WO2019129406A1

WO2019129406A1 - A cooling device comprising an ice making device

Info

Publication number: WO2019129406A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/078588
Authority: WO
Inventors: Burhan SAHIN; Mehmet YASAR; Serdar BIRICIK; Hüseyin GUMUS; Ibrahim Yilmaz Evren
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2017-12-25
Filing date: 2018-10-18
Publication date: 2019-07-04
Also published as: TR201721661A2; EP3732412B1; PL3732412T3; EP3732412A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising an ice making device (2), wherein the ice making device (2) has a first ice tray (3) having a plurality of open-top cells filled with water; a second ice tray (4) that is positioned next to the first ice tray (3) parallel on the same plane and that has a plurality of open-top cells filled with water, and a driving mechanism (5) that can be moved in two different ways, that moves only the first ice tray (3) with the first movement (I) and that returns the first ice tray (3) to its initial position and moves the second ice tray (4) with the second movement (II).

Description

A COOLING DEVICE COMPRISING AN ICE MAKING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a cooling device comprising an ice making device that is used for making ice cubes.

When the ice trays in the ice making devices used in cooling devices are driven by means of a driving mechanism, all of the ice cubes in the ice tray are taken out. Especially when two ice trays are twisted by means of a single motor to enable the ice cubes to fall down, the motor pin is subjected to excessive load which results in damaging the motor pin. On the other hand, using two motors increases the number of parts used and the cost. Furthermore, the control of the motors becomes problematic and the structure of the ice making device gets complicated.

In the state of the art, the ice trays are driven by means of a single driving mechanism.

The state of the art Chinese Patent Application No. CN103712390 discloses the driving at a single point of two ice trays that are connected to each other by means of gears.

Another state of the art document is Chinese Patent Application No. CN202066269. In this document, the ice trays are driven simultaneously by means of the gears provided on the driving arm.

In the state of the art Chinese Patent Application No. CN202066272, the two arms that are connected to the twisting gears are provided with driving mechanisms that rotate both gears. The driving mechanism is connected to a single arm and the arm, when pushed, rotates both gears and drives both ice trays.

Another state of the art document is Chinese Patent Application No. CN202166250. In this document, the ice trays are connected to two gears and said gears are driven by means of a gear rack.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device comprising an ice making device wherein two ice trays are driven easily and safely by means of a single driving mechanism.

The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof comprises a driving mechanism that is moved in two different ways, wherein, with the first movement, only the first ice tray is moved and with the second movement, the first ice tray is returned to its initial position and the second ice tray is moved. Thus, at first, only one of the ice trays is moved. By moving only the first ice tray with the first movement of the driving mechanism, the ice cubes therein are taken out, and with the second movement of the driving mechanism, the first ice tray returns to its initial position and simultaneously the second ice tray starts its movement. When the first ice tray reaches its initial position, the second ice tray completes its movement and the ice cubes therein are enabled to be taken out. Thus, the user can empty both ice trays quickly and safely by controlling a single driving mechanism and the desired amount of ice cubes can be obtained.

The first ice tray and the second ice tray are arranged side by side parallel to each other on the same horizontal plane so that each can be rotated and twisted around a horizontal axis.

The driving mechanism comprises a rear cover and a front cover; a motor that is arranged between the front cover and the rear cover and that is attached to the first ice tray; a first gear that is attached onto the motor so as to be coaxial with the motor; a locking mechanism that is attached onto the motor so as to be coaxial with the first gear and to allow the first gear to rotate in one direction and prevent the same from rotating in the other direction; a third gear that is adjacent to the first gear and that contacts the first gear so as to receive the movement of the first gear, and a second gear that is fixed to the second ice tray and that contacts the third gear so as to receive the movement of the third gear and hence of the first gear.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the diameters of the first and the second gears are equal, and the diameter of the third gear is smaller than the diameters of the first and the second gears.

The locking mechanism functions as a ratchet mechanism. Thus, the first gear is allowed to rotate in one direction but prevented from rotating in the other direction. The locking mechanism comprises a ratchet gear; at least one arm with one end fixed onto the first gear and the other end contacting the ratchet gear, and at least one spring with one end fixed onto the first gear and the other end contacting the free end of the arm so as to enable the arm to continuously contact the ratchet gear. In the locking mechanism, during the rotation of the ratchet gear in the allowed direction, the arm slides over the ratchet gear and skips the teeth thereof. When the rotation movement is towards the blocked direction, the arm that is pushed onto the ratchet gear by the spring bears against the teeth of the ratchet gear and blocks the rotation of the ratchet gear.

The driving mechanism comprises at least one stopper that is positioned at the center of the first gear at an angle so as to enable the arm to be moved away from the ratchet gear so that the locking mechanism is disengaged and deactivated. The stopper is preferably positioned at the angle of 160º.

The driving mechanism further comprises a winding spring that is attached onto the second gear and that enables the second ice tray to return back to its initial position after the movement of the second ice tray is completed.

In the locking mechanism in the first gear, the arms are continuously pushed towards the ratchet gear by means of the springs. When the motor is rotated counterclockwise, the ratchet gear that moves together with the same rotates counterclockwise and the arms in the locking mechanism slide over the ratchet gear so that only the ratchet gear rotates. When the motor is rotated clockwise, the ratchet gear also rotates clockwise, the locking mechanism is activated and the arm bears against the teeth of the ratchet gear and gets stuck. In this case, the ratchet gear pushes the arm and also moves the first gear onto which the arm is fixed. The clockwise rotation ends when the arms reach approximately 160º, bear against the stopper and move away from the ratchet gear, and thus, the locking mechanism is disengaged by means of the stopper. Thus, the first and the second ice trays rotate separately and both the first and the second ice trays are enabled to return to their initial positions by making a 160º turn by means of the preferably 160º clockwise turn of the motor.

By means of the present invention, both ice trays are driven by using a single motor. Thus, the ice making process is performed using a lower number of parts and occupying a smaller volume in the cooling device. Furthermore, since only one motor is used, the power consumption and the cost of the cooling device are decreased.

A cooling device realized in order to attain the aim the object of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a cooling device.

Figure 2 - is the perspective view of an ice making device.

Figure 3 - is the exploded view of the ice making device.

Figure 4 - is the view of the ice trays and the driving mechanism in the initial position.

Figure 5 - is the view of the ice trays and the driving mechanism in the first movement position.

Figure 6 - is the view of the ice trays and the driving mechanism in the second movement position.

Figure 7 - is the view of the ice trays and the driving mechanism in the return position.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Cooling device
Ice making device
First ice tray
Second ice tray
Driving mechanism
Rear cover
Front cover
Motor
First gear
Second gear
Third gear
Locking mechanism
Ratchet gear
Arm
Spring
Stopper
Winding spring
Shaft
Torsional spring
First bearing
Second bearing
Third bearing

The cooling device (1) comprises an ice making device (2), wherein the ice making device (2) has a first ice tray (3) having a plurality of open-top cells filled with water; a second ice tray (4) that is positioned next to the first ice tray (3) parallel on the same plane and that has a plurality of open-top cells filled with water, and a driving mechanism (5) that can be moved in two different ways, that moves only the first ice tray (3) with the first movement (I) and that returns the first ice tray (3) to its initial position and moves the second ice tray (4) with the second movement (II) (Figure 1 and Figure 2).

The driving mechanism (5) can be moved in two different ways, and with the two different movements of the driving mechanism (5), first, one of the ice trays (3, 4) in the ice making device (2), preferably the first ice tray (3) is moved. By moving the first ice tray (3), the ice cubes therein are enabled to be taken out. Thus, by moving only the first ice tray (3) with the first movement (I) of the driving mechanism (5), the ice cubes therein are taken out, and with the second movement (II) of the driving mechanism (5), the first ice tray (3) returns to its initial position and simultaneously the second ice tray (4) starts its movement. When the first ice tray (3) reaches its initial position, the second ice tray (4) completes its movement and the ice cubes therein are enabled to be taken out. Thus, the user can empty the first and the second ice trays (3 ,4) quickly and safely by controlling a single driving mechanism (5) and the desired amount of ice cubes can be obtained.

The first ice tray (3) and the second ice tray (4) are arranged side by side parallel to each other on the same horizontal plane so that each can be rotated and twisted around a horizontal axis. The cooling device (1) comprises shafts (18) that are arranged preferably on the shorter edges of the first ice tray (3) and the second ice tray (4), and the shafts (18) are borne in the cooling device (1) wall wherein the ice making device (2) is placed. By means of the shafts (18) that are borne so as to enable the first ice tray (3) and the second ice tray (4) to be rotated relative to each other, both the first and the second trays (3 and 4) are enabled to be moved and supported. Thus, when the cells in the first and the second ice trays (3 and 4) are filled with water, the water is enabled to be kept therein in a stable manner and prevented from spilling.

The cooling device (1) further comprises two torsional springs (19), each attached to one of the shafts (18) on the rear edges of the first and the second ice trays (3 and 4), enabling the first and the second ice trays (3 and 4) to be twisted when the first and the second ice trays (3 and 4) are rotated. Thus, the front and rear sides of the first and the second ice trays (3 and 4) are not rotated simultaneously and thus, the first and the second ice trays (3 and 4) are enabled to be twisted as the rear side moves later than the front side when the force is applied.

The driving mechanism (5) comprises a rear cover (6) and a front cover (7); a motor (8) that is arranged between the rear cover (6) and the front cover (7) and that is attached to the first ice tray (3); a first gear (9) that is attached onto the motor (8) so as to be coaxial with the motor (8); a locking mechanism (12) that is attached onto the motor (8) so as to be coaxial with the first gear (9) and to allow the first gear (9) to rotate in one direction and prevent the same from rotating in the other direction; a third gear (11) that is adjacent to the first gear (9) and that contacts the first gear (9) so as to receive the movement of the first gear (9), and a second gear (10) that is fixed to the second ice tray (4) and that contacts the third gear (11) so as to receive the movement of the third gear (11) and hence of the first gear (9) (Figure 3).

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the diameters of the first and the second gears (9 and 10) are equal and the diameter of the third gear (11) is smaller than the diameters of the first and the second gears (9 and 10).

The driving mechanism (5) comprises a first bearing (20), a second bearing (21) and a third bearing (22) arranged on the same plane on the rear cover (6), wherein the first, the second and the third gears are borne (9, 10 and 11) respectively. In this embodiment of the present invention, the center of the first bearing (20) is hollow so as to enable the shaft (18) of the first ice tray (3) to be connected to the motor (8) and similarly, the center of the second bearing (21) is hollow so as to enable the shaft (18) of the second ice tray (4) to be connected to the second gear (10).

The locking mechanism (12) functions as a ratchet mechanism. The locking mechanism (12) comprises a ratchet gear (13); at least one arm (14) with one end fixed onto the first gear (9) and the other end contacting the ratchet gear (13), and at least one spring (15) with one end fixed onto the first gear (9) and the other end contacting the free end of the arm (14) so as to enable the arm (14) to continuously contact the ratchet gear (13). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, two arms (14) and two springs (15) are provided symmetrically with respect to the horizontal plane. In the locking mechanism (12), during the rotation of the ratchet gear (13) in the allowed direction, the arm (14) slides over the ratchet gear (13) and skips the teeth thereof. When the rotation movement is towards the blocked direction, the arm (14) that is pushed onto the ratchet gear (13) by the spring (15) bears against the teeth of the ratchet gear (13) and blocks the rotation of the ratchet gear (13).

The driving mechanism (5) comprises at least one stopper (16) that is positioned at the center of the first gear (9) at the desired angle so as to release the locking mechanism (12). The stopper (16) moves the arm (14) away from the front of the ratchet gear (13) and enables the locking mechanism (12) to be disengaged. In the embodiment of the present invention, the stopper (16) is preferably a pin that is positioned at 160º. In this embodiment, the driving mechanism (5) comprises two stoppers (16).

The driving mechanism (5) further comprises a winding spring (17) that is attached onto the second gear (10) and that enables the second ice tray (4) to return back to its initial position after the movement thereof is completed. The winding spring (17) is fixed to the rear cover (6) with one end while fixed to the shaft (18) at the center of the second gear (10) with the other end, and wound spirally at the center of the second gear (10).

The driving mechanism (5) is connected to the first and the second gears (3 and 4) in the following manner: The spring (15) and the arm (14) are attached to the rear cover (6) with one end. Then, the first gear (9) is seated into the first bearing (20) on the rear cover (6), the second gear (10) is seated into the second bearing (21) and the third gear (11) is seated into the third bearing (22). After the ratchet gear (13) is mounted onto the motor (8), the winding spring (17) attached to the second gear (10) is seated into place. The front cover (7) is placed onto the rear gear (6) so that the first, the second and the third gear (9, 10 and 11) are positioned therebetween. Then, the shafts (18) that extend from the first and the second ice trays (3 and 4) are fixed to the motor (8) at the center of the first gear (9) and to the center of the second gear (10) respectively, and thereby, completing the connection of the first and the second ice trays (3 and 4) to the driving mechanism (5).

In the locking mechanism (12) in the first gear (9), the arms (14) are continuously pushed towards the ratchet gear (13) by means of the springs (15). When the motor (8) is rotated counterclockwise, the ratchet gear (13) that moves together with the motor (8) rotates counterclockwise and the arms (14) in the locking mechanism (12) slide over the ratchet gear (13) so that only the ratchet gear (13) rotates. When the motor (8) is rotated clockwise, the ratchet gear (13) also rotates clockwise, the locking mechanism (12) is activated and the arm (14) bears against the teeth of the ratchet gear (13) and gets stuck. In this case, the ratchet gear (13) pushes the arm (14) and also moves the first gear (9) onto which the arm (14) is fixed. The clockwise rotation ends when the arms (14) reach approximately 160º, bear against the stopper (16) and move away from the ratchet gear (13), and thus, the locking mechanism (12) is disengaged by means of the stopper (16).

The movements of the first and the second ice trays (3 and 4) are as follows. When the motor (8) is not active, the first and the second ice trays (3 and 4) are positioned next to each other horizontally in a stable manner (Figure 4). When the motor (8) is rotated counterclockwise, the ratchet gear (13) in the locking mechanism (12) also rotates counterclockwise, and the arms (14) in the locking mechanism (12) slide over the ratchet gear (13) so that only the ratchet gear (13) that is connected to the motor (8) and the first ice tray (3) that is connected to the same rotate. During this process, the second ice tray (4) remains in its initial stable position. The first movement (I) is completed when the first ice tray (3) reaches approximately 160º. In this position, the second ice tray (4) is in its initial stable position and the first ice tray (3) is twisted (Figure 5). The second movement (II) starts when the motor (8) starts rotating clockwise. In this case, the motor (8) rotates clockwise, and the ratchet gear (13) that is connected to the motor (8) rotates together with the motor (8). Meanwhile, the arms (14) in the locking mechanism (12) engage with the teeth of the ratchet gear (13) and the first gear (9) is enabled to be rotated together with the ratchet gear (13). As the first gear (9) starts rotating, the third gear (11) and the second gear (10) that is connected to the third gear (11) start rotating. In this case, the first ice tray (3) returns to its initial position and the second ice tray (4) that is connected to the second gear (10) starts rotating and twisting. Meanwhile, the winding spring (17) that is fixed to the second gear (10) is wound. When the first ice tray (3) returns to its initial stable position, the second ice tray (4) reaches 160º by being twisted and the second movement (II) is completed (Figure 6). When the second ice tray (4) reaches 160º, the winding gear (17) is wound completely, i.e. up to 160º, the locking mechanism (12) is disengaged as the arms (14) in the locking mechanism (12) contact the stopper (16) and move away from the front of the ratchet gear (13). In this case, the first gear (9) is released from the motor (8) and the second gear (10) rotates counterclockwise and returns the second ice tray (4) to the initial stable position after being subject to the potential energy stored in the winding spring (17) when the winding spring (17) is wound (Figure 7).

By means of the present invention, the first and the second ice trays (3 and 4) rotate separately and the first and the second ice trays (3 and 4) are enabled to return to their initial positions by making a 160º turn by means of the preferably 160º clockwise turn of the motor (8).

Claims

A cooling device (1) comprising a first ice tray (3) having a plurality of open-top cells filled with water; a second ice tray (4) that is positioned next to the first ice tray (3) parallel on the same plane and that has a plurality of open-top cells filled with water, characterized by an ice making device (2) having a driving mechanism (5)

- that can be moved in two different ways,

- that moves only the first ice tray (3) with the first movement (I) and

- that returns the first ice tray (3) to its initial position and moves the second ice tray (4) with the second movement (II).
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the first ice tray (3) and the second ice tray (4) arranged side by side parallel to each other on the same horizontal plane so that each can be rotated and twisted around a horizontal axis.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the driving mechanism (5) that comprises a rear cover (6) and a front cover (7); a motor (8) that is arranged between the rear cover (6) and the front cover (7) and that is attached to the first ice tray (3); a first gear (9) that is attached onto the motor (8) so as to be coaxial with the motor (8); a locking mechanism (12) that is attached onto the motor (8) so as to be coaxial with the first gear (9) and to allow the first gear (9) to rotate in one direction and prevent the same from rotating in the other direction; a third gear (11) that is adjacent to the first gear (9) and that contacts the first gear (9) so as to receive the movement of the first gear (9), and a second gear (10) that is fixed to the second ice tray (4) and that contacts the third gear (11) so as to receive the movement of the third gear (11).
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by the first and the second gears (9 and 10) that have equal diameters.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 3 and Claim 4, characterized by the third gear (11) that has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first and the second gears (9 and 10).
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by the driving mechanism (5) comprising a first bearing (20), a second bearing (21) and a third bearing (22) arranged on the same plane on the rear cover (6), wherein the first, the second and the third gears are borne (9, 10 and 11) respectively.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by the locking mechanism (12) comprising a ratchet gear (13); at least one arm (14) with one end fixed onto the first gear (9) and the other end contacting the ratchet gear (13), and at least one spring (15) with one end fixed onto the first gear (9) and the other end contacting the free end of the arm (14) so as to enable the arm (14) to continuously contact the ratchet gear (13).
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 7, characterized by the two arms (14) and two springs (15) that are positioned symmetrically with respect to the horizontal plane.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 3 and Claim 7, characterized by the driving mechanism (5) comprising at least one stopper (16) that is positioned at the center of the first gear (9) at the desired angle so as to release the locking mechanism (12).
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 9, characterized by the stopper (16) that is positioned at the angle of 160º.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by the driving mechanism (5) comprising a winding spring (17) that is attached onto the second gear (10) and that enables the second ice tray (4) to return back to its initial position after the movement thereof is completed.
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the first and the second ice trays (3 and 4) that are rotated by 160º when the motor (8) is rotated 160º in the clockwise direction.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by two torsional springs (19), each attached to one of the shafts (18) on the rear edges of the first and the second ice trays (3 and 4), enabling the first and the second ice trays (3 and 4) to be twisted when the first and the second ice trays (3 and 4) are rotated.