JP3340184B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic ice making device mounted on a refrigerator or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional automatic ice making apparatus is disclosed in
There was one described in Japanese Patent No. 15466. This content will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIGS. 6 to 9, reference numeral 1 denotes a refrigerator main body, 2 denotes a freezing room, 3 denotes a door of the freezing room 2, 4 denotes an automatic ice making device, and 5 denotes a device made by this device 4. An ice storage box for storing ice.

An ice tray 6 has a driving device 7 for driving the ice tray 6. Reference numeral 8 denotes a metal frame that rotatably supports the rear end of the ice tray 6 and one of which is fixed to the driving device 7 with screws or the like. The ice tray 6 is used for supplying water to form an ice block, and is made of a flexible material. The driving device 7 is a device for inverting and twisting the ice tray 6 in each ice making cycle and dropping the ice blocks therein into the ice storage box 5.

The mounting structure of the driving device 7 and the like includes a first engaging member 10 provided on the upper plate 9, a second engaging member 11 provided on the driving device 7, and the two engaging members 10, 11. Is constituted by an elastic member 12 interposed therebetween. 13 is a driving device 7
A drive device lead wire 14 taken out of the connector is a connector attached to the lead wire 13.

[0005] The connector 14 is connected to a connector (not shown) attached to a main body side lead wire taken out of the side wall of the main body 1. As shown in FIG. 9, the connecting portion of the two connectors is housed in a recess 15 provided in the front wall of the housing of the drive device 7, and is waterproofed by fitting an elastic sealing material 16 into an opening on the front side thereof. It has become.

According to Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 52-18755, as shown in FIG. 10, an ice detecting lever 17 for detecting the amount of ice stored in the ice storage box 5 is provided in the driving device 7, and ice is formed in the ice tray 6. Then, the ice detecting lever 17 is operated to detect whether or not the amount of ice stored in the ice storage box 5 is less than a predetermined amount. If the amount is less than the predetermined amount, the ice tray 6 is rotated to start the ice releasing operation.

Further, an ice tong 18 shown in FIG. 11 as a device for picking up ice in the ice box 5 is generally commercially available as a structure which is set at a predetermined position of the freezing room 2 or the door 3.

[0008]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional structure, the frame 8 is made of metal to withstand the torque during the operation of rotating the ice tray 6 by the driving device 7. As a result, dew forms and freezes, and there is a danger of malfunction of the automatic ice making device 4 and rattling of the mounting portion, which may cause a squeaky sound, and is expensive. Further, the housing portion of the connector 14 of the lead wire 13 needs the elastic sealing material 16 for waterproof treatment.

When the ice storage box 5 is pulled out when the ice storage lever 17 is lowered into the ice storage box 5 as an operation for detecting the ice storage amount, the ice storage lever 17 is prevented from being broken. A notch is usually provided at the rear of the box 5. However, if the ice detecting lever 17 is shifted left and right, the ice detecting box 17 may be caught by the ice storage box 5, and the prevention of destruction was not perfect.

Further, when the ice tongs 18 for picking up ice are placed in the freezer compartment 2 or the door 3, it is very inconvenient to use.
When stored in the ice storage box 5, the ice detection lever 17,
This was a cause of trouble such as being caught on the ice tray 6.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an automatic ice making apparatus according to the present invention comprises an upper plate holding a driving device and having a hollow inside, one of which is fitted to the driving device and the other of which is fitted to the driving device. It comprises an ice tray rotatably inserted into an ice tray support hole provided in the upper plate, and a stopper provided on the upper plate in the rotation direction of the ice tray.

Further, the upper plate is constituted by an opening provided in a portion communicating with the hollow portion, a step provided around the opening, and a plate fitted in the step. is there.

Further, a side plate having a fitting hole attached to the freezer compartment side wall, a left side plate having a fitting piece engaged with the fitting hole and fixed to the left side of the upper plate, and It comprises a fixed sensor for detecting the completion of ice making, and a connector hole provided in the side plate fitted with a power supply connector connected to a connector of a cord of a driving device.

A flange extending downward from the top plate;
It comprises a side plate fixed to one side of the ceiling, and a freezer compartment sensor inserted and fixed between the flange and the side plate.

Further, a driving device installed in the freezer compartment, an ice detecting lever mounted on the driving device for detecting full ice, an ice tray rotatably mounted by the driving device, and a lower portion of the ice tray are installed. The ice storage box has a circular arc shape at the rear and a cutout provided at a position facing the ice detection lever at the rear of the ice storage box.

Further, a driving device installed in the freezer compartment,
And the attached ice tray rotatably by the drive device, is installed in the lower ice tray, an ice tongs pinch the ice front
It is composed of a stored ice storage box.

[0017]

With the above structure, the upper plate is formed by hollow molding, so that the strength of the upper plate is improved, and a member for supporting the drive device, especially a metal frame, can be eliminated, malfunctions due to icing can be prevented, and costs can be reduced. Can also be planned. Further, by closing the opening for forming the hollow portion of the upper plate, it is possible to prevent a problem such as cracking of the upper plate due to entry of water into the hollow portion.

Further, since the connector of the cord is accommodated between the side plate attached to the freezer compartment side wall and the left side plate fixed on the upper side, the waterproof treatment can be reliably performed.

Further, since the refrigeration sensor is located between the flange of the top plate and the side plate, it is possible to prevent a temperature rise when water is supplied to the ice tray, and to perform stable freezing room control.

Further, since the rear portion of the ice storage box has an arc shape and is formed with a notch, even if the ice storage box is pulled out when the ice detection lever is lowered, the ice detection lever is guided in an arc shape and the notch portion is formed. As it passes, prevention of destruction can be achieved.

Further, since the ice tongs for picking up ice can be installed at the front of the ice storage box, it is easy to use and can prevent the failure of the drive device due to being left inside the ice storage box.

[0022]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the related art, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show an automatic ice making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 19 is an automatic ice making device, 7 is a driving device for driving the ice tray 6, 20
Is an ice storage box, the rear of which has an arc shape 20a,
b is formed.

Reference numeral 21 denotes an ice detecting lever provided in the drive unit 7 for detecting the amount of ice in the ice storage box 20, and its tip 21a
Has an inclined surface facing upward, and is mounted so as to face the notch 20b of the ice storage box 20. Reference numeral 22 denotes an ice tong, which is a fitting groove 20 formed in the front of the ice storage box 20.
c.

Reference numeral 23 denotes an upper plate having a hollow portion 23a,
A first engagement member 23b for attaching the elastic member 12 to the second engagement member 11 of the driving device 7 is formed. An ice tray supporting hole 23c rotatably supports a shaft 6a formed at the rear of the ice tray 6, and a stopper 23d for releasing ice at a predetermined position when the ice tray 6 is released, that is, when the ice tray 6 is rotated. It is.

Reference numeral 23e denotes an opening for enclosing nitrogen gas or the like for forming the hollow portion 23a of the upper plate 23.
3f is a step provided around the opening hole 23e,
A plate 24 is fitted into the step 23f.

Reference numeral 25 denotes a side plate mounted on the side wall of the freezer compartment 2, which has a fitting hole 25a and a connector hole 25b. Reference numeral 26 denotes a left side plate fitted and fixed to the left side of the upper plate 23, and reference numeral 26a denotes a fitting piece formed on the left side plate 26 and engaged with the fitting hole 25b.

Reference numeral 27 denotes a flange extending downward on the right side of the upper plate 23 in the figure, and reference numeral 28 denotes a right side plate fitted and fixed to the right side of the upper plate 23. 29 detects the temperature of the freezing room 2,
A freezing room sensor that starts a cooling operation when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature or higher, and is inserted and fixed between the extension flange 27 and the right side plate 28. The right side plate 27 has a freezing room sensor 29.
Hole 2 for making it easier to detect the temperature of freezer 2
8a is provided, and conversely, the extension flange 27 has no hole, and prevents the heat effect caused by warm water entering and exiting the ice tray 6, so that the temperature in the freezer compartment 2 can be accurately detected. .

Reference numeral 13 denotes a drive lead wire taken out of the drive device 7, reference numeral 30 denotes a sensor fixed to the back of the ice tray 6 for sensing completion of ice making, and reference numeral 31 denotes a lead wire of the sensor 30 attached to the drive lead wire. Connector. This connector 31 is connected to a connector 32 attached to a power supply main body side lead wire fitted in the connector hole 25b of the side plate 25 through the connector hole 26b of the left side plate 26. With this configuration, the left side plate 26 is connected to the connectors 31 and 32.
Prevents water from entering the part.

With the above configuration, since the upper plate 23 is formed by hollow molding, the strength of the upper plate 23 is improved, and it is necessary to use a member for supporting the driving device 7 and the ice tray 6, particularly a metal frame or the like. As a result, operation failure due to dew condensation and icing caused by opening and closing the door can be prevented, and cost can be reduced.

Further, since the rear portion of the ice storage box 20 is formed in an arc shape 20a, even if the ice storage box 20 is pulled out in a state where the ice detection lever 21 is lowered, the tip 21a of the ice detection lever 21 can be used.
Even if is displaced in the left-right direction, it is guided by the arc shape 20a and passes through the notch 20b, so that it does not break.

Further, since the ice tongs 22 for picking up ice are set at predetermined positions in the ice storage box 20, the usability at the time of taking out the ice is good, and there is no danger of being left inside the ice storage box 20. It is possible to prevent failure such as being caught when the lever 21 or the ice tray 6 rotates.

[0033]

As described above, the automatic ice making device of the present invention
An upper plate holding the driving device and having a hollow interior, an ice tray rotatably inserted into an ice tray supporting hole provided on one side by fitting the driving device into the other, and the ice tray; And a stopper provided on the upper plate in the rotation direction.

Further, the upper plate is constituted by an opening provided in a portion communicating with the hollow portion, a step provided around the opening, and a plate fitted in the step. is there.

Further, a side plate having a fitting hole attached to the freezer compartment side wall, a left side plate having a fitting piece engaged with the fitting hole and fixed to the left side of the upper plate, and It comprises a fixed sensor for detecting the completion of ice making, and a connector hole provided in the side plate fitted with a power supply connector connected to a connector of a cord of a driving device.

A flange extending downward from the top plate;
It comprises a side plate fixed to one side of the top plate, and a freezer compartment sensor inserted and fixed between the flange and the side plate.

Further, a driving device installed in the freezing room, an ice detecting lever mounted on the driving device for detecting full ice, an ice tray rotatably mounted by the driving device, and a lower portion of the ice tray are installed. The ice storage box has a circular arc shape at the rear and a cutout provided at a position facing the ice detection lever at the rear of the ice storage box.

Further, a driving device installed in the freezing room,
It is composed of an ice tray rotatably mounted by this drive device, and an ice storage box provided at the lower part of the ice tray and formed with an ice tongue fitting groove for picking up ice in the front part. The effect is obtained.

Since the upper plate is formed by hollow molding, the strength of the upper plate is improved, and a member for supporting the driving device, particularly, a metal frame can be eliminated, operation failure due to icing can be prevented, and cost can be reduced. Further, by closing the opening for forming the hollow portion of the upper plate, it is possible to prevent a problem such as cracking of the upper plate due to entry of water into the hollow portion.

Further, since the cord connector is accommodated between the side plate attached to the side wall of the freezer compartment and the left side plate fixed on the upper side, waterproof treatment can be reliably performed.

Further, since the freezing room sensor is located between the flange of the top plate and the right side plate, it is possible to prevent a rise in temperature when water is supplied to the ice tray, and to perform stable freezing room control.

Further, since the rear portion of the ice storage box is formed in an arc shape and formed with a notch, even if the ice storage box is pulled out when the ice detection lever is lowered, the water supply lever is guided in an arc shape and passes through the notch portion. Therefore, destruction can be prevented.

Further, since the ice tongs for picking up ice can be installed at the front of the ice storage box, it is easy to use and can prevent the failure of the drive device due to being left inside the ice storage box.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an automatic ice making device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of an automatic ice making device.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the automatic ice making device.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of a rear part of an upper plate.

FIG. 5 is a top view showing an ice storage box and an ice detection lever.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a conventional refrigerator.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part of a conventional automatic ice making device.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the automatic ice making device.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a drive device mounting portion.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing another conventional example.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an ice tong.

[Explanation of symbols]

 6 Ice tray 7 Drive device 19 Automatic ice maker 20 Ice storage box 20a Arc shape 20b Notch 21 Ice detection lever 22 Ice tong 23 Upper plate 23a Hollow portion 23c Ice tray support hole 23d Stopper 23e Open hole 23f Step portion 24 Plate 25 Side plate 25b Connector hole 26 Left side plate 27 Flange 28 Right side plate 29 Freezer compartment sensor 31, 32 Connector

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-6-213546 (JP, A) JP-A-4-302971 (JP, A) JP-A-4-32673 (JP, A) JP-A-4-324 136673 (JP, A) Fully open 55-123767 (JP, U) Fully open 58-114482 (JP, U) Fully open 49-125375 (JP, U) Really open 4-36574 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F25C 1/00-1/12 F25C 1/16-5/18

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. An upper plate that is installed in a freezer compartment and holds a drive device and has a hollow interior, and one is fitted into the drive device and the other is rotated by an ice tray support hole provided in the upper plate. An automatic ice making device comprising an ice tray freely inserted and a stopper provided on the upper plate in a direction of rotation of the ice tray. 2. An opening provided in a portion communicating with a hollow portion of the upper plate, a step provided around the opening,
2. The automatic ice making device according to claim 1, comprising a plate fitted to said stepped portion to close the opening hole. 3. A side plate having a fitting hole attached to a freezer compartment side wall, a left side plate having a fitting piece engaged with the fitting hole, and fixed to a left side of an upper plate, and a back surface of an ice tray. 2. A fixed sensor for detecting the completion of ice making, and a connector hole provided in the side plate, into which a power connector connected to a connector of a cord of a driving device is fitted.
The automatic ice making device as described. 4. A refrigerator comprising: a flange extending downward from a top plate; a side plate fixed to one side of an upper plate; and a freezer compartment sensor inserted and fixed between the flange and the side plate. The automatic ice making device as described. 5. An ice detector attached to a drive unit for detecting full ice.
A lever, an ice bin located below the ice tray, and this ice bin
A cutout provided at the rear of the box at a position facing the ice detection lever
2. The automatic ice making device according to claim 1, comprising: 6. An ice tray is provided at a lower portion of the ice tray, and ice is picked up at a front portion thereof.
2. An ice storage box containing an ice tong.
Automatic ice-making device.