JP6375183B2 - Automatic ice machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic ice making machine that manufactures ice by supplying ice making water from a fountain hole of a water tray to each ice making chamber partitioned and formed in an ice making mold.

  This type of automatic ice making machine is known, for example, from Patent Document 1. The automatic ice making machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an ice making mold (cooler) in which a large number of ice making chambers opening downward are formed, and water in which many fountain holes for supplying ice making water to each ice making chamber are formed. A pan and a motor for swinging the water pan around the swing shaft are provided. The water tray receives the driving force of the motor, and has an upper ice making posture (horizontal closed position) facing the ice making chamber and a lower ice removing posture (tilt opening position) inclined away from the ice making mold. Swing between.

  A posture detection mechanism for detecting the posture of the water tray is provided around the output shaft of the motor. The posture detection mechanism is composed of one magnet and two magnetic sensors. Specifically, a magnet is disposed on a fixture fixed to the output shaft of the motor, and two magnetic sensors are disposed at a predetermined interval on a substrate fixed to the outer surface of the motor. According to this, when a motor operates and a water tray rocks | fluctuates, a fixture rotates integrally with an output shaft, and a magnet displaces relatively with respect to both magnetic sensors. The positional relationship between the magnet and the two magnetic sensors is set so that the magnet faces one of the magnetic sensors when the water pan is in the ice making posture, and the magnet faces the other magnetic sensor when the water pan is in the ice removing posture. . That is, the posture detection mechanism of Patent Document 1 detects that the water dish is in an ice-making posture when one magnetic sensor detects the magnetic force lines of the magnet, and when the other magnetic sensor detects the magnetic force lines of the magnet, Detect that the water pan is in the ice-off position.

Japanese Patent No. 4822824 (paragraph numbers 0017, 0021 to 0024, FIGS. 4, 7, and 14)

  In the posture detection mechanism of Patent Document 1, in order to accurately detect that the water tray has reached the ice making posture / icing posture, one / the other at the same time that the water tray has reached the ice making posture / icing posture. The magnetic sensor needs to detect the magnetic field lines of the magnet. For this purpose, the magnetic force of the magnet needs to be set appropriately with respect to the sensitivity of the magnetic sensor. However, since the magnetic force of the magnets varies individually, if a magnet that is out of the proper range is used by mistake, the posture detection mechanism may not function correctly. For example, if the magnetic force is too strong for the sensitivity of the magnetic sensor, the magnetic field lines are detected by the magnetic sensor before the water tray reaches the ice making posture or the ice separating posture, and the water tray is controlled to stop at this point.

  An object of the present invention is to automatically detect that the water tray has reached the ice making posture or the ice removing posture when switching the posture of the water tray, and to automatically control the stop of the water tray in the posture. Is to provide.

The present invention includes an ice making mold 12 in which a large number of ice making chambers 20 opened on one side are defined, a water tray 13 in which a large number of fountain holes 23 for supplying ice making water to each ice making chamber 20 are formed, A posture switching mechanism for swinging the tray 13 around the swing shaft 16. The posture switching mechanism changes the posture of the water tray 13 to an ice making posture facing the ice making chamber 20 of the ice making mold 12, and an ice making mold. The target is an automatic ice maker that switches between 12 and 12 ice-breaking postures. An attitude detection mechanism for detecting the attitude of the water tray 13 is provided. The attitude detection mechanism includes optical first detection means 50 and second detection means 51, and a moving body 52 that reciprocates as the attitude switching mechanism is driven. Each of the detection units 50 and 51 includes a light emitting element 63 and a light receiving element 64 that receives light emitted from the light emitting element 63. The moving body 52 is provided with a shielding part 67 that enters between the light emitting element 63 and the light receiving element 64 and shields light traveling from the light emitting element 63 toward the light receiving element 64. The first detection means 50 is arranged at one end of the movement locus of the shielding part 67, and the second detection means 51 is arranged at the other end of the movement locus. The posture switching mechanism includes a motor 39, and the motor 39 includes a motor main body 45, a speed reducer 46 that reduces the rotational power of the motor main body 45, and a gear cover 47 that houses the speed reducer 46. The first detection means 50 and the second detection means 51 are fixed to the outer surface of the gear cover 47, and the moving body 52 is fixed to the output shaft 48 of the speed reducer 46 protruding outward from the gear cover 47. Between the gear cover 47 and the protective cover 59 attached to the outer surface of the gear cover 47, both detection means 50 and 51 and the moving body 52 are disposed in a watertight manner. The output shaft 48 protrudes from a shaft passage 60 opened in the protective cover 59, and a seal structure is provided between the shaft passage 60 and the output shaft 48 to ensure water tightness inside the protective cover 59. . When the water tray 13 is in the ice making posture, the shielding portion 67 shields the light between the elements 63 and 64 of the first detection means 50, and when the water tray 13 is in the ice removing posture, the shielding portion 67 is the second one. The light is shielded between both elements 63 and 64 of the detection means 51.

  The posture detection mechanism of the water tray 13 according to the present invention includes optical first detection means 50 and second detection means 51, and a moving body 52 that reciprocates as the posture switching mechanism is driven. The moving body 52 includes a shielding portion 67 that enters between the light emitting element 63 and the light receiving element 64 of each of the detection units 50 and 51 and shields light from the light emitting element 63 toward the light receiving element 64. When the water tray 13 is in the ice making posture, the shielding portion 67 shields the light of the first detection means 50, and when the water tray 13 is in the ice-off posture, the shielding portion 67 transmits the light of the second detection means 51. Shielded. According to such a posture detection mechanism, when the posture of the water tray 13 is switched, the water tray 13 reaches the ice making posture based on the fact that the light receiving element 64 of the first detection means 50 switches from the light receiving state to the non-light receiving state. This can be detected, and based on the light receiving element 64 of the second detection means 51 switching from the light receiving state to the non-light receiving state, it can be detected that the water pan 13 has reached the deicing posture. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is always possible to accurately detect that the water tray 13 has reached the ice making posture or the ice separating posture, and the water tray 13 can be stopped in the posture.

  The first detection means 50 and the second detection means 51 are fixed to the outer surface of the gear cover 47 of the motor 39, and the moving body 52 is fixed to the output shaft 48 of the speed reducer 46 protruding outward from the gear cover 47. If the posture detection mechanism is arranged on the outer surface side of the gear cover 47, the internal structure of the gear cover 47 can be prevented from becoming complicated. When a protective cover 59 is attached to the outer surface of the gear cover 47 and the posture detection mechanism (both the detection means 50 and 51 and the moving body 52) is disposed between the covers 47 and 59 in a watertight manner, the light emitting element 63 and the light receiving element 64 It is possible to reliably prevent light reception failure of the light receiving element 64 due to water droplets adhering therebetween, and to improve the reliability of the posture detection mechanism.

It is the sectional view on the AA line in FIG. 5 which shows the attitude | position detection mechanism of the water tray which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a vertical front view which shows schematic structure of an automatic ice making machine. It is a vertical front view of an ice making unit. It is a front view of the ice making unit which made the water tray into the deicing posture. It is a side view of an ice making unit. It is a vertical front view which shows the attitude | position switching mechanism of a water tray. It is the BB sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the attitude | position detection mechanism of a water tray. It is a figure which shows the attitude | position detection mechanism of the water tray which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the attitude | position detection mechanism of the water tray which concerns on Example 3 of this invention.

Example 1 FIGS. 1 to 8 show Example 1 of an automatic ice making machine according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, the automatic ice making machine includes a heat insulating box 2 that houses the ice making unit 1, a housing 3 that is disposed below the heat insulating box 2, and the like. The ice making unit 1 is disposed above the heat insulating box 2, and an ice storage chamber 4 is provided below the ice making unit 1 in the heat insulating box 2. The ice produced by the ice making unit 1 falls toward the ice storage chamber 4 and is stored in the ice storage chamber 4 as it is. Although not shown, an ice outlet that faces the ice storage chamber 4 is provided on the front surface of the heat insulating box 2. The housing 3 is formed of a box having the same front and rear dimensions and right and left dimensions as the heat insulating box 2, and a machine room 5 is formed therein. Inside the machine room 5, devices such as a compressor 6, a condenser 7, and a condenser fan 8 constituting a refrigerator are accommodated.

  In FIG. 3, the ice making unit 1 includes a unit base 11 fixed to the lower surface of the top plate of the heat insulating box 2, an ice making mold 12 fixed to the unit base 11, and a water tray 13 for supplying ice making water to the ice making mold 12. And a water tank 14 for storing ice-making water, a water supply pipe 15 for supplying ice-making water onto the water tray 13, and the like. A swing arm 17 that can swing around a swing shaft 16 is provided on the side of the ice making mold 12 in the unit base 11. A tank 14 is fixed. The water tray 13 and the water tank 14 are separated from the ice making mold 12 by the upper ice making posture (see FIG. 3) facing the ice making mold 12 with the upper face of the water dish 13 being horizontal and the upper surface of the water dish 13 being inclined. It swings up and down around the swing shaft 16 between the lower deicing posture (see FIG. 4).

  The ice making mold 12 is a square dish-like container that opens downward, and a number of ice making chambers 20 that open downward are defined in the inside thereof. A refrigerant pipe 21 is provided in a meandering manner on the upper surface of the ice making mold 12. One end of the refrigerant pipe 21 is connected to the compressor 6, and the other end is connected to the condenser 7 via an expansion valve (not shown). During the ice making operation, the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant liquid that has been radiated from the condenser 7 and then depressurized by the expansion valve is supplied to the refrigerant pipe 21, and the refrigerant liquid evaporates in the refrigerant pipe 21. Until cooled. Ice is produced in each ice making chamber 20 by supplying ice making water from the water tray 13 to the ice making mold 12 in the cooled state. During the ice-breaking operation in which the produced ice is separated from the ice making mold 12, a high-temperature refrigerant gas is supplied from the compressor 6 to the refrigerant pipe 21, and the ice making mold 12 is warmed, whereby the ice surface in each ice making chamber 20 is heated. Melts. As a result, the ice dropped from the ice making chamber 20 slides down the upper surface of the water tray 13 in the deicing position and falls toward the ice storage chamber 4.

  The water tray 13 includes a large number of fountain holes 23 for supplying ice making water to each ice making chamber 20 and a pair of return holes 24 formed around each fountain hole 23, and the whole is directed downward. It is formed in a square dish shape that opens. A water channel frame 25 is fixed to the inner surface of the upper wall of the water tray 13, and the upper end of a water channel 26 provided in the water channel frame 25 communicates with the fountain hole 23. A water tank 14 disposed below the water tray 13 and the water channel frame 25 is provided with a water supply pump 29 for supplying ice-making water in the water tank 14 to the water channel 26 under pressure. The ice making water pressurized by the water supply pump 29 is jetted and supplied to the ice making chamber 20 through the water passage 26 and the fountain hole 23. Each return hole 24 of the water tray 13 is formed in a vertically penetrating manner in an outer portion of the water channel frame 25. The ice making water supplied from the water supply pipe 15 onto the water tray 13 or the ice making residual water that has been supplied from the fountain hole 23 to the ice making chamber 20 but has fallen without freezing flows into the water tank 14 through the return hole 24.

  In FIG. 4, a drain port 30 for draining the ice making water in the water tank 14 in the deicing posture is provided on the rocking tip side of the water tank 14. A drain pan 31 that receives drainage from the water tank 14 is disposed between the ice making unit 1 and the ice storage chamber 4, and drainage received by the drain pan 31 is discharged out of the machine via a drain pipe 32.

  Between the unit base 11 and the water tray 13, a posture switching mechanism for switching the water tray 13 between an ice making posture and an ice removing posture is provided. 4 and 5, the posture switching mechanism includes a drive shaft 35 extending in the front-rear direction (axial direction of the swing shaft 16), a pair of front and rear drive arms 36 fixed to both ends of the drive shaft 35, and the water dish 13. A pair of front and rear spring receiving pins 37 fixed to the outer surface, a pair of front and rear tension coil springs 38 latched between each spring receiving pin 37 and each drive arm 36, and one (front side) drive The arm 36 is configured by a motor 39 that applies a rotational driving force to the arm 36. The drive shaft 35 is pivotally supported by a pair of front and rear bearing bodies 40 fixed to the lower surface of the unit base 11. When a rotational driving force is applied from the motor 39 to the front drive arm 36, the front and rear drive arms 36 and the drive shaft 35 rotate together.

  A bracket 43 is fixed to the front portion of the unit base 11, and a motor 39 is fixed to the front end of the bracket 43. In FIG. 5, the motor 39 includes a motor main body 45, a speed reducer 46 that reduces the rotational power of the motor main body 45, a gear cover 47 that houses the speed reducer 46, and the like. Are connected to the drive arm 36. As shown by the solid line in FIG. 6, in a state where the drive arm 36 extends upward from the output shaft 48, the water tray 13 and the water tank 14 are pulled up by the spring 38 to be in an ice making posture. From this state, when the drive arm 36 is rotated approximately 160 ° counterclockwise and the drive arm 36 extends obliquely downward from the output shaft 48 as indicated by an imaginary line in FIG. Will be in the de-icing position (see FIG. 4).

  An attitude detection mechanism for detecting the attitude of the water tray 13 and the water tank 14 is provided around the output shaft 48 of the speed reducer 46. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, the posture detection mechanism includes a first detection unit 50 and a second detection unit 51 fixed to the outer surface of the gear cover 47, and a rotating body (moving body) fixed to the output shaft 48 outside the gear cover 47. 52. The gear cover 47 includes a cylindrical cover main body 54 whose rear surface is open, and a lid body 55 that closes the rear surface opening of the cover main body 54, and both detection means 50 and 51 are provided on the rear surface (outer surface) side of the lid body 55. A rotating body 52 is arranged.

  A bearing boss 56 that rotatably supports the output shaft 48 is provided on the rear surface of the lid 55. While the portion of the output shaft 48 supported by the bearing boss 56 is formed in a round shaft shape, the front end portion of the output shaft 48 protruding rearward from the bearing boss 56 has a non-circular cross-section engagement shaft portion 57. Is formed. On the outer surface of the gear cover 47, a round plate-shaped protective cover 59 that covers both the detecting means 50, 51 and the rotating body 52 is mounted. The engagement shaft portion 57 of the output shaft 48 protrudes rearward (outward) from the shaft opening 60 opened in the protective cover 59 and is engaged and connected to the front drive arm 36. A seal structure for ensuring watertightness inside the protective cover 59 can be provided between the shaft opening 60 and the engaging shaft portion 57 and between the protective cover 59 and the front drive arm 36.

  Each of the detection means 50 and 51 includes a light emitting element 63 and a light receiving element 64 that face each other in the front-rear direction, and a base 65 that supports both the elements 63 and 64. A lead wire (not shown) is led out of the protective cover 59 from each of the detection means 50 and 51 and is electrically connected to the control means of the automatic ice making machine. The rotating body 52 is engaged and connected to the engaging shaft portion 57 of the output shaft 48 inside the protective cover 59 and rotates integrally with the output shaft 48. As the motor 39 is driven, the rotating body 52 reciprocates around the output shaft 48 within the same rotation angle as the drive arm 36, that is, within a range of about 160 °.

  The first detection means 50 is disposed at one end of the rotation locus drawn by the rotation tip of the rotation body 52, and the second detection means 51 is disposed at the other end of the rotation locus. More specifically, the turning tip of the turning body 52 enters between the light emitting element 63 and the light receiving element 64 of the first detecting means 50 at one end of the turning locus, and at the other end of the turning locus. It enters between the light emitting element 63 and the light receiving element 64 of the second detection means 51. That is, the rotating tip of the rotating body 52 constitutes a shielding part 67 that shields the light traveling from the light emitting element 63 to the light receiving element 64 of each of the detection means 50 and 51. Each detection means 50 and 51 outputs OFF in the light receiving state in which the light receiving element 64 detects the light from the light emitting element 63, and outputs ON in the non-light receiving state in which this is not detected.

  Next, the correspondence relationship between the detection means 50 and 51 and the rotating body 52 of the posture detection mechanism and the posture of the water tray 13 will be described. When the water tray 13 is in the ice making posture, as shown in FIG. 8A, the shielding portion 67 of the rotating body 52 enters between both the elements 63 and 64 of the first detection means 50, and the light emitting element 63 Shield light. Since the light receiving element 64 does not detect the light from the light emitting element 63, the first detection means 50 outputs ON, and based on this, the control means of the automatic ice making machine detects that the water tray 13 is in the ice making posture. be able to.

  When the motor 39 is driven in reverse from this state, the water tray 13 starts to swing from the ice making posture to the ice separating posture, and the rotating body 52 starts to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. When the shielding part 67 comes out between the elements 63 and 64 of the first detection means 50 and the light receiving element 64 detects the light of the light emitting element 63, the output of the first detection means 50 is switched to OFF. Based on the fact that both detection means 50 and 51 output OFF, the control means of the automatic ice maker can determine that the water tray 13 is located between the ice making posture and the ice removing posture.

  When the water tray 13 reaches the deicing posture, as shown in FIG. 8B, the shielding part 67 of the rotating body 52 enters between the elements 63 and 64 of the second detection means 51, and the light emitting element 63. Shield the light. When the light receiving element 64 no longer detects the light from the light emitting element 63, the output of the second detection means 51 is switched to ON. Based on this, the control means of the automatic ice maker detects that the water tray 13 has been switched to the deicing posture and controls the motor 39 to stop.

  On the other hand, when the water tray 13 is switched from the deicing position to the ice making position, the motor 39 is driven forward. As a result, the water tray 13 starts to swing toward the ice making posture, and the rotating body 52 starts to rotate clockwise in FIG. 8B. When the water tray 13 reaches the ice making posture, the shielding part 67 enters between the elements 63 and 64 of the first detection means 50, and the output of the first detection means 50 is switched to ON. Based on this, the control means of the automatic ice making machine detects that the water tray 13 has been switched to the ice making posture and controls the motor 39 to stop.

  As described above, according to the posture detection mechanism of the water tray 13 according to the present embodiment, it is detected that the water tray 13 has reached the ice making posture based on the output of the first detection means 50 being switched to ON. It is possible to detect that the water tray 13 has reached the deicing posture based on the output of the second detection means 51 being switched to ON. In this embodiment, when the shielding part 67 of the rotating body 52 enters between the light emitting element 63 and the light receiving element 64, the light from the light emitting element 63 toward the light receiving element 64 is shielded, and the output of the detection means 50 and 51 is achieved. Is switched to ON, it is always possible to accurately detect that the water tray 13 has reached the ice making posture or the ice separating posture, and the water tray 13 can be stopped in this posture.

  At the start of operation, the control means of the automatic ice maker according to the present embodiment first puts the water tray 13 and the water tank 14 in an ice-breaking posture, discharges the ice making residual water in the water tank 14 to the drain pan 31, and further supplies the water supply pipe. Water is sprayed on the water tray 13 from 15 to wash the fountain hole 23 and the like. If the output of the second detection means 51 is ON at the start of operation, it is determined that the water pan 13 is already in an ice-breaking posture, and water is sprayed from the water supply pipe 15 without driving the motor 39 of the posture switching mechanism. Start. On the other hand, if the output of the second detection means 51 is OFF, it is determined that the water tray 13 is not in an ice-breaking posture (is located between the ice-making posture or the ice-making posture and the ice-breaking posture). The motor 39 is driven in reverse to swing downward toward the deicing posture. And if the output of the 2nd detection means 51 switches to ON, it will be judged that the water tray 13 reached | attained the ice-removal attitude | position, the motor 39 will be stopped, and water spraying from the water supply pipe 15 will be started.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 9 shows an attitude detection mechanism according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Here, the shielding part 67 is bent and formed at the rotating tip of the rotating body 52. The light emitting element 63 and the light receiving element 64 of each of the detection means 50 and 51 are arranged in a state of facing the radial direction of the output shaft 48 of the motor 39. Since others are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. The same applies to the following embodiments.

(Example 3) FIG. 10: shows the attitude | position detection mechanism which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. Here, the pinion 72 is fixed to the engagement shaft portion 57 of the output shaft 48, and the pinion 72 and the rack (moving body) 52 are configured to mesh with each other. When the pinion 72 rotates together with the output shaft 48, the shielding part 67 of the rack 52 moves along a straight line. The first detection means 50 is arranged at one end of the movement locus of the shielding part 67, and the second detection means 51 is arranged at the other end of the movement locus. As can be understood from the present embodiment, the moving body 52 according to the present invention is not limited to the rotating body. Further, the moving body 52 is not limited to the one fixed to the output shaft 48, and may be arranged around the output shaft 48 as in the present embodiment.

  In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the third detection means can be disposed between the first detection means 50 and the second detection means 51 along the movement locus of the shielding portion 67. When the third detection means is arranged, it is possible to detect that the water tray 13 has reached a specific position between the ice making posture and the ice removing posture, and to stop the water tray 13 at the specific position. As an example of the specific position, a semi-release position where the ice making residual water in the water tank 14 is partially drained can be cited.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ice making unit 12 Ice making mold 13 Water tray 14 Water tank 16 Oscillating shaft 20 Ice making chamber 23 Fountain hole 39 Motor 47 Gear cover 48 Output shaft 50 First detecting means 51 Second detecting means 52 Moving body (rotating body)
59 Protective cover 63 Light emitting element 64 Light receiving element 67 Shielding part

Claims (1)

A water dish having an ice making mold (12) in which a large number of ice making chambers (20) opening on one side are formed, and a plurality of fountain holes (23) for supplying ice making water toward each ice making chamber (20). (13) and a posture switching mechanism for swinging the water pan (13) around the swing shaft (16),
Automatic ice making in which the attitude switching mechanism switches the attitude of the water tray (13) between an ice making attitude facing the ice making chamber (20) of the ice making mold (12) and an ice removing attitude away from the ice making mold (12). Machine,
An attitude detection mechanism for detecting the attitude of the water pan (13) is provided,
The posture detection mechanism includes first optical detection means (50) and second detection means (51), and a moving body (52) that reciprocates as the posture switching mechanism is driven.
Each detection means (50, 51) includes a light emitting element (63) and a light receiving element (64) that receives light emitted from the light emitting element (63).
The moving body (52) includes a shielding part (67) that enters between the light emitting element (63) and the light receiving element (64) and shields light from the light emitting element (63) toward the light receiving element (64). And
The first detection means (50) is arranged at one end of the movement locus of the shielding part (67), and the second detection means (51) is arranged at the other end of the movement locus,
The posture switching mechanism includes a motor (39);
The motor (39) includes a motor body (45), a speed reducer (46) that decelerates the rotational power of the motor body (45), and a gear cover (47) that houses the speed reducer (46).
The first detection means (50) and the second detection means (51) are fixed to the outer surface of the gear cover (47),
The moving body (52) is fixed to the output shaft (48) of the speed reducer (46) protruding outward from the gear cover (47),
Between the gear cover (47) and the protective cover (59) attached to the outer surface of the gear cover (47), both detection means (50, 51) and the moving body (52) are arranged in a watertight manner,
The output shaft (48) protrudes from a shaft passage opening (60) opened in the protective cover (59), and the inside of the protective cover (59) is between the shaft passage opening (60) and the output shaft (48). A seal structure is provided to ensure the water tightness of the
When the water tray (13) is in the ice making position, the shielding part (67) shields light between the two elements (63, 64) of the first detection means (50),
When the water pan (13) is in the ice-off position, the shielding part (67) shields light between the two elements (63, 64) of the second detection means (51).
An automatic ice making machine .

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