JPH0732468U - Water tray tilting mechanism of ice maker - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To prevent an excessive load from being applied to the tilting mechanism or actuator motor. [Structure] An engaging projection is provided on a lever piece 33b of a swivel support shaft 33 so as to project therefrom. A support pin 80 is provided so as to project from the cam plate 36 rotated by the actuator motor AM. The support pin 80 and the engagement protrusion are connected by the connecting rod 37. A pair of first elastic pieces 83 extending toward the center of the opening is formed on the upper and lower longitudinal inner surfaces of the opening 81 formed in the connecting rod 37.
83 and a pair of second elastic pieces 84, 84 are formed, and the elastic pins 83, 84 hold the support pin 80 in the normal operating position with a required holding force. First elastic piece 83,8
The third and second elastic pieces 84, 84 elastically deform in a direction in which they are separated from each other when a load larger than the holding force is applied by the support pin 80, and move the support pin 80 in a direction in which the load is reduced. Tolerate.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 In this invention, a large number of ice-making protrusions protruding from the lower surface of an ice-making substrate are immersed in ice-making water in an ice-making chamber defined inside a water tray, and as the ice-making operation progresses, a reverse dome is formed around the ice-making protrusions. The present invention relates to a water tray tilting mechanism of an ice making machine for forming ice blocks.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 Many types of ice-making machines have been proposed as automatic ice-making machines for continuously producing a large number of ice blocks such as ice cubes, 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 small chambers that open downward, and ice water is jetted and supplied to the corresponding ice making small chambers from the water tray arranged below it. Do not use a closed cell type ice making machine that forms ice cubes in each ice making chamber that is cooled by an evaporation pipe connected to the freezing system, or the water tray, and put ice making water from below into these ice making chambers. By spraying, the ice-making machine of the open cell type that forms ice cubes in each small chamber, or one side of the ice-making plate placed upright, and the ice-making water is made to flow down from above to make the ice-making plate surface. A water-flowing type ice making machine that forms a large number of kamaboko-shaped ice blocks is known.

The above-mentioned three types of ice making machines are each equipped 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 to the ice making unit of the ice making unit. Alternatively, a forced circulation mechanism is adopted in which the ice making water supplied to the upright ice making plate and not frozen is collected in the tank and then sent again to the ice making unit. Therefore, these ice makers require additional equipment such as an ice making water tank and a pump that circulates ice making water, which complicates the configuration, raises the manufacturing cost, and contributes to the increase in size. On the other hand, the ice-making water is stored in a water tray at a required level, and the ice-making projections protruding from the lower surface of the ice-making substrate on which the evaporation tube is arranged are dipped into the ice-making water. A simple ice-making machine that forms ice blocks around it has already been proposed. This ice machine does not require a mechanism for pumping ice-making water between the water tray and the ice-making water tank during ice-making operation, so it is structurally simplified and can reduce manufacturing costs, and can be miniaturized. It has the advantage of being able to manufacture an ice maker designed for the purpose.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 In the simple ice maker, when an ice block having a required size is formed on the ice making protrusion and the ice making operation is completed, the tilting mechanism connected to the water tray is biased by the actuator motor to tilt the water tray to the required angle position. With this structure, the lower part of the ice making protrusion is opened, and after the ice block has fallen from the ice making protrusion by the deicing operation, the water tray that has stopped tilting is lifted by the bias of the actuator motor to return to the horizontal posture. Has been.

Here, at the end of the ice making operation in the ice making machine, the ice blocks formed on the ice making protrusions may be frozen in the water tray. In this case, the ice formation portion between the ice blocks and the water tray is forced. Since it is peeled off, 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 perform the forced separation of ice blocks, the actuator motor for tilting needs a strong torque that is more than the torque that simply tilts the water tray, and a large and expensive motor is adopted, increasing the manufacturing cost. Difficulties are also pointed out.

[0006] Furthermore, after the ice block has fallen from the ice-making projections during the deicing operation, when the tilted water tray is returned to the horizontal position, the ice chunks and foreign substances mixed in the ice-making machine due to some cause may be the surface of the water tray. If the ice block or the ice making protrusion is caught between the water tray tilted by the actuator motor and the ice making protrusion, the water tray or the ice making protrusion may be damaged, and the tilting mechanism or the actuator may be damaged. There was a problem that an excessive mechanical load was applied to the motor.

[0007]

[The purpose of the device]

 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed in view of the problems inherent in the above-mentioned conventional techniques, and is proposed in order to suitably solve the problems, and when a situation that hinders the smooth tilting of the water tray occurs, a tilting mechanism or It is an object of the present invention to provide a means for preventing an excessive load from being applied to an actuator motor or the like and avoiding an accident or a failure from occurring.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to overcome the above-mentioned problems and achieve the intended purpose, the present invention has a steam pipe connected to a refrigeration system provided on the upper surface and a plurality of ice-making parts projectingly hung from the lower surface at predetermined intervals. It consists of an ice making substrate and a water tray that is tiltably supported by the body of the ice making machine and keeps a horizontal posture at all times, and the ice making part is immersed in the ice making water in the ice making chamber defined inside. By rotating the plate body, which is eccentrically projected by the support pin, which is connected to the engaging projection of the lever piece that is arranged on the water tray and tilts integrally, via the connecting rod, In an ice making machine configured to tilt the descent and raise and return the water tray, the engaging projection or the support pin is movably connected to the connecting rod so as to be relatively movable, and elastic means provided on the connecting rod is used. Always hold the engaging protrusion or support pin with the required holding force. When the water is held in a normal operating position and the actuator motor is biased to tilt the descent or return to the ascending position, a load larger than the holding force is applied to the elastic means via the engaging projection or the support pin. The holding by the elastic means is released to allow relative movement of the engaging projection or the support pin with respect to the connecting rod.

[0009]

【Example】

 Next, a water tray tilting mechanism of an ice making machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings with reference to preferred embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an ice making unit in which a water tray tilting mechanism according to an embodiment is partially disassembled, and FIG. 2 is an entire ice making machine in which a water tray tilting mechanism according to the embodiment is adopted. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view schematically showing a typical configuration. For convenience of description, the terms "front and rear" and "right and left" are referred to when the ice making machine is viewed from the front.

(Regarding Schematic Configuration of Ice Maker) As shown in FIG. 2, the inside of a casing 10 that constitutes the main body of the ice maker 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 it and is surrounded by a heat insulating material and which defines an ice storage chamber inside, and an ice making unit 15 which is arranged above the inside of this ice storage 14 basically. Has been done. As will be described later with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the ice making unit 15 includes a water tray 16 for storing ice making water at a predetermined level, and an ice making substrate 18 having an ice making protrusion 17 immersed in the ice making water. When the dish 16 is switched to the deicing operation, the dish 16 tilts at a predetermined angle to discharge the ice making water in the water tray 16 to the outside through the drainage receiver 19 and the drainage pipe 20, and the ice block 21 to the ice storage chamber. It can be released. An ice lump releasing device 13 is arranged in the ice storage 14, and the ice lump 21 stored in the ice storage chamber is released to the outside by the device 13.

As shown in FIG. 2, a cover body 27 is detachably arranged on the front surface of the ice storage 14, and an actuator motor for tilting the water tray 16 in the ice making unit 15 is provided on the front surface side of the cover body 27. AM, a motor RM for rocking a rocking plate 28 (described later), and a discharging motor GM of the ice block discharging device 13 are collectively arranged. The motors AM, RM, GM arranged on the cover body 27 and the members attached thereto are surrounded by a front panel 23 which is detachably arranged on the housing 10. 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 front panel 23. Further, the front panel 23 is provided with a push button for the first switch SW ₁ for discharging ice blocks and a power lamp (neither of which is shown). While the push button is pushed to turn on the switch SW ₁ , The ice lump releasing device 13 is operated to release the ice lump 21 stored in the ice storage chamber 83 through the outlet 14a and the opening 23a.

(Ice Making Unit) Above the inside of the ice storage unit 14, an ice making substrate 18 is horizontally arranged and fixed via a plurality of brackets 32, and the ice making substrate 18 is housed in the machine room 12 on the upper surface thereof. The evaporation pipes 31 derived from the cooling / freezing system are arranged in a meandering manner. Further, a large number of ice-making protrusions 17 are provided on the lower surface of the ice-making base plate 18 so as to hang down at required intervals. During the ice-making operation, the ice-making protrusions 17 are immersed in the ice-making water stored in the water tray 16. Is becoming. Then, as the refrigeration system is operated, heat is exchanged with the refrigerant in the evaporation pipe 31, and the ice-making protrusions 17 are cooled and maintained at 0 ° C. or less. As a result, as shown in FIG. 21 will be formed.

The 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 is defined by the rectangular bottom surface 16a of the water tray 16 and the wall surfaces 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e standing upright on the four sides thereof, and is located outside the upright wall 16e located on the right side in FIG. Are integrally formed by aligning a plurality of shaft supporting portions 30 along the longitudinal direction. The shaft support portion 30 is rotatably supported by brackets 32, 32 for suspending and supporting the ice making substrate 18 above the ice storage compartment 14, and the water tray 16 in the lateral direction about the shaft support portion 30. It is configured to be rotatable in the width direction of the ice making machine). Further, a water supply pipe 49 for ice making water is detachably installed at an appropriate position on the ice making substrate 18, and the water supply valve WV is opened at a required timing to supply a predetermined amount of ice making water to the ice making chamber 29. It has become. Further, a square hole 30a is formed in the shaft support portion 30 located on the front surface side, and a square shaft 33a projecting from a shaft end of a swivel support shaft 33 described later is fitted therein. The swivel support shaft 33 is rotatably supported by the cover body 27. As the actuator motor AM disposed on the cover body 27 rotates, the water tray 16 has the shaft support portion 30 as a center. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, it is possible to perform tilting downward and returning upward obliquely.

(Regarding Tilt Mechanism of Water Dish) At the position corresponding to the shaft support portion 30 of the water tray 16 in the cover body 27, a cylindrical bearing portion 34 protruding toward the front surface is provided in a protruding manner, and the bearing portion 34 The swivel support shaft 33 is rotatably inserted into the through hole 34a formed in the shaft support 33, and the angular shaft 33a protruding from the shaft end is fitted into the angular hole 30a of the shaft support portion 30. A lever piece 33b extending in the radial direction is integrally formed at the front end of the pivot shaft 33, and an engaging projection 33c is provided on the front side of the lever piece 33b. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, in the actuator motor AM provided on the cover body 27 via the bracket 35, a portion of the rotary shaft extending to the front surface side of the bracket 35 in the circumferential direction is notched. A cam plate 36 formed of a disc having a required diameter is arranged so as to rotate integrally. A support pin 80 is provided on the front surface of the cam plate 36 at a required position eccentric from the center of rotation, and the support pin 80 is held at one end of the connecting rod 37 by a structure described later. An engaging projection 33c of a lever piece 33b formed on the swivel support shaft 33 is slidably fitted in a long hole 37a formed at the other end of the connecting rod 37. Therefore, when the actuator motor AM is rotated in a predetermined direction, the swivel support shaft 33 reciprocally rotates at a required angle via the cam plate 36 and the connecting rod 37, whereby the water tray 16 is tilted down and horizontally returned. .

The water tray 16 is set to maintain a horizontal posture in a state where the engagement protrusion 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). There is. At the front end portion of the engaging protrusion 33c, an elliptical restricting portion 33d that can be inserted into the elongated hole 37a of the connecting rod 37 is provided so as to extend in the radial direction with respect to the protrusion 33c. With the projection 33c inserted into the elongated hole 37a, the connecting rod 37 does not easily come off from the engaging projection 33c. Further, by allowing the lever piece 33b to move with respect to the connecting rod 37 by the length of the long hole 37a, the position error between the lever piece 33b and the connecting rod 37 when the tilting of the water tray 16 is stopped, which will be described later, is allowed. It is supposed to do.

As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 81 having a required size is formed in the holding portion of the support pin 80 projecting from the cam plate 36 of the connecting rod 37, and the center of the inner surface of the opening 81 facing each other in the longitudinal direction. A pair of support pieces 82, 82 projecting toward the center of the opening are formed on the bottom. The support pin 80 is supported between the pair of support pieces 82 in a state where the support rod 37 is allowed to move in the longitudinal direction. A pair of first elastic pieces 83, 83 extending toward the center of the opening is formed on the inner surface of the lower end of the opening 81 in the longitudinal direction, and the holding portion 83a formed at the tip of each elastic piece 83 is attached to the supporting piece. It is adapted to come into contact with a support pin 80 supported by 82, 82. Furthermore, a pair of second elastic pieces 84, 84 extending toward the center of the opening is formed on the inner surface of the upper end of the opening 81 in the longitudinal direction, and the holding portion 84a formed at the tip of each elastic piece 84 is It also comes into contact with the support pin 80 which is also supported by the support pieces 82, 82. That is, the support pin 80 of the cam plate 36 is rotatably held by the support pieces 82, 82, the first elastic pieces 83, 83 and the second elastic pieces 84, 84 in the normal operating position at the center of the opening.

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 larger than the holding force is applied by the support pin 80, the support pin 80 is elastically deformed in a direction in which they are separated from each other, and the movement of the support pin 80 in a direction in which the load is reduced is set (FIG. 12). And FIG. 13). That is, when the water tray 16 is tilted down or returned to the horizontal direction, if the smooth tilting of the water tray 16 is hindered by the cause explained in the prior art, the movement of the lever piece 33b or the connecting rod 37 is restricted. On the other hand, the rotation of the cam plate 36 rotated by the actuator motor AM is continued, and the load is applied to the first elastic pieces 83, 83 or the second elastic pieces 84, 84 via the support pin 80. Becomes When this load becomes larger than the holding force of the first elastic pieces 83, 83 or the second elastic pieces 84, 84, the first elastic pieces 83, 83 or the second elastic pieces 84, 84 are mutually The support pin 80 is released from the distance, and the support pin 80 is allowed to move to reduce the load. This prevents an excessive load from being applied to the actuator motor AM and the tilting mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 12, the first elastic pieces 83, 83 located on the lower side with the center of the opening interposed therebetween allow the ice blocks 21 formed on the ice-making projections 17 to freeze on the water tray 16 so that the water The downward movement of the support pin 80 is allowed when the downward movement of the pan 16 is hindered. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the second elastic pieces 84, 84 located on the upper side of the center of the opening allow the ice block 21 and the foreign matter to be caught between the water tray 16 and the ice making projections 17, thereby When the horizontal return is hindered, the support pin 80 is allowed to move upward. The support pin 80 released from the holding by the first elastic pieces 83, 83 comes into contact with a stopper portion 81a formed at an end portion of the opening 80 between the elastic pieces 83, 83, so that the movement of the support pin 80 is prevented. It is regulated within the required range. Similarly, the support pin 80 released from the holding by the second elastic pieces 84, 84 comes into contact with the stopper portion 81a formed at the end portion of the opening 80 between the elastic pieces 84, 84, so that Movement is restricted to the required range.

Here, the holding force of the support pin 80 by the second elastic pieces 84, 84 is set to be larger than the holding force of the support pin 80 by the first elastic pieces 83, 83. This is because the weight of the water tray 16 or the like is added as a load when the water tray 16 is returned to the horizontal posture, but the ice block 21 is frozen to the water tray 16 or the like when tilting and descending. Is not added as a burden. Further, since the load direction generated by the icing is separated from the axis of the actuator motor AM by a moment, as compared with the load direction generated by the ice blocks 21 and the entrapment of foreign matter, etc. (FIG. 12 (b) and FIG. This is for reducing the required torque of the motor AM.

(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. There is. That is, in the vicinity of the tilting lower end side of the upright wall 16c located on the rear side of the water tray 16, an auxiliary chamber 46 that is recessed toward the rear side is defined, and on the outside (rear side) of the auxiliary chamber 46. A drainage pipe 47 having a required length is connected and connected. Below the drain pipe 47, a drain receiving portion 19 for receiving the discharged water and discharging it to the outside is formed on the rear surface side of the ice storage 14. The auxiliary chamber 46 and the ice making chamber 29 are defined by a dam plate 48 lower than the upright wall 16c. 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 via the drain pipe 47. When the operation is switched to the deicing operation described later, the water tray 16 tilts obliquely downward and discharges the ice making water through the drain pipe 47. The drain pipe 47 contacts the upper edge of the drain receiver 19 on the ice storage chamber side when the water tray 16 tilts obliquely downward, and also functions as a stopper for holding the water tray 16 in an inclined state. . At this time, since the engaging projection 33c of the swivel 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, the 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 disposed in the actuator motor AM, which faces the bracket 35. Are formed to be displaced in the radial direction. Further, the bracket 35 is provided with a second switch SW ₂ and a third switch SW ₃ corresponding to the first cam portion 50 and the second cam portion 51, respectively, and at a required timing as the actuator motor AM rotates. A cam operation is applied to control tilting stop and return stop of the water tray 16 by the motor AM, opening of a hot gas valve, and opening and closing of a water supply valve WV for replenishing ice making water.

(Regarding Oscillating Plate and Oscillating Mechanism) An oscillating plate 54 having a shape shown in the figure, which is pivotally supported by the water tray 16 via pins 57, 57, is disposed inside the ice making chamber 29. Has been done. The swing plate 54 is provided with a large number of through holes 55 having a circular shape or a square shape at required intervals. Further, an inverted L-shaped engaging piece 58 is integrally formed on the front surface side of the rocking plate 54, and an upper horizontal portion 58a thereof extends outward beyond the upright wall 16b of the ice making chamber 29 (FIG. 1). reference). Further, an elongated hole 27a extending in the vertical direction is formed in the cover body 27 at a position corresponding to the upper horizontal portion 58a, and an oscillating portion rotated by the oscillating motor RM is formed in the elongated hole 27a. The material 59 is slidably inserted. An oscillating projection 59a is eccentrically provided at a position of the oscillating member 59 which faces the back side of the cover body 27, and the oscillating projection 59a can be engaged with and disengaged from the upper horizontal portion 58a of the oscillating plate 54 from below. There is. Therefore, when the rocking member 59 is rotated counterclockwise, the rocking protrusion 59a is rotated in a state of being engaged with the upper horizontal portion 58a as shown in FIG. When the rocking protrusion 59a is disengaged from the upper horizontal portion 58a while being raised from the bottom surface by a required distance, the rocking plate 54 falls to the bottom surface of 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 within the ice making chamber 29 about the pins 57, 57, thereby constantly moving the ice making water. You can Since the swing plate 54 is provided with the through hole 55, the ice making water flows vertically through the through hole 55, and a more vigorous movement is obtained.

As shown in FIG. 6, an upright piece 60 extending upward from the ice making base plate 18 is formed on the right side portion (pivotally supporting portion side) of the rocking plate 54, which is used in the deicing operation described later. The rocking plate 54 that tilts integrally with the tilting of the water tray 16 is separated from the water tray 16 by the upright piece 60 engaging with the ice making substrate 18, and the tilted posture is kept constant. ing.

(Mounting Structure of Swing Motor RM) As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, one end of a flat plate-shaped mounting jig 38 is rotatably attached to the bearing portion 34 projecting from the cover body 27. The swinging motor RM is disposed on the front surface side near the end portion which is supported and is separated from the pivotal support portion of the mounting jig 38. The motor R M is connected to the cam portion 59b of the swinging member 59 protruding from the elongated hole 27a to the front side. Further, the mounting jig 38 is always rotated clockwise with the bearing portion 34 as a fulcrum under the elastic force of the torsion spring 39 interposed in the bearing portion 34 when the water tray 16 is supported in a horizontal posture. It is set to be biased. When a required external force is applied to the swing motor RM, the mounting jig 38 can rotate counterclockwise by a required angle with the bearing portion 34 as a fulcrum. A long hole 38a extending in the up-down direction is formed in an end portion of the mounting jig 38 which is separated from the pivot portion, and a regulation pin 61 corresponding to the cover body 27 is slid in the long hole 38a. It is freely inserted. The regulation pin 61 functions to regulate the rotation range of the mounting jig 38, and the lower end of the long hole 38a always abuts against the regulation pin 61 under the elastic force of the torsion spring 39 and swings. The member 59 is set to face the operating position (the position where the rocking plate 54 is rocked).

(Regarding the switches SW ₄ , Th for detecting the completion of ice making and deicing) The cover body 27 is provided with a fourth switch SW ₄ for detecting the completion of ice making such as a micro switch via a bracket 70. Then, the lever piece 62 is made to face the descending locus of the cam portion 59b of the swing member 59, and abuts on the cam portion 59b as the mounting jig 38 (swing motor RM) rotates. The switch can be changed. That is, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 7, when the ice making operation progresses and the ice mass 21 grows around the ice making protrusion 17, the rocking plate 54 comes into contact with the ice mass 21 when moving upward, and the engaging piece A downward reaction force is applied to the swinging motor RM via the 58 and the swinging projection 59a. Therefore, the mounting jig 38 provided with the swinging motor RM rotates counterclockwise about the bearing portion 34 as a fulcrum, and the cam portion 59b moves the lever portion 62 of the fourth switch SW _{4 in} the course of the rotation. By pressing, the completion of ice making in the ice making unit 15 is detected.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the upper surface of the ice making substrate 18 in the ice making unit 15, a thermo switch Th for detecting the completion of deicing is arranged. This thermo switch Th switches contacts when the ice making substrate 18 is cooled to a predetermined temperature by the ice making operation, and detects a rapid temperature rise when the ice block 21 is dropped from the ice making protrusion 17 by the deicing operation, The contact is set to switch. At this time, the hot gas valve is closed and the actuator motor AM is rotated as described later.

[0027]

[Operation of the embodiment]

 Next, the operation of the automatic ice maker according to the embodiment will be described. When the power switch (not shown) is turned on, the automatic ice maker starts the compressor CM to supply the refrigerant to the evaporation pipe 31, and at the same time, the required amount of ice maker Is supplied. Also, the rotation of the swing motor RM starts.

(Regarding Ice Making Operation) The compressor CM energized by turning on the power supplies refrigerant to the evaporation pipe 31 from the refrigerant circulation pipe of the refrigeration system, and the heat exchange action of the refrigerant causes the refrigerant to project on the ice making substrate 18. The cooling of the ice-making protrusions 17 thus started is started. Since the ice making protrusions 17 are immersed in ice making water, ice formation starts around the protrusions 17 and gradually grows to form an inverted dome-shaped ice block 21. The rocking motor RM continues to rotate during this ice making operation. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the rocking protrusion 59a of the rocking member 59 rotated by the motor RM and the upper horizontal portion 58a of the rocking plate 54 are repeatedly engaged and disengaged, and the ice making chamber 29 is made. The water is given a vigorous movement, and the cloud of ice blocks 21 formed on the ice-making projections 17 is prevented.

(Regarding deicing operation) As shown in FIG. 7, when a complete ice block 21 is formed on the ice making protrusion 17 in an inverted dome shape, the rocking plate 54 contacts the ice block 21 when moving upward. Finally, a downward reaction force is applied to the swinging motor RM via the engaging piece 58 and the swinging projection 59a. Therefore, the mounting jig 38 on which the swinging motor RM is arranged starts to rotate counterclockwise about the bearing portion 34 as a fulcrum, and the cam portion 59b of the swinging member 59 detects the fourth ice making completion detection. When the lever piece 62 of the switch SW ₄ is pressed, the completion of ice making in the ice making unit 15 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 pivot shaft 33 engaging with the connecting rod 37 eccentrically connected thereto is tilted counterclockwise, whereby the water tray 16 is moved. It begins to tilt diagonally downward (see Figure 8). Due to this tilting, the ice making water in the ice making chamber 29 overflows into the auxiliary chamber 46 via 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, a load larger than the holding force is not applied to the first elastic pieces 83, 83 of the connecting rod 37 via the support pin 80 of the cam plate 36. Then, the support pin 80 is held in the normal operating position.

When the first cam portion 50 provided on the cam plate 36 arrives at the lever piece 52 of the second switch SW ₂ , the actuator motor AM stops rotating and the water tray 16 moves to the drain pipe 47. Is held in a desired tilted position in contact with the upper edge of the drainage receiver 19. Further, due to the tilting of the water tray 16, the ice blocks 21 formed around the ice making protrusions 17 are exposed while being attached to the protrusions 17. Further, in the process in which the water tray 16 stops tilting, the upright piece 60 of the rocking plate 54 comes into contact with the ice making base plate 18, so that the bottom 16a of the ice making chamber 29 of the water tray 16 in which the tilting is stopped after that. The oscillating plate 54 is tilted and positioned above. The rocking plate 54 functions as a sliding chute for guiding the ice block 21 to the ice storage chamber 83 when the ice block 21 falls.

Simultaneously with the stop of the actuator motor AM, the hot gas valve is opened, and hot gas is supplied to the evaporation pipe 31 instead of the refrigerant. As a result, the ice making projections 17 are rapidly heated through the ice making substrate 18. For this reason, the connection between the ice making projections 17 and the ice blocks 21 is released, and the ice blocks 21 fall by their own weight. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the upright piece 60 slides down the upper surface of the rocking plate 54 which is held in a desired inclined posture, and is guided and discharged into the ice storage chamber 83 located therebelow. By this drop 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 evaporation pipe 31. When the thermoswitch Th detects this temperature rise, the rotation of the actuator motor AM is restarted. Further, the hot gas valve is closed and the supply of the cooling medium to the evaporation pipe 31 is restarted.

When the rotation of the motor AM is restarted, the swivel support shaft 33 is rotated clockwise under the action of the cam plate 36, the connecting rod 37, and the lever piece 33b, and the water tray 16 is similarly rotated clockwise. Start returning to the horizontal position. Further, as the rotation of the motor AM is restarted, the second cam portion 51 of the cam plate 36 arrives at the lever piece 53 of the third switch SW ₃ and turns on the switch, as shown in FIG. As a result, the water supply valve WV is opened and ice making water is supplied to the ice making chamber 29. The first cam portion 50 of the cam plate 36, when detached from the second switch S W ₂ of the lever piece 52, the switch SW ₂ is turned OFF operation, the supply of the ice making water to close the water supply valve W V At the same time as stopping, the actuator motor AM also stops. As a result, the water tray 16 is stopped in a horizontal posture. Further, the rocking motor RM is rotated to restart the vertical rocking of the rocking plate 44 during the ice making operation. When the water tray 16 is returned to the horizontal position, if no ice block 21 or foreign matter is caught in the water tray 16 between the ice tray 17 and the ice-making projections 17, the second pin of the connecting rod 37 is inserted through the support pin 80 of the cam plate 36. Since a load larger than the holding force is not applied to the elastic pieces 84, 84, the support pin 80 is held in the normal operating position.

(Case where ice lumps growing on ice-making projections freeze on water tray) When the fourth switch SW ₄ for detecting ice-making completion detects the completion of ice-making and the actuator motor AM rotates, the connecting rod 37 operates normally. The support pin 80 of the cam plate 36 held in the operating position rotates counterclockwise. On the other hand, in the water tray 16, since the ice blocks 21 are frozen and the downward tilt is hindered, the tilt of the lever piece 33b of the turning support shaft 33 is restricted as shown in FIG. 12 (a). With the rotation of the cam plate 36, the connecting rod 37 holding the support pin 80 in the normal operating position moves downward, and when the engaging projection 33c of the lever piece 36b comes into contact with the upper end of the long hole 37a. The movement is blocked. Since the cam plate 36 continues to rotate, the support pin 80 is pressed against the lower first elastic piece 83, 83 side of the linking rod 37 which 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. Movement in the direction of reducing the load). As a result, 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 the stopper portion 81a formed at the end portion of the opening 80 between the elastic pieces 83, 83, so that the connecting rod 80 is connected. The relative movement with respect to 37 is restricted. Then, when the cam plate 36 is next rotated by the actuator motor AM, as shown in FIG. 12C, the connecting rod 37 is moved along with the movement of the support pin 80 sandwiched between the first elastic pieces 83, 83. Moves upward and the lower end of the long hole 37a abuts on the engaging projection 33c of the lever piece 36b to prevent movement, the support pin 80 returns to the normal operating position from between the elastic pieces 83,83. To do.

(About the case where ice blocks or foreign matter are caught between the water tray and the ice-making protrusion) When the deicing completion detection thermoswitch Th detects completion of deicing and the actuator motor AM rotates, FIG. As shown in (a), as the support pin 80 of the cam plate 36 held in the normal operating position of the connecting rod 37 rotates counterclockwise, the water tray 16 tilts toward the horizontal position. To do. At this time, for example, when 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, as the cam plate 36 rotates, the connecting rod 37 holding the support pin 80 in the normal operating position moves upward, and the engaging projection 33c of the lever piece 33b abuts the lower end of the long hole 37a. The movement is blocked in the state where it was kept. 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 linking rod 37 which is not moving. When the load applied by the support pin 80 becomes larger than the holding force of the elastic pieces 84, 84, the elastic pieces 84, 84 are separated from each other and the upper portion of the support pin 80 (as shown in FIG. 13B). Movement in the direction of reducing the load). This makes it possible to avoid applying a heavy 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 abuts on the stopper portion 81a formed at the end portion of the opening 80 between the elastic pieces 84, 84, so that the connecting rod 80 is connected. The relative movement with respect to 37 is restricted. Then, when the cam plate 36 is next rotated by the actuator motor AM, as shown in FIG. 13C, the connecting rod 37 is moved along with the movement of the support pin 80 sandwiched between the second elastic pieces 84, 84. Moves downward and the upper end of the long hole 37a abuts on the engaging projection 33c of the lever piece 36b to prevent movement, the support pin 80 returns to the normal operating position from between the elastic pieces 84, 84. To do.

[0037]

[About another embodiment]

 14 to 17 show another embodiment of the tilting mechanism, in which a support pin 80 projecting from the cam plate 36 is provided on the side opposite to the loosely fitting portion of the connecting rod 37 with the lever piece 33b. An opening 81 is formed so as to be slidably inserted. One end of an elastic plate member 85 is fixed to the front side of the connecting rod 37, and the other end of the elastic plate member 85 faces the front face of the opening 81. On the back surface of the elastic plate member 85 facing the front surface of the opening, a projection 85a is provided so as to be removably fitted into a recess 80a provided at the center of the support pin 80. Then, under the elastic action of the elastic plate member 85, the support pin 80 in which the projection 85a is fitted in the recess 80a is always held at the normal operating position in the approximate center of the opening 81. The elastic force of the elastic plate member 85 is set so as to allow relative movement of the support pin 80 with respect to the connecting rod 37 when the smooth tilting of the water tray 16 is hindered due to the above-mentioned cause. The inside of both ends of the opening 81 in the longitudinal direction functions as a stopper portion 81a that restricts the movement of the support pin 80 within a required range.

For example, when the ice blocks 21 grown on the ice-making protrusions 17 freeze on the water tray 16 and the tilting and descending thereof are hindered, as shown in FIG. 16, the elastic plate member 85 is extended from the recess 80 a of the support pin 80. The detachment of the projection 85a allows the support pin 80 to move downward. When an ice block 21 or a foreign object is caught between the water tray 16 and the ice-making protrusion 17, the protrusion 85a of the elastic plate member 85 is detached from the recess 80a of the support pin 80 as shown in FIG. , Permitting upward movement of the support pin 80. This prevents an excessive load from being applied to the tilting mechanism and the actuator motor AM even when the tilting of the water tray 16 is being lowered or returned to the horizontal direction, even if the tilting is obstructed, resulting in an accident or failure. It can be prevented in advance. If the cause that hinders the smooth tilting of the water tray 16 is eliminated, the protrusion 85a of the elastic plate member 85 is automatically formed in the recess 80a of the support pin 80 by the rotation of the cam plate 36 by the next actuator motor AM. Are fitted together.

[0039]

[About modification]

 In the above-described embodiments, the structure in which the support pin projecting from the cam plate with respect to the connecting rod is held so as to allow relative movement through the elastic piece or elastic plate member has been described. It is not limited. For example, an elastic piece or an elastic plate member may be provided in the connecting portion between the connecting rod and the lever piece, and the member may be held so as 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, and any means may be used as long as it releases the holding of the holding member and allows the movement thereof when a required load is applied.

[0040]

[Effect of device]

 As described above, according to the water tray tilting mechanism of the ice maker according to the present invention, when the smooth tilting of the water tray is impeded, a load is applied to the water tray tilting mechanism and the actuator motor. Can be avoided in advance. That is, when the water tray is tilted, no load is applied to the water tray, the ice-making projections, the tilting mechanism and the actuator motor, so that it is possible to prevent a failure or an accident from occurring. Moreover, the service life of each component can be extended. Further, the actuator motor for urging the water tray does not require a strong torque, and a small and inexpensive one can be used.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of an ice making machine in which the water tray tilting mechanism according to the embodiment is adopted.

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

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 relevant parts showing a state in which the tilting mechanism of the water tray and the swinging mechanism of the swing plate are partially cut away.

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

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

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an ice making unit in a state where ice making is completed, and a corresponding swinging mechanism and tilting mechanism.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram also showing the positional relationship between the ice making unit in a state where the water tray has stopped tilting, the cam plate of the corresponding tilting mechanism, and the second and third switches.

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

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing the positional relationship between the ice making unit in a state where the water tray is tilted beyond the horizontal posture, 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 an ice block growing on an ice making protrusion freezes on a water tray.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation in which a support pin moves relative to a connecting rod when an ice block is caught between a water tray and an ice making protrusion.

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

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

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation in which a support pin relatively moves with respect to a connecting rod when an ice block growing on an ice making protrusion freezes on a water tray in another embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of moving the support pin relative to the connecting rod when an ice piece is caught between the water tray and the ice making protrusion in another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

16 ... Water tray, 17 ... Ice making protrusion, 18 ... Ice making substrate, 29 ...
Ice-making chamber 31 ... Evaporating pipe, 33b ... Lever piece, 33c ... Engaging projection,
36 ... Cam plate 37 ... Connecting rod, 80 ... Support pin, 81a ... Stopper part, 8
3 ... 1st elastic piece 84 ... 2nd elastic piece, 85 ... Elastic plate material, AM ... Actuator motor

Claims (4)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An ice making substrate (18) having an evaporation pipe (31) connected to a refrigerating system arranged on an upper surface thereof, and a plurality of ice making portions (17) projecting downward from the lower surface at predetermined intervals, and an ice making substrate. From the water tray (16), which is pivotally supported by the machine body and always maintains a horizontal posture, and in which the ice making section (17) is immersed in the ice making water in the ice making chamber (29) defined inside. The support pin (80), which is connected to the engaging projection (33c) of the lever piece (33b) that is disposed on the water tray (16) and tilts integrally, via the connecting rod (37) is eccentric. The plate protruding from
(36) is an ice making machine configured to rotate the water tray (16) by tilting, descending and returning by rotating the actuator motor (AM). 33c) or the support pin (80) are movably connected to each other, and the engaging projections (33c) or the support pin (80) are fixed by elastic means (83, 84, 85) provided on the connecting rod (37). It is always held in a normal operating position with a required holding force, and when the actuator motor (AM) is biased to return the water tray (16) to tilt down or up, the elastic means (83,
When a load larger than the holding force is applied to the 84, 85) via the engaging projections (33c) or the support pins (80), the elastic means (83,
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. 2. The elastic means (83, 8) is attached to the connecting rod (37).
The restriction part (81) for restricting the movement of the engagement protrusion (33c) or the support pin (80) whose holding by the (4,85) is released within a required range.
The water dish tilting mechanism of the ice maker according to claim 1, wherein a) is formed. 3. The engagement rod (37) is required to have the engagement protrusion (33c) or the support pin (80) so as to be able to release and retain a load applied when the water tray (16) is tilted and lowered. The first elastic means (83, 83) for holding with the holding force of the water, and the engaging projection (33c) or the support pin (80) so as to be able to release and hold against the load applied when the water tray (16) is returned to the horizontal direction. Second elastic means (84, 84) for holding the) with a required holding force.
Or the water tray tilting mechanism of the ice maker described in 2. 4. The water dish tilting mechanism for an ice maker 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).