EP1209429B1 - Apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice - Google Patents
Apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1209429B1 EP1209429B1 EP20010128067 EP01128067A EP1209429B1 EP 1209429 B1 EP1209429 B1 EP 1209429B1 EP 20010128067 EP20010128067 EP 20010128067 EP 01128067 A EP01128067 A EP 01128067A EP 1209429 B1 EP1209429 B1 EP 1209429B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- ice
- detecting
- detecting plate
- storing chamber
- plate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C5/00—Working or handling ice
- F25C5/18—Storing ice
- F25C5/182—Ice bins therefor
- F25C5/187—Ice bins therefor with ice level sensing means
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice according to claim 1.
- an ice storage detection device which is provided at the horizontal cylindrical part of a L-shaped ice-guiding cylinder, a non-magnetic body plate is provided at the top plate part of the horizontal cylindrical part.
- a proximity switch is provided onto the non-magnetic body plate, and also an ice storage detection plate with an actuation piece part of a magnetic body is provided in the horizontal cylindrical part.
- the proximity switch and the ice-guiding cylinder around the proximity switch are covered with a heat-insulating cover, thus preventing the side of an anti-ice-guiding cylinder of the proximity switch from being exposed in machine room atmosphere, uniformly maintaining the temperature of the entire proximity switch, preventing malfunction, preventing heat from entering the ice-guiding cylinder and hence improving also the quality of ice.
- an ultrasonic bin level control circuit which employs a fail-save circuit to shut off a compressor when echoes are late or absent, and a transducer mounting system, which facilitates installation and removal of a transducer for serving and cleaning.
- a level detector compares a reference signal with a reflected signal, the ice reaching a desired level when the reflected signal overlaps the reference signal. When the desired level is reached, the reference signal is modified through feedback to prevent short cycling of the compressor.
- the transducer is installed within a cylindrical housing, which is easily installed and removed from a cylindrical socket within a compartment above the bin.
- an ice level sensing mechanism for use in ice storage bins and the like; the mechanism including a generally vertically disposed pendulum element and means pivotally supporting the element adjacent the upper end thereof, whereby the lower end of the element is movable in any direction defined by an imaginary plane extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the element, the mechanism also including contact means disposed in generally surrounding relationship to a portion of the pendulum element and adapted to be engaged thereby when the ice level within the associated storage bin reaches a predetermined magnitude, and means for operatively connecting the pendulum element and contact member with an electrical contact circuit associated with an ancillary ice producing machine, which functions to supply ice to the storage bin.
- US-A-4,662,182 discloses an ice product storage detector, which instantaneously detects when the ice products have filled the reservoir to its full capacity or when the amount of ice product in the storage has decreased.
- the ice product storage detector includes a proximity switch provided on a barrier plate of a non-magnetizable material, the barrier plate being provided on the lower part of a base portion of the main body of the auger type ice making device, an ice storage detector plate rotatably mounted about a shaft in the ice product reservoir in positional registration with the proximity switch, and which is formed of a low heat capacity and low thermo-conductive material, a pair of inclined plate sections provided on an ice product receiving portion of the ice product storage detector plate, and an auxiliary detector plate formed of a magnetizable material and provided on the ice product storage detector plate so as to be normally parallel to the detective surface of the proximity switch.
- the auxiliary detector plate When the ice product storage detector plate is turned about the shaft under the effect of the ice products falling from the main body contacting with the ice product receiving portion of the ice product storage detector plate, the auxiliary detector plate is pivoted away from the position of matting with a detecting surface of the proximity switch to detect the ice product storage.
- Fig. 15 shows a type of another conventional apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice.
- a shield plate 2 made of non-magnetic material is provided inside a ceiling plate 1 of the ice-storing chamber within an icemaker.
- a non-contact switch 3 is fixed to a top surface of the shield plate 2.
- a detecting plate 5 is rotatably mounted to a support member 4 fixed to a lower surface of the shield plate 2.
- An assist plate 6 made of magnetic material is provided at one end of the detecting plate 5 so as to face the non-contact switch 3.
- the detecting plate 5 is located in a position indicated by the solid line whereby the position of the assist plate 6, i.e., the position of the detecting plate 5 may be recognized by the non-contact switch 3.
- the detecting plate 5 is rotated as indicated by a dotted line by the ice.
- the assist plate 6 is away from the non-contact switch 3 so that the state that the chamber is fully filled with ice is detected by the non-contact switch 3.
- an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice that may be mounted on a ceiling portion of an ice-storing chamber without using any fastening component but may readily be removed from the interior of the ice-storing chamber.
- FIG. 1 A structure of an ice maker provided with an apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 1.
- An interior of an ice maker is roughly divided into an ice storing chamber 11 and a machine chamber 12.
- the ice storing chamber 11 is surrounded by heat insulating material.
- An ice making portion 13 having an auger, a motor for rotating the auger, and a compressor 14 and others constituting a refrigerating circuit are contained in the machine chamber 12.
- the ice made in the ice maker 13 is discharged from an ice feed outlet 15 to the ice storing chamber 11 to be stored therein.
- the apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice 17 is mounted on a top plate 16 of the ice storing chamber 11. As shown in Fig. 2, the apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice 17 has a detecting plate base 18, a detecting plate 19 to be mounted on this detecting plate base 18 and a lead switch 20.
- the detecting plate base 18 is made of molded resin.
- a pair of claw portions 22 and 23 that may be elastically deformed are formed on both ends on a top surface of a planar base body 21.
- a circular arc portion 24 and a switch holding portion 25 are formed between these claw portions 22 and 23.
- the circular arc portion 24 is adapted to form a recessed portion on the lower surface side of the base body 21, i.e., on the side of the ice storing chamber 11 for making it possible to rotate the detecting plate 19 mounted on the detecting plate base 18.
- the switch holding portion 25 is adapted to attachably and detachably mount the lead switch 20 on the top surface of the base body 21.
- the top plate 16 of the ice storing chamber 11 has a resin portion 26 facing the ice storing chamber 11 and a heat insulating portion 27 formed on the resin portion 26.
- An opening portion 28 is formed in the resin portion 26 and the heat insulating portion 27 for mounting the apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice 17.
- An opening end portion of the resin portion 26 is bent substantially perpendicularly along an inner side surface of the opening portion 28.
- the detecting plate base 18 When the detecting plate base 18 is inserted from the interior of the ice storing chamber 11 into this opening portion 28 under the condition that the pair of claw portions 22 and 23 being deformed inwardly to each other, the detecting plate base 18 is advanced upwardly within the opening portion 28 while the claw portions 22 and 23 being elastically deformed. When the tip ends of the claw portions 22 and 23 reach the opening end portions of the resin portion 26 of the top plate 16, as shown in Fig. 3B, the elastic deformation is released and the claw portions 22 and 23 are engaged with the opening end portions of the resin portion 26. With this -engagement, the detecting plate base 18 is prevented from falling off the opening portion 28. Also, the flow communication of air between the interior and the exterior of the ice storing chamber 11 is interrupted by the existence of the top plate 16 and the detecting plate base 18.
- a pair of recessed finger insertion portions 29 and 30 are formed in the top plate 16 adjacent to the opening portion 28.
- the fingers are inserted into these finger insertion portions 29 and 30, respectively, to push the claw portions 22 and 23 to be elastically deformed inwardly to each other so that the engagement between the claw portions 22 and 23 and the opening end portions of the resin portion 26 is released and then the detecting plate base 18 may be removed from the opening portion 28.
- the switch holding portion 25 of the detecting plate base 18 has a pressing portion 31 that extends in parallel with the surface of the base body 21 and may be elastically deformed.
- a claw portion is formed to project from the lower surface of a tip end of this pressing portion 31.
- the pressing portion 31 is lifted at its end upwardly to release the engagement between the claw portion and the lead switch 20 whereby the lead switch 20 may be drawn off from the switch holding portion 25.
- the detecting plate 19 is made of molded resin and has a substantially flat detecting plate body 32 and a pair of bosses 33 and 34 aligned in a line and projecting outwardly from each other.
- the boss 33 is formed directly on the side wall of the detecting body 32 while the other boss 34 is formed on an arm portion 35 which extends from the detecting plate body 32 and may be elastically deformed. A distance between the pair of bosses 33 and 34 may be varied due to the elastic deformation of the arm portion 35.
- a bend stop 36 is formed on the detecting plate body 32 so as to avoid the excessive deformation of the arm portion 35.
- a magnet 37 is embedded at the tip end portion of the detecting plate body 32 and is covered by a cover member 38.
- a pair of detecting plate fastening portions 39 and 40 projecting from the lower surface of the base body 21 in parallel with each other are formed in the detecting plate base 18. Holes 41 and 42 are formed in these detecting plate fastening portions 39 and 40, respectively.
- the bosses 33 and 34 of the detecting plate 19 are loosely fitted in the holes 41 and 42, respectively. Thereby, the detecting plate 19 is mounted on the detecting base 18 to be rotatable about the bosses 33 and 34.
- the magnet 37 embedded in the tip end portion of the detecting plate 19 is rotated within the circular arc portion 24 of the detecting plate base 18 in accordance with the rotation of the detecting plate 19. Normally, the magnet 37 faces through the wall surface of the circular arc portion 24 the detecting surface of the lead switch 20 held on the switch holding portion 25. The magnet 37 is away in a perpendicular direction from the detecting surface of the lead switch 20 when the detecting plate 19 rotates.
- the diameters of the bosses 33 and 34 of the detecting plate 19 are made different from each other and correspondingly, also, the diameters of the holes 41 and 42 of the detecting plate base 18 are made different from each other whereby it is possible to avoid the erroneous upside-down mounting of the detecting plate 19.
- the diameters of the bosses 33 and 34 may be 5.5 mm and 6.5 mm, respectively, and the diameters of the holes 41 and 42 may be 6.0 mm and 7.0 mm, respectively.
- a lead line fastening portion 45 for pressing a lead line 44 of the lead switch 20 held on the switch holding portion 25 is formed on a top surface of the base body 21 of the detecting plate base 18.
- the intermediate portion of the lead line 44 is fixed to a position lower than the joint portion with the lead switch 20.
- a recessed portion 46 having such a size that the lead line fastening portion 45 of the detecting plate 18 may be received is formed adjacent to the opening portion 28 in the resin portion 26 of the top plate 16 of the ice storing chamber 11. Due to the existence of such a recessed portion 46, even if the detecting plate base 18 is to be mounted in an erroneous direction, the detecting plate base 18 may not be inserted into the opening portion 28. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the impossibility of detection in advance due to the erroneous mounting.
- the boss 34 formed on the arm portion 35 of the detecting plate 19 is inserted into the hole 42 of the detecting plate fastening portion 40 of the detecting plate base 18.
- the detecting plate fastening portion 40 is located outside the arm portion 35 and also serves as a guard to cover the arm portion 35 as indicated by the hatched portion. With this guard, for example, when the user picks up ice within the ice storing chamber 11 with a shovel, it is possible to avoid the situation that a tip end of the shovel is brought into collision with the arm portion 35 to bend the arm portion 35.
- the top plate 16 of the ice storing chamber 11 is composed of the resin portion 26 and the heat insulating portion 27. These components are formed integrally with each other, or brought into intimate contact with each other by foaming of the heat insulating portion 27 under the condition including the resin portion 26, or brought into intimate contact with each other without any gap by adhesives or the like between the heat insulating portion 27 and the resin portion 26 formed with high precision, respectively, whereby the resin portion 26 cooled down by cold air of the ice storing chamber 11 where the ice is stored is not brought into direct contact with the air outside of the ice storing chamber. For this reason, the air outside of the ice storing chamber is prevented from being cooled down to become dew.
- a though-hole 47 is formed on the side of the machine chamber 12 in addition to the opening portion 28 on the side of the ice storing chamber 11 and a connector passage 48 for connecting the opening portion 28 and the through-hole 47 with each other is formed.
- the connector passage 48 is a passage for receiving the lead line 44 from the lead switch 20 of the apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice 17 connected with a control portion (not shown) arranged in the machine chamber 12.
- the connector passage 48 may be used also to feed a connector for connecting the lead switch 20 to the side of the machine chamber 12 when the lead switches 20 are exchanged in maintenance. As shown in Figs.
- the connector passage 48 has a groove shape formed in the upper portion of the heat insulating portion 27.
- a heat insulating material 49 is filled in the opening portion 28 of the top plate 16 and a heat insulating material 50 is filled in the through-hole 47.
- the heat insulating material 49 and the heat insulating material 50 are formed of material such as foamed polypropylene or the like that is abundant in elasticity into a substantially flat shape as shown in Figs. 12A to 12C and into a T-like shape as shown Figs. 13A and 13B, respectively.
- These heat insulating members 49 and 50 are formed into sizes that are somewhat greater than the corresponding opening portion 28 and through-hole 47 and fitted into the opening portion 28 and the through-hole 47, respectively, under the somewhat shrunk condition to thereby avoid the gap to prevent the air from entering.
- each of the opening portion 28 and the through-hole 47 is formed to be narrower than its lower half portion.
- the heat insulating member 49 is inserted into the upper half portion of the opening portion 28 and the T-shape of the heat insulating member 50 is fitted with the shape of the through-hole 47 to be prevented from falling off, respectively.
- both of the insulating members 49 and 50 are abundant in elasticity, it is possible to mount or remove the members from below of the opening portion 28 and the through-hole 47.
- Figs. 14A to 14C may be used as the heat insulating member 49 to be fitted in the opening portion 28.
- the apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice 17 may be attachably and detachably fitted in the opening portion 28 of the top plate 16 of the ice storing chamber 11 without any fastening component such as a screw, it is possible to easily remove the device from the inside of the ice storing chamber 11 and to facilitate the maintenance such as exchange, repair, cleaning of the components.
- the detecting plate 19 when the amount of ice within the ice storing chamber 11 is small, the detecting plate 19 is in the normal position P. When the ice storing chamber 11 is fully filled with ice, the detecting plate 19 is brought to the horizontal position Q. Between these positions, the gap formed between the end portion of the detecting plate 19 where the magnet 37 is embedded and the circular arc portion 24 of the detecting plate base 18 is small. Therefore, there is almost no fear that the ice or the like is clamped in this gap. Also, even if a small piece of ice enters the circular arc portion 24 from this gap, the small piece of ice slidingly drops along the surface of the detecting plate 19 before the detecting plate 19 is returned from the horizontal position Q back to the normal position P. There is no fear that the ice is clamped between the lead switch 20 and the magnet 37.
- the apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice 17 is mounted on the top plate 16 of the ice storing chamber 11, the invention is not limited thereto. It is possible to mount the device on a wall surface within the ice storing chamber 11, for example, at an upper portion of the side wall.
- this invention may be applied not only to the ice maker but also to various equipment having an ice storing chamber, widely.
- the detecting plate base is detachably fitted from the inside of the ice storing chamber to the opening portion formed in the wall surface of the ice storing chamber and the detecting means for detecting the storage of the predetermined amount of ice is mounted on this detecting plate base, it is possible to easily mount or remove the device from the inside of the ice storing chamber without any fastening components, to dispense with the tool such as a driver in maintenance and to quickly perform the maintenance work with ease.
- the detecting means includes a detecting plate mounted on the detecting plate base so as to be rotated by the ice when the predetermined amount of ice is stored in the ice storing chamber and a switch for detecting the rotation of the detecting plate
- the detecting plate has an arm portion that may be elastically deformed and a boss formed in this arm portion loosely fitted in a hole formed in the detecting plate base and the detecting plate base has a guard for covering the arm portion of the detecting plate, it is possible to avoid the situation that a shovel or the like is brought into contact with the arm portion of the detecting plate so that the detecting plate is removed from the detecting plate base or the erroneous detection.
- a lead line fastening portion is formed on the detecting plate base to fix an intermediate portion of a lead line connected to the switch and a recessed portion for receiving this lead line fastening portion is formed adjacent to the opening portion in the top plate of the ice storing chamber, it is possible to avoid the detection impossibility due to the erroneous mounting of the detecting plate base to the opening portion.
- the apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice according to this invention is not subject to corrosion such as rust as in the case where the metal made screw is used. Also, since the fastening component is not used, the number of assembling steps is considerably reduced. Also, the number of the components is decreased to save costs and to prevent the generation of faults due to the loosening of the fastening components.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
- Production, Working, Storing, Or Distribution Of Ice (AREA)
- Push-Button Switches (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice according to
claim 1. - From JP (A) 11351718 an ice storage detection device is known, which is provided at the horizontal cylindrical part of a L-shaped ice-guiding cylinder, a non-magnetic body plate is provided at the top plate part of the horizontal cylindrical part. A proximity switch is provided onto the non-magnetic body plate, and also an ice storage detection plate with an actuation piece part of a magnetic body is provided in the horizontal cylindrical part. In a means for making isothermal, the proximity switch and the ice-guiding cylinder around the proximity switch are covered with a heat-insulating cover, thus preventing the side of an anti-ice-guiding cylinder of the proximity switch from being exposed in machine room atmosphere, uniformly maintaining the temperature of the entire proximity switch, preventing malfunction, preventing heat from entering the ice-guiding cylinder and hence improving also the quality of ice.
- From US-A-5,172,595 an ultrasonic bin level control circuit is known, which employs a fail-save circuit to shut off a compressor when echoes are late or absent, and a transducer mounting system, which facilitates installation and removal of a transducer for serving and cleaning. A level detector compares a reference signal with a reflected signal, the ice reaching a desired level when the reflected signal overlaps the reference signal. When the desired level is reached, the reference signal is modified through feedback to prevent short cycling of the compressor. The transducer is installed within a cylindrical housing, which is easily installed and removed from a cylindrical socket within a compartment above the bin.
- From US-A-3,911,691 an ice level sensing mechanism is known for use in ice storage bins and the like; the mechanism including a generally vertically disposed pendulum element and means pivotally supporting the element adjacent the upper end thereof, whereby the lower end of the element is movable in any direction defined by an imaginary plane extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the element, the mechanism also including contact means disposed in generally surrounding relationship to a portion of the pendulum element and adapted to be engaged thereby when the ice level within the associated storage bin reaches a predetermined magnitude, and means for operatively connecting the pendulum element and contact member with an electrical contact circuit associated with an ancillary ice producing machine, which functions to supply ice to the storage bin.
- US-A-4,662,182 discloses an ice product storage detector, which instantaneously detects when the ice products have filled the reservoir to its full capacity or when the amount of ice product in the storage has decreased. The ice product storage detector includes a proximity switch provided on a barrier plate of a non-magnetizable material, the barrier plate being provided on the lower part of a base portion of the main body of the auger type ice making device, an ice storage detector plate rotatably mounted about a shaft in the ice product reservoir in positional registration with the proximity switch, and which is formed of a low heat capacity and low thermo-conductive material, a pair of inclined plate sections provided on an ice product receiving portion of the ice product storage detector plate, and an auxiliary detector plate formed of a magnetizable material and provided on the ice product storage detector plate so as to be normally parallel to the detective surface of the proximity switch. When the ice product storage detector plate is turned about the shaft under the effect of the ice products falling from the main body contacting with the ice product receiving portion of the ice product storage detector plate, the auxiliary detector plate is pivoted away from the position of matting with a detecting surface of the proximity switch to detect the ice product storage.
- Fig. 15 shows a type of another conventional apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice. A
shield plate 2 made of non-magnetic material is provided inside aceiling plate 1 of the ice-storing chamber within an icemaker. Anon-contact switch 3 is fixed to a top surface of theshield plate 2. Also, a detectingplate 5 is rotatably mounted to asupport member 4 fixed to a lower surface of theshield plate 2. Anassist plate 6 made of magnetic material is provided at one end of the detectingplate 5 so as to face thenon-contact switch 3. Normally, the detectingplate 5 is located in a position indicated by the solid line whereby the position of theassist plate 6, i.e., the position of the detectingplate 5 may be recognized by thenon-contact switch 3. In this case, the amount of ice stored in the ice storing chamber through anice feed outlet 7 is increased, the detectingplate 5 is rotated as indicated by a dotted line by the ice. As a result, theassist plate 6 is away from thenon-contact switch 3 so that the state that the chamber is fully filled with ice is detected by thenon-contact switch 3. - In an under-counter type automatic ice maker, since the user puts articles or machines on the
ceiling plate 1 or a counter is located immediately above theceiling plate 1, there are cases that theceiling plate 1 could not be removed with ease in maintenance. Accordingly, when the non-contact switch 3 or the detectingplate 5 of the apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice is broken down or contaminated due to some reason, the exchange, repair, cleaning or the like of these components is performed from the interior of the ice storing chamber without removing theceiling plate 1. - However, since the non-contact switch 3 and the
support member 4 of the detectingplate 5 are fixed to theshield plate 2 by fastening components such as screws, it is impossible to remove them with ease from the interior of the ice storing chamber and the maintenance is troublesome. - Also, if screws made of metal are used as the fastening components, there is a fear of corrosion such as rust.
- In order to solve such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice that may be mounted on a ceiling portion of an ice-storing chamber without using any fastening component but may readily be removed from the interior of the ice-storing chamber.
- According to the inventive apparatus the above object is solved by the features of
claim 1. - Improved embodiments of the inventive apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice result from the subclaims.
-
- Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an ice maker provided with an apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 2 is an exploded view showing the apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice according to the embodiment;
- Figs. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views showing an intermediate condition and a mounting completed condition when a detecting plate base is mounted onto a top plate of an ice storing chamber, respectively;
- Figs. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing an intermediate condition and a mounting completed condition when a lead switch is mounted into a switch holding portion of the detecting plate base, respectively;
- Figs. 5A and 5B are a front view and an exploded side view showing the detecting plate, respectively;
- Figs. 6A and 6B are one side view and the other side view showing the detecting plate base on which the detecting plate is mounted, respectively;
- Figs. 7A and 7B are a plan view and a side view showing the detecting plate base on which a lead switch is mounted, respectively;
- Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the top plate of the ice storing chamber on which the apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice is mounted;
- Figs. 9A and 9B are a side view and a plan view showing the detecting plate mounted on the detecting plate base, respectively;
- Fig. 10 is a plan view showing the top plate of the ice maker;
- Figs. 11A and 11B are a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of Fig. 10 and a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of Fig. 10, respectively;
- Figs. 12A to 12C are a plan view, a front view and a side view showing heat insulating material to be inserted into an opening portion of the top plate, respectively;
- Figs. 13A and 13B is a front view and a side view showing the heat insulating material to be inserted into a through-hole of the tope plate, respectively;
- Figs. 14A to 14C are a plan view, a front view and a side view showing other heat insulating material to be inserted into the opening portion of the top plate, respectively; and
- Fig. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a structure of an ice maker provided with a conventional apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice.
- An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- A structure of an ice maker provided with an apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 1. An interior of an ice maker is roughly divided into an
ice storing chamber 11 and amachine chamber 12. Theice storing chamber 11 is surrounded by heat insulating material. Anice making portion 13 having an auger, a motor for rotating the auger, and acompressor 14 and others constituting a refrigerating circuit are contained in themachine chamber 12. The ice made in theice maker 13 is discharged from anice feed outlet 15 to theice storing chamber 11 to be stored therein. - The apparatus for detecting an amount of stored
ice 17 is mounted on atop plate 16 of theice storing chamber 11. As shown in Fig. 2, the apparatus for detecting an amount of storedice 17 has a detectingplate base 18, a detectingplate 19 to be mounted on this detectingplate base 18 and alead switch 20. The detectingplate base 18 is made of molded resin. A pair ofclaw portions planar base body 21. Acircular arc portion 24 and aswitch holding portion 25 are formed between theseclaw portions circular arc portion 24 is adapted to form a recessed portion on the lower surface side of thebase body 21, i.e., on the side of theice storing chamber 11 for making it possible to rotate the detectingplate 19 mounted on the detectingplate base 18. Theswitch holding portion 25 is adapted to attachably and detachably mount thelead switch 20 on the top surface of thebase body 21. - As shown in Fig. 3A, the
top plate 16 of theice storing chamber 11 has aresin portion 26 facing theice storing chamber 11 and aheat insulating portion 27 formed on theresin portion 26. An openingportion 28 is formed in theresin portion 26 and theheat insulating portion 27 for mounting the apparatus for detecting an amount of storedice 17. An opening end portion of theresin portion 26 is bent substantially perpendicularly along an inner side surface of the openingportion 28. - When the detecting
plate base 18 is inserted from the interior of theice storing chamber 11 into this openingportion 28 under the condition that the pair ofclaw portions plate base 18 is advanced upwardly within the openingportion 28 while theclaw portions claw portions resin portion 26 of thetop plate 16, as shown in Fig. 3B, the elastic deformation is released and theclaw portions resin portion 26. With this -engagement, the detectingplate base 18 is prevented from falling off the openingportion 28. Also, the flow communication of air between the interior and the exterior of theice storing chamber 11 is interrupted by the existence of thetop plate 16 and the detectingplate base 18. - A pair of recessed
finger insertion portions top plate 16 adjacent to the openingportion 28. The fingers are inserted into thesefinger insertion portions claw portions claw portions resin portion 26 is released and then the detectingplate base 18 may be removed from the openingportion 28. - As shown in Fig. 4A, the
switch holding portion 25 of the detectingplate base 18 has apressing portion 31 that extends in parallel with the surface of thebase body 21 and may be elastically deformed. A claw portion is formed to project from the lower surface of a tip end of thispressing portion 31. When thelead switch 20 is inserted into theswitch holding portion 25 along the surface of thebase body 21, the claw portion rides on thelead switch 20 so that thepressing portion 31 is elastically deformed. When thelead switch 20 is fully inserted, as shown in Fig. 4B, the claw portion of thepressing portion 31 is engaged with an edge of thelead switch 20 to release the elastic deformation of thepressing portion 31. With this engagement, thelead switch 20 is prevented from falling off theswitch holding portion 25. - The
pressing portion 31 is lifted at its end upwardly to release the engagement between the claw portion and thelead switch 20 whereby thelead switch 20 may be drawn off from theswitch holding portion 25. - As shown in Fig. 5A, the detecting
plate 19 is made of molded resin and has a substantially flat detectingplate body 32 and a pair ofbosses boss 33 is formed directly on the side wall of the detectingbody 32 while theother boss 34 is formed on anarm portion 35 which extends from the detectingplate body 32 and may be elastically deformed. A distance between the pair ofbosses arm portion 35. Also, abend stop 36 is formed on the detectingplate body 32 so as to avoid the excessive deformation of thearm portion 35. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 5B, amagnet 37 is embedded at the tip end portion of the detectingplate body 32 and is covered by acover member 38. - On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 4A, a pair of detecting
plate fastening portions base body 21 in parallel with each other are formed in the detectingplate base 18.Holes plate fastening portions bosses plate 19 are loosely fitted in theholes plate 19 is mounted on the detectingbase 18 to be rotatable about thebosses - The
magnet 37 embedded in the tip end portion of the detectingplate 19 is rotated within thecircular arc portion 24 of the detectingplate base 18 in accordance with the rotation of the detectingplate 19. Normally, themagnet 37 faces through the wall surface of thecircular arc portion 24 the detecting surface of thelead switch 20 held on theswitch holding portion 25. Themagnet 37 is away in a perpendicular direction from the detecting surface of thelead switch 20 when the detectingplate 19 rotates. - Incidentally, as in the detecting
plate 19a shown in Fig. 6B, when themagnet 37 is mounted on the detectingplate 18 under the condition that it is slanted and does not enter thecircular arc portion 24, it is impossible to correctly detect the amount of stored ice. If the detectingplate 19 is to be slanted and incorrectly mounted, a projectingportion 43 of the detectingplate 19 shown in Fig. 5A interferes with the detectingplate fastening portion 39 of the detectingplate base 18 to prevent the completion of thus erroneous mounting operation. - Also, if the detecting
plate 19 is mounted on the detectingplate base 18 inside out, since the distance between themagnet 37 and the detecting surface of thelead switch 20 is different, it is impossible to detect a predetermined detecting signal from thelead switch 20. Accordingly, the diameters of thebosses plate 19 are made different from each other and correspondingly, also, the diameters of theholes plate base 18 are made different from each other whereby it is possible to avoid the erroneous upside-down mounting of the detectingplate 19. For example, the diameters of thebosses holes - As shown in Fig. 7A, a lead
line fastening portion 45 for pressing alead line 44 of thelead switch 20 held on theswitch holding portion 25 is formed on a top surface of thebase body 21 of the detectingplate base 18. By this leadline fastening portion 45, as shown in Fig. 7B, the intermediate portion of thelead line 44 is fixed to a position lower than the joint portion with thelead switch 20. With such an arrangement, in the case where dew drop adheres to thelead line 44, the dew drop reaches the intermediate portion fixed to the leadline fastening portion 45 along thelead line 44 but does not reach thelead switch 20 because the joint portion withlead switch 20 is at a higher level. Thus, the invasion of the dew drop to thelead switch 20 may be prevented. As shown in Fig. 8, a recessedportion 46 having such a size that the leadline fastening portion 45 of the detectingplate 18 may be received is formed adjacent to the openingportion 28 in theresin portion 26 of thetop plate 16 of theice storing chamber 11. Due to the existence of such a recessedportion 46, even if the detectingplate base 18 is to be mounted in an erroneous direction, the detectingplate base 18 may not be inserted into the openingportion 28. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the impossibility of detection in advance due to the erroneous mounting. - As shown in Fig. 9A, the
boss 34 formed on thearm portion 35 of the detectingplate 19 is inserted into thehole 42 of the detectingplate fastening portion 40 of the detectingplate base 18. The detectingplate fastening portion 40 is located outside thearm portion 35 and also serves as a guard to cover thearm portion 35 as indicated by the hatched portion. With this guard, for example, when the user picks up ice within theice storing chamber 11 with a shovel, it is possible to avoid the situation that a tip end of the shovel is brought into collision with thearm portion 35 to bend thearm portion 35. - Also, even if the tip end of the shovel happens to be brought into abutment with the
arm portion 35, since the bend -stop 36 is formed on the detectingplate body 32 of the detectingplate 19, there is no fear that thearm portion 35 is excessively bent as shown in Fig. 9B. Thus, it is possible to avoid the situation that the detectingplate 19 is removed from the detectingplate base 18 or thearm portion 35 is damaged. - As shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, the
top plate 16 of theice storing chamber 11 is composed of theresin portion 26 and theheat insulating portion 27. These components are formed integrally with each other, or brought into intimate contact with each other by foaming of theheat insulating portion 27 under the condition including theresin portion 26, or brought into intimate contact with each other without any gap by adhesives or the like between theheat insulating portion 27 and theresin portion 26 formed with high precision, respectively, whereby theresin portion 26 cooled down by cold air of theice storing chamber 11 where the ice is stored is not brought into direct contact with the air outside of the ice storing chamber. For this reason, the air outside of the ice storing chamber is prevented from being cooled down to become dew. - As shown in Fig. 10, in the
top plate 16, a though-hole 47 is formed on the side of themachine chamber 12 in addition to the openingportion 28 on the side of theice storing chamber 11 and aconnector passage 48 for connecting the openingportion 28 and the through-hole 47 with each other is formed. Theconnector passage 48 is a passage for receiving thelead line 44 from thelead switch 20 of the apparatus for detecting an amount of storedice 17 connected with a control portion (not shown) arranged in themachine chamber 12. Theconnector passage 48 may be used also to feed a connector for connecting thelead switch 20 to the side of themachine chamber 12 when the lead switches 20 are exchanged in maintenance. As shown in Figs. 11A and 11B, theconnector passage 48 has a groove shape formed in the upper portion of theheat insulating portion 27. In order to prevent the air having a high temperature within themachine chamber 12 from entering the inside of theice storing chamber 11 through theconnector passage 48, aheat insulating material 49 is filled in the openingportion 28 of thetop plate 16 and aheat insulating material 50 is filled in the through-hole 47. - The
heat insulating material 49 and theheat insulating material 50 are formed of material such as foamed polypropylene or the like that is abundant in elasticity into a substantially flat shape as shown in Figs. 12A to 12C and into a T-like shape as shown Figs. 13A and 13B, respectively. These heat insulatingmembers corresponding opening portion 28 and through-hole 47 and fitted into the openingportion 28 and the through-hole 47, respectively, under the somewhat shrunk condition to thereby avoid the gap to prevent the air from entering. - The upper half portion of each of the opening
portion 28 and the through-hole 47 is formed to be narrower than its lower half portion. Theheat insulating member 49 is inserted into the upper half portion of the openingportion 28 and the T-shape of theheat insulating member 50 is fitted with the shape of the through-hole 47 to be prevented from falling off, respectively. However, since both of the insulatingmembers portion 28 and the through-hole 47. - Incidentally, one having a shape shown in Figs. 14A to 14C may be used as the
heat insulating member 49 to be fitted in the openingportion 28. - As described above, since the apparatus for detecting an amount of stored
ice 17 according to this embodiment may be attachably and detachably fitted in the openingportion 28 of thetop plate 16 of theice storing chamber 11 without any fastening component such as a screw, it is possible to easily remove the device from the inside of theice storing chamber 11 and to facilitate the maintenance such as exchange, repair, cleaning of the components. - As shown in Fig. 6A, when the amount of ice within the
ice storing chamber 11 is small, the detectingplate 19 is in the normal position P. When theice storing chamber 11 is fully filled with ice, the detectingplate 19 is brought to the horizontal position Q. Between these positions, the gap formed between the end portion of the detectingplate 19 where themagnet 37 is embedded and thecircular arc portion 24 of the detectingplate base 18 is small. Therefore, there is almost no fear that the ice or the like is clamped in this gap. Also, even if a small piece of ice enters thecircular arc portion 24 from this gap, the small piece of ice slidingly drops along the surface of the detectingplate 19 before the detectingplate 19 is returned from the horizontal position Q back to the normal position P. There is no fear that the ice is clamped between thelead switch 20 and themagnet 37. - Although in the above-mentioned embodiment the apparatus for detecting an amount of stored
ice 17 is mounted on thetop plate 16 of theice storing chamber 11, the invention is not limited thereto. It is possible to mount the device on a wall surface within theice storing chamber 11, for example, at an upper portion of the side wall. - Also, this invention may be applied not only to the ice maker but also to various equipment having an ice storing chamber, widely.
- As described above, according to the present invention, since the detecting plate base is detachably fitted from the inside of the ice storing chamber to the opening portion formed in the wall surface of the ice storing chamber and the detecting means for detecting the storage of the predetermined amount of ice is mounted on this detecting plate base, it is possible to easily mount or remove the device from the inside of the ice storing chamber without any fastening components, to dispense with the tool such as a driver in maintenance and to quickly perform the maintenance work with ease.
- If the detecting means includes a detecting plate mounted on the detecting plate base so as to be rotated by the ice when the predetermined amount of ice is stored in the ice storing chamber and a switch for detecting the rotation of the detecting plate, the detecting plate has an arm portion that may be elastically deformed and a boss formed in this arm portion loosely fitted in a hole formed in the detecting plate base and the detecting plate base has a guard for covering the arm portion of the detecting plate, it is possible to avoid the situation that a shovel or the like is brought into contact with the arm portion of the detecting plate so that the detecting plate is removed from the detecting plate base or the erroneous detection.
- If a lead line fastening portion is formed on the detecting plate base to fix an intermediate portion of a lead line connected to the switch and a recessed portion for receiving this lead line fastening portion is formed adjacent to the opening portion in the top plate of the ice storing chamber, it is possible to avoid the detection impossibility due to the erroneous mounting of the detecting plate base to the opening portion.
- If a heat insulating material is fitted attachably and detachably from the interior of the ice storing chamber above the detecting plate base within the opening portion of the top plate of the ice storing chamber, the dew would be difficult to be formed on the top plate of the ice storing chamber and the switch.
- Since the fastening component such as a screw is not used, the apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice according to this invention is not subject to corrosion such as rust as in the case where the metal made screw is used. Also, since the fastening component is not used, the number of assembling steps is considerably reduced. Also, the number of the components is decreased to save costs and to prevent the generation of faults due to the loosening of the fastening components.
Claims (4)
- An apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice, comprising:a detecting plate base (18) attachably and detachably fitted from an interior of an ice storing chamber (11) to an opening portion (28) formed in a wall surface of theinterior of the ice storing chamber (11) with utilizing elastic deformation of a pair of claw portions (22, 23) formed on said detecting plate base (18);a detecting plate (19) mounted on the lower surface of said detecting plate base (18) on the side of the ice storing chamber (11) so as to be rotated by the ice when the predetermined amount of ice is stored in the ice storing chamber (11); anda switch (20) mounted on the top surface of said detecting plate base (18) for detecting the rotation of the detecting plate (19).
- An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detecting plate (1.9) has an arm portion (35) that may be elastically deformed and a boss (34) formed in the arm portion (35) loosely fitted in a hole (42) formed in said detecting plate base (18); and
said detecting plate base (18) has a guard (40) for covering the arm portion (35) of said detecting plate (19). - An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said detecting plate base (18) comprises a lead line fastening portion (45) received in a recessed portion (46) formed adjacent to the opening portion in the top plate of the ice storing chamber (11) for fixing an intermediate portion of a lead line (44) connected to said switch (20).
- An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a heat insulating material (49) fitted attachably and detachably from the interior of the ice storing chamber (11) above said detecting plate base (18) within the opening portion of the top plate of the ice storing chamber (11).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2000361058A JP4653298B2 (en) | 2000-11-28 | 2000-11-28 | Ice storage detection device |
JP2000361058 | 2000-11-28 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1209429A2 EP1209429A2 (en) | 2002-05-29 |
EP1209429A3 EP1209429A3 (en) | 2002-07-03 |
EP1209429B1 true EP1209429B1 (en) | 2006-01-18 |
Family
ID=18832551
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20010128067 Expired - Lifetime EP1209429B1 (en) | 2000-11-28 | 2001-11-26 | Apparatus for detecting an amount of stored ice |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1209429B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4653298B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60116705T2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6731384B2 (en) * | 2000-10-10 | 2004-05-04 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Apparatus for detecting foreign particle and defect and the same method |
JP4809946B2 (en) * | 2006-12-07 | 2011-11-09 | ホシザキ電機株式会社 | Ice storage detection unit mounting structure |
JP6055630B2 (en) * | 2012-09-03 | 2016-12-27 | ホシザキ株式会社 | Ice machine |
JP7216597B2 (en) * | 2019-04-08 | 2023-02-01 | 株式会社日立産機システム | Switchgear and its condition monitoring method |
JP7505672B2 (en) | 2020-04-16 | 2024-06-25 | 大和冷機工業株式会社 | Ice maker |
CN111928919A (en) * | 2020-08-13 | 2020-11-13 | 天津大学 | Ice storage amount monitoring and protecting device for ice storage equipment |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3911691A (en) * | 1974-01-17 | 1975-10-14 | King Seeley Thermos Co | Ice level sensing mechanism |
JPS5415351U (en) * | 1977-07-04 | 1979-01-31 | ||
JPH0440142Y2 (en) * | 1984-12-04 | 1992-09-21 | ||
US5172595A (en) * | 1990-06-12 | 1992-12-22 | Scotsman Group, Inc. | Bin level control circuit and transducer mounting system for an ice making machine |
JP3784152B2 (en) * | 1997-11-06 | 2006-06-07 | ホシザキ電機株式会社 | Microswitch lead wire protection structure |
JPH11351718A (en) * | 1998-06-15 | 1999-12-24 | Hoshizaki Electric Co Ltd | Ice storage detection device of ice-making machine |
JP3699283B2 (en) * | 1998-12-25 | 2005-09-28 | ホシザキ電機株式会社 | Ice storage detector |
-
2000
- 2000-11-28 JP JP2000361058A patent/JP4653298B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2001
- 2001-11-26 EP EP20010128067 patent/EP1209429B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-11-26 DE DE2001616705 patent/DE60116705T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1209429A2 (en) | 2002-05-29 |
JP4653298B2 (en) | 2011-03-16 |
EP1209429A3 (en) | 2002-07-03 |
DE60116705T2 (en) | 2006-07-06 |
DE60116705D1 (en) | 2006-04-06 |
JP2002162141A (en) | 2002-06-07 |
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