U.S. patent application number 16/116941 was filed with the patent office on 2019-02-28 for ice making device.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Yuji MARUYAMA, Shunji SAITO, Manabu SAKAMOTO, Hideo SHIMODAIRA.
Application Number | 20190063812 16/116941 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65321546 |
Filed Date | 2019-02-28 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190063812 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SAITO; Shunji ; et
al. |
February 28, 2019 |
ICE MAKING DEVICE
Abstract
An ice making device is provided. In the ice making device, a
drive unit includes an ice sensing shaft driven to rotate by a cam
surface of a cam gear, a biasing member that biases the ice sensing
shaft toward the cam surface, and a second case member. The second
case member includes a stopper that comes in contact with the ice
sensing shaft from one side of the ice sensing shaft in an axis and
limits the ice sensing shaft in the axis direction when the ice
sensing shaft is assembled and the biasing member is elastically
deformed. When the ice sensing shaft positioned by the stopper is
rotated around the axis, a spring engaging part passes through a
notch of a side wall and compresses the biasing member.
Inventors: |
SAITO; Shunji; (NAGANO,
JP) ; SAKAMOTO; Manabu; (NAGANO, JP) ;
MARUYAMA; Yuji; (NAGANO, JP) ; SHIMODAIRA; Hideo;
(NAGANO, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION |
Nagano |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
Nagano
JP
|
Family ID: |
65321546 |
Appl. No.: |
16/116941 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25C 2700/02 20130101;
F25C 5/187 20130101; F25C 1/10 20130101; F25C 5/06 20130101; F25C
2305/022 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25C 1/10 20060101
F25C001/10; F25C 5/06 20060101 F25C005/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 31, 2017 |
JP |
2017-166786 |
Claims
1. An ice making device comprising: an ice making tray in which
recessed parts for water storage are disposed upward; and a drive
unit that drives to rotate the ice making tray around a first axis
that extends in a direction crossing a vertical direction, wherein
the drive unit comprises a cam gear connected to the ice making
tray, an ice sensing shaft that is connected to an ice detection
lever and is driven to rotate by a cam surface of the cam gear, a
biasing member that biases the ice sensing shaft toward the cam
surface, and a supporting member that supports the cam gear, the
ice sensing shaft, and the biasing member, and wherein the
supporting member comprises a stopper that comes in contact with
the ice sensing shaft from one side in a second axis direction,
which is a direction of a second axis an axis of the ice sensing
shaft, and the stopper limits a position of the ice sensing shaft
in the second axis direction when the biasing member is elastically
deformed by assembling the ice sensing shaft.
2. The ice making device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing
member is a compression coil spring whose axis direction goes along
a direction crossing the second axis, and wherein a spring engaging
part protrudes from an outer circumferential surface of the ice
sensing shaft, the spring engaging part is in contact with one end
of the compression coil spring and compresses the compression coil
spring when the ice sensing shaft is rotated around the second axis
while the position of the ice sensing shaft is limited by the
stopper.
3. The ice making device according to claim 2, wherein the
supporting member comprises a partition wall on which a notch is
provided at a position that faces the one end of the compression
coil spring, and wherein, when the ice sensing shaft is rotated
around the second axis at the position limited by the stopper, the
spring engaging part passes through the notch and comes in contact
with the one end of the compression coil spring.
4. The ice making device according to claim 3, wherein, when the
ice sensing shaft has been assembled, the spring engaging part is
at a position biased to one side of the notch in the second axis
direction.
5. The ice making device according to claim 4, wherein the spring
engaging part is in contact with the one end of the compression
coil spring at a position biased to one side from a center of the
partition wall in the second axis direction.
6. The ice making device according to claim 4, wherein, an inclined
part is formed on at least one of a side end disposed on a side
opposite to the compression coil spring in the spring engaging part
and a partition wall side end that faces the side end in the
partition wall, the inclined part moves the ice sensing shaft to
one side in the second axis direction by a biasing force of the
compression coil spring when the side end comes in contact with the
partition wall side end.
7. The ice making device according to claim 6, wherein the inclined
part is formed as a surface on one of the side end and the
partition wall side end and is formed as a convex part on the other
of the side end (31t) and the partition wall side end.
8. The ice making device according to claim 6, wherein the inclined
part is formed on both the side end and the partition wall side
end.
9. The ice making device according to claim 8, wherein the inclined
part is formed as a surface on both the side end and the partition
wall side end.
10. The ice making device according to claim 1, wherein the stopper
is a step part that is formed on a base of a seat part at which a
screw is stopped in the supporting member.
11. The ice making device according to claim 1, wherein the stopper
is a plate-like convex part that protrudes from the supporting
member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Japan
application serial no. 2017-166786, filed on Aug. 31, 2017. The
entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby
incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this
specification.
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0002] The disclosure relates to an ice making device configured to
drive an ice sensing shaft by a cam surface of a cam gear connected
to an ice making tray.
Related Art
[0003] An ice making device mounted on a refrigerator includes an
ice making tray in which recessed parts for water storage are
disposed upward and a drive unit that drives to rotate the ice
making tray around an axis that extends in a direction crossing a
vertical direction. The drive unit includes a cam gear connected to
the ice making tray, an ice sensing shaft that is driven to rotate
by a cam surface of the cam gear, and a compression coil spring
that biases the ice sensing shaft toward the cam surface. An ice
detection lever rotates with the ice sensing shaft in connection
with the cam gear and performs an ice detection operation (refer to
Japanese Laid-open Publication No. 2001-165539). In the ice making
device described in Japanese Laid-open Publication No. 2001-165539,
in a supporting member that supports the cam gear, the ice sensing
shaft, and the like, a partition wall on which a notch is provided
at a position that faces one end of the compression coil spring is
formed. When the ice sensing shaft is assembled, a position of the
ice sensing shaft in the axis direction is adjusted, a spring
engaging part and the notch are aligned, and the ice sensing shaft
is then rotated around the axis. As a result, the spring engaging
part passes through the notch, comes in contact with one end of the
compression coil spring and compresses the compression coil
spring.
[0004] However, in the configuration described in Japanese
Laid-open Publication No. 2001-165539, when the ice sensing shaft
is assembled, since it is necessary to adjust a position of the ice
sensing shaft in the axis direction and align the spring engaging
part and the notch (compression coil spring), much time and effort
is required. In addition, misalignment is likely to occur between
the spring engaging part of the ice sensing shaft and the
compression coil spring, and in an extreme case, the ice sensing
shaft is assembled in a state in which the spring engaging part
restricts the end of the compression coil spring from above.
SUMMARY
[0005] An ice making device according to the disclosure includes an
ice making tray in which recessed parts for water storage are
disposed upward; and a drive unit that drives to rotate the ice
making tray around a first axis that extends in a direction
crossing a vertical direction, wherein the drive unit includes a
cam gear connected to the ice making tray, an ice sensing shaft
that is connected to an ice detection lever and is driven to rotate
by a cam surface of the cam gear, a biasing member that biases the
ice sensing shaft toward the cam surface, and a supporting member
that supports the cam gear, the ice sensing shaft, and the biasing
member, and wherein the supporting member includes a stopper that
comes in contact with the ice sensing shaft from one side in a
second axis direction, which is a direction of a second axis, an
axis of the ice sensing shaft, and the stopper limits a position of
the ice sensing shaft in the second axis direction when the biasing
member is elastically deformed by assembling the ice sensing
shaft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ice making device to
which the disclosure is applied when viewed from the side on which
a second side plate is disposed and viewed obliquely from
above.
[0007] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ice making
device shown in FIG. 1 when viewed from the side on which the
second side plate is disposed and viewed obliquely from above.
[0008] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ice making
device shown in FIG. 1 when viewed from the side on which the
second side plate is disposed and viewed obliquely from below.
[0009] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an aspect in which
a drive unit shown in FIG. 2 is disassembled when viewed from the
side on which an ice making tray is disposed.
[0010] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an aspect in which
a drive unit shown in FIG. 2 is disassembled when viewed from the
side opposite to the ice making tray.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a drive mechanism shown in
FIG. 4.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a state in which a cam gear
is removed from the state shown in FIG. 6.
[0013] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a cam gear and the
like shown in FIG. 5 when viewed from the side opposite to the ice
making tray.
[0014] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an ice sensing shaft
shown in FIG. 7.
[0015] FIGS. 10(a).about.10(c) show explanatory diagrams of a
method of assembling the ice sensing shaft shown in FIG. 7.
[0016] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example
of a stopper used in an ice making device to which the disclosure
is applied.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0017] An objective of an embodiment in the disclosure is to
provide an ice making device that can appropriately and easily
assemble an ice sensing shaft to a biasing member used for a drive
unit.
[0018] In the disclosure, when the ice sensing shaft is assembled
and the biasing member is elastically deformed, a position of the
ice sensing shaft in the second axis direction is limited by the
stopper of the supporting member. Therefore, since it is not
necessary to align positions of the ice sensing shaft and the
biasing member while a position of the ice sensing shaft in the
second axis direction is adjusted, the ice sensing shaft can be
assembled easily and efficiently. In addition, when the ice sensing
shaft is assembled, since misalignment is unlikely to occur, the
ice sensing shaft can be appropriately assembled with the biasing
member.
[0019] In an aspect of the disclosure, the biasing member is a
compression coil spring whose axis direction goes along a direction
crossing the second axis. A spring engaging part protrudes from an
outer circumferential surface of the ice sensing shaft, the spring
engaging part is in contact with one end of the compression coil
spring and compresses the compression coil spring when the ice
sensing shaft is rotated around the second axis while the position
of the ice sensing shaft is limited by the stopper. According to
this aspect, the compression coil spring can be compressed by a
simple operation of rotating the ice sensing shaft around the
second axis while a position in the second axis direction is
limited by the stopper of the supporting member.
[0020] In an aspect of the disclosure, the supporting member
includes a partition wall on which a notch is provided at a
position that faces the one end of the compression coil spring, and
when the ice sensing shaft is rotated around the second axis at the
position limited by the stopper, the spring engaging part passes
through the notch and comes in contact with the one end of the
compression coil spring. According to this aspect, even if a
configuration in which the compression coil spring is disposed
inside the partition wall is used, the ice sensing shaft can be
assembled into the biasing member appropriately and easily.
[0021] In an aspect of the disclosure, when the ice sensing shaft
has been assembled, the spring engaging part is at a position
biased to one side of the notch in the second axis direction.
According to this aspect, a situation in which the spring engaging
part escapes from the notch of the partition wall is unlikely to
occur.
[0022] In an aspect of the disclosure, the spring engaging part is
in contact with the one end of the compression coil spring at a
position biased to one side from a center of the partition wall in
the second axis direction. According to this aspect, even if the
spring engaging part is at a position biased to one side of the
notch in the second axis direction, since the spring engaging part
is in contact with one end of the compression coil spring, the
compression coil spring can appropriately bias the ice sensing
shaft through the spring engaging part.
[0023] In an aspect of the disclosure, an inclined part is formed
on at least one of a side end disposed on a side opposite to the
compression coil spring in the spring engaging part and a partition
wall side end that faces the side end in the partition wall, the
inclined part that moves the ice sensing shaft to one side in the
second axis direction by a biasing force of the compression coil
spring when the side end comes in contact with the partition wall
side end. In this case, an aspect in which the inclined part is
formed as a surface on one of the side end and the partition wall
side end and is formed as a convex part on the other of the side
end and the partition wall side end can be used. According to this
aspect, the ice sensing shaft can be automatically moved to one
side in the second axis direction due to a biasing force of the
compression coil spring.
[0024] In an aspect of the disclosure, the inclined part is formed
on both the side end and the partition wall side end. For example,
an aspect in which the inclined part is formed as a surface on both
the side end and the partition wall side end can be used. According
to this aspect, the ice sensing shaft can be moved to one side in
the second axis direction automatically and more reliably due to a
biasing force of the compression coil spring.
[0025] In an aspect of the disclosure, the stopper is a step part
that is formed on a base of a seat part at which a screw is stopped
in the supporting member. In an aspect of the disclosure, the
stopper is a plate-like convex part that protrudes from the
supporting member.
[0026] In the disclosure, when the ice sensing shaft is assembled
and the biasing member is elastically deformed, a position of the
ice sensing shaft in the second axis direction is limited by the
stopper of the supporting member. Therefore, since it is not
necessary to align positions of the ice sensing shaft and the
biasing member while a position of the ice sensing shaft in the
second axis direction is adjusted, the ice sensing shaft can be
assembled easily and efficiently. In addition, when the ice sensing
shaft is assembled, since misalignment is unlikely to occur, the
ice sensing shaft can be appropriately assembled with the biasing
member.
[0027] Embodiments of the disclosure will be described with
reference to the drawings. In the following description, three
directions that cross each other will be described as a first
direction X (length direction), a second direction Y (width
direction), and a third direction Z (vertical direction). In
addition, in the description, X1 refers to one side in the first
direction X, X2 refers to the other side in the first direction X,
Y1 refers to one side in the second direction Y, Y2 refers to the
other side in the second direction Y, Z1 refers to one side (upper
side) in the third direction Z (vertical direction), and Z2 refers
to the other side (lower side) in the third direction Z (vertical
direction).
[0028] (Overall Configuration)
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ice making device 1 to
which the disclosure is applied when viewed from the side on which
a second side plate 42 is disposed and viewed obliquely from above.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ice making device 1
shown in FIG. 1 when viewed from the side on which the second side
plate 42 is disposed and viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 3 is an
exploded perspective view of the ice making device 1 shown in FIG.
1 when viewed from the side on which the second side plate 42 is
disposed and viewed obliquely from below.
[0030] The ice making device 1 shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 includes
an ice making tray 2 in which recessed parts for water storage 20
(cells) are dispose toward the one side Z1 (upper side) in the
third direction Z, a drive unit 3 that is disposed on the one side
X1 of the ice making tray 2 in the first direction X, and a frame 4
including a mounting unit 40 on which the drive unit 3 is mounted.
The ice making device 1 is mounted on a refrigerator main body (not
shown). In the refrigerator, water in a water supply tank (not
shown) is filled into the recessed parts for water storage 20 of
the ice making tray 2 through a water supply pipe (not shown) and
ice making is performed. Then, when the ice making is completed,
the drive unit 3 causes the ice making tray 2 to perform an
inversion operation around an axis L0 (first axis) that extends in
the first direction X and a twist operation that is in connection
with the inversion operation as an ice removal operation, and
thereby causes ice in the ice making tray 2 to fall into an ice
storage container (not shown).
[0031] (Configuration of Ice Making Tray 2)
[0032] The ice making tray 2 is a member that is made of a resin
material and molded to have a substantially rectangular planar
shape, and is made of an elastically deformable material. In the
ice making tray 2, a plurality of recessed parts for water storage
20 are arranged in the first direction X and the second direction
Y. For example, in the ice making tray 2, inside a frame part 25
having a substantially rectangular shape, two recessed parts for
water storage 20 arranged in the second direction Y as a set are
disposed in four rows in the first direction X. In the frame part
25 of the ice making tray 2, a connecting part (not shown)
connected to an output shaft 33 of the drive unit 3 on the axis L0
is formed on a wall part 26 that is disposed on the one side X1 in
the first direction X, and a shaft part 28 that is rotatably
supported on the frame 4 on the axis L0 is formed on a wall part 27
that is disposed on the other side X2 in the first direction X. On
the wall part 27 of the ice making tray 2, a rotation regulating
part 29 that comes in contact with the frame 4 when the ice making
tray 2 rotates around the axis L0 is formed. The rotation
regulating part 29 causes the ice making tray 2 to perform a twist
operation by preventing rotation of the ice making tray 2.
[0033] In the ice making tray 2, on a bottom surface 2a in the
third direction Z, a plurality of convex parts 21 reflecting the
shape of the plurality of recessed parts for water storage 20 are
arranged. On the bottom surface 2a of the ice making tray 2, a
temperature sensor 8 configured to detect a temperature of the ice
making tray 2 is disposed. The temperature sensor 8 is covered with
a cover member 9 fixed to the bottom surface 2a of the ice making
tray 2. Signal wirings 88 and 89 extend from the temperature sensor
8 into the drive unit 3. In the present embodiment, the temperature
sensor 8 is a thermistor 80.
[0034] (Configuration of Frame 4)
[0035] The frame 4 includes a first side plate 41 that extends in
the first direction X along a first side surface 2b on one side Y1
of the ice making tray 2 in the second direction Y and the second
side plate 42 that extends in the first direction X along a second
side surface 2c on the other side Y1 of the ice making tray 2 in
the second direction Y. The first side plate 41 and the second side
plate 42 face each other in parallel in the second direction Y. An
ice detection lever 6 whose base end side is connected to the drive
unit 3 is disposed between the second side plate 42 and the ice
making tray 2.
[0036] From an upper end 41e (edge on the one side Z1 in the third
direction Z) of the first side plate 41, a first upper plate part
410 projects toward the second side plate 42. The first upper plate
part 410 is bent downward at an intermediate position toward one
side Y1 in the second direction Y and then projects toward the
second side plate 42. From the vicinity of an upper end 42e (edge
on the one side Z1 in the third direction Z) of the second side
plate 42, a second upper plate part 420 projects toward the first
side plate 41. The ice making tray 2 faces upward in an open state
(the one side Z1 in the third direction Z) between the first upper
plate part 410 and the second upper plate part 420. An opening 420a
is formed in the second upper plate part 420. The upper end of the
ice detection lever 6 is disposed inside the opening 420a.
[0037] Ends of the first side plate 41 and the second side plate 42
on the one side X1 in the first direction X overlap the drive unit
3 when viewed in the second direction Y. The first side plate 41
and the second side plate 42 are connected by a plate-like first
wall part 43 that is disposed at an end on the one side X1 in the
first direction X and a second wall part 44 that is disposed at an
end on the other side X2 in the first direction X. The first side
plate 41 and the second side plate 42 are also connected by an
upper plate part 45 that covers the drive unit 3 from the upper
side on the other side Y2 in the second direction Y. Accordingly,
in the present embodiment, in the frame 4, a space surrounded by
the first side plate 41, the second side plate 42, the first wall
part 43, and the upper plate part 45 forms the mounting unit 40 of
the drive unit 3. A lower part (the other side Z2 in the third
direction Z) of the mounting unit 40 is in an open state. The
second wall part 44 is a porous wall in which a plurality of
plate-like ribs are connected to each other, and a shaft hole 440
that rotatably supports the shaft part 28 of the ice making tray 2
is formed at the center thereof.
[0038] On a wall (an inner wall 411) on the side on which the ice
making tray 2 is disposed in the first side plate 41, a plurality
of reinforcing ribs 411a, 411b, and 411c are formed to extend in
the vertical direction. In the first side plate 41, on a wall
(outer wall) on the side opposite to the ice making tray 2, in the
upper end 41e and a lower end 41f of the first side plate 41, on
the other side X1 of the drive unit 3 in the first direction, a
plurality of attachment parts 414 that fix the frame 4 to a
refrigerator main body when the ice making device 1 is mounted on
the refrigerator main body (not shown) are formed. In the lower end
41f of the first side plate 41, a penetration part 417 constituted
by a notch is formed between the attachment parts 414 adjacent to
each other in the first direction X. A wiring 5 through which power
is supplied to the drive unit 3 extends from the drive unit 3 to
the other side X2 in the first direction X along the inner wall 411
of the first side plate 41 and is then drawn to the outside from
the penetration part 417.
[0039] Accordingly, when the drive unit 3 causes the ice making
tray 2 to perform a twist operation in order to perform an ice
removal operation, even if a large force is applied to the frame 4
due to a reaction force, transmission of the force to the side of
the penetration part 417 of the first side plate 41 is prevented by
the attachment part 414 fixed to the refrigerator main body
provided on the one side X1 of the penetration part 417 in the
first direction X. Therefore, in the first side plate 41, since
concentration of stress in the vicinity of the penetration part 417
can be prevented, it is possible to prevent the first side plate 41
from being damaged in the vicinity of the penetration part 417.
[0040] (Configuration of Drive Unit 3)
[0041] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an aspect in which
the drive unit 3 shown in FIG. 2 is disassembled when viewed from
the side on which the ice making tray 2 is disposed. FIG. 5 is an
exploded perspective view of an aspect in which the drive unit 3
shown in FIG. 2 is disassembled when viewed from the side opposite
to the ice making tray 2.
[0042] In FIG. 2, in the drive unit 3, inside a case 7 (supporting
member) molded in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a drive
mechanism such as a driving source or a rotation transmission
mechanism is disposed. A rotation force of the driving source is
transmitted to a cam gear 32 through the drive mechanism. In the
cam gear 32, the output shaft 33 to which the ice making tray 2 is
connected is integrally molded. The output shaft 33 protrudes from
a hole 7a of the case 7 to the outside of the case 7. When ice in
the ice making tray 2 is removed, the output shaft 33 rotates
around the axis L0 in a counterclockwise CCW direction and the ice
making tray 2 is inverted, and when the ice making tray 2 is
returned to an original position, the output shaft 33 rotates in a
clockwise CW direction.
[0043] The ice detection lever 6 is disposed at a position adjacent
to the ice making tray 2 on the one side Y1 in the second direction
Y. In the drive unit 3, an ice detection mechanism causing the ice
detection lever 6 to rotate around the axis L1 (second axis) and
operate in connection with the cam gear 32 and a switch mechanism
that operates based on a signal input from the temperature sensor 8
through the signal wirings 88 and 89 and the like are provided.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, in the drive unit 3, the case
7 includes a first case member 71, a second case member 72, and a
third case member 73 that are disposed to overlap from the one side
X1 to the other side X2 in the first direction X. The second case
member 72 and the third case member 73 are connected by a screw 781
and an engaging convex part 791. The first case member 71 and the
second case member 72 are connected by an engaging convex part 792.
In addition, the first case member 71, the second case member 72,
and the third case member 73 are connected by a screw 782.
[0045] A drive mechanism 15 to be described below is disposed
between the second case member 72 and the third case member 73. A
circuit board 51 including an AC-DC converter and the like, a
control board 52, a switch 53, and the like are disposed between
the first case member 71 and the second case member 72.
[0046] (Configuration of Drive Unit 3)
[0047] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the drive mechanism 15 shown
in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a state in which the cam
gear 32 is removed from the state shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is an
exploded perspective view of the cam gear 32 and the like shown in
FIG. 5 when viewed from the side opposite to the ice making tray
2.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the second case member 72
includes a bottom plate 721 having a substantially rectangular
shape and a body part 722 having a rectangular tubular shape that
protrudes from the outer edge of the bottom plate 721 to one side
X1 and the other side X2 in the first direction X. In the second
case member 72, the drive mechanism 15 is provided inside the body
part 722 on the other side X2 of the bottom plate 721 in the first
direction X. The drive mechanism 15 includes a motor 34 as a
driving source. The motor 34 is a DC motor. Rotation of the motor
34 is decelerated and transmitted to the cam gear 32 through a worm
350, a first gear 351, a second gear 352, and a third gear 353
connected to a motor shaft 34a of the motor 34. On a surface that
faces the third case member 73 of the cam gear 32, a groove 326 is
formed in a circumferential direction. A protrusion (not shown)
formed on the third case member 73 is inserted into the groove 326,
and a rotation angle range of the cam gear 32 is restricted.
[0049] In the present embodiment, control is performed so that the
cam gear 32 rotates in reverse based on a first signal output after
an ice detection operation starts and a driving time. Therefore,
when there is a full supply of ice, control is performed so that
the motor 34 is stopped when the cam gear 32 rotates, for example,
42 degrees, and then rotates in reverse. In addition, when ice is
insufficient, control is performed so that the motor 34 is stopped
when the cam gear 32 rotates, for example, 160 degrees, and then
rotates in reverse.
[0050] The output shaft 33 is integrally molded with the cam gear
32 so that it protrudes on one side X1 and the other side X2 in the
first direction X. On the side of the cam gear 32, a push switch
371, a switch pressing lever 372, and a coil spring 373 are
disposed in an overlapping manner. The switch pressing lever 372 is
biased toward the push switch 371 by the coil spring 373. The push
switch 371 is turned on or off in order to identify whether or not
ice is insufficient in the ice detection operation.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 8, a cylindrical friction member 36 is
fitted on the outer circumferential surface of a part 331 that
protrudes from the cam gear 32 on one side X1 in the first
direction X in the output shaft 33. The friction member 36 can
rotate with the output shaft 33 due to a frictional force of the
output shaft 33. A groove 361 having a notch shape is formed at an
end of the friction member 36 on one side X1 in the first direction
X. A convex part (not shown) formed in the second case member 72
can come in contact with both ends of the groove 361. Accordingly,
the friction member 36 is rotatable only in a range in which both
ends of the groove 361 and a convex part of the second case member
72 are in contact with each other, rotation of the friction member
36 is prevented, and thus only the output shaft 33 rotates around
the axis L0.
[0052] A convex part 362 that prevents rotation of an ice sensing
shaft 31 to be described below is provided on the outer
circumferential surface of the friction member 36. When the cam
gear 32 rotates to the ice removal position side, the convex part
362 is not engaged with an engaging convex part 31b (refer to FIG.
9) of the ice sensing shaft 31, and the convex part 362 is engaged
with the engaging convex part 31b of the ice sensing shaft 31, and
rotation of the ice sensing shaft 31 is prevented only when the cam
gear 32 rotates to the ice making position side. When rotation of
the ice sensing shaft 31 is prevented by the convex part 362, a
switch pressing operation preventing part 31d (refer to FIG. 9)
formed in the ice sensing shaft 31 does not enter a rotation range
of the switch pressing lever 372 configured to switch the push
switch 371 shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 on or off, and the push
switch 371 can be freely turned on or off. Accordingly, when the
ice detection lever 6 is returned from the ice removal position to
the ice making position, the push switch 371 functions so that it
is necessarily turned on midway.
[0053] In FIG. 8, an annular recessed part 327 is formed on a
surface that faces the second case member 72 of the cam gear 32. A
cam surface 329 for a switch pressing lever that drives the switch
pressing lever 372 is provided in the recessed part 327. In
addition, the cam surface 328 for an ice sensing shaft that drives
the ice sensing shaft 31 is provided in the recessed part 327
inward in the radial direction from a cam surface 328 for an ice
sensing shaft. The cam surface 328 for an ice sensing shaft and the
cam surface 329 for a switch pressing lever are formed on the inner
circumferential surfaces of side walls 324 and 325 that protrude
substantially in parallel around the axis L0 which is a rotation
center of the cam gear 32.
[0054] The cam surface 328 for an ice sensing shaft has a
configuration in which an ice detection non-operation position unit
328a, an ice detection descending operation unit 328b, an ice
shortage detection position unit 328c, and an ice detection return
operation unit 328d are connected in the circumferential direction.
The ice detection non-operation position unit 328a is a section for
keeping the ice detection lever 6 (refer to FIG. 1 and the like)
from being lowered. The ice detection descending operation unit
328b is a section for gradually lowering the ice detection lever 6
when ice is insufficient. The ice shortage detection position unit
328c is a section for maintaining the ice detection lever 6 in the
lowermost state when ice is insufficient. The ice detection return
operation unit 328d is a section for raising the lowered ice
detection lever 6.
[0055] The cam surface 329 for a switch pressing lever includes a
cam part 329a for first signal generation for outputting a signal
in the vicinity of the ice making position, a cam part 329b for
second signal generation for outputting a signal in the vicinity of
the ice detection position, and a cam part 329c for third signal
generation for outputting a signal in the vicinity of the ice
removal position. In such a configuration, when a rotation angle of
the cam gear 32 is at the ice making position, the ice detection
position, and the ice removal position, the switch pressing lever
372 is rotated in a direction in which the push switch 371 is
pressed.
[0056] (Configuration of Ice Detection Mechanism 11)
[0057] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the ice sensing shaft 31
shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, an ice detection mechanism
11 is a mechanism for identifying whether the ice storage container
is full or the amount of ice is insufficient, and determines that
ice is insufficient when the ice detection lever 6 is lowered into
the ice storage container and is lowered below a predetermined
level position. In the ice detection mechanism 11, the ice
detection lever 6 is connected to the ice sensing shaft 31 that is
driven by the cam surface 328 for an ice sensing shaft of the cam
gear 32.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, the ice sensing shaft 31
includes a sliding part 31a that slides on the cam surface 328 for
an ice sensing shaft of the cam gear 32 on the side of one end L1a
in the axis L1 direction, and rotates according to a rotation angle
of the cam gear 32, and operates the ice detection lever 6. In the
present embodiment, when the ice detection lever 6 rotates 30
degrees or more, this is determined as ice shortage. On the outer
circumferential surface of the ice sensing shaft 31, from the side
of the one end L1a toward the other end L1b in the axis L1
direction, a case receiving part 31g, the sliding part 31a, a
spring engaging part 31c, a guide convex part 31h, the switch
pressing operation preventing part 31d, a thrust escape prevention
jetty 31e, and a lever connecting part 31f are provided to protrude
radially outward, and the engaging convex part 31b is formed on the
side opposite to the sliding part 31a in the circumferential
direction.
[0059] In addition, the ice detection mechanism 11 includes a
biasing member 38 that biases the ice sensing shaft 31 in a
direction in which the sliding part 31a is pressed and welded
against the side of the cam surface 328 for an ice sensing shaft.
In the present embodiment, the biasing member 38 is constituted by
a compression coil spring 380 disposed on the bottom plate 721 of
the second case member 72, and the ice sensing shaft 31 and the cam
gear 32 are disposed in order on the upper side (the other side X2
in the first direction X1) of the compression coil spring 380. In
this state, the axis L1 of the ice sensing shaft 31 is orthogonal
to the axis L2 direction of the compression coil spring 380.
[0060] The ice sensing shaft 31 that is supported by a semicircular
notch 722a formed in a part disposed on the other side Y2 in the
second direction Y and a semicircular notch 754a formed on a side
wall 754 of a spring box 75 to be described below within the body
part 722 of the second case member 72 is rotatably supported around
the axis L1 between the second case member 72 and the third case
member 73. In this case, the case receiving part 31g is fitted into
a receiving hole 724 (refer to FIGS. 10(a).about.10(c)) that is
formed in a plate 723 of the second case member 72 and rotatably
supported. The lever connecting part 31f protrudes to the outside
of the case 7 and the ice detection lever 6 is connected. The
sliding part 31a is a cam follower that protrudes radially outward
from the outer circumferential surface of the ice sensing shaft 31
and comes in contact with the cam surface 328 for an ice sensing
shaft of the cam gear 32. The engaging convex part 31b can come in
contact with the convex part 362 of the friction member 36. The
spring engaging part 31c is provided to come in contact with one
end 381 of the compression coil spring 380. Therefore, the ice
sensing shaft 31 presses the sliding part 31a against the cam
surface 328 for an ice sensing shaft of the cam gear 32 due to a
return force of the compression coil spring 380. The other end 382
of the compression coil spring 380 is in contact with the body part
722 of the second case member 72. When the ice sensing shaft 31
rotates so that the ice detection lever 6 is lowered, the switch
pressing operation preventing part 31d is in contact with the
switch pressing lever 372, prevents rotation of the switch pressing
lever 372, and operates so that the push switch 371 is not turned
on. The thrust escape prevention jetty 31e is formed to extend in
the circumferential direction of the ice sensing shaft 31,
interferes with a convex part (not shown) formed in the third case
member 73, and limits a movement range of the ice sensing shaft 31
in the axis L1 direction. The guide convex part 31h enters a guide
groove (not shown) formed in the third case member 73 and moves
along the guide groove. In this case, the guide groove formed in
the third case member 73 is a rotation regulating part that
regulates a rotation range of the ice sensing shaft 31.
[0061] The ice detection mechanism 11 configured as described above
transmits movement of the ice sensing shaft 31 that operates along
the cam surface 328 for an ice sensing shaft to the ice detection
lever 6. That is, when movement of the ice detection lever 6 is
stopped because the ice storage container is full of ice, the ice
sensing shaft 31 stops its rotation together with the ice detection
lever 6. In addition, when ice is insufficient during the ice
detection operation and the ice detection lever 6 rotates a
predetermined angle or more, the ice detection mechanism 11
regulates an operation of the switch pressing lever 372 by the cam
surface 329 for a switch pressing lever. Therefore, when ice is
insufficient during the ice detection operation, the switch
pressing lever 372 does not rotate and the push switch 371 is not
pressed.
[0062] Here, a biasing force of the compression coil spring 380 is
set to a degree at which at least the switch pressing operation
preventing part 31d of the ice sensing shaft 31 can prevent a
switch pressing operation of the switch pressing lever 372. That
is, the switch pressing lever 372 is biased in a direction in which
the push switch 371 is pressed by the coil spring 373. However, a
biasing force of the compression coil spring 380 is set to a degree
at which the switch pressing lever 372 is displaced away from the
push switch 371 against the spring force.
[0063] Accordingly, the push switch 371 is pressed by the switch
pressing lever 372 that receives a biasing force of the coil spring
373 in a non-operation state (during ice making, when there is a
full supply of ice during the ice detection operation, and the ice
removal operation is completed) of the switch pressing lever 372,
and generates an original position signal, an ice detection signal,
an ice removal signal, and the like, and otherwise, the push switch
371 is not pressed by the switch pressing lever 372 and is turned
off. Here, when ice is insufficient in the ice detection operation,
the push switch 371 that is usually turned on at an ice making
position is not turned on until the cam gear 32 rotates from the
ice making position to the ice removal position. Accordingly, when
the ice sensing shaft 31 rotates a predetermined angle or more in
an ice shortage state, even at a position at which the ice
detection signal should be generated, the push switch 371 is not
turned on, and no detection signal is output. On the other hand,
when the cam gear 32 rotates from the ice making position to the
ice detection position, if there is a full supply of ice, the ice
detection lever 6 is not lowered to a predetermined position.
Therefore, the ice sensing shaft 31 does not rotate a predetermined
angle or more, and the switch pressing operation preventing part
31d of the ice sensing shaft 31 does not operate. Accordingly, the
switch pressing lever 372 rotates and presses the push switch 371,
and the push switch 371 is turned on. Therefore, since it is
possible to determine whether ice is insufficient based on a signal
output from the push switch 371, it is possible to perform the ice
removal operation at an appropriate timing.
[0064] (Configuration Around Ice Sensing Shaft 31)
[0065] FIGS. 10(a).about.10(c) show explanatory diagrams of a
method of assembling the ice sensing shaft 31 shown in FIG. 7, and
FIGS. 10(a), (b), and (c) show an explanatory diagram of the spring
box 75 in which the compression coil spring 380 is disposed in the
second case member 72, an explanatory diagram showing a state in
which the ice sensing shaft 31 is positioned when the ice sensing
shaft 31 is assembled, and an explanatory diagram after the ice
sensing shaft 31 is assembled.
[0066] The compression coil spring 380 shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7
are disposed on the side of the bottom plate 721 of the second case
member 72 with respect to the ice sensing shaft 31. Accordingly,
during assembly, the compression coil spring 380 is assembled into
the bottom plate 721 of the second case member 72 before the ice
sensing shaft 31 and the ice sensing shaft 31 is then assembled. In
this case, the compression coil spring 380 that is compressed in
the spring box 75 formed in the second case member 72 is
maintained.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 10(a), in the spring box 75, the side of
the third case member 73 is open. One side wall 751 is constituted
by the body part 722 of the second case member 72, and three other
side walls 752, 753, and 754 are constituted by a partition wall
formed on the bottom plate 721 of the second case member 72. Here,
the one end 381 of the compression coil spring 380 in a compressed
state before the ice sensing shaft 31 is assembled is supported by
the side wall 752 (partition wall), and the other end 382 thereof
is supported by the body part 722 of the second case member 72 (the
side wall 751). Then, after the ice sensing shaft 31 is assembled,
the one end 381 of the compression coil spring 380 is supported by
the spring engaging part 31c of the ice sensing shaft 31, and the
compression coil spring 380 is additionally compressed between the
spring engaging part 31c and the body part 722 of the second case
member 72 (the side wall 751).
[0068] On the side wall 752 that is disposed on the side of the one
end 381 of the compression coil spring 380, a slit-like notch 755
is provided from the center of the side wall 752 slightly towards
the side of the lever connecting part 31f (the other side L1b in
the axis L1 direction) of the ice sensing shaft 31. The side wall
752 is divided into a first wall part 756 and a second wall part
757 with the notch 755 interposed therebetween. In ends of the
first wall part 756 and the second wall part 757 on the side of the
notch 755, the edges on the side opposite to the compression coil
spring 380 form inclined parts 756a and 757a. In the present
embodiment, the inclined parts 756a and 757a form inclined
surfaces.
[0069] Here, in at least one of a side end 31t that is disposed on
the side opposite to the compression coil spring 380 in the spring
engaging part 31c and an end (partition wall side end) that faces
the side end 31t of the spring engaging part 31c in the second wall
part 757, an inclined part that moves the ice sensing shaft 31 to
the one side L1a in the axis L1 direction by a biasing force of the
compression coil spring 380 when ends of the side end 31t and the
second wall part 757 come in contact with each other is formed. In
the present embodiment, as will be described below, an inclined
part is formed on both the side end 31t of the spring engaging part
31c and an end of the second wall part 757.
[0070] More specifically, at an end (partition wall side end) of
the second wall part 757, a protruding part 758 that is formed to
protrude in a direction of an internal space of the spring box 75
is formed. An end surface on the side of the compression coil
spring 380 of the protruding part 758 forms an inclined part 758a
that is inclined on the one side L1a in the axis L1 direction. In
the present embodiment, the inclined part 758a forms an inclined
surface. Here, at an end of the bottom plate 721 of the second case
member 72 of the protruding part 758, a plate 759 that is obliquely
inclined from a side surface of the protruding part 758 toward the
bottom plate 721 of the second case member 72 is formed.
[0071] In addition, in the second case member 72, when the ice
sensing shaft 31 is assembled and the biasing member 38 is
elastically deformed, a stopper 76 that is in contact with the ice
sensing shaft 31 from the one side L1a in the axis L1 direction and
limits a position of the ice sensing shaft 31 in the axis L1
direction is formed. In the present embodiment, the stopper 76 is
constituted by a step part 729 that protrudes toward the other side
L1b in the axis L1 direction in the vicinity of the base of a
cylindrical seat part 728 at which the screw 781 shown in FIG. 5
and the like is stopped in the second case member 72.
[0072] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, in the spring
engaging part 31c of the ice sensing shaft 31, a side surface 31s
that comes in contact with the one end 381 of the compression coil
spring 380 forms a convex curved surface fitted inside the
compression coil spring 380. In the spring engaging part 31c, the
side end 31t on the side opposite to the side surface 31s linearly
extends. Within the side end 31t, a part 31r that extends on the
one side L1a in the axis L1 direction forms an inclined part 31u
that is inclined on the other side L1b in the axis L1 direction. In
the present embodiment, the inclined part 31u forms an inclined
surface.
[0073] (Method of Assembling Ice Sensing Shaft 31)
[0074] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10(a), when the
compression coil spring 380 is disposed in the spring box 75 and
then the ice sensing shaft 31 is assembled, as shown in FIG. 10(b),
a tip side of the case receiving part 31g of the ice sensing shaft
31 is inserted into the receiving hole 724 formed in the plate 723
of the second case member 72. In this case, the ice sensing shaft
31 is supported by the notch 722a formed in the body part 722 of
the second case member 72 and the notch 754a formed in the side
wall 754 of the spring box 75. As a result, the stopper 76 of the
second case member 72 (the step part 729) comes in contact with the
guide convex part 31h of the ice sensing shaft 31 from the one side
L1a in the axis L1 direction. In this state, the spring engaging
part 31c of the ice sensing shaft 31 and the notch 755 of the side
wall 752 are aligned in the axis L1 direction.
[0075] Next, when the ice sensing shaft 31 rotates around the axis
L1, as shown in FIG. 10(c), the guide convex part 31h of the ice
sensing shaft 31 is released from the stopper 76 of the second case
member 72, the spring engaging part 31c of the ice sensing shaft 31
is guided to the inclined part 756a of the first wall part 756, and
the ice sensing shaft 31 is displaced to the one side L1a in the
axis L1 direction and passes through the notch 755 formed in the
side wall 752 of the spring box 75. Then, the guide convex part 31h
of the ice sensing shaft 31 comes in contact with the one end 381
of the compression coil spring 380 and additionally compresses the
compression coil spring 380.
[0076] Next, the ice sensing shaft 31 is shifted to the one side
L1a in the axis L1 direction, and the case receiving part 31g of
the ice sensing shaft 31 is additionally inserted into the
receiving hole 724 formed in the plate 723 of the second case
member 72. In this state, the ice sensing shaft 31 receives a
biasing force of the compression coil spring 380 and the ice
sensing shaft 31 tries to rotate in a direction opposite to that
during the above assembling. In this case also, since the spring
engaging part 31c is disposed biased on the one side L1a of the
notch 755 in the axis L1 direction, the spring engaging part 31c of
the ice sensing shaft 31 does not escape from the notch 755. That
is, the spring engaging part 31c comes in contact with the second
wall part 757 and rotation of the ice sensing shaft 31 is
prevented. In this state, the ice sensing shaft 31 is temporarily
maintained.
[0077] In the present embodiment, in the spring engaging part 31c
of the ice sensing shaft 31, the inclined part 31u is formed in the
side end 31t that faces the protruding part 758 formed on the side
wall 752 of the spring box 75, and an end surface on the side of
the compression coil spring 380 of the protruding part 758 forms
the inclined part 758a (partition wall side end). Accordingly, when
the ice sensing shaft 31 receives a biasing force of the
compression coil spring 380 while the inclined parts 31u and 758a
are in contact with each other, the force acts as a force with
which the ice sensing shaft 31 tries to shift to the one side L1a
in the axis L1 direction. Therefore, since the spring engaging part
31c moves to a position biased to the one side L1a of the notch 755
in the axis L1 direction, it does not escape from the notch
755.
[0078] Next, the cam gear 32 is mounted and the third case member
73 is covered with the second case member 72. In this case, since
the cam gear 32 is mounted while the ice sensing shaft 31 is
temporarily maintained, the cam gear 32 can be mounted without
receiving a spring force of the compression coil spring 380. At
this point, when the sliding part 31a is not in contact with the
cam surface 328 for an ice sensing shaft and the second case member
72 is covered, if the guide convex part 31h of the ice sensing
shaft 31 is fitted into a guide groove (not shown) of the second
case member 72, the ice sensing shaft 31 rotates in a direction in
which the compression coil spring 380 is additionally compressed,
and the spring engaging part 31c of the ice sensing shaft 31 is
away from the second wall part 757 and the protruding part 758 of
the spring box 75. Accordingly, the compression coil spring 380
biases the sliding part 31a of the ice sensing shaft 31 to come in
contact with the cam surface 328 for an ice sensing shaft, and as a
result, the ice detection lever 6 is usually biased to the side of
the ice detection position.
[0079] (Operations)
[0080] In the ice making device 1 of the present embodiment, in an
ice making process, water is supplied to the ice making tray 2 in
which the recessed parts for water storage 20 are horizontally
disposed upward through a water supply pipe (not shown), and water
is filled into the recessed parts for water storage 20. Then, water
filled into the ice making tray 2 is cooled by a cooling part (not
shown) provided above the ice making tray 2. Determination of
whether ice making is completed is performed according to
determination of whether a temperature of the ice making tray 2 is
equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature by the
temperature sensor 8 (the thermistor 80) attached to the ice making
tray 2.
[0081] When the ice making is completed, an amount of ice in an ice
storage container (not shown) provided below the ice making tray 2
is detected by the ice detection lever 6. Specifically, the ice
detection lever 6 is driven by the drive unit 3 and lowered. In
this case, when the ice detection lever 6 is lowered to a
predetermined position, it is determined that the ice storage
container is not full of ice. On the other hand, when the ice
detection lever 6 comes in contact with ice in the ice storage
container before the ice detection lever 6 is lowered to a
predetermined position, it is determined that the ice storage
container is full of ice. When the ice storage container is full of
ice, a predetermined time is waited and then again an amount of ice
in the ice storage container is detected by the ice detection lever
6.
[0082] When the ice storage container is not in a full ice state,
an ice removal operation of the ice making tray 2 is performed.
Specifically, when the output shaft 33 of the drive unit 3 drives
to rotate, the ice making tray 2 rotates around the axis L0
counterclockwise CCW. When the ice making tray 2 rotates to a
predetermined rotation angle (for example, 120.degree.) of
90.degree. or more from the first position horizontally disposed,
the rotation regulating part 29 of the ice making tray 2 comes in
contact with the frame 4. In this state, even if the ice making
tray 2 tries to further rotate, rotation is prevented, and the ice
making tray 2 is twisted and deformed. Accordingly, ice in the ice
making tray 2 is removed from the ice making tray 2, and falls into
the ice storage container (not shown) provided below the ice making
tray 2.
[0083] Thereafter, the drive unit 3 reversely rotates the ice
making tray 2 around the axis L0 clockwise CW so that the recessed
parts for water storage 20 face upward, and the above operation is
repeated.
Main Effects of Present Embodiment
[0084] As described above, in the present embodiment, when the ice
sensing shaft 31 is assembled and the biasing member 38 is
elastically deformed, a position of the ice sensing shaft 31 in the
axis L1 direction is limited by the stopper 76 of the second case
member 72 (supporting member). Therefore, since it is not necessary
to align positions of the ice sensing shaft 31 and the biasing
member 38 while a position of the ice sensing shaft 31 in the axis
L1 direction is adjusted, the ice sensing shaft 31 can be assembled
easily and efficiently. In addition, when the ice sensing shaft 31
is assembled, since misalignment is unlikely to occur, the ice
sensing shaft 31 can be appropriately assembled with the biasing
member 38.
[0085] In particular, in the present embodiment, the biasing member
38 is the compression coil spring 380. The spring engaging part 31c
protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the ice sensing
shaft 31. The spring engaging part 31c is in contact with the one
end 381 of the compression coil spring 380 and compresses the
compression coil spring 380 when the ice sensing shaft 31 is
rotated around the axis L1 while a position of the ice sensing
shaft 31 is limited by the stopper 76. Therefore, the compression
coil spring 380 can be compressed by a simple operation of rotating
the ice sensing shaft 31 around the axis L1 while a position in the
axis L1 direction is defined by the stopper 76 of the second case
member 72 (supporting member). In addition, the second case member
72 (supporting member) includes the side wall 752 (partition wall)
on which the notch 755 is provided at a position that faces the one
end 381 of the compression coil spring 380. However, a position of
the ice sensing shaft 31 in the axis L1 direction can be defined by
the stopper 76 of the second case member 72 (supporting member).
Accordingly, when the ice sensing shaft 31 is rotated around the
axis L1 at a position at which a position of the ice sensing shaft
31 is defined by the stopper 76, the spring engaging part 31c
passes through the notch 755 and comes in contact with the one end
381 of the compression coil spring 380. Accordingly, even if the
compression coil spring 380 is disposed inside the side wall 752,
the ice sensing shaft 31 can be assembled into the compression coil
spring 380 appropriately and easily.
[0086] In addition, while the ice sensing shaft 31 has been
assembled, the spring engaging part 31c is at a position biased to
one side L1 of the notch 755 in the axis L1 direction. Therefore, a
situation in which the spring engaging part 31c escapes from the
notch 755 is unlikely to occur. In addition, the spring engaging
part 31c is in contact with a position biased to the one side L1a
relative to the center in the axis L1 direction within the one end
381 of the compression coil spring 380. Accordingly, even if the
spring engaging part 31c is at a position biased to the one side
L1a of the notch 755 in the axis L1 direction, the compression coil
spring 380 can appropriately bias the ice sensing shaft 31 through
the spring engaging part 31c.
[0087] In addition, since the inclined parts 31u and 758a are
formed on both the side end 31t of the spring engaging part 31c and
the second wall part 757 (the protruding part 758), the ice sensing
shaft 31 can be moved to the one side L1a in the axis L1 direction
automatically and more reliably due to a biasing force of the
compression coil spring 380.
Modified Example of Stopper 76
[0088] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example
of the stopper 76 used in the ice making device 1 to which the
disclosure is applied. In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG.
10(a), the stopper 76 is formed of the step part 729 formed in the
vicinity of the base of the cylindrical seat part 728 at which the
screw 781 is stopped. However, as shown in FIG. 11, the stopper 76
may be formed of a plate-like convex part 727 that protrudes from
the bottom plate 721 of the second case member 72.
Other Embodiments
[0089] The above embodiment is an exemplary example of the
disclosure, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. Various
modifications can be made in a range without departing from the
spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, in the embodiment,
the inclined parts 31u and 758a are formed on both the side end 31t
of the spring engaging part 31c and the second wall part 757 (the
protruding part 758), but the inclined parts 31u and 758a may be
formed on only one thereof. For example, one of the inclined parts
31u and 758a may be an inclined surface and the other thereof may
be a convex part that is slidable on an inclined surface.
[0090] In addition, while a compression spring for biasing the ice
sensing shaft 31 is constituted by the compression coil spring 380
in the above embodiment, other compression springs such as a
compressed rubber spring may be used. In addition, while a switch
configured to detect an ice detection position and the like is
constituted by the push switch 371 in the above embodiment, a leaf
switch that is turned on or off according to engagement or
disengagement of a contact point may be used. While a DC motor is
used as the driving source in the above embodiment, an AC motor, a
capacitor motor, or a stepping motor may be used. In addition, a
driving source other than a motor such as a solenoid may be used.
Also, as a liquid to be iced, in addition to water, beverages such
as juice and non-beverages such as a test reagent can be used. In
addition, as a unit for detecting whether ice in the ice storage
container is ready, a bimetal using a shape memory alloy or the
like may be used in addition to the thermistor 80.
* * * * *