US3779032A

US3779032A - Ice maker water fill control

Info

Publication number: US3779032A
Application number: US00277324A
Authority: US
Inventors: D Nichols
Original assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Current assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Priority date: 1972-08-02
Filing date: 1972-08-02
Publication date: 1973-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-18
Also published as: CA990517A

Abstract

An ice maker having electrical control means for automatically controlling the making of ice bodies such as in a home refrigerator. The electrical control includes a switching mechanism having adjustable means for varying the amount of water delivered to the ice maker tray to correspondingly vary the size of the ice bodies formed in the apparatus.

Description

O Un ted States Patent [1 1 [111 3,779,032 Nichols 1 1 Dec. 18, 1973 [54] [CE MAKER WATER FILL ROL 3,391,258 7/1968 Vimoche, .lr. 299/153 1 13 3,727,015 4/1973 Voland et al. 200/166 .1 [75] lnvemo Duane Cr Nlchols Evansvme, Ind 2,758,170 8/1956 Jordan 200/166 J 73 Assignee; w i Corporation, Benton 3,018,340 1/1962 Eggert et a1. 200/38 Harbor, Mich.

. Primary Examiner-Wil1iam E. Wayner [22] Filed' A 1972 Assistant Examiner-William E. Tapolcai, Jr. [21] Appl. N0.: 277,324 Attorney-James S. Nettleton et al.

[52] US. Cl 62/233, 200/38 C, 200/153 LB, [57] ABSTRACT 200/ 166 .l 511 Int. Cl. F25c 1/04 make havmg elemcal means. [58] Field of Search 62/233. ZOO/38 C tomatically controlling the making of ice bodies such A J 153 as in a home refrigerator. The electrical control includes a switching mechanism having adjustable [56] References Cited means for varying the amount of water delivered to the ice maker tray to correspondingly vary the size of UNlTED STATES PATENTS the ice bodies formed in the apparatus. 3,299,656 1/1967 Linstromberg et al. 62/233 2,359,780 10/1944 Muffly 62/233 8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures illi/I11 1 ICE MAKER WATER FILL CONTROL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION adjusted to effect a control of the quantity of water delivered to the tray.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,018,340 of Eggert et al. for an Electric Switch Mechanism, a switch is disclosed having a variable positioned member carrying a spacer cooperating with a dropcam to effect a desired control of the open and closed conditions of contacts carried on a pair of associated switch blades. In U.S. Pat. No. 2,212,386 of D. G. Cameron for a Time Switch, a leaf switch is illustrated having means for controlling the operation thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends an improved electrical control for an ice maker mechanism having an improved adjustable switching mechanism to provide a variable control of the delivery of water to the ice maker tray. The invention further comprehends an improved tray arrangement for facilitating the flow of water from the delivery means to the different compartments of the tray so as to form uniform ice bodies in'the' different compartments notwithstanding a substantial variation in thesizes thereof as controlled by the .water delivery means.

More specifically, the adjustable switching mechanism includes cam means having a sequential arrangement ofa first high portion, a low portion, and a second high portion, a support means adjacent the cam means, a first spring blade cantilevered from the support means and havingadistal end biased to slidingly ride on the cam high portions and drop into the cam low portion, a second spring blade cantilevered from the support means and having a distal end biased to engage the first blade distal portion when the first blade distal portion is riding on thezcam-high portions, the blades including portions at the'distal ends providing electrical contact between the engaged blades, a first spring control blade cantilevered from the support means and having a distal end disposed between the first spring blade distal end and'the c'am means, the control blade distal end terminating preselected fixed distance short of the termination of the first spring blade distal end tending to drop into the cam low portion a preselected time prior to the dropping thereinto of the first spring blade distal end, spacer means on the first control blade for engaging the second spring blade to space the contact portions apart whenever the first control blade distal end is disposed outwardly of the cam high portions and allow the contact portions to engage when the control blade distal end has dropped into the cam lowportion and the first spring blade distal end continues disposed outwardly of the cam first high portion, the contacts being spaced apart when the first spring blade distal end subsequently drops into the cam low 2 portion with the control blade distal end dropped therein, an adjustable support means, and a second spring control blade cantilevered from the adjustable support means and having a distal end disposed between the distal end of the first control blade and the cam means, the second control blade distal end riding on the cam high portion to delay the dropping of the first control blade distal portion into the cam low portion where the second control blade is adjusted to project forwardly beyond the distal end of the first control bladeand to permit the dropping of the first control blade distal end into the cam low portion when the first blade distal end termination reaches the cam low portion and the second blade distal end is adjusted to extend no further than to the termination of the first control blade distal end. i

, The adjustable support means may be provided with a rotatably knob or lever for manual control by the user. The control provides a maximum delivery time by the fixed position of the first control blade with the second control blade functioning solely to variable reduce the water delivery time from the maximum. Thus, the control effectively precludes overfilling of the tray.

More specifically, the tray construction desirably used with the above described adjustable switch mechanism is defined by a bottom wall, side walls upstanding from the periphery of the bottom wall defining therewith a water receiving space, and divider walls upstanding from the bottom wall dividing the space into a plurality of compartments, the divider walls including a plurality of transverse walls extending from side to side of the space, and, if desired, one or more longitudinal walls extending from end to end of the space the upper edges of the transverse walls adjacent one side wall of the tray defining concave weirs located closely adjacent said one side wall, and when a longitudinal wall is incorporated the upper edges of the transverse walls at the side of the longitudinal wall opposite said one side wall defining concave weirs located approximately midway between the longitudinal wall and the opposite side wall and the upper edge of the longitudinal wall when incorporated defining concave weirs, whereby water delivered into one of the compartments may flow readily over the weirs to each of the other of said compartments. When more than one longitudinal wall is incorporated the transverse walls define concave weirs approximated midway between adjacent longitudinal BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. I is a fragmentary perspective view of a refrigeration apparatus having an automatic ice maker provided with a switching mechanism and tray means embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged elevation with portions broken away illustrating the switching mechanism in an of arrangement;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged elevation with portions broken away illustrating the switching mechanism in an on arrangement for energizying the water fill solenoid to deliver water to the ice maker tray;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged elevation with portions broken away illustrating the switching mechansim in a subsequent of arrangement upon termination of water delivery;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevation of the ice maker tray; and

FIG. 6 is a transverse section taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawing, a refrigeration apparatus generally designated 10 is shown to include an automatic ice maker generally designated 11 which may be mounted in the freezer compartment 12 of the refrigeration apparatus normally closed by a suitable door 13. The refrigeration apparatus may comprise a dual function refrigerator having a conventional above-freezing temperature refrigeration space 14 also suitably closed by a conventional door 15.

The automatic ice maker includes a control 16 for automatically controlling the forming and harvesting of ice bodies in tray 17 which receives water from a water fill line 18 controlled by an electric solenoid valve 19 conventionally referred to as the water fill solenoid. The water is delivered into tray 17 with the tray opening upwardly, as shown in FIG. 1, and upon completion of the freezing ofthe ice bodies therein, is harvested by rotating and twisting the tray freeing of the ice bodies from the tray walls and continued rotation of the tray to drop the ice bodies into the subjacent collecting bin 20.

It is desirable to vary the amount of time valve 19 is open to provide different size ice bodies. Further, because of differences in water pressure, it may be desirable to vary the valve open time to obtain a desired size ice body. The present invention is concerned with an improved switching mechanism for use in control 16 providing an improved facilitated control of the solenoid valve 19. The invention further comprehends an improved tray construction permitting substantial uniformity in the ice body size notwithstanding a substantial variation in the selected size.

The refrigeration apparatus is shown schematically as such apparatus is well known to those skilled in the art. Briefly, the apparatus may comprise conventional refrigeration apparatus including a compressor 21, a condenser 22, a flow restrictor capillary 23, a duct 24 connecting from the capillary 23 to the evaporator 25, and a duct 26 for returning refrigerant fluid from the evaporator to the compressor.

Control 16 includes a motor driven timing cam 27. One switching mechanism associated with cam 27 comprises the adjustable water fill control switching mechanism generally designated 28. Switching mechanism 28 includes a support 29 provided with a pair of

terminals

30 and 31 and is adapted to be connected to the solenoid valve 19 for electrical control thereof. A first spring blade 32 is cantilevered from support 29 and in cludes an outer distal end 33 provided with an electrical contact 34. Spring blade 32 is formed of electrically conductive material and is connected to terminal 30. A second spring blade 35 is cantilevered from support 29 and includes a distal end 36 provided with a contact 37. Spring blade 35 is formed of electrically conductive material and is connected to terminal 31 so that when the

contacts

34 and 37 are in engagement, an electrical circuit is completed to energize the solenoid valve 19 in the conventional manner.

Cam 27 includes a first high portion 38, a low, or drop, portion 39, and a second high portion 40. Spring blade 35 is biased to engage

cam portions

38 and 40 and to drop into cam low portion 39, and spring blade 32 is biased to cause contact 34 to engage contact 37 when second spring blade 35 is disposed over the cam high portions.

Control of the engagement of

contacts

34 and 37 is effected herein by means of a pair of control blades, a first control blade 41 and a second control blade 42. As shown in FIG. 3,

control blades

41 and 42 are biased to extend downwardly into the cam low portion 39. First control blade 41 is fixedly cantilevered from support 29 to have its distal end 43 underlie distal end 36 of second spring blade 35. First control blade 41 carries adjacent its distal end 43 a spacer element 44 having a shoulder 45 engageable with th distal end 33 of first spring blade 32.

Second control blade 42 is cantilevered from an adjustable carrier 46 to have its distal end 47 disposed adjacent the tip, or outer termination, 48 of first control blade 41 and serves as an adjustable extension of tip 48 to vary the control of the opening and closing of

switch contacts

34 and 37.

More specifically, carrier 46 defines a first cavity 49 receiving a cylindrical operator 50 which is eccentrically rotatable about the axis of a shaft 51 manually controlled by a knob 52 (FIG. 1) or lever on the front of ice maker control 16. Rotation of knob 52 causes swinging of operator 50 about the axis of shaft 51 to urge the carrier 46 between an outermost maximum position shown in broken lines in FIG. 4, and an innermost minimum position shown in full lines in FIG. 4. The carrier includes a guide portion 53 movable over a guide 54 carried on support 29 to guide the second control blade 42 in a longitudinal movement parallel to the longitudinal extent of first control blade 41. In the forwardmost disposition of-control blade 42, the tip 55 of control blade 42 is spaced forwardly of the tip 48 of control blade 41 a maximum amount. In the rearmost disposition of the control blade 42, the tip 55 is disposed rearwardly of the tip 48 of control blade 41. By selective control of the carrier 46 through the operation of knob 52, the user may vary the disposition of the control blade tip 55 of the control blade 42 infinitely between these two limits.

The control 16 may include a wall portion 56 provided with a slot 57 receiving a finger 58 on the carrier 46 to cooperate with guide 54 to control the rectilinear movement of the carrier as discussed above.

The operation of adjustable switching mechanism 28 a is extremely simple. The

control blades

41 and 42 ride on the high portion 38 of cam 27 as it is rotated in a counter clockwise direction 'as seen in FIG. 2 until the portion of the automatic ice maker cycle is reached wherein water is to be delivered into the tray 17. Where the control blade 42 is adjusted to project beyond the tip 48 of the control blade 41, the tip 55 of control blade 42 rides on the cam portion 38. Where the control blade 42 is adjusted to be retracted outwardly from the tip 48 of control blade 41, tip 48 of control blade 41, as well as tip 55 of blade 42, rides on the cam portion 38. In either case, the spacer 44 on control blade 41 is disposed to maintain spring blade 32 spaced outwardly from blade 35 to maintain

electrical contacts

34 and 35 disengaged, as shown in FIG. 2.

When rotation of the timing cam 27 proceeds to the point where the most forwardly projecting tip of the

control blades

41 and 42, i.e. either tip 48 of blade 41, or tip 55 of blade 42, riding on cam surface 38 falls therefrom into the low portion 39 ofthe cam 27, spacer 44 moves downwardly with control blade 41 to space shoulder 45 thereof from spring blade 32 and permit the normal biasing of spring blade 32 to cause contact 34 to engage contact 37 to complete the electrical circuit through

terminals

31 and 30 thereby energizing the electrical solenoid valve 19 and initiating water fill of the tray 17.

Valve 19 is energized open until the tip 59 of second spring blade 35 falls from high cam portion 38 into low cam portion 39 upon subsequent further movement of cam 27 whereupon, as shown in FIG. 4, spring blade 35 moves away from spring blade 32 into the cam low portion 39 thereby disengaging contact 37 from contact 34 and breaking the circuit to the water fill solenoid valve 19.

Further rotation of cam 27 causing the

control blades

42 and 41 and spring blade 35 to ride up onto second high cam surface 40 causes spacer 44 to again urge spring blade 32 outwardly to maintain

contacts

34 and 37 spaced apart in the arrangement shown in FIG. 2.

Thus, adjustable switching mechanism 28 functions to provide a maximum water fill delivery time determined by the effective distance between spring blade tip 59 and control blade tip 48. Adjustment of control blade 42 to project outwardly, or forwardly, of control blade tip 48 adjustably shortens this time be permitting tip 55 of control blade 42 to define an adjustable extension of tip 48 of control blade 41. Thus, manual control of the switching mechanism by operation of knob 52 is effective to vary the amount of water delivered to the tray from a preselected fixed maximum to an adjustable minimum. By fixing the maximum water fill time, overlilling of the tray by accidental misadjustment of the control is effectively precluded. It is to be appreciated that, if desired, the minimum switch closure time can be reduced to zero, so that no water is added to the tray. 1n the event the minimum switch closure time can be adjusted to zero" then provides the operator cam effectively shut-off the ice maker as desired such as when an ample supply of ice cubes is on hand.

The adjustable switching mechanism 28 is extremely simple and economical of construction while yet providing the improved water fill control discussed above.

As briefly indicated above, where a substantial variation in the size of the ice bodies is desired as permitting by the adjustable switching mechanism 28 in controlling the water fill solenoid valve 19 to provide a wide variation in the delivery time, it has been found necessary to provide an improved water distribution means in the tray 17, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Thus, as

6 shown therein, tray 17 is defined by a bottom wall and peripheral

upstanding side walls

61, 62, 63, and 64 (FIG. 1), defining a space 65 in which the ice bodies are formed from the water delivered thereinto through the solenoid valve 19. The space 65 is divided into a plurality of smaller compartments 66 by suitable dividing walls upstanding from the tray bottom wall 60 including a plurality of transverse dividing walls 67 and a longitudinal wall 68. As a matter of choice, more than one, or no, longitudinal dividing walls like 68 may be provided. The dividing wall 67 adjacent the lefthand side wall 61 are provided with upwardly opening concave V-shaped wiers 69 which, as shown in FIG. 5, are aligned parallel to the longitudinal wall 68 substantially midway between dividing wall 68 and side wall 61. The dividing walls 67 to the right of the dividing wall 68 are provided with similarly upwardly opening concave V- shaped weirs 70 which are aligned parallel to the longitudinal wall 68 and which are disposed closely adjacent the side wall 62. The longitudinal dividing wall 68 is provided with a plurality of upwardly opening concave V-shaped weirs 71 substantially midway between the respective transverse walls 67.

Thus, water from the solenoid valve 19 may be delivered through a suitable duct 72, as shown in FIG. 1, to one of the compartments 66 at the rear of the tray and, illustratively herein, is delivered to the left rear compartment 66 to flow therefrom over the respective weirs 10 and 71 in the adjacent dividing walls into the next compartments 66 and thence over the

supsequent weirs

69, 70 and 71 successively to each of the other compartments to substantially uniformly fill all of the compartments at least to the level of the bottom of the V-shaped

weirs

69 and 70. Typically, weirs 70 are lower than the other weirs during the water filiing operation because the tray is still rotating and the weirs 70 are on the low side of the tray as it rotates to a horizontal position. Thus, tray 17 is adjustably adapted for use with the improved water fill control discussed above to provide substantially uniform size ice bodies during each ice making operation while yet permitting a substantial variation in the selected size as controlled by the users manipulation of the knob 52 of control 16.

Further, adjustable switching mechanism 28 effectively precludes overfilling the tray 17 as well as underfilling the tray by the control of the maximum and minimum water fill operation as discussed above. As the control knob 52 is readily accessible, adjustment of the water fill time is facilitated so that improved control of the ice making operation may be effected such as during low water pressure times and where different size ice bodies are desired from those normally desired by the user, etc.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of the broad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

1 claim:

1. An ice maker having a tray and control means inlcuding an adjustable switching mechansim for controlling delivery of water to the tray as a function of the time contact portions of said switching mechanism are in engagement to vary the level of water in the tray, said switching mechanism comprising:

cam means having a sequential arrangement of a first high portion, a low portion, and a second high portion;

support means adjacent said cam means;

a first spring blade cantilevered from said support means and having a distal end biased to slidingly ride on said cam high portions and drop into said cam low portion;

a second spring blade cantilevered from said support means and having a distal end biased to engage said first blade distal portion when said first blade distal portion is riding on said cam high portions, said blades including contact portions at said distal ends providing electrical contact between said engaged blades;

a first spring control blade cantilevered from said support means and having a distal end disposed between said first spring blade end and said cam means, said control balde distal end terminating a preselected fixed distance short of the termination of said first spring blade distal end tending to drop into said cam low portion a preselected time prior to the dropping thereinto of said first spring blade distal end;

spacer means on said first control blade for engaging said second spring blade-to space said contact portions apart whenever said first control blade distal end is disposed outwardly of said cam high portions and allow said contact portions to engage when said control blade distal end has dropped into said cam low portion and said first spring blade end continues disposed outwardly of said cam first high portion, said contacts being spaced apart when said first spring blade distal end subsequently drops into said cam low portion with said control blade distal end dropped therein;

an adjustable support means; and

a second spring control blade cantilevered from said adjustable support means and having a distal end disposed between said distal end of the first control blade and said cam means, said second control blade distal end riding on said cam first high portion to delay the dropping of said first control blade distal portion into said cam low portion when the second control blade is adjusted to project forwardly beyond the distal end of said first control blade and to permit the dropping of said first control blade distal end into said cam low portion when said first blade distal end termination reaches said cam low portion and said second blade distal end is adjusted to extend no further than to the termination of said first control blade distal end.

2. The ice maker of claim 1 wherein said adjustable support means includes manual operating means for selectively positioning said second control blade.

3. The ice maker of claim 1 wherin said adjustable suport means includes a rotatable knob adapted to be manipulated by the user for selectively positioning said second control blade to thereby vary the time the contact portions are in engagement.

4. The ice maker of claim 1 wherein said adjustable support means is arranged to adjust the second control blade longitudinally parallel to said first control blade.

5. The ice maker of claim 1 wherein said adjustable support means includes stop means for limiting the forward positioning of said second control blade to preclude extension thereof beyond the termination of said first spring blade distal end.

6. The ice maker of claim 1 wherein said adjustable support means is disposed adjacent said first named support means.

7. The ice maker of claim 1 wherein said adjustable support means and said first named support means include cooperating guide means.

8. The ice maker of claim 1 wherein said adjustable support means is arranged to retract said second control blade distal end to short of termination of said first control blade distal end.

Po-wso UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION v Patent No. 3,779,032 Dated December 18, 1973 Inventor(s) DUANE C. NICHOLS It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent -and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim 1, col. 7, line 12:

insert "distal" between "blade" and "end".

Claim 1, col 7, line 13:

correct spelling of "balde" to "blade".

Claim 1, col. 7, line 25:

insert "distal" between T"blade" and "end".

Claim 3, correct spelling of "wherin" to "wherein".-

Claim 8, insert "the" before "termination".

Signed and sealed this 9th day of April 197M.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETGHER,JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents po-wso UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6? CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent 3779'032 Dated I December 18, 1973 Inventor(s) V DUANE C. NICHOLS It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim 1, col. 7, line 12:

insert "distal" between "blade" and. "end".

Claim 1, col. 7, line 13:

correct spelling of "balde" to "blade".

Claim 1, col. 7, line 25:

insert "distal" between "blade" and "end Y Claim 3, correct spelling of "wherin" to "wherein". Y

Claim 8, insert "the" before "termination Signed and sealed this 9th day of April 19714..

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD .MFLETCHERJR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. An ice maker having a tray and control means inlcuding an adjustable switching mechansim for controlling delivery of water to the tray as a function of the time contact portions of said switching mechanism are in engagement to vary the level of water in the tray, said switching mechanism comprising: cam means having a sequential arrangement of a first high portion, a low portion, and a second high portion; support means adjacent said cam means; a first spring blade cantilevered from said support means and having a distal end biased to slidingly ride on said cam high portions and drop into said cam low portion; a second spring blade cantilevered from said support means and having a distal end biased to engage said first blade distal portion when said first blade distal portion is riding on said cam high portions, said blades including contact portions at said distal ends providing electrical contact between said engaged blades; a first spring control blade cantilevered from said support means and having a distal end disposed between said first spring blade end and said cam means, said control balde distal end terminating a preselected fixed distance short of the termination of said first spring blade distal end tending to drop into said cam low portion a preselected time prior to the dropping thereinto of said first spring blade distal end; spacer means on said first control blade for engaging said second spring blade to space said contact portions apart whenever said first control blade distal end is disposed outwardly of said cam high portions and allow said contact portions to engage when said control blade distal end has dropped into said cam low portion and said first spring blade end continues disposed outwardly of said cam first high portion, said contacts being spaced apart when said first spring blade distal end subsequently drops into said cam low portion with said control blade distal end dropped therein; an adjustable support means; and a second spring control blade cantilevered from said adjustable support means and having a distal end disposed between said distal end of the first control blade and said cam means, said second control blade distal end riding on said cam first high portion to delay the dropping of said first control blade distal portion into said cam low portion when the second control blade is adjusted to project forwardly beyond the distal end of said first control blade and to permit the dropping of said first control blade distal end into said cam low portion when said first blade distal end termination reaches said cam low portion and said second blade distal end is adjusted to extend no further than to the termination of said first control blade distal end.