

For example, the basic operation program is the controller that waits when the door condition is not opened and when the AND condition that the elapse of a certain time has elapsed after detecting the completion of ice making by the thermistor 1a under the ice making plate 2 is satisfied. Will be entered and run. In addition, the initial configuration program is executed when the power is turned on or when any one of the signals to be initialized is input to the controller. In addition, the control circuit which drives this controller may be shared with the thing provided in the refrigerator main body (not shown) with the automatic ice maker 1, and may be used exclusively for the automatic ice maker 1. As shown in FIG.

The initial setting program operates as shown in FIG. 15 (step S1). Next, the basic operation program is started to enter ice making confirmation (step S2). The controller detects whether the ice production has been completed by the thermistor 1a, and when it reaches a predetermined temperature or less, determines that the controller is finished and goes to detect the amount of ice in the storage container (step S3). In the case of starting from the initial setting, there is no ice in the ice making plate 2, but since the thermistor 1a senses the temperature in the refrigerator regardless of the presence of ice, it is determined that ice making is finished and the process proceeds to the next step S3. .

In step S3, the controller detects whether the ice in the ice storage container is low or not, and when the ice is not full, that is, when the ice is low, the controller inverts the ice tray 2 and supplies the ice to the ice storage container (step S4). ). Water is supplied by rotating in the reverse direction to the next home position (0 degree) (step S5). Thereby, the ice making plate 2 returns to a horizontal position and ice-making is performed (step S6).

On the other hand, if the ice is in the ice at step S3, the ice making plate 2 returns to the origin (= horizontal position) without inversion (step S7), waits for a predetermined time for inspection (step S8), and returns to the ice making confirmation at step S2. Goes.

The operation of the initial setting program execution (initialization) of the automatic ice maker 1 in step S1 described above will be described with reference to FIG. The initial setting program (initialization) is performed by checking the operation of the automatic ice maker 1 unit, checking the operation when it is attached to the refrigerator, and initial operation when the refrigerator is moved. Check and set the horizontal position.

First, when the power is turned on (step S11), the DC motor 13 is rotated in the direction of returning the CCW direction, that is, the cam gear difference 10 to the ice making position (home position = 0 degrees) (step S12). When the duct switch 42 is turned on (YES in step S13), the timer is set to 3 seconds (step S14). After that, when the switch is turned on (YES in step S15) and the timer operation ends after 3 seconds (YES in step S16), the DC motor 13 is stopped for 1 second (step S17).

In the operation of steps S11 to S17, the cam gear 10 stops at the lock position (-6 degrees) at which mechanical locking occurs. That is, in the initial setting operation, when the DC motor 13 is rotated in the CCW direction, the timer is set to 3 seconds after the initial signal output to recognize whether the signal output by the switch is turned on for the first time and is the sensing signal or the original signal. Then, when 3 seconds have elapsed while the switch is in the ON state, it is recognized as a home position signal, and when the switch is turned off before 3 seconds has elapsed, the signal output is cut off. As a result, the cam gear difference 10 reliably stops at the locked position (-6 degrees).

Next, the DC motor 13 is rotated in the CW direction, that is, the cam gear 10 in the direction of the ice grabbing position and the moving position (step S18). When the duct switch 42 is turned off (YES in step S19), the timer is set to 0.5 seconds (step S20). After 0.5 seconds have elapsed, the operation of the timer ends (YES in step S21). The DC motor 13 is stopped for 1 second (step S22).

In addition, the DC motor 13 is rotated in the CCW direction (step S23). When the duct switch 42 is turned on (YES in step S24), the timer is set to 0.5 seconds (step S25). After 0.5 seconds have elapsed and the timer has ended (YES in step S26), the DC motor 13 is stopped (step S27). Accordingly, the DC motor 13 stops at the position where the cam tooth difference 10 is near the ice making position (0 degree = home position) in this initial setting operation. Thereby, the operation | movement at the time of initializing program execution (initialization) of the automatic ice maker 1 is complete | finished (step S28).

Next, the basic operation program will be described with reference to FIGS. 17, 18 and 19. FIG.

As shown in Fig. 17, first, when the liquid in the ice making plate 2 is frozen while the cam gear 10 stops near the origin position, ice making is completed (step S31), and the standby end signal is output from the controller (step S32). The DC motor 13 is rotated in the CW direction (step S33).

When the duct switch 42 is turned off (YES in step S34), the timer is set to 7 seconds (step S35). In addition, this seven seconds is the time that the cam gear 10 can rotate from the position of 5 degrees to the position of 100 degrees by the driving force of the DC motor 13, and it is confirmed whether or not an ice detection signal is generated between these seven seconds. .

The duct switch 42 is maintained after the switch is turned off (YES in step S36) for 7 seconds including the sensing operation (YES in step S36), and after the timer operation ends (YES in step S37) after 7 seconds have elapsed. When it is turned on (step S38), an ice signal is generated, and the DC motor 13 is stopped for one second (step S39). In addition, in this way, if it is YES in step S36, and it progresses to step S39 after that, it means that the ice-making operation | movement was performed based on the lack of ice and the lack of ice in the ice-ice operation.

That is, when the ice is insufficient, when the cam gear 10 rotates by a predetermined angle (42-48 degrees), the detection axis 31 also falls by a predetermined amount, and accordingly the switch piece rotation stopping portion 31d is operated. The switch pressing lever 41 does not press the duct switch 42. Therefore, in this case, the duct switch 42 is not turned on, and thus no signal is output.

In addition, next step S40 of step S39 is the same as FIG. 18, and it is assumed that the arrow XVIII is preceded by FIG. 18 following step S40 in FIG. In step S39, the DC motor 13 is stopped for one second, and then the DC motor 13 is rotated in the CCW direction as shown in Fig. 18 (step S40). Then, when the duct switch 42 is turned off, the ice signal is turned off (YES in step S41), and when the duct switch 42 is turned on next, the confirmation signal (detection signal) at the time of return is turned on ( YES in step S42). In addition, when the duct switch 42 is turned off (YES in step S43) and the duct switch 42 is turned on (YES in step S44), the timer is determined to be the home position signal. It sets to 0.5 second (step S45).

The setting of the timer based on the second on of the duct switch 42 in this manner is because the second on indicates that the cam tooth difference 10 has returned to the 5 degree position. That is, when the cam gear 10 rotates to the predetermined position (42-48 degree | times) after an ice-moving operation, the detection axis 31 is blocked by the blocking piece 8b of the friction member 8, and cannot rotate, Thereby, the switch piece rotation stop part 31d does not operate, and the switch crimping lever 41 presses the duct switch 42. Therefore, in such a situation, the duct switch 42 is turned on and the first on-signal is output.

When 0.5 second elapses from the second on-signal and the timer operation ends (YES in step S46), the DC motor 13 is stopped (step S47). As a result, the cam gear 10 is stopped near the original position (0 degrees). After that, water is supplied to the ice making plate 2 (step S48), and a series of ice-breaking operations and ice-breaking operations are completed (step S49).

In addition, in the above-described step S36, that is, when the duct switch 42 is turned on by the ice detection operation (NO in step S36), the arrow XIX precedes the step S51 in FIG. If NO in step S36 as shown in Fig. 19, the DC motor 13 is stopped for one second based on the output of the signal by the switch-on (step S51). When the duct switch 42 is turned on during such an ice detection operation, it indicates that the ice enters the storage container more than a predetermined amount and no addition of ice is required. That is, the ice will be detected.

After the DC motor 13 is stopped for 1 second in step S51, the DC motor 13 is rotated in the CCW direction this time (step S52). Then, when the duct switch 42 is turned off (YES in step S53) and the duct switch 42 is turned on (YES in step S54), the timer is determined to be the home position signal. It sets to 0.5 second (step S55).

When 0.5 second has elapsed and the operation of the timer ends (YES in step S56), the DC motor 13 is stopped (step S57). As a result, the cam gear 10 stops in the vicinity of the original position (0 degrees). After that, since there is ice in the ice making plate 2, water supply is not performed and it becomes a standby state (step S58). This completes the ice detection operation during full ice.

In addition, although the above-described embodiment is a suitable embodiment of the present invention, various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the switch for detecting the ice detection position or the like is constituted by the duct switch 42, but the duct switch 42 may be used even if a leaf switch or the like that is switched on / off by coupling / detaching the contacts is used. The same effect as used can be obtained.

In addition, although the output shaft 25 was arrange | positioned integrally with the cam gear 10 in the above-mentioned embodiment, you may make it separate, without integrally arranging. At that time, it may be driven by another drive source. In addition, the engagement convex portion 31a of the detection axis 31 serving as the cam floor and the cam contact portion 41a of the switch crimping lever 41 do not contact the inner circumferential surface of the cam gear 10, but the outer circumferential surface may be contacted. good.

In the above-described embodiment, the detection signal is generated only in the case of full ice, but may not be generated in the full ice but may be generated in the low state.

The drive source may be an AC motor or a condenser motor instead of the DC motor 13. Instead of using a motor that requires some time control like the DC motor 13, a stepping motor may be used to control the rotation angle of the cam tooth 10 by the number of steps. In addition, a drive source other than a motor such as a solenoid may be employed. As the liquid to be iced, in addition to water, beverages such as juice and non-drinks such as test reagents may be employed. The means for detecting whether ice in the storage container is completed may be a bimetal using a shape memory alloy in addition to the thermistor 1a.

As described above, the driving device of the automatic ice maker of the present invention uses a switch that interlocks with the drive of the ice making plate by using a combination of the contact and the detachment of the contact, and is configured such that the contact is always connected during ice making. Therefore, the switch can be manufactured at low cost without using expensive switches such as non-contact switches such as a switch using a Hall IC and a magnet or a micro switch. In addition, condensation and the like do not easily occur between the contacts, and corrosion by organic gas can be prevented, so that a driving device having a switch with high operation reliability can be provided. In addition, since the contact period is always kept in contact for a long time, the migration phenomenon can be prevented and the reliability is increased.

Claims (8)

A drive device for an automatic ice maker for reversing an ice tray and dropping the ice into the ice container, and then returning the ice tray to its original position to produce ice. And a switch which engages and disengages the contact in conjunction with and performs an on / off conversion by using the engaging and disengaging. The switch is always operated while the ice is manufactured in the operation stop state of the drive system. Driving device of an automatic ice maker, characterized in that the contact is coupled. A drive device for an automatic ice maker for reversing an ice tray and dropping the ice into the ice container, and then returning the ice tray to its original position to produce ice. And a switch which engages and disengages the contact in conjunction with and performs an on / off conversion using the joining and disengaging, wherein the switch is engaged when the deicing plate becomes an ice making position for making ice. Driving device for an automatic ice maker, characterized in that the on state. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The switch is a drive device of an automatic ice maker, characterized in that consisting of a duct switch. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, The switch is a drive device for an automatic ice maker, characterized in that for detecting the state of the lack of ice in the ice storage container or whether it meets, by engaging the contact. The method according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, And the switch is configured to detect the ice-making position by engaging the contact when the ice-making plate is inverted and iced. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The switch has an ice making position where the ice making plate manufactures ice and its surrounding position, an ice making position which detects the amount of ice in the ice storage container, a peripheral position thereof, and a position other than the ice making position and the peripheral position thereof. In this case, the drive of the automatic ice maker, characterized in that the contact is separated. The ice tray, the ice storage container which receives the ice in this ice-making plate, the ice-breaking arm which detects the quantity of ice in this ice-making container, and this ice-driving plate are driven, and the said ice-making plate is rotated and the ice in this ice-making plate is rotated. An automatic ice maker having a drive device falling into the ice maker, the automatic ice maker comprising: a switch for engaging and disengaging contact points in conjunction with driving of the ice making plate and for performing on / off conversion by using this disengaging and disengaging operation. The switch is an automatic ice maker, characterized in that the contact is always coupled during the production of ice in the operation stop state of the drive device. A driving device for an automatic ice maker according to any one of claims 1 to 6, an ice making plate, a storage container receiving ice in the ice making plate, and an ice detection arm detecting the amount of ice in the storage container. A refrigerator, characterized in that all or part of the operation control of the drive device is performed by a control circuit provided in the refrigerator main body.