JP2582642Y2 - Water tray tilting mechanism of ice machine - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

The present invention relates to a method of immersing a large number of ice-making projections projecting from the lower surface of an ice-making substrate into ice-making water in an ice-making chamber defined inside a water tray. The present invention relates to a water tray tilting mechanism of an ice maker in which an inverted dome-shaped ice block is formed around the water tray.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an automatic ice maker for continuously producing a large number of ice blocks such as ice cubes, many types are proposed as ice making methods, and an appropriate method is adopted according to the application. For example, a large number of partition plates are arranged vertically and horizontally to define a large number of ice making compartments that open downward, and ice making water is jetted and supplied from the water tray arranged below to the corresponding ice making compartments to freeze. Sprinkling ice making water from below into these ice making compartments without using a closed-cell type ice machine or ice tray that forms ice cubes in each ice making compartment cooled by the evaporator tube connected to the system. Thus, an open-cell type ice maker that forms ice cubes in each of the small chambers, and ice making water flowing down from above one side of an ice maker plate placed upright, thereby forming a kamaboko-shaped ice block on the surface of the ice maker plate. 2. Description of the Related Art There are known a large number of water-fall type ice makers.

Each of the above three types of ice making machines is provided with an ice making water tank for storing a required amount of ice making water, and the ice making water in the tank is pumped by a pump to make the ice making room or the upright of the ice making unit. A forced circulation mechanism is employed in which ice water that has been supplied to the ice making plate and has not been frozen is recovered in the tank and then sent out again to the ice making unit. Therefore, these ice machines require additional equipment such as an ice making water tank and a pump for circulating the ice making water, which complicates the configuration, increases the production cost, and contributes to an increase in size. On the other hand, ice making water is stored in a water dish at a required level, and an ice making projection projecting from the lower surface of an ice making substrate provided with an evaporating tube is immersed in the ice making water, so that the ice making projection is formed. A simple ice maker in which an ice block is formed has already been proposed. In this ice machine,
An ice maker that has a simplified structure and can reduce manufacturing costs because it does not require a mechanism for circulating the ice making water between the water tray and the ice making water tank during the ice making operation. Has the advantage that it can be manufactured.

[0004]

In the simple ice making machine, when an ice block having a required size is formed on the ice making projection and the ice making operation is completed, the tilting mechanism connected to the water tray is urged by an actuator motor, and the water is dispensed. By tilting the dish to the required angle position to open the lower part of the ice making projection, and after the ice block falls from the ice making projection by the deicing operation, the tilted water tray is raised by the bias of the actuator motor. It is configured to return to a horizontal position.

Here, at the end of the ice making operation in the ice making machine, the ice blocks formed on the ice making projections may be frozen on the water tray, and in this case, the freezing portion between the ice blocks and the water tray is forced. As a result, an excessive mechanical load is applied to the tilting mechanism and the actuator motor, shortening the life of parts and causing a failure. Also, in order to forcibly separate ice blocks, the tilting actuator motor requires a strong torque that is more than the torque that simply tilts the water tray, and the use of a large and expensive motor increases the manufacturing cost. be pointed out.

Further, when the water tray stopped tilting is returned to the horizontal position after the ice blocks fall from the ice making projections by the deicing operation, the ice blocks and foreign substances mixed into the ice making machine due to some cause cause the surface of the water tray to be removed. The ice block or foreign matter is caught between the water tray tilted by the actuator motor and the ice making projection, causing an accident that the water tray and the ice making projection may be damaged, and the tilting mechanism and the actuator motor Has a problem in that an excessive mechanical load is applied.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned problems inherent in the prior art, and has been proposed in order to appropriately solve the problem. It is another object of the present invention to provide means for preventing an excessive load from being applied to a tilting mechanism, an actuator motor, and the like, and preventing an accident or a failure from occurring.

[0008]

In order to overcome the above-mentioned problems and achieve the intended object, the present invention provides an evaporating tube connected to a refrigeration system on an upper surface and a plurality of ice making units on a lower surface. The ice-making unit is immersed in ice-making water in an ice-making chamber defined inside, with an ice-making substrate protruding and hanging down at a predetermined interval and pivotally supported by the ice-making machine body so as to be tiltable. A plate body comprising a water plate, and having a support pin eccentrically protruding from an engagement protrusion of a lever piece which is disposed on the water plate and tilts integrally, is provided by an actuator motor. In the ice making machine configured so that the water tray is tilted down and raised back by rotating, the engaging projection or the support pin is connected to the connecting rod so as to be relatively movable, and provided on the connecting rod. The engaging projection or support pin is required by elastic means With the holding force, the holding means is always held at the normal operating position, and when the actuator motor is urged to tilt the water plate down or return upward, the holding force is larger than the holding force via the engaging projection or the support pin on the elastic means. When a load is applied, the holding by the elastic means is released and the engagement protrusion or the support pin is allowed to move relative to the connecting rod.

[0009]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water tray tilting mechanism for an ice making machine according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an ice making unit employing a water tray tilting mechanism according to an embodiment in a partially disassembled state, and FIG. 2 is an entire ice making machine employing a water tray tilting mechanism according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view schematically showing a typical configuration. For convenience of description, “front and rear” and “left and right” are referred to when the ice maker is viewed from the front.

(Schematic Configuration of Ice Making Machine) As shown in FIG. 2, a casing 10 constituting the ice making machine main body includes a lower machine room 12 in which a refrigerating machine such as a compressor CM and a condenser 11 is housed. A box-shaped ice storage 14 which is located above and is surrounded by a heat insulating material and defines an ice storage room therein;
The ice making unit 1 disposed above the ice storage 14
5 basically. Ice making unit 15
As will be described later with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, a water tray 16 for storing ice-making water at a predetermined level and an ice-making substrate 18 having ice-making projections 17 immersed in the ice-making water are provided. When the operation is switched to the deicing operation, the ice making water is tilted at a predetermined angle to discharge the ice making water in the water tray 16 to the outside through the drainage receiving portion 19 and the drainage pipe 20 and to release the ice blocks 21 to the ice storage chamber. It has become. The ice storage 14 is provided with an ice block discharging device 13, and is configured to discharge the ice blocks 21 stored in the ice storage chamber by the device 13.

As shown in FIG. 2, a cover 27 is detachably provided on the front surface of the ice storage 14.
An actuator motor AM for tilting the water tray 16 in the ice making unit 15 and a rocking plate 28 (described later)
The rocking motor RM and the discharging motor GM of the ice block discharging device 13 are collectively disposed. The motors AM, RM, GM provided on the cover body 27 and members attached thereto are surrounded by a front panel 23 detachably provided on the housing 10. This front panel 23
An opening 23a corresponding to the discharge port 14a of the ice block 21 formed in the ice storage 14 is opened downward at a substantially middle position in the height direction of the ice storage 14. Also on the front panel 23, while the first switch SW ₁ of the push button, power lamps for ice blocks release (both not shown) is disposed, and is turned ON actuates the switch SW ₁ Press pusher button, The ice block discharging device 1
3 is activated and the ice blocks 21 stored in the ice storage chamber 83 are
It is set to release through the discharge port 14a and the opening 23a.

(Regarding Ice Making Unit) A plurality of brackets 32 are provided above the ice storage 14.
The ice making substrate 18 is horizontally disposed and fixed via the above. An evaporating tube 31 derived from a refrigerating system housed in the machine room 12 is arranged on the upper surface of the ice making substrate 18 in a meandering manner. Also, a number of ice making projections 17 are provided on the lower surface of the ice making substrate 18 so as to hang down at required intervals, and the ice making projections 17 are formed during the ice making operation.
Is immersed in the ice making water stored in the water tray 16. By the operation of the refrigeration system, heat exchange with the refrigerant is performed in the evaporating tube 31. As a result, the ice making projections 17 are cooled and kept at 0 ° C. or less. As a result, as shown in FIG. 21 will be formed.

A water tray 16 constituting the ice making unit 15
Has a shape shown in FIG. 1 and is capable of storing ice-making water at a predetermined level in an ice-making chamber 29 defined therein. That is, the ice making chamber 29 includes a rectangular bottom surface 16a of the water tray 16, and a wall surface 16b that stands upright on all four sides.
A plurality of shaft supports 30 are integrally formed along the longitudinal direction on the outside of the upright wall 16e, which is defined by 16c, 16d, and 16e and is located on the right side in FIG. The shaft support 30 is rotatably supported by brackets 32, 32 for suspending and supporting the ice making board 18 above the ice storage 14. The water tray 16 is arranged in a transverse direction around the shaft support 30 ( It is configured to be rotatable in the width direction of the ice making machine).
An ice making water supply pipe 4 is provided at an appropriate position on the ice making substrate 18.
9 is provided detachably, and the water supply valve W is provided at a required timing.
V is opened to supply a predetermined amount of ice making water to the ice making chamber 29. Furthermore, the shaft support 3 located on the front side
0 is formed with a square hole 30a, and a pivot shaft 3 to be described later is formed in the square hole 30a.
A square shaft 33a protruding from the shaft end of No. 3 is inserted. The turning support shaft 33 is rotatably supported by the cover body 27. With the rotation of the actuator motor AM disposed on the cover body 27, the water tray 16 is rotated about the shaft support 30. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, tilting can be performed diagonally downward and return can be performed diagonally upward.

(Regarding the tilting mechanism of the water tray) At the position corresponding to the shaft supporting portion 30 of the water tray 16 in the cover body 27, a cylindrical bearing portion 34 protruding toward the front side is protrudingly provided. The turning support shaft 33 is rotatably inserted into a through hole 34 a formed in the shaft support 30, and a square shaft 33 a protruding from the shaft end is inserted into the square hole 30 a of the shaft support 30. A lever piece 33b extending in the radial direction is integrally formed at the front end of the pivot shaft 33, and an engagement projection 33c is provided on the front face of the lever piece 33b. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a rotating shaft extending to the front side of the bracket 35 of the actuator motor AM disposed on the cover body 27 via the bracket 35 has a required diameter with a part cut out in the circumferential direction. A cam plate 36 made of a disc is provided so as to rotate integrally. A support pin 80 projects from a front surface of the cam plate 36 at a required position eccentric from the center of rotation.
Is held at one end by a structure described later. In addition, connecting rod 3
7, the pivot shaft 33 is inserted into the elongated hole 37a formed in the other end.
The engagement projection 33c of the lever piece 33b formed in the above is loosely fitted slidably. Therefore, the actuator motor AM
Is rotated in a predetermined direction, whereby the turning support shaft 33 reciprocates at a required angle via the cam plate 36 and the connecting rod 37,
Thereby, the water tray 16 is tilted down and returned horizontally.

The water tray 16 is set so as to maintain a horizontal posture in a state in which the engagement projection 33c of the lever piece 33b is in contact with the lower end edge of the long hole 37a of the connecting rod 37 (see FIG. 5). I have. An elliptical restricting portion 33d which can be inserted into the long hole 37a of the connecting rod 37 is provided at the front end of the engaging protrusion 33c.
Are arranged so as to extend in the radial direction with respect to the projection 33c, and in a state where the engagement projection 33c is inserted into the elongated hole 37a, the connecting rod 37 is not easily detached from the engagement projection 33c. is there. Further, by making the lever piece 33b movable by the length of the long hole 37a with respect to the connecting rod 37, the lever piece 33b and the connecting rod 37 when the tilting of the water tray 16 described later stops.
The position error is allowed.

As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 81 having a required size is formed in a holding portion of a supporting pin 80 protruding from the cam plate 36 of the connecting rod 37, and a center in the longitudinal direction of the opposing inner side surface of the opening 81 is formed. A pair of support pieces 82, 82 projecting toward the center of the opening. The support pin 80 is connected between the pair of support pieces 82, 82 by the connecting rod 37.
Is configured to be supported in a state that allows movement in the longitudinal direction. Also, a pair of first elastic pieces 83 extending toward the center of the opening,
A holding portion 83 a formed at the tip of each elastic piece 83 is brought into contact with a support pin 80 supported by the support pieces 82, 82. Further, the opening 81
A pair of second elastic pieces 84, 84 extending toward the center of the opening are formed on the inner surface of the upper end in the longitudinal direction of. Abuts on the support pin 80 supported by the support pin. That is, the support pin 80 of the cam plate 36 is rotatably held at the normal operating position at the center of the opening by the support pieces 82, 82, the first elastic pieces 83, 83, and the second elastic pieces 84, 84.

The first elastic pieces 83, 83 and the second elastic pieces 84, 84 function to always hold the support pin 80 in the normal operating position with a required holding force. When a load greater than the holding force is applied by the pin 80, the support pin 80 is elastically deformed in a direction away from each other, and is set to allow the support pin 80 to move in a direction to reduce the load (see FIGS. 12 and 12). 13). That is, when the water tray 16 is tilted down or returned horizontally,
When the smooth tilting of the water tray 16 is hindered for the reason described in the related art, the movement of the lever piece 33b and the connecting rod 37 is restricted, while the actuator motor A
The rotation of the cam plate 36 rotated by M is continued, and a load is applied to the first elastic pieces 83, 83 or the second elastic pieces 84, 84 via the support pins 80. This load is applied to the first elastic pieces 83,83 or the second elastic pieces 84,84.
When the holding force of the first elastic piece 8
3, 83 or the second elastic pieces 84, 84 are separated from each other to release the holding of the support pin 80, and the movement of the support pin 80 is allowed, and the load is reduced. This prevents an excessive load from being applied to the actuator motor AM and the tilting mechanism.

A first position located below the center of the opening.
As shown in FIG.
The ice block 21 formed on the water tray 16 freezes, thereby causing the support pin 80 to move downward when obstructing the tilting and lowering of the water tray 16. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the second elastic pieces 84, 84 located above the center of the opening cause the ice blocks 21 and foreign matter to be caught between the water tray 16 and the ice making projections 17, and When the horizontal return is hindered, the upward movement of the support pin 80 is permitted. The support pin 80 released from the holding by the first elastic pieces 83, 83 abuts on a stopper 81a formed at the end of the opening 80 between the two elastic pieces 83, 83, so that its movement is reduced. Regulated to the required range. Similarly, the support pin 80 released from being held by the second elastic pieces 84, 84 comes into contact with a stopper 81a formed at the end of the opening 80 between the elastic pieces 84, 84, thereby moving the support pin 80. Is regulated to a required range.

Here, the holding force of the support pins 80 by the second elastic pieces 84, 84 is set larger than the holding force of the support pins 80 by the first elastic pieces 83, 83. this is,
When the water tray 16 returns to the horizontal position, the weight of the water tray 16 and the like is applied as a load. However, when the water tray 16 is tilted down, the weight of the water tray 16 and the like is reduced because the ice block 21 is frozen on the water tray 16. This is because it is not added as a load. In addition, since the load direction generated by icing is more distant from the axis of the actuator motor AM than the load direction generated by the ice block 21 or foreign matter biting (FIG. 12B and FIG. 13 (b)) to reduce the required torque of the motor AM.

(Regarding Drainage Structure of Water Tray) As shown in FIG. 3, the water tray 16 is provided with a water discharge portion for discharging the ice making water in the ice making chamber 29 to the outside when the water tray 16 is tilted. I have. That is, an auxiliary chamber 46 recessed toward the rear side is defined in the vicinity of the tilting lower end side of the upright wall 16c located on the rear side of the water tray 16, and the outer side of the auxiliary chamber 46 is defined.
A drain pipe 47 of a required length is connected to the (rear side).
Below the drainage pipe 47, a drainage receiving portion 19 that receives the discharged water and discharges it to the outside is formed on the rear side of the ice storage 14. The auxiliary chamber 46 and the ice making chamber 29 are connected to the upright wall 16.
c is defined by a dam plate 48 lower than c. Therefore, the ice making water supplied to the water tray 16 overflows from the upper end surface of the dam plate 48 and can be discharged to the drain receiving portion 19 through the drain pipe 47. Further, when the operation is switched to the deicing operation described later, the water tray 16 is tilted obliquely downward to discharge the ice making water through the drain pipe 47. When the water tray 16 is tilted obliquely downward, the drain pipe 47 comes into contact with the upper edge of the drainage receiving portion 19 on the ice storage chamber side, and also functions as a stopper for holding the water tray 16 in an inclined state. At this time, since the engagement projection 33c of the turning support shaft 33 is movable within a required range with respect to the long hole 37a of the connecting rod 37 in the tilting mechanism, the tilt stop position of the water tray 16 and the actuator motor AM Even if there is a deviation from the rotation stop position of
A load can be prevented from being applied to the tilting mechanism.

(Regarding the Cam Control Mechanism) As shown in FIG. 5, a first cam portion 50 and a second cam portion 51 are provided on the back surface of the cam plate 36 provided on the actuator motor AM, which faces the bracket 35. It is formed so as to be deviated in the radial direction. The bracket 35 has a first cam portion 50 and a second cam portion 51 respectively corresponding to the first cam portion 50 and the second cam portion 51.
The second switch SW ₂ and the third switch SW ₃ is disposed, giving cam operated at predetermined timing in accordance with the rotation of the actuator motor AM, the water tray 1 by the motor AM
6, stop tilting and return, open hot gas valve,
The opening and closing of the water supply valve WV for replenishing ice making water are controlled respectively.

(Regarding Swinging Plate and Swinging Mechanism) A swinging plate 54 shown in the drawing and pivotably supported by the water tray 16 via pins 57, 57 is disposed inside the ice making chamber 29. Have been. A large number of through holes 55 having a circular or square shape are formed in the swing plate 54 at required intervals.
An inverted L-shaped engaging piece 58 is integrally formed on the front side of the swinging plate 54, and its upper horizontal portion 58a extends outward beyond the upright wall 16b of the ice making chamber 29 (see FIG. 1). ). Further, the cover body 2 at a position corresponding to the upper horizontal portion 58a is provided.
A long hole 27a extending in the up-down direction is formed in 7, and a swing member 59 rotated by the swing motor RM is slidably inserted into the long hole 27a. The swing projection 59 is located at a position facing the back side of the cover body 27 of the swing member 59.
a is eccentrically protruded, and can be engaged with and disengaged from below on the upper horizontal portion 58a of the rocking plate 54. Accordingly, when the swing member 59 is rotated counterclockwise, the swing projection 59a rotates in a state of being engaged with the upper horizontal portion 58a as shown in FIG. When the swinging projection 59a comes off the upper horizontal portion 58a while the swinging plate 59 falls off the ice making chamber 29 by its own weight. That is, if the rocking motor RM is rotated during the ice making operation, the rocking plate 54 repeatedly swings up and down inside the ice making chamber 29 around the pins 57, 57, thereby constantly moving the ice making water. Can be.
Since the through hole 55 is formed in the rocking plate 54, the ice making water flows up and down through the through hole 55, so that a more active movement can be obtained.

On the right side (pivot side) of the rocking plate 54,
As shown in FIG. 6, an upright piece 60 extending above the ice making substrate 18 is formed, and a rocking plate 54 that tilts integrally with the tilting of the water tray 16 during a deicing operation described below includes:
The upright piece 60 is engaged with the ice making board 18 so that
6 to keep the tilting posture constant.

(Mounting Structure of Swing Motor RM) As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, one end of a flat mounting jig 38 is rotatably mounted on a bearing portion 34 protruding from the cover body 27. The rocking motor RM is provided on the front side near the end portion of the mounting jig 38 which is supported and is separated from the pivot portion. A motor RM is connected to a cam portion 59b of a swinging member 59 protruding forward from the long hole 27a. When the water tray 16 is supported in a horizontal position, the mounting jig 38 is always rotated clockwise about the bearing 34 under the elasticity of a torsion spring 39 interposed in the bearing 34. It is set to be energized. When a required external force is applied to the rocking motor RM, the mounting jig 38
Can be rotated counterclockwise by a required angle about the bearing portion 34 as a fulcrum. An elongated hole 38a extending in the up-down direction is provided at an end of the mounting jig 38 that is separated from the pivot portion.
A restriction pin 61 protruding from the elongated hole 38a corresponding to the cover body 27 is slidably inserted. The regulating pin 61 functions to regulate the rotation range of the mounting jig 38. Under the elasticity of the torsion spring 39, the lower end of the elongated hole 38a always comes into contact with the regulating pin 61 and the swing member 59
Is set to face an operation position (a position at which the swing plate 54 swings).

(Switch S for detecting completion of ice making and deicing)
(About W ₄ , Th) The cover body 27 is provided with a fourth switch SW ₄ for detecting completion of ice making, such as a micro switch, via a bracket 70, and the lever piece 62 is attached to the swing member 59.
In view of the descending locus of the cam portion 59b, the switch comes into contact with the cam portion 59b with the rotation of the mounting jig 38 (the swing motor RM) so that the switch can be switched. That is, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 7, when the ice making operation proceeds and the ice blocks 21 grow around the ice making projections 17, the rocking plate 54 comes into contact with the ice blocks 21 at the time of upward movement, and the engaging piece A downward reaction force is applied to the swing motor RM via the swing projection 58 and the swing projection 59a. Mounting jig 38 Therefore rocking motor RM is disposed is rotated counterclockwise to the bearing portion 34 as a fulcrum, the lever member 62 of the cam portion 59b by the rotation process the fourth switch SW ₄ Is pressed, the completion of ice making in the ice making unit 15 is detected.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ice making unit 15
A thermoswitch Th for detecting completion of deicing is disposed on the upper surface of the ice making substrate 18 in FIG. The thermoswitch Th switches contacts when the ice making board 18 drops to a predetermined temperature by the ice making operation, and detects a rapid temperature rise when the ice block 21 falls from the ice making projection 17 by the deicing operation. The contact is set to be switched. At this time, the hot gas valve is closed and the actuator motor AM is rotated as described later.

[0027]

Next, the operation of the automatic ice maker according to the embodiment will be described. In the automatic ice making machine, when a power switch (not shown) is turned on, the compressor CM is started and the evaporating pipe 31 is turned on.
, And a required amount of ice making water is supplied to the water tray 16 which has returned to the horizontal posture by the initial operation. Further, the rotation of the rocking motor RM starts.

(Regarding the Ice Making Operation) A refrigerant is supplied to the evaporating tube 31 from a refrigerant circulation pipe of a refrigerating system by a compressor CM which is energized when the power is turned on, and protrudes from the ice making substrate 18 by the heat exchange action. The cooling of the ice making projection 17 is started. Since the ice making projections 17 are immersed in ice-making water, ice formation starts around the projections 17 and gradually grows to form an inverted dome-shaped ice block 21. During the ice making operation, the rocking motor RM keeps rotating. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
The engagement and disengagement of the rocking projection 59a of the rocking member 59 rotated by the motor RM and the upper horizontal portion 58a of the rocking plate 54 are repeated, so that the ice making water in the ice making chamber 29 is activated. In addition, the ice blocks 21 formed on the ice making projections 17 are prevented from becoming cloudy.

(Regarding Deicing Operation) As shown in FIG. 7, when the complete ice block 21 is formed in an inverted dome shape on the ice making projection 17, the rocking plate 54 comes into contact with the ice block 21 when it moves upward. And finally the engagement piece 5
8 and the swinging projection 59a to apply a downward reaction force to the swinging motor RM. Therefore, the rocking motor RM
Mounting jig 38 but disposed starts the rotation in the counterclockwise direction the bearing portion 34 as a fulcrum, a fourth lever switch SW ₄ for ice completion detection by the cam portion 59b of the swinging member 59 The pressing of the piece 62 causes the ice making unit 1
The completion of ice making at 5 is detected. Then, the rotation of the actuator motor AM is started. Therefore, the cam plate 36 rotates counterclockwise, and the lever piece 33b of the turning support shaft 33 that engages with the connecting rod 37 eccentrically connected thereto is tilted counterclockwise, so that the water tray 16 It starts to tilt obliquely downward (see FIG. 8). Due to this tilt, the ice making water in the ice making chamber 29 overflows to the auxiliary chamber 46 through the dam plate 48 and is discharged from the auxiliary chamber 46 to the drainage receiving portion 19. If the ice block 21 and the water tray 16 are not frozen, the first rod 37 of the connecting rod 37 is supported via the support pin 80 of the cam plate 36.
Since a load greater than the holding force is not applied to the elastic pieces 83, 83, the support pins 80 are held at the normal operation position.

[0030] When the said first cam portion 50 provided on the cam plate 36 comes to the second lever member 52 of the switch SW _2, the actuator motor AM is stopped to rotate, the water tray 16, is the drain pipe 47 It is held in a required inclined posture in contact with the upper edge of the drainage receiving portion 19. In addition, due to the tilting of the water tray 16, ice blocks 21 formed around the ice making projections 17 are formed.
Are exposed while attached to the projections 17. Water dish 1
In the process of stopping the tilting of the swing plate 6, the upright piece 60
Is in contact with the ice making substrate 18, so that the rocking plate 54 is tilted and located above the bottom surface 16a of the ice making chamber 29 in the water tray 16 which has stopped tilting thereafter. The rocking plate 54 functions as a sliding chute for guiding the ice block 21 to the ice storage chamber 83 when it falls.

Simultaneously with the stop of the actuator motor AM, the hot gas valve opens to supply hot gas to the evaporating pipe 31 instead of refrigerant. Thereby, the ice making projections 17 are rapidly heated via the ice making substrate 18.
Therefore, the connection between the ice making projection 17 and the ice block 21 is released,
The ice block 21 falls by its own weight. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the upper plate 60 slides down the upper surface of the rocking plate 54 held in a required inclined posture, and is guided and discharged into the ice storage chamber 83 located thereunder. By the falling of the ice block 21, the negative temperature load on the ice making substrate 18 is released, and the temperature of the substrate 18 rises at once due to the flow of the hot gas in the evaporating tube 31. When the temperature rise is detected by the thermo switch Th, the rotation of the actuator motor AM is restarted. Further, the hot gas valve is closed, and the supply of the refrigerant to the evaporating pipe 31 is restarted.

When the rotation of the motor AM is resumed, the cam plate 36,
Under the action of the connecting rod 37 and the lever piece 33b, the turning support shaft 33 rotates clockwise, and the water tray 16 similarly rotates clockwise to start returning to the horizontal posture. Further, with the restart of the rotation of the motor AM, the second cam portion 51 of the cam plate 36 is
As shown in, come to the third lever member 53 of the switch SW _3, is ON actuate the switch. Thereby, the water supply valve W
V is released, and ice making water is supplied to the ice making room 29. And
The first cam portion 50 of the cam plate 36, when detached from the second lever member 52 of the switch SW _2, the switch SW ₂ is OF
F is operated, the water supply valve WV is closed to stop the supply of ice making water, and the actuator motor AM is stopped. Thus, the water tray 16 is stopped in the horizontal posture. In addition, the swing motor RM is rotated to restart the swing of the swing plate 44 during the ice making operation. When the water tray 16 is returned to the horizontal position, if the ice block 21 or foreign matter is not caught between the water tray 16 and the ice making projection 17, the second link 37 of the connecting rod 37 is supported via the support pin 80 of the cam plate 36. Elastic piece 8
Since no load greater than the holding force is applied to 4,84, the support pin 80 is held at the normal operating position.

[0033] When (ice cubes grown ice projections case was frozen water dish) the ice-making completion detecting the fourth switch SW ₄ for the actuator motor AM to detect the ice-making completion rotates, the normal of the connecting rod 37 The support pin 80 of the cam plate 36 held in the operating position rotates counterclockwise. On the other hand, the tilting of the lever piece 33b of the swivel support shaft 33 is restricted as shown in FIG. The connecting rod 3 holding the support pin 80 in the normal operating position with the rotation of the cam plate 36
7 moves downward, and the engaging projection 33 of the lever piece 36b is moved.
When c contacts the upper end of the long hole 37a, its movement is prevented. Since the cam plate 36 continues to rotate, the support pins 80
Is pressed against the lower first elastic pieces 83, 83 of the connecting rod 37 that has stopped moving. When the load applied by the support pin 80 becomes larger than the holding force of the elastic pieces 83, 83, the elastic pieces 83, 83 are separated from each other as shown in FIG. In the direction of decreasing the number). Thereby, it is possible to avoid applying an excessive load to the tilting mechanism and the actuator motor AM.

The support pin 80 released from the holding by the first elastic pieces 83, 83 comes into contact with a stopper 81a formed at the end of the opening 80 between the elastic pieces 83, 83, thereby connecting the connecting rod. The relative movement with respect to 37 is restricted. Then, when the cam plate 36 is rotated by the actuator motor AM, as shown in FIG. 12C, the connecting rod 37 is moved with the movement of the support pin 80 sandwiched between the first elastic pieces 83, 83. When the lower end of the long hole 37a abuts on the engaging projection 33c of the lever piece 36b and is prevented from moving upward, the support pin 80 returns to the normal operating position from between the two elastic pieces 83,83. .

(Regarding the case where ice blocks or foreign matter is caught between the water tray and the ice making projection) When the thermo-switch Th for detecting the completion of de-icing detects the completion of de-icing and the actuator motor AM is rotated, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the water tray 16 is tilted toward a horizontal posture as the support pin 80 of the cam plate 36 held at the normal operating position of the connecting rod 37 rotates counterclockwise. I do. At this time, for example, if the ice block 21 remains inside the water tray 16, the ice block 21 is caught between the ice making projections 17 and the tilting of the water tray 16 to the horizontal posture is hindered. Therefore, the tilting of the lever piece 33b of the turning support shaft 33 is restricted. On the other hand, with the rotation of the cam plate 36, the connecting rod 37 holding the support pin 80 in the normal operation position moves upward, and the engaging projection 33c of the lever piece 33b abuts on the lower end of the long hole 37a. In such a state, the movement is stopped. Since the cam plate 36 continues to rotate, the support pin 80 is pressed by the second elastic pieces 84, 84 on the upper side of the connecting rod 37 that has stopped moving. The support pin 80 is smaller than the holding force of the elastic pieces 84, 84.
13B, the elastic pieces 84, 84 are separated from each other to allow the support pin 80 to move upward (in the direction of reducing the load), as shown in FIG. 13B. Thus, it is possible to avoid applying a large load to the tilting mechanism and the actuator motor AM.

The support pin 80 released from the holding by the second elastic pieces 84, 84 comes into contact with a stopper portion 81a formed at the end of the opening 80 between the elastic pieces 84, 84, thereby connecting the connecting pin. The relative movement with respect to 37 is restricted. Then, when the cam plate 36 is rotated by the actuator motor AM, as shown in FIG. 13C, the connecting rod 37 moves with the movement of the support pin 80 sandwiched between the second elastic pieces 84, 84. When it moves downward and the upper end of the long hole 37a abuts on the engaging projection 33c of the lever piece 36b and is prevented from moving, the support pin 80 returns to the normal operating position from between the two elastic pieces 84,84. .

[0037]

FIGS. 14 to 17 show another embodiment of the tilting mechanism, in which the cam plate 36 is provided on the side of the connecting rod 37 opposite to the loose fitting portion with the lever piece 33b. An opening 81 through which a projecting support pin 80 is slidably inserted.
Is formed. An elastic plate 85 is provided on the front side of the connecting rod 37.
One end of the elastic plate 85 is fixed to the other end of the opening 81.
Facing the front of A projecting portion 85a is provided on the rear surface of the elastic plate 85 facing the front surface of the opening so as to be removably fitted into a concave portion 80a formed in the center of the support pin 80. Then, under the elasticity of the elastic plate material 85, the protrusion 85a is
The support pin 80 fitted to the opening 0a is always held at the normal operating position substantially at the center of the opening 81.
The elasticity of the elastic plate 85 is set so as to allow the support pin 80 to move relative to the connecting rod 37 when smooth tilting of the water tray 16 is impeded due to the above-described cause. The inside of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening 81 is
Stopper 8 for restricting the movement of support pin 80 to a required range
Functions as 1a.

For example, when the ice mass 21 grown on the ice making projection 17 freezes on the water tray 16 and its tilting and lowering is hindered, as shown in FIG.
When the protrusion 85a of the elastic plate member 85 is detached from the support pin 80, the support pin 80 is allowed to move downward. Also,
When the ice block 21 or foreign matter is caught between the water tray 16 and the ice making projection 17, as shown in FIG. 17, the projection 85 a of the elastic plate 85 is detached from the concave portion 80 a of the support pin 80, so that the support is removed. The upward movement of the pin 80 is allowed. As a result, when the water tray 16 is tilted down or returned horizontally,
Even when the tilting is hindered, it is possible to prevent an excessive load from being applied to the tilting mechanism and the actuator motor AM, and to prevent accidents and breakdowns. If the cause of obstructing the smooth tilting of the water tray 16 is eliminated, the rotation of the cam plate 36 by the next actuator motor AM causes the concave portion 80a of the support pin 80 to rotate.
The projection 85a of the elastic plate 85 is automatically fitted into the elastic member 85.

[0039]

[Modifications] In the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the support pins projecting from the cam plate with respect to the connecting rod are held so as to allow relative movement via elastic pieces or elastic plate materials. However, the present application is not limited to this. For example, an elastic piece or an elastic plate may be provided at a connecting portion between the connecting rod and the lever piece, and the member may be held by the member to allow relative movement between the lever piece and the connecting rod. Further, the elastic means is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment, but may be any as long as it releases the holding of the member held when a required load is applied and allows the movement.

[0040]

As described above, according to the water tray tilting mechanism of the ice making machine according to the present invention, the water tray tilting mechanism and the actuator motor can be used when the water tray is prevented from smoothly tilting. And the like can be avoided beforehand. That is, when the water tray is tilted, no load is applied to the water tray, the ice making projection, the tilting mechanism, and the actuator motor, so that a failure or an accident can be prevented. In addition, the service life of each component can be extended. Further, a small and inexpensive actuator motor for urging the water tray does not require a strong torque, and can be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an ice making unit employing a water tray tilting mechanism according to an embodiment in a partially disassembled state.

FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical sectional view of an ice making machine employing a water tray tilting mechanism according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of the ice making unit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the water tray tilting mechanism according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an essential part showing a partially cut-out state of a tilting mechanism of a water tray and a swinging mechanism of a swinging plate.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the ice making unit and a corresponding swing mechanism in a state where the swing plate is swinging during the ice making operation.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an ice making unit in a state where ice making is completed and a corresponding swing mechanism.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an ice making unit in a state where ice making is completed, and a corresponding swing mechanism and tilt mechanism.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing the ice making unit in which the tilting of the water tray is stopped, the positional relationship between the cam plate of the corresponding tilting mechanism, and the second and third switches.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing together the ice making unit in a state where the water tray has started returning, the positional relationship between the cam plate of the corresponding tilting mechanism and the second and third switches.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the ice making unit in a state where the water tray is tilted beyond the horizontal posture, and the positional relationship between the cam plate of the corresponding tilting mechanism and the second and third switches.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation in which a support pin moves relative to a connecting rod when ice blocks grown on ice-making projections freeze on a water dish.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of moving a support pin relatively to a connecting rod when an ice block is caught between a water tray and an ice making projection.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a main part showing another embodiment of the tilting mechanism.

FIG. 15 is a front view showing the connecting rod shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing an operation of moving a support pin relatively to a connecting rod when an ice block growing on an ice making projection is frozen on a water tray in another embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing an operation of moving the support pin relatively to the connecting rod when an ice block is caught between the water tray and the ice making projection in another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

16: water tray, 17: ice making projection, 18: ice making board, 29 ...
Ice-making room 31: evaporating tube, 33b: lever piece, 33c: engaging projection,
36 cam plate 37 connecting rod, 80 support pin, 81a stopper part, 8
3: first elastic piece 84: second elastic piece, 85: elastic plate, AM: actuator motor

Claims (4)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. An ice making substrate (18) having an evaporating tube (31) connected to a refrigeration system disposed on an upper surface thereof and having a plurality of ice making portions (17) protruding and hanging at predetermined intervals on a lower surface thereof. A water tray (16) in which the ice making unit (17) is immersed in ice making water in an ice making room (29) defined inside by being pivotally supported by the machine body so as to be freely tiltable. The support pin (80) connected via the connecting rod (37) to the engaging protrusion (33c) of the lever piece (33b) which is disposed on the water tray (16) and tilts integrally is eccentric. The plate projecting from
(36) is rotated by an actuator motor (AM), so that the water tray (16) is tilted down and raised and returned.In the ice making machine, the engagement protrusion ( 33c) or the support pin (80) is connected so as to be relatively movable, and the engaging protrusion (33c) or the support pin (80) is connected to the elastic means (83, 84, 85) provided on the connecting rod (37). When the water tray (16) is tilted down or lifted back by biasing the actuator motor (AM), the elastic means (83,
84, 85) through the engagement protrusion (33c) or the support pin (80), a load greater than the holding force is applied to the elastic means (83, 85).
84, 85) is released to allow relative movement of the engaging projection (33c) or the support pin (80) with respect to the connecting rod (37). Tilt mechanism. The elastic means (83, 8) is attached to the connecting rod (37).
A restriction portion (81) for restricting the movement of the engagement protrusion (33c) or the support pin (80) released from the holding by the
The water tray tilting mechanism of an ice machine according to claim 1, wherein a) is formed. 3. The connecting rod (37) requires the engaging projection (33c) or the support pin (80) so as to be releasable from a load applied when the water tray (16) is tilted and lowered. A first elastic means (83, 83) for holding the holding plate with a holding force, and the engaging projection (33c) or the support pin (80 And a second elastic means (84, 84) for holding the holding member with a required holding force.
Or the water tray tilting mechanism of the ice machine according to 2. 4. The water tray tilting mechanism of an ice making machine according to claim 3, wherein the holding force of the second elastic means (84, 84) is set to be larger than the holding force of the first elastic means (83, 83).