MXPA96005816A - Machine to make ice for refrigeration - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic icemaker adapted for use in a refrigerator, comprising: a tray for ice placed giratorimente in the refrigerator, a motor connected operably wing tray to rotate the tray between an upright position icemaker and a position inverted to discharge ice; a container placed under the tray to receive ice discharged from the same, a first electrical switch on / off, a first cam connected to rotate with the tray to drive the first switch between estador on / off, a second electrical switch encnedido / off, a second cam connected to rotate with the tray to drive the second switch between states on / off, a connected to the first and second switches to determine controller that the tray is in a right position in response to a first on / off relationship between the p rimer and second switches, and in an inverted position in response to a second on / off ratio between the first and second switches and a detector to detect a condition when the container is filled with ice and to move the second switch to a state avoiding further operations to do when the container is filled with ice, independently of the first and second cams, wherein the detector comprises a first portion adapted to contact the ice in the container, and a second portion adapted to contact the second switch , the second cam is arranged to act against the second portion of the detector to activate the second interrupt

Description

MACHINE TO MAKE ICE FOR REFRIGERATOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to an ice maker for a refrigerator. More particularly, it relates to an ice maker for a refrigerator that includes a pair of switches used to control the ice drop mode and the ice level formation mode in a simultaneous manner. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Figure 3 illustrates a refrigerator having a conventional icemaker. The refrigerator includes a body 1, and a freezing compartment 3 and a cooling compartment 4, which are separated by a division 2. The freezing and cooling compartments 3 and 4 are accessible by opening two doors 5 and 6 towards the compartment 3 and towards the cooling compartment 4, respectively. A cooler 7, which cools the air, is provided behind the freezing compartment 3. The cold air from the cooler 7 is forcibly circulated into the freezing compartment 3 and the cooling compartment 4 by a fan 8 installed above the cooler 7. To guide the flow of this cold air, a faceplate 9 and a back plate 10 are installed in front of, and adjacent to the fan 8, respectively. Formed in the front plate 9, there is an outlet 11 that discharges the cold air into the freezing compartment 3, and in the rear plate 10 a duct 12 is originated that supplies the cold air into the cooling compartment 4. A machine to make ice 20, mounted in the freezing compartment 3, uses the cold air generated by the cooler 7, to convert the water into ice. The ice maker 20 consists of an ice making vessel 21 having a plurality of concave portions 21 'which contain the water as it freezes it, and an ice bin 22 which stores the ice cubes already made therein. container 21 of the ice maker. In addition, a water reservoir 23 and a water supply pump 24 are provided to supply water from the water reservoir 23 to the ice maker 21 of the refrigeration compartment 4. A hose 25 is provided to extend from the reservoir of the reservoir. water 23 to the upper portion of the ice maker 21. Through the hose 25, water from the water reservoir 23 is fed to the container 21 of the ice maker. An operating member 26 is provided on the front of the container 21 of the ice making machine, and serves to drop the ice cubes inside the container 21 of the ice making machine into the ice reservoir 22. It does this by twisting the ice. container 21 of the ice machine at an angle of 135 ° C. Figure 4 schematically illustrates the external overall appearance of the conventional ice maker 20. The container 21 of the icemaker is integrally attached to the operating member 26. The ice deposit 22 is placed below the container 21 of the ice machine. make ice. The deposit of ice 22 can be removed from the freezing compartment 3 in such a way that the ice cubes can be easily transported from the freezing compartment 3. The container 21 of the ice maker oscillates around both of its ends, by a rotating force generated by an electric motor 30. An ice level check lever 45, and an ice level check switch 46, are provided to stop the ice fall module when the ice bin 22 is full of ice cubes. In this ice making machine 20, the water supply, and the ice making mode and the ice fall mode, is performed automatically and in a successive manner by a control portion (not shown). Figure 6 shows the conventional operative member 26 for performing the ice fall mode. The operating member 26 includes the motor 30 to generate a rotating force; a pair of reduction gears 33, which transfer and reduce the speed of the rotational force of the motor 30; and a cam gear 35 meshing with the reduction gears 33, in an arrow connection with the container 21 of the ice making machine, for turning the container 21 of the ice making machine. The operating member 26 also includes first and second horizontal position sensing switches 40 and 41, which turn on and off according to the rotation of the cam gear 35, to detect whether the container 21 of the ice maker is in a horizontal or flipped position; and an ice level check lever 45 (refer to Figure 4), and an ice level check switch 46 that determine whether the ice bin 22 is full. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, first and second grooves 37 and 38 are formed on the outer circumference of the cam member 36, and arranged opposite one another, - the cam member 36 is connected to one side of the cam gear 35. Although the first slot 37 is formed on the inner side of the cam member 36, in order to face the first horizontal position sensing switch 40, the second slot 38 is provided on the outer side of the cam member 36, to face the second horizontal position detection switch 41. As the cam gear 35 rotates, the first slot 37 comes into contact with the horizontal position detection switch 40, turns off the switch 40 while the second horizontal position detection switch 41 remains on. When the second slot 38 contacts the second horizontal position detection switch 41, it turns off, while the first horizontal position detection switch 40 remains on. The control portion (not shown) controls the execution of the ice drop mode, by determining the position of the container 21 of the ice maker in motion, according to combined signals of the first and second detection switches of the ice. horizontal position 40 and 41. In other words, when the first horizontal position detection switch 40 is off, and the second horizontal position detection switch 41 is turned on, the control portion determines that the machine container 21 to make ice is in a horizontal position. Alternatively, when the first and second horizontal position detection switches 40 and 41 are turned on and off, respectively, the control portion determines that the container 21 of the ice maker has been twisted at its maximum angle. When both switches 40 and 41 are turned on, the control portion determines that the container 21 of the ice maker is in the process of turning over. When the ice bin 22 is filled with the ice cubes, the lever 45 turns off the switch 46 to inform the control portion that the ice bin 22 is full, so that it will stop the ice drop mode until it is turned off. empty the ice reservoir 22. The conventional operating member 26 uses the pair of switches 40 and 41 to control the ice fall mode of the ice maker, and additionally, uses the switch 46 to monitor the amount of the cubes of ice. ice in the ice bin 22. This conventional operation member 26 can not use these switches in an efficient manner, and is of a complicated construction. More specifically, the control portion requires output signals from the two horizontal position detection switches 40 and 41, to determine whether the icemaker container 21 is in a horizontal, rotating, or twisted position. up to its maximum angle. In addition, the control portion utilizes an output signal from the switch 46 to stop the ice fall mode once the ice bin 22 is filled. This conventional ice maker is designed to have a pair of switches used to control ice. the ice fall mode, and another switch to control a verification test, and is of a larger size and a complicated structure. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an ice maker for a refrigerator, which obviates the aforementioned problems and drawbacks of the conventional art. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ice maker for a refrigerator, wherein a horizontal position detection switch used to control the ice fall mode is electrically combined, and an ice level check switch used for control the mode of verification of the level of ice, one with the other, to be of a simple structure and a good operation. In order to obtain this objective, an ice maker for a refrigerator is provided, with a freezing compartment and a cooling compartment, which includes a motor that produces a rotating force used to turn a container of an ice machine housed in the freezing compartment, and for dropping the ice cubes made therein into an ice deposit arranged underneath the container of an ice maker, - a reduction gear assembly and a cam gear that They serve to rotate the container of an ice machine by using the rotating force generated by the motor; and a horizontal position detection switch on or off by rotating the cam gear, in order to control the ice making mode. The ice maker of the invention also includes an ice level check switch that is turned on or off by rotating the cam gear, in order to verify the amount of ice cubes contained in the ice bin , and a lever for checking the level of ice that determines if the ice deposit is full. In this icemaker, a cam member is integrally formed on one side of the cam gear to drive the horizontal position detection switch, the ice level check switch, and the ice level check lever . This cam member includes a first cam formed inside the cam member to turn on or off the horizontal position detecting switch, and a second cam extending from the first cam to operate the ice level check switch and the ice level check lever. As the cam gear rotates, the first cam and the second cam serve to turn the horizontal position detection switch and the ice level check switch on or off. The first cam includes a rounded portion and first and second concave portions formed on its outer surface. Accordingly, when the lever of the horizontal position sensing switch comes into contact with the first and second concave portions, the switch is turned off, and when the switch lever comes into contact with the rounded portion, it is turned on. The ice level check lever has a first arm member and a second arm member that move around a predetermined point of the ice level check lever in the opposite direction to each other, and the first member The arm is arranged between the second cam and the ice level check switch. The second cam is of a semicircular shape, and has a flat portion and a rounded portion. As the rounded portion comes in contact with the first arm member, the first arm member presses the lever of the ice level check switch, to turn on the ice level check switch, and when the flat portion enters. in contact with the first arm member, the switch lever returns to its original state to turn off the ice level check switch in this way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 illustrates the overall external appearance of an ice maker in accordance with the present invention. Figures 2A to 2B are sectional views of the operative member of the ice maker of the invention, in different stages of operation, taken along line II-II of Figure 1, wherein Figure 2A illustrates the container of the ice machine in the horizontal position, Figures 2B and 2C show the ice making vessel in the intermediate stages of turning, and Figure 2D shows the position of the cam gear after the machine container stops. making ice twists up to its maximum angle. Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a refrigerator equipped with an ice machine. Figure 4 illustrates the overall external appearance of the ice machine for a refrigerator according to the prior art.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the operative member of the conventional icemaker, taken along the line VV of Figure 4. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the operational relationship of a cam gear. conventional and switches. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 illustrates the overall external appearance of an ice maker in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2A illustrates the operating member 50 when its container 21 of the ice maker is in the horizontal position. The operating member 50 of the ice maker of the invention includes the following components in a box 95: a motor 51 that generates a rotating force, - a reduction gear assembly 55 that reduces the speed of rotation of the motor 51, and delivers the rotational force of the motor 51 to a control portion (not shown), - and a cam gear 60 which meshes with the reduction gear assembly 55, and is in an arrow connection with the container 21 of the machine to make ice, making it possible in tway to twist it. The operating member 50 also has a horizontal position detection switch 70, and an ice level check switch 75, the latter serving to control its ice fall mode and its ice level verification mode. An ice level check lever 80 assists the function of the ice level check switch 75, moving up and down, depending on the number of ice cubes in an ice bin 22, to operate the check switch of the ice level 75. The cam gear 60 consists of a gear 61 and a cam member 65 integral with the gear 61. A first cam 66 is formed on the cam member 65, to operate the position detection switch horizontal 70, and a second cam 67 is also formed on the cam member 65 to operate the ice level check switch 75. The first cam 66 has a first concave portion 66a, and a second concave portion 66b oppositely disposed one with with respect to the other, on its outer surface, and two rounded portions 66c formed on the external surface, where the first and second concave portions 66a and 66b are not formed. The horizontal position detection switch 70 is configured to turn off when its lever 71, during rotation of the first cam 66, comes into contact with the first and second concave portions 66a and 66b, and lights when its lever 71 is in contact with the rounded portion 66c. The second cam 67 is of a semicircular shape, and has a flat portion 67a and a rounded portion 67b. The ice level check switch 75 is turned off when its lever 76 is in contact with the flat portion 67a during rotation of the second cam 67, and is turned on when the lever 76 contacts the rounded portion 67b. As shown in Figure 1, the ice level check lever 80 consists of a first arm member 81, and a second arm member 82 that are rotated about the axis A in an opposite direction to each other. The first arm member 81 is disposed between the second cam 67 and the ice level check switch 75. The ice level check switch 75 is turned on and off as the first arm member 81 moves toward up and down, respectively, with the rotation of the first cam 67. The container 21 of the ice maker has one end connected to the cam gear 60, and the other end rotatably stopped by a support 96 integrally coupled with the box 95 of operative member 50. Support 96 has a plurality of protuberances 97 which prevent the end of container 21 of the ice maker from turning after the cam member 65 has rotated the entire container 21 at 135 °. The cam member 65 then continues to rotate its other end of the container 21 of the machine to make approximately an additional 15 ° of ice, thereby twisting the container 21, and causing it to release its ice cubes in the ice bin 22. The second arm member 82 of the ice level check lever 80, rests on top of the ice in the ice bin 22, or on its base if it is empty. When the ice bin 22 is not completely filled with ice cubes, the first and second arm members 81, 82 are approximately in the position indicated by the solid line. The ice level check switch 75 is turned off when the ice making vessel 21 is in a horizontal position. When the number of ice cubes exceeds a predetermined level, the second arm member 82 is raised (as indicated by the dotted line), and the first arm member 81 moves downward, such that the ice level check switch 75. In this way, the control portion (not shown) determines that the ice bin 22 is filled to capacity with ice cubes. The following description refers to the operation of the operative member 50 of the ice maker of the invention. Figure 2A illustrates the location of the cam gear 60, when the container 21 of the icemaker is in the horizontal position. In this circumstance, the lever 71 of the horizontal position detecting switch 70 comes into contact with the first concave portion 66a of the first cam 66, to thereby turn off the switch 70. The first arm member 81 of the lever 70 ice level check 80 placed on the lever 76 of the ice level check switch 75, makes contact with the flat portion 67a of the second cam 67, in order to turn off the ice level check switch 75. Referring to this, the control portion (not shown) determines that the container 21 of the ice maker is in the horizontal position. After the ice making mode is completed, the control portion drives the motor 51, such that the cam gear 60 rotates clockwise, as shown in Figure 2B. In accordance with the foregoing, the rounded portion 66c of the first cam 66 presses the lever 71 of the horizontal position detecting switch 70 to thereby turn on the horizontal position detecting switch 70. When the cam engagement 60 continues its rotation to the position illustrated in Figure 2c, the rounded portion 67b of the second cam 67, causes the first arm member 81 of the ice level check lever 80 to press the ice level check switch 75, turning it on like this. According to the above, the control portion determines that the container 21 of the icemaker is rotating in the present. As shown in Figure 2D, when the cam gear 60 continues to rotate to the maximum angle of approximately 135 °, the second concave portion 66b of the first cam 66 comes into contact with the lever 71, such that it is turned off again the horizontal position detection switch 70 while the ice level check switch 75 remains on. The control portion interprets this as that the container 21 of the icemaker 21 is being turned to its maximum. Because the end of the container 21 of the ice maker on the side of the support 96 is restricted from rotating by the protuberances 97, the container 21 of the ice machine is twisted a little, thus dropping its cubes of ice in the ice reservoir 22. Once the ice fall mode is completed, the motor 51 reverses the direction, by rotating the cam member 65 to its original position in Figure 2A, by means of the intermediate states of Figures 2C and 2B. Accordingly, both switches 70 and 75 are turned off again, serving to inform the control portion that vessel 21 of the icemaker has returned to the horizontal position. The control portion stops the engine 51 after the ice fall mode is completed, and activates a water supply pump 24 to refill the container 21 of the making machine. As described above, in the ice maker of the present invention, the horizontal position detection switch and the ice level check switch, are turned on or off by a cam member, and transmit their combined signals to the control portion, such that it can control the ice fall mode and the ice level verification mode in a simultaneous manner. In addition, since the automatic ice construction can be controlled with the two switches, the ice maker of the invention can be of a simple structure, and can perform the ice making mode more efficiently.

Claims (7)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the foregoing invention, it is considered as a novelty, and therefore, property is claimed as contained in the following: CLAIMS 1. A machine for making ice in a refrigerator with a freezing compartment and a cooling compartment, which comprises: an engine that generates a rotating force used to rotate an ice making vessel housed in the freezing compartment, in order to drop ice cubes made in the ice making vessel, towards inside an ice deposit placed below the ice making container; a reduction gear assembly and a cam gear that rotate the ice making vessel, using the rotating force generated by the motor. A switch for detecting the horizontal position on or off by the rotation of the cam gear, in order to control the mode of manufacture of ice; an ice level check switch turned on or off by the rotating position of the cam gear, in order to control the amount of ice cubes contained in the ice bin; and a lever for checking the level of ice, whose position is determined by the amount of ice in the ice deposit.
2. 2. An ice machine according to claim 1, characterized in that a cam member is formed integrally on one side of the cam gear, to operate the horizontal position detection switch, the control switch of the level of ice, and the lever for checking the level of ice.
3. 3. An ice machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the cam member comprises: a first cam formed inside the cam member to turn on or off the horizontal position detection switch; and a second cam extending from the first cam, to operate the ice level check switch and the ice level check lever, and, as the cam gear rotates, the first cam and the second cam They are used to turn on or off the horizontal position detection switch and the ice level check switch.
4. 4. An ice machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the first cam includes rounded portions, and first and second concave portions formed on the outer surface of the first cam, and when the lever of the detection switch from the horizontal position comes into contact with the first and second concave portions, the switch is turned off, and when the switch lever comes into contact with the rounded portion, it is turned on.
5. An ice machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the ice level check lever comprises a first arm member and a second arm member moving around a predetermined point of the ice level check lever in the opposite direction to each other, and the first arm member is disposed between the second cam and the ice level check switch.
6. 6. An ice machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the second cam is of a semicircular shape, and has a flat portion and a rounded portion, and as the rounded portion comes in contact with the first arm member, the first arm member presses the lever of the ice level check switch to turn on the ice level check switch, and when the flat position makes contact with the first arm member, the lever returns to its original state to turn off the ice level check switch in this way.
7. 7. An ice making machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the second arm member of the ice level check lever is placed in the ice deposit to be placed on the ice cubes in the ice deposit. ices, and when the ice cubes fill the ice reservoir to a predetermined level, the second arm member is raised, and the first arm member is lowered, in order to turn on the ice level check switch, with In order to inform that the ice deposit is full.