US 4,142,373 AGrant

Tray Ice Maker

Issue Date:1979-03-06

•6 Claims

•7 Drawing Sheets

Abstract

An automatic ice maker control circuit having an improved tolerance to sense the presence of stuck ice pieces in a predetermined pocket of an ice tray. A solid state temperature sensor and time delay circuit includes an operational amplifier controlled by a temperature sensor in one portion of a bridge network for sensing above or below freezing temperatures in the pocket, depending upon the presence of liquid or a stuck cube respectively, in said sensing pocket. The ice maker is conditioned for immediate harvest after the below freezing temperature is effected in the tray pocket when the sensor senses an above-freezing temperature. The time delay circuit conditions the ice maker for a delayed harvest until the predetermined temperature is effected in the tray sensing pocket if the sensor senses a below-freezing temperature.

Metadata

Assignee

General Motors Corporation

Inventors

John Weibel, Jr.
Homer W. Deaton
Dale A. Beard

Application Information

Application Number:US 8567867

Filing Date:1977-12-02

Priority Date:1977-12-02

Art Unit:344

Classifications

IPC:

F25C 110

Field of Search:

62353;135;138;233

Patent Drawings (7 sheets)

Description

This invention relates to automatic ice makers and is directed to an improved ice piece harvest control circuit.

While automtic ice makers for household refrigerators have been commercially successful, difficulties have been encountered securing reliability of operation under all conditions, combined with low cost and adequate capacity. An example of a successful automatic ice maker is shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,540,227 issued Nov. 17, 1970 to C. W. Eyman, Jr., et al, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. The commercial version of this ice maker utilizes a thermostatic switch having its movable contact close to a fixed contact on rising predetermined water temperature, sensed by a volatile fluid filled sensing tube and bellows arrangement. The sensing tube extends into a sensing well or cavity of the tray as shown in U.S. PAT. No. 3,751,939, issued Aug. 14, 1973, to J. A. Bright, also assigned to the same assignee as the instant application. These prior art automatic ice makers using such a conventional bellows thermostat are affected by barometric pressure changes at differing altitudes resulting in a changed setting of the ice maker. Such conventional thermostats also have a tendency of not resetting fast enough and thereby limiting the ice making capacity of the ice maker. In addition, as disclosed in the Bright patent, a source of heat must be provided at the bellows to maintain the control point at the ice tray. Such a heating means is a source of potential service problems as too little or too much heat may be applied, thereby altering the operational point of the thermostat.

Various solutions to the above enumerated problem have been proposed such as the use of a mercury column thermostat sensor to provide control that will be accurate regardless of the ambient or altitude pressure but also having the ability to rapid reset, thus eliminating the need for a back contact thermostat. One such solution is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,002,041 issued Jan. 11, 1977 to J. A. Cantor and also assigned to the assignee of the present application.

Another difficulty with prior art flexible ice makers occurs when an ice cube "sticks" in its tray sensing pocket after an ice harvest cycle. In the event of a "stuck" ice cube cycle the after water fill temperature remains below 32.degree. F. while with a normal cycle, the after fill temperature in the pocket rises above 32.degree. F. The present invention provides a resistor bridge network including a temperature-sensitive resistor or thermistor in combination with a selectable resistor, wherein two separate temperatures may be sensed at differing times. Thus, in a normal cycle, where no stuck cube remains in the sensing pocket, the fill water will warm the thermistor to above 32.degree. F. and the circuit will cause the ice maker motor to complete a harvest cycle. If the thermistor does not warm to above 32.degree. F. the circuit will prevent the ice maker from running the last reset portion of its cycle. Timer delayed harvest means in the circuit will be actuated to cause the ice maker to wait for a predetermined time interval, about two and one-half hours in the disclosed form, after which the timer will override the temperature sensor and allow the ice maker to complete its harvest cycle and prepare to start another ice making operation.

The U.S. Pat. No. 3,217,508 issued Nov. 16, 1965 to G. W. Beck et al, and assigned to the assignee of the present application, discloses an automatic ice maker of the flexible tray type, wherein rotation of the tray is initiated by a temperature-responsive thermistor which is located in a tray cavity to provide protection from temperature differentials in the vicinity of the tray while being sealed in intimate heat exchange relationship with the wall of a tray ice piece sensing pocket.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved automatic ice maker having a flexible rotatable tray provided with an electric control circuit including a bridge network and temperature-sensitive resistor operative to transform sensed resistance to an equivalent voltage which will be accurate in response regardless of the ambient or altitude pressure at which the refrigerator is located.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved flexible tray ice maker for a with having a control circuit operative which improved tolerance to obviate the problem of a stuck ice piece in the tray temperature sensing pocket, including a bridge circuit having a thermistor in one portion for sensing the temperature in the sensing pocket of the tray, and wherein the ice maker is conditioned for immediate harvest after a predetermined temperature is effected in the ice pieces when the thermistor senses an above-freezing temperature resulting from the tray sensing pocket being filled with water, and wherein the ice maker circuit, which includes time delay means and logic means, provides for a delayed harvest until the predetermined temperature is effected in the ice pieces if the thermistor senses a below-freezing temperature caused by a stuck cube remaining in the tray temperature sensing pocket.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved automatic ice maker for a domestic refrigerator in accordance with the preceding object having an improved temperature sensing control circuit incorporated on an electronic circuit board wherein the power supply is resistively dropped by circuit means incorporating the water fill tube electrical heater.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an irregular vertical sectional view through a refrigerator freezer compartment embodying an air-cooled automatic ice maker illustrating the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical elevational view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical elevational view of the ice maker of FIG. 1, with the inner cover plate removed, taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevational view taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 1 of the automatic ice maker with parts broken away;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 6--6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 7--7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the circuit board;

FIG. 9 is a view taken on line 9--9 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 10--10 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 11--11 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken on line 12--12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view showing the crank gear cams for the control system at the beginning of a freeze period;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 13 with the gage arm in its lowered position in the ice container;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 13 with the crank gear face cam in its position to initiate an ice harvest cycle;

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 13 with the crank gear face cam in the first half of its harvest cycle;

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 15 with the crank gear face cam in the second half of its harvest cycle;

FIG. 18 is diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 16 with the crank gear face cam shown during the ice tray fill period;

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 16 with the crank gear face cam in its delay position, and the ice bin full;

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 18 with the crank gear face cam in its delay position and the ice continer not full;

FIG. 21 is the ice maker schematic diagram;

FIG. 22 is a cam angle chart for the ice maker; and

FIG. 23 is a flow diagram of the circuit logic.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown the upper portion of a frost-free household refrigerator 21 with an upper below-freezing compartment 22 closed by an insulated door 24 and a lower above-freezing compartment 26 closed by a lower insulated door 28. These compartments are surrounded by insulated side, top, bottom and rear walls 30 separated by horizontal insulated partition wall 32 incorporating an evaporator compartment 34, supporting an evaporator 36 having vertical fins extending from the front to the rear of the compartment 34. The evaporator compartment 34 is provided with an inlet 38 at the front communicating with the front of the below-freezing compartment 22 and additional inlets (not shown) communicating with the top of the above-freezing compartment 26. At the rear, the evaporator compartment 34 connects with a shroud 40 communicating with the entrance of a centrifugal fan 42 which is driven by an electric motor 44 housed in the rear wall of the cabinet. The cooling system for the compartments 22 and 26 may be of conventional construction such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,359,750, issued Dec. 26, 1967 or U.S. Pat. No. 3,310,957, issued March 28, 1967, owned by the assignee of the present application. These patents may be referred to for further details of construction of the refrigerator.

The fan 42 is provided with an upwardly extending discharge duct 46 having a distributor 48 at the top which distributes the discharge of chilled air through the below-freezing compartment 22. Evaporator 36 is operated at suitable below-freezing temperatures in the range of -5.degree. to -15.degree. F. to maintain the freezer compartment 22 at a temperature of 0.degree. F. or below.

Special cooling for the freezer compartment 22 is provided in the form of discharge duct 49 extending laterally along the intersection of the rear and top walls in communication with the distributor 48. Behind the automatic ice maker, generally indicated at 50, the laterally extending duct 49 is provided with a wide discharge nozzle 54 which distributes cold air evenly such that it flows over the top of a plastic ice piece forming mold or ice tray 55.

In the disclosed embodiment of FIGS. 1, 4 and 11, the tray 55 has a pair of longitudinal dividing walls 56 and 57 and six transverse dividing walls 59 which section the interior of the tray into twenty one cavities or pockets, i.e., three longitudinal rows each having seven pockets 60. The tray 55 has an upwardly flanged rim 61 extending around its short and long sides while liquid or water to be frozen is supplied from a pressure water system. The tray 55 is supplied with water from a pressure water system to a solenoid control valve 62 which controls the flow of water through tube 63 extending through the insulation of top wall 64 to position a discharge nozzle 66. The nozzle 66 extends through a heater bracket 67 so as to be positioned above the front center pockets of the tray 55.

As seen in FIG. 4, the ice maker 50 is provided with a wide U-shaped frame 68 which surrounds the tray 55. The frame 68 may be fastened to the adjacent liner side wall of the freezing compartment 22 by suitable fastening means such as screws (not shown). In FIGS. 1 and 3 there is shown seated directly below the frame 68 a rectangular bin or ice container 70 for receiving the frozen ice pieces or "cubes" ejected from the tray 55 in a manner to be described.

With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 11, integrally molded on the back wall of tray 55 is a boss 71 provided with a recess tightly receiving a flattened cylindrical portion of a coaxial projecting pin 72 having a forward bearing portion (not shown) fitting a bearing aperture in the rear wall 69 of the frame 68. The pivot pin 72 rearward portion located outside the frame is provided with an annular groove 74 around which is wrapped a portion of a tension coil spring 76 with the spring having one end hooked by means of hook 78 projecting from the groove 74, and with the opposite end of the spring 76 hooked to a lanced-out tab 79 on the rear wall of the frame 68 adjacent a horizontally disposed slot 80. The frame may also be provided with a stop 82 which is lanced out of the frame side wall for extending into the path of movement of an adjacent portion of the tray rim 61 to stop the tray rotation in a horizontal position in the direction of the turning force applied by the tension spring 76. The frame 68 also has a stop 88 which is lanced out of its rear wall and extends into the path of movement of the tray 55 in the direction opposite to the pull of the spring 76 to limit the inverting movement of the rear of the tray to a predetermined angle which, as seen in FIG. 9 of the preferred embodiment is about 120.degree. of rotation upon contacting stop 88.

As explained in U.S. Pat. No. 3,540,227 to Eyman, et al, to further insure the complete ejection of all frozen liquid from the tray 55 during a "second twist", a spring detent generally indicated at 90 in FIG. 9 is provided which comprises a leaf spring 92 secured on the inside of the frame 68 by a plastic spacer insert 94 and expanding screw 96. The leaf spring main portion extends at an angle of about 30.degree. toward the tray and terminates in a Z-shaped end portion 98. The tray 55 has a small radiused rear corner 100 (FIG. 4) shaped to ride out of the "Z" 98 in a "sudden" manner and under the resilient force provided by a predetermined twist, of the order of about 28.degree. of twist, the plastic tray accelerates into contact with stop 88 to assist in the ejection of the ice pieces from the tray 55.

As viewed in FIGS. 1 and 4, all the mechanism and controls for the automatic ice maker 50 are arranged so as to be accessible at the front of the refrigerator with the tray rotating and twisting mechanism being located in mechanism housing 110 suitably secured to the frame 68 as by screws 111. An electric driving motor 112 and an electrical circuit board assembly are enclosed by a removed outer housing cover indicated by phantom lines 116 in FIG. 6. The outer cover 116 and housing 110, both of which are formed from suitable plastic material, define a rear compartment 122 and a front compartment 124. The drive motor 112 is supported by screws 125 on the cover plate 120 with the motor final drive shaft 126, which extends through the cover plate 120, having a drive pinion gear 128 on the opposite side of the cover plate which gear continually meshes with a large driven crank gear 130.

As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the large gear 130 rear face 132 is provided with an eccentrically located crank pin 134 which extends into an elongated irregular loop 140 of an upright yoke 141 molded integrally with a horizontal rack bar 143 in a manner similar to a scotch yoke mechanism. As explained in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,926,007 issued Dec. 16, 1975, to R. S. Braden et al, and assigned to the assignee of the present application, the difference from a true scotch yoke mechanism resides in the fact that the surfaces of the yoke loop 140, contacted by the crank pin 134, are not all perpendicular to the rack bar, and in particular the yoke includes angular cam surfaces 144 and 145 in the side opposite the bar 143 and an inclined surface 147 on the side adjacent the bar 143. The rack bar 143 includes six full teeth 152 adjacent to the yoke.

The rack bar 143 is slidably mounted in a horizontal groove 154 provided in the adjacent rear wall 156 of the rear housing 110. The rack bar 143 and its teeth 152 cooperate with an interrupted pinion 158, provided on the front end of a coaxial pinion or spur gear sleeve 159 which sleeve is rotatably mounted in bearing means provided in the housing rear wall 156. The sleeve 159 has a coaxial rearward hollow projection 161, having flattened side inner surfaces 162 and flattened side outer surfaces (not shown) which fit within a boss 164 (FIGS. 12 and 4) located in longitudinal alignment with the center row of pockets 60 of the mold 55 and containing a complementary recess receiving the projection 161. The rack bar 143 is held in engagement with the pinion 158 by suitable means such as bushing 166 contacting the bar's bottom surface 167. The bar 143 is retained by bushing screw 68 threading into the housing rear wall 156 with screw washer 169 guiding the outer surface of the bar 143.

As explained in the mentioned Braden et al patent the crank pin 134 cooperates with the yoke loop 140, via rack bar teeth 152 at the left hand end of the bar's stroke (FIG. 3), an initial reverse twist of about 28.degree. to the front end of the tray 55, indicated in phantom at 55' in FIG. 9. The mechanism cooperates after the initial twist to rotate and invert the tray 55 until after about 140.degree. the rear of the tray 55 engages the stop 88. The rotation continues to finally twist the tray until it completes a twist of about 28.degree. opposite to the initial twist.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, a sensing arm holder and camshaft member, generally indicated at 200, includes a hub 201 formed with a pair of radially extending spokes 202 and 203 supporting an integral arcuate cam carrier 204. An arcuate cam track 208 is formed on the forward face of the cam carrier 204 including an arcuate raised cam lobe 208' portion thereon. The cam shaft 200 hub has a stub shaft 209 pivotally received in a circular opening in the housing rear wall 156 with the shaft 209 including a transverse bore extending therethrough, receiving the outer radial end 211 of an ice level sensing and shutoff arm 210 retained in the bore by suitable means such as an adjusting set screw 212. As seen in FIG. 4, the rearward free end 214 of the arm 210 is pivotally mounted in the frame rear wall 69 by suitable means such as a plastic grommet 216 inserted in the aperture 217 such that the sensing arm end 214 is an axial alignment with the stub shaft 209. A removable retaining button 219 is inserted on the sensing arm free end 214 for permitting the disassembly thereof.

As seen in FIG. 3, as the rack bar 143 moves to the right it engages radial finger 220, formed as an extension of radial camshaft spoke 203, causing the finger 220 to be rotated to its dashed line position. This movement in turn rotates the sensing arm 210 through a predetermined arc of about 30.degree. from its gravity biased solid line lower portion to its upper retracted dashed-line position free of the ice bin. It will be noted that in unison with the raising of arm 210 the ice tray 55 is rotated clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 9, to its forward twist and ice cube ejection position, allowing the freed ice cubes to fall from the tray into the bin 70.

Upon the rack bar 143 being returned to its FIG. 3 location, by means of the crank pin 134 and the yoke arrangement returning the tray 55 to its horizontal position, the sensing arm 210 is free to rotate in a downward arc from its retracted upper position to its solid line lower position in the bin 70. If, however, the ice piece accumulation in the bin 70 has reached a predetermined maximum level, the sensing shut-off arm 210 is stopped by the ice pieces, therefore preventing the sensing arm arcuate cam from closing an ice level switching arrangement to be described. Thus, the ice maker cannot now initiate a harvest cycle until the sensing arm 210 is free to drop or fall to its full line position and actuate the switching arrangement. A torsion spring rod 222 provides for automatic shutoff of the ice maker when the bin 70 is withdrawn from the freezer compartment by retracting the sensing arm from the bin as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,926,007 issued Dec. 16, 1975 and assigned to the assignee of this application.

As seen in FIG. 2, the circuit portion of the improved automatic ice maker of the subject invention is incorporated in an insulator circuit board generally indicated at 250, fixably mounted by means of screw 252 secured in embossment 254 extending outwardly from the housing cover plate and screw 256 secured in a similar embosment 258 (FIG. 10) together with a third screw 259 in an embossment (not shown). The board 250 is provided on its inner side or face (not shown) with an electric conductive printed circuit and carries or has mounted on its outer surface various electronic components and switching members to be described.

As seen in FIG. 10, the cover plate embossment 254 is elongated and provides a plurality of axial bores which in the disclosed form are shown as four equally spaced bores 261'-264' arranged with their centers in a horizontal plane. Each of the bores 261-264' receives a movable switch operating cam follower plunger pin 261-264 therein, preferably formed of plastic material, arranged for slidable reciprocation within its associated bore. Each pin has a rounded outer end extending through circuit board elongated opening 266 a predetermined amount so as to be biased inwardly by an electrically conductive flexible leaf spring blade or arm and a rounded inner end for following a cam track profile to be described.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 8 and 10, the circuit board 250 has first and second double switch contact assemblies 269 and 270 providing four cantilever mounted bladed of flexible copper material defining blade switches shown at 271, 272, 273 and 274. The identical double switch contact assemblies 269 and 270 each include a substantially flat connecting portion 276 having a pair of lower right angle flanges 277 (FIG. 6) and a central tongue member 278 operative to extend through circuit board openings for mounting the switch assemblies thereon. Each blade switch 271-274 provides a force causing its free end to move toward the circuit board or to the right, as viewed in FIG. 6. The movable contacts 271' - 274', mounted at the free end of each switch 271-274 respectively, are biased to close in electrically conductive relation with their associated stationary electrical contacts 271"-274" securely affixed on the outer face of the circuit board 250. Thus, for example, FIG. 8 shows switch movable contact 273' in abutting closed contact with its associated stationary board contact 273". A third single switch contact assembly is shown at 279 in FIGS. 8 and 10 which is similar to the assemblies 269 and 270 with the exception that assembly 279 has a single flexible blade switch 275 which carries a movable contact 275' at its free end for engagement with stationary contact 275" on the circuit board 250. Associated with switch 275 is a cam follower plunger pin 265 for slidable reciprocation within bore 265' in embossment 258. The pin 264 has a rounded outer end extending through circuit board opening 267 a predetermined distance so as to be biased inwardly by the arm of blade switch 275 causing its rounded inner end to follow arcuate cam track 208.

It will be noted in FIGS. 8 and 10 that the single pole-single throw blade switches 271-274 are bowed outwardly from the plane of the circuit board 250 such that an intermediate point of each blade switch is in abutment with the outer end of their associated plunger pins 261-264, respectively. This results in the inner end of the pins 261-264 being urged toward their fully retracted positions, relative to the cover plate 120, projecting a preset distance beyond the inner surface 121 of the cover plate so as to be biased into cam follower relation with their associated annular face cam track integrally molded on the rear surface of crank gear 130. The crank gear is rotatably supported on a bearing pin 131 through a bearing 133 in cover plate 120 and is provided with a suitable retainer such as nut 135.

As seen in FIGS. 7 and 10, the face cam 280 includes four annular concentric cam tracks 281, 282, 283 and 284, numbered in the order of increasing radius, i.e., with the annular cam track 281 being the innermost and the annular cam track 284 the outermost. The blade switch 271 provides the ice maker "reset" switch with its associated plunger pin 261 inner end tracking or following the first annular face cam track 281. The blade switch 272 functions as the ice maker "delay" switch with its associated plunger pin 262 inner end following the second annular face cam track 282. Blade switch 273 functions as the ice maker "hold" switch by engaging the third plunger pin 263 so that its inner end is biased into cam following position with the third annular cam track 283. Lastly, the blade switch 274 functions as the ice maker "fill" switch by biasing the fourth plunger pin 264 into cam following position with the fourth outermost annular cam track 284.

The operation of the face cam tracks 281-284 will be apparent from a study of the operational cam diagram of FIG. 22 together with FIGS. 6 and 7. With respect to the diagram, it may be noted that the face cam is configured to provide a planar clearance or datum surface common to each of the four cam tracks 281-284 (FIG. 6). The program on each face cam track is imparted to its associated blade switch 271-275 by virtue of the inner ends of the plunger pins 261-264 being maintained by their associated leaf spring switch arm in predetermined spaced relation with the face cam clearance tracks 281-285 resulting in positive closure between the switch movable contacts 271'-274' and stationary contacts 271"-274", respectively. Thus, upon rotation of the crank gear face 280 from its 0.degree. cam angle to about 16.degree.33' the "reset" switch 271 is open as its plunger pin 261 is displaced outwardly, similar to pin 264 in FIG. 6, by cam track protuberance or lobe 281'. As the face cam continues to rotate the plunger pin 261 is moved inwardly to its position spaced from cam track portion 281 allowing the reset contacts 271' and 271" to close. In a similar manner the "delay" plunger pin 272 clears its cam track datum surface 282 from the 0.degree. cam angle to its cam lobe 282' positioned between about 340.degree. 47' and 350.degree. 30'. The "hold" plunger pin 273 contacts its cam track lobe 283' from about 0.degree. to 9.degree. 18' and from about 335.degree. 03' to 360.degree. while cam track 283 has a second lobe, indicated at 283", extending from about 109.degree. 28' to 121.degree. 33". The outermost cam track 284 for the "fill" plunger pin 274 has a lobe 284' which extends from about 0.degree. to 304.degree. 14' and from about 328.degree. 18' to 360'. It will be noted that each of the face cam lobes has a steep ram portion (FIG. 6) leading to a raised planar portion designed to provide immediate response upon the ramp contacting its associated plunger pin whereby said pin will be moved outwardly to open its related switch.

As shown and explained in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,926,007 with the ice container removed the torsion spring rod V-shaped cam portion (FIG. 9) engages the sensing arm 210 and rotates it up and out of the container 70. As a result the sensing arm holder 200 and cam carrier 204 are rotated to their dotted line position of FIG. 3 wherein cam lobe 208' operates to extend plunger pin 265 and flex or lift the ice level sensing blade switch 275 away from its fixed contact 275" thereby opening the ice level switch (FIG. 16) to prevent an ice harvest whenever the ice bin or container 70 is removed from its ice receiving position (FIG. 1). It will be noted that during the ice harvest cycle the gear crank pin 134 starts to move the rack bar 143 slightly to the left, as viewed in FIG. 3, to initially reverse twist the tray 55' and then move the rack bar to its rightmost dashed-line position 143' engaging radial cam finger 220 portion of sensing arm holder 200. The result is the tray is forward twisted to 55", then impacted against stop 88 (FIG. 9) while the ice level sensing arm 210 is rotated up and out of the ice container 70 causing the cam lobe 208' to open the ice level switch 275 (FIG. 17). The cam angle for the ice level sensing arm arcuate cam track 208 of FIGS. 3, 4 and 10 (not shown) has its arcuate lobe portion 208' extending over an arc of about 52.degree..

FIGS. 11 and 12 show axially extending elongated sensing tube 290, preferably made from Nylon, extends into an inverted channel 291 formed in the bottom walls of ice tray pockets 60' and 60". The tube 290 has its intermediate portion telescopically received in an external arcuate wall 292 integral with the tray. Cover means partly defined by plastic insulation block 293 secured by wire member 295 cooperate with the tray in a novel manner defining a thermal well 294 beneath ice tray pocket 60". Temperature sensing means, preferably in the form of a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor 297, is located near the inner end of tube 290 to sense the temperature of the ice tray pocket 60". One thermistor suitable for the disclosed ice maker has a resistance of 15 to 20 ohms at -10.5.degree. C. .+-. 3% with a temperature coefficient of -5.5% at .degree. C.

As seen in FIG. 11, the tube 290 front portion extends forwardly through the hollow projection 161 of spur gear sleeve 159, an aligned opening 298 in housing rear wall 156 and an aligned opening 298' in cover plate 120. The outer end of the tube 290 passes through circuit board 250 and is suitably affixed thereto such as by expanding plastic retainer nut 299 (FIG. 4).

A schematic of the ice maker control circuit is shown in FIG. 21 wherein a power source across lines L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 provides, via line 301, an alternating current line signal of about 115 VAC to one side of a fill tube heater 302. The heater 302, located in bracket 67 (FIG. 1), prevents freezing of the nozzle portion of the ice tray water fill tube 63. A silicon rectifier D1, having its anode connected to the other side of heater 302 by line 303 and its cathode connected by line 304 to junction 305, is actuated by the induced voltage drop in the heater 302 so as to be conductive for a predetermined period of the full waveform of the AC power supply across the electrical supply lines L.sub.1 and L.sub.2. Capacitor C1, which has one side connected by line 306 to junction 305 and its other side connected by line 307 to L.sub.1 junction 308, filters the pulsating D.C. output from rectifier diode D1 into a relatively smooth flow of current. A Zener diode Z1, connected between junctions 309 and 305, is located in parallel combination with the capacitor C1 and is operative to regulate the voltage applied to the circuit, and prevents the maximum power supplied thereto from exceeding a predetermined voltage. In the disclosed form the voltage upper limit is about 27 volts above line L.sub.1 or circuit ground. Thus, the ice maker primary power supply consists of the fill heater 302, the diode D1, the capacitor C1 and the Zener diode Z1.

The output of the power supply is fed to a temperature sensor network including a symmetrical bridge circuit, indicated generally at 310, via power reducing or voltage divider resistor R5, connected between circuit junctions 313 and 315, operative to drop the output voltage of the primary power supply from about 27 volts to about 12 volts. The capacitors C2 and C5 serve as filters for the secondary voltage supply of R5. The bridge circuit 310 includes resistors R6, R7 and R8 and the NTC thermistor 297. The temperature sensor network is responsive to changes in the resistance of the NTC thermistor 297, shown positioned in ice tray well 294 to sense the temperature within the ice tray pocket 60" (FIG. 11), whereby the thermistor transforms resultant changed resistance to an equivalent voltage. The bridge resistor R6, connected between junctions 321 and 322, has a resistance of about 16.9 kilohms in the disclosed form while resistors R7 and R8 are of equal resistance having a value in the present circuit of about 10 kilohms. As seen in FIG. 21 the NTC thermistor 297 is connected between junctions 322 and 323, the bridge resistor R8 between junctions 324 and 325 and the bridge resistor R7 between junctions 325 and 326 of the circuit.

The temperature sensing thermistor 297 is thus connected in one leg of the bridge network 310 such that variations in the resistance of the thermistor 297 cause an unbalanced condition for the bridge circuit 310, providing a D.C. output voltage. The output voltage is extended to logic or switching means in the form of a semiconductor or inegrated amplifier IC1 portion of the temperature sensor circuit via junction 325, line 328 and junction 327 with junction 327 in turn connected to the IC1 input terminal three. In the disclosed embodiment the integrated amplifier IC1 comprises a high-gain operational amplifier linear integrated circuit commercially available from Fairchild under the designation MA 741.

A positive feedback circuit, consisting of the series combination of resistor R10, diode D4 and resistor R9; is connected between the output terminal six of IC1 operational amplifier 340 and its non-inverting positive input terminal three. Amplifier 340 has its negative inverting input terminal two connected to bridge terminal 341. The resistor R10 is connected between circuit junctions 341 and 343 while the anode of diode D4 is connected to junction 343. Circuit junction 344 connects the cathode of diode D4 to one side of resistor R9 with the resistor R9 having its other side connected to junction 327. A diode D3 has its anode connected to the junction 344 and its cathode connected to bridge junction 326. The positive feedback circuit is filtered by capacitor C3 connected intermediate junctions 345 and 343. The output terminal six of the IC1 is coupled to junction 342 and thence via line 346 through a relay 350 to the anode of a Zener diode Z2 while the cathode of Z2 is connected to junction 354.

A timer or clock is incorporated in the ice maker circuit to provide time delay means in the form of a counter. In the preferred embodiment the counter consists of a commercially available MOS integrated circuit indicated at IC2 in FIG. 21 including circuit elements A and B. One example of a commercially available integrated circuit suitable for this application is marketed by Motorola under the designation MC14521B 24-stage Frequency Divider. This device consists of 24 flip-flops wherein each flip-flop divides the frequency of the previous flip-flop by two. Consequently with an input of 60 HZ the output at its stage 20 provides a total of 146 minutes or a two hours and twenty-six minute timed cycle interval to delay the ice maker harvest cycle.

The IC2 circuit element A is connected at its terminal nine to resistor R3 and at its terminal seven to resistor R4, which together with capacitor C7 provides a Schmitt Trigger pulse squaring circuit. It functions to convert the 60 HZ sine-wave output of a low pass filter circuit, consisting of resistors R1, R2 and capacitor C6 into square waves or pulses. The output of the IC2 circuit element A is fed, via its interconnected terminals seven and six, to the input of IC2 circuit element B the output of which is taken from IC2 terminal twelve and conducted via line 382 to the anode of blocking diode D2 which operates to short-out the thermistor 297 during the two hour and twenty-six minute time delayed harvest cycle.

The bridge network 310 and semiconductor IC1 operational amplifier 340 which receives its driving or excitation voltage supply at juncture 313 from the voltage dividing resistor R5. The supply voltage at 313 is used to provide power to the integrated circuit IC2 and the bridge network 310. This secondary power supply is necessitated because the IC2 cannot operate from a 27 volt supply as its maximum rating is about 15 volts. Thus, the juncture 323 actually supplies about 12 volts to power both the bridge 310 and the IC2.

With reference to the cam angle chart of FIG. 22 it will be seen that with the face cam of gear 130 rotated through an angle of about 342.degree., represented by construction line 402 in FIG. 22, wherein the ice maker harvest cycle has been completed and the fill period has been completed. In this position of line 402 it will be seen that reset switch 271 is closed while the delay 272, hold 273 and fill 274 switches are open. This position corresponds to the decision block 384 of the flow chart of FIG. 23 wherein the thermistor 297 senses for 32.degree. F. in the tray sensing pocket 60".

Assuming that pocket 60" has received a charge of water, indicated by fill block 380, the thermistor 297 will still be cold as a short interval of one or two minutes is required to warm up the thermistor. In this condition the relay switch 351 will still be "pulled in", that is to say switch 351 will be contacting its "cold" contact 352. Thus, upon the delay switch opening the motor 112 will be deenergized holding the face cam 280 at chart line 402 and, in the condition of no stuck cube in pocket 60", the circuit is waiting for the thermistor 297 to warm to above 32.degree. F. When the thermistor reaches 32.degree. F. the operational amplifier 340 output drops to about three volts which is its low output switching point. The circuit will respond to "drop-out" or deenergize the relay 350 causing relay switch 351 to move to its fixed "warm" contact 353.

With the reset switch 271 closed the motor 112 will be energized rotating the face cam to its 0 degree or starting position causing reset switch 271 to open. It will be noted on the cam angle chart (FIG. 22) that just prior to the reset switch 271 opening the delay switch 272 will have closed to prepare the ice maker for the next harvest. This condition corresponds to the "YES" line or "branch" on the flow chart of FIG. 23 wherein the thermistor 297 has sensed or warmed-up to above 32.degree. F. and is looking or waiting for the thermistor to sense 13.degree. F. at block 381.

With fill water in cavity 60" the refrigeration system circulates freezing air over the tray 55 for variable time intervals, depending upon the operation of the refrigerator. After a period of about one to one and one-half hours the water in pocket 60" freezes into an ice cube causing the thermistor 297 to be lowered in temperature to 13.degree. F. .+-. 3.degree. F. resulting in a harvest switching point for the temperature sensor circuit. This occurs because at about 13.degree. F. the resistance of the thermistor 297 increases above 16.9 K., causing the negative input to the IC1 at pin two to beconme less than the positive input at pin three resulting in the IC1 output at pin six to suddenly increase to its high state of about 20 volts. The increased voltage energizes the relay coil 350 and moves the relay switch 351 to its "cold" contact 352. As the delay switch 282 is closed at 0.degree. on the cam angle chart the motor 112 will be energized and another ice harvest cycle will commence. Assuming now the case of a stuck cube in sensing pocket 60" and returning to the line 402 position on the cam chart of FIG. 22, with the delay switch 272 open the thermistor 297 will not warm up after the remaining pockets 60 of the tray have been refilled with water. As a consequence the relay 350 will not be deenergized as the output at pin six of IC1 will remain at its high or 20 volt level preventing the motor from advancing the face cam 280 through its last few degrees, i.e. reset switch 271 will remain closed. With reference to the flow chart the decision block 384 calls for the ice maker to take the "NO" branch.

The counter circuit element B is constantly being supplied with a 60 HZ signal via pin nine, circuit element A, and pins seven and six. Each time the harvest cycle starts, at the 0.degree. position on the cam chart, the reset switch 271 is opened causing a 60 HZ from L.sub.2 to be fed through the motor 112, the switch 275, relay switch 351, line 404 and R11 to the reset terminal two of IC2. This signal at reset terminal two returns the counter to zero time and restarts the counter. This starts a predetermined delayed harvest cycle of two hours and twenty-six minutes indicated at operation block 386. It will be noted that the capacitor C4 and resistor R11 operate to filter the reset signal.

After the elapse of the two hour and twenty-six minute delay harvest the ice maker follows the "YES" path from block 386. This is shown in the circuit of FIG. 21 wherein an output signal voltage at terminal pin twelve of IC2 is applied via line 382 to the diode D2 which overrides or shorts-out the bridge network whereby the negative input terminal two goes above the positive input terminal three. This results in the output of the operational amplifier "thinking" that the thermistor 297 is above 32.degree. F. such that its output at terminal six goes low, that is about 3 volts, causing the relay 350 to be deenergized starting the motor 112 to run the last portion of the cycle.

The flow chart then takes the "YES" path to the block 381 where the thermistor 297 is sensing the stuck cube temperature of 13.degree. F. The bridge network causes the amplifier 340 to switch by virtue of its positive terminal three going above the negative terminal two providing a high voltage output to energize the relay 350 and close to its "cold" contact starting a harvest cycle at block 383. After the harvest cycle the flow line returns to the fill block 380.

The temperature sensor circuit is designed to provide two switching set points to enable it to sense a first normal fill cycle wherein the afterfill temperature in sensing pocket rises above 32.degree. F., and a second stuck cube condition wherein an ice cube remains in tray pocket 60" causing the afterfill temperature to remain below 32.degree. F. Considering first the condition wherein the thermistor 297 temperature is above 32.degree. F. the operational amplifier 340 output at pin six is low or about 3 volts resulting in the relay 350 being dropped-out, i.e., with its switch 351 at contact 353. At this state the diode D4 is reverse biased preventing current flow therethrough causing an "open" condition in line 356 which results in the feedback circuit R9, R10 and C3 being disabled. The bridge network therefore consists of the thermistor 297 and the resistors R6, R7 and R8. Since R7 equals R8 a first switching point for the bridge will occur when it goes through a balance point wherein the resistive value of thermistor 297 at 13.degree. F. .+-. 3.degree. equals the value of R6 which is about 16.9 K.

As the temperature of the thermistor 297 goes below 13.degree. F. the thermistor resistance increases above 16.9 K. causing the negative input to the operational amplifier 340 at pin two to become less than the positive input at its pin three. This results in the operational simplifier 340 switching to its high state. If proper conditions are met, i.e., ice level switch 275 closed, the ice maker will begin a harvest cycle.

Upon the operational amplifier 340 reaching a high voltage output at pin six, of the order of 20 volts, a current flow is provided through feedback circuit R10, D4 and R9 causing D4 to be forward biased. In this condition D3 clamps selective resistor R9 to within about 0.7 volts of the voltage at juncture 323 and effectively puts resistors R7 and R9 in parallel providing a new equivalent resistance and accordingly a second set point of about 32.degree. F. for the bridge network. Thus, for the operational amplifier 340 to return to its low output state, the negative input at its pin two must again be higher than the positive input at its pin three. This occurs when the thermistor value decreases to about 10 K., which corresponds to the second set point temperature of about 32.degree. F.

Operation

The operation of the ice maker cam control system is more easily understood from the diagrams illustrated in FIGS. 13-20. The FIG. 13 diagram shows the "delay" switch 272 in its closed position during the freeze period of the ice maker with the "stop" or "reset" switch 271, the "hold" switch 273, and the "fill" switch 274 in their open positions. At this time the ice tray 55 is in its horizontal fill position (FIG. 9) and with a temperature sensor in the form of thermistor 297 indicating a temperature greater than 13.degree. F. .+-. 3.degree. F. The single pole-double throw relay 350 is shown with its movable contact arm 351 in contact with its upper fixed contact 353. If during this freeze period, the ice container 70 is removed, torsion spring 222 raises the sensing arm 210 pivoting its holder 200 clockwise. This causes the ice level blade switch movable contact 275' to be lifted from its stationary contact 275" by virtue of its plunger pin 265 inner end contacting the raised lobe portion 208' of its arcuate cam track 208 preventing an ice harvest from being initiated until the ice container 70 is replaced beneath the ice maker.

FIGS. 14 and 19 show the ice level sensing arm 210 in its gravity biased, downwardly pivoted position within the replaced container 70 with sensing arm holder 200 pivoted counterclockwise. Plunger pin 265 is slidably biased inwardly opposite arcuate cam track 208 by the spring force of blade switch 275 so as to close blade switch movable contact 275' to its fixed contact 275" allowing an ice harvest cycle to take place.

Turning now to FIG. 15, the ice maker control circuit is shown in its "Initiate Harvest Cycle" position wherein the thermistor 297 has sensed a temperature in tray pocket 60" of 13.degree. F. .+-. 3.degree. F. wherein the temperature sensor circuit switches high causing the relay movable contact 351 to be "pulled-in" or moved to its stationary "cold" contact 352. In this position the motor 112 is energized through the closed delay switch 272, relay contact 352, movable switch 351 and movable contact 275' of the ice level switch 275 closed to its stationary contact 275".

As the cam face 280 is rotated by the motor a few degrees the reset pin 261 engages its annular cam track lobe or protrusion 281'. It will be seen in FIG. 7 that the "hold" cam track 283 is configured such that rotation thereof in a clockwise direction will cause the "hold" plunger pin 263 to ride off the raised arcuate lobe segment 283' relieving the tension on its spring blade switch 273 so as to correspondingly bias the "hold" plunger pin 263 inwardly. This causes the "hold" switch to close by a movable contact 273' engages its fixed contact 273" on the circuit board 250 as the tray 55 begins its initial reverse twist at the front end of the tray (See phantom line 55' in FIG. 9). The closed hold switch 273 provides an alternate path via line 362 to energize the motor 112 insuring that the motor will not stop during the harvest cycle of the ice maker. The "reset" switch 271 closes with the "hold" switch in the same manner.

FIG. 16 shows the first half of the ice harvest cycle, wherein if the ice container 70 is removed before the ice cubes fall from the tray 55, the "hold" switch 273 will open before the tray is inverted, stopping the harvest cycle until the ice container has been returned to its position beneath the ice maker. The arcuate cam lobe segment 283" of the "hold" cam track 283 is responsible for opening the "hold" switch 273 during this portion of the harvest cycle.

FIG. 17 shows a diagrammatic representation of the circuit during the second half of the harvest cycle wherein the hold switch 273 is again closed and the ice level sensing arm 210 is rotated up and out of the ice container 70 thereby opening the ice level switch 275. The crank pin 134 and yoke 141 cooperate after the initial twist 55' of the tray to rotate the tray 55 to its snap spring detent 90, shown by phanton line 55" (FIG. 9) and final twist position so as to eject the released ice cubes into the container 70.

FIG. 18 shows the fill cycle with the tray 55 having been returned to its horizontal position and the fill switch 274 closed energizing fill control valve 62 by means of its solenoid 366 for a predetermined interval, about twelve seconds in the present embodiment, to fill the tray with water to a given level. The fill cycle results from the motor 122, in rotating the fill cam track 284, having caused the plunger pin 264 to drop-off its raised arcuate lobe 284' allowing fill blade switch contact 274' to close on its stationary contact 274" energizing the water valve solenoid 366 via conductor 368. It will be noted that during the fill period all the blade switches 271-274 are closed with the ice level sensing arm 210 having been lowered to its position in the ice bin. Assuming that the ice level in the container 70 is below the sensing arm, the ice level blade switch 275 is closed to its fixed contact.

FIG. 19 shows the delay position of the face cam 280 and switches 271-275 wherein both the hold switch 273 and the delay switch 272 have been opened shortly after the opening of the fill switch 274. With the ice bin 70 full the ice level switch 275 will open and the motor 112 stops until the ice level is lowered allowing the ice level switch 275 to return to its closed position.

FIG. 20 shows the delay position, represented by construction line 402 on the cam angle chart of FIG. 22 wherein the fill switch 274, the hold switch 273 and the delay switch 272 are open. As the ice bin is not full of cubes the ice level switch 275 is closed. If the thermistor senses a temperature above 32.degree. F. the relay 350 switches to its warm contact 353 as explained above and indicated by the "YES" path leading from the decision block 384. If the thermistor temperature remains below 32.degree. F. the relay 350 switches to its "warm" contact 353 after two hours and twenty-six minutes. The motor 112 then runs until the reset switch 271 opens to begin the freeze period (FIG. 13).

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

Claims

We claim:

1. In an ice maker having a compartmented tray defining pockets adapted for exposure to below-freezing temperatures, means for filling the pockets in said tray with an above-freezing temperature liquid adapted to solidify as ice pieces in said pockets when said pockets are exposed to said below-freezing temperatures for a time period sufficient to effect ice pieces at a predetermined temperature, and ice harvesting means associated with said tray for normally removing all of the ice pieces from said pockets but occasionally removing some of said ice pieces while leaving a stuck ice piece remaining in one of said pockets, said one of said pockets comprising a sensing pocket, the invention comprising a circuit for controlling the harvesting means of said ice maker in accordance with the presence or absence of a stuck ice piece in said sensing pocket, said circuit including bridge means having temperature sensing means in one portion thereof for sensing temperature after fill and first resistor means in another portion thereof, second resistor means selectively connectable in said circuit with said first resistor means, time delay means for said harvest means selectively connectable in said circuit, and logic means for selectively connecting said second resistor means and said time delay means in said circuit in response to said temperature sensing means sensing either in above-freezing temperature or a below-freezing temperature, said temperature sensing means being in heat exchange relation with said sensing pocket for sensing an above-freezing temperature when said sensing pocket has liquid therein and for sensing a below-freezing temperature when said sensing pocket has a stuck ice piece therein, whereby said harvest means is conditioned for immediate harvest after said predetermined temperature is effected in said ice pieces when said temperature sensing means senses an above-freezing temperature after the preceding harvest and subsequent fill, and whereby said harvest means is conditioned for delayed harvest, wherein said time delay means is selected to provide a predetermined fixed time freezing interval that insures said predetermined temperature is effected in said ice pieces if said temperature sensing means senses a below-freezing temperature after the preceding harvest and subsequent fill.

2. In an ice maker having a compartmental tray defining a plurality of pockets adapted for exposure to below-freezing temperatures, means for filling the pockets in said tray with an above-freezing temperature liquid adapted to solidify as ice pieces in said pockets when said pockets are exposed to said below-freezing temperatures for a time-period sufficient to effect ice pieces at a predetermined temperature, and ice harvesting means associated with said tray for normally removing all of the ice pieces from said pockets but occasionally removing some of the ice pieces while leaving a stuck ice piece remaining in one of said pockets, said one of said pockets comprising a sensing pocket, the invention comprising a circuit for controlling the harvesting means of said ice maker in accordance with the presence of absence of a stuck ice piece in said sensory pocket, said circuit including a resistance bridge including four legs connected together, a temperature sensing thermistor in one leg for sensing temperature after fill and a first resistor in another leg, a feedback network in said circuit, including a second resistor, time delay means for said harvest means selectively connectable in said circuit, and switching means in the form of an operational amplifier having first and second input terminals and an output terminal, said feedback network connected between said output terminal and a first junction, said feedback circuit including a first diode having its anode connected through resistor means to said output terminal, said second resistor connected between said first junction and said second input terminal, a second diode having its anode connected to said first junction and its cathode connected to a first bridge junction common to one side of said first resistor, said first resistor having its other side connected to a second bridge junction common to said second input terminal, whereby upon said thermistor sensing an above-freezing temperature said operational amplifier output terminal produces a low signal level causing said first diode to be reverse biased such that said second resistor is electrically removed from said control circuit providing a first switching point for said control circuit, upon said thermistor sensing a predetermined below-freezing temperature said output terminal produces a high signal level causing said first diode to be forward biased such that said second resistor is electrically placed in parallel with said first resistor providing a second switching point for said control circuit, said temperature sensing thermistor being in heat exchange relation with said sensing pocket for sensing said above-freezing temperature when said sensing pocket has liquid therein and for sensing said below-freezing temperature when said sensing pocket has a stuck ice piece therein, whereby said harvest means is conditioned for immediate harvest after said predetermined temperature is effected in said ice pieces when said temperature sensing means senses an above-freezing temperature after the preceding harvest and subsequent fill, and whereby said harvest means is conditioned for delayed harvest wherein said time delay means is selected to provide a predetermined freezing interval of sufficient duration thereby insuring said predetermined temperature is effected in said ice pieces if said thermistor senses a below-freezing temperature.

3. An automatic ice maker in a freezer compartment of a refrigerator, said ice maker having a compartmental tray defining pockets adapted for exposure to below-freezing temperatures, means for filling said pockets in said tray with above-freezing temperature water adapted to solidify as ice pieces in said pockets when said pockets are exposed to said below-freezing temperatures for a time period sufficient to effect ice pieces at a predetermined temperature, said filling means including a water tube positioned in a wall of said freezer compartment, electric resistance heater means positioned in thermal relation with said tube to insure against the freezing of water therein, and ice harvesting means associated with said tray for normally removing all the ice pieces from said pockets but occasionally removing some of said ice pieces while leaving a stuck ice piece remaining in one of said pockets, said one of said pockets comprising a sensing pocket, the invention comprising a circuit for controlling the harvesting means of said ice maker in accordance with the presence or absence of a stuck ice piece in said sensing pocket, said circuit including bridge means having temperature sensing means in one portion thereof for sensing temperature after fill and first resistor means in another portion thereof, second resistor means selectively connectable in said circuit with said first resistor means, time delay means for said harvest means selectively connectable in said circuit, an electronic switching means for selectively connecting said second resistor means and said time delay means in said circuit in response to said temperature sensing means sensing either an above-freezing temperature or a below-freezing temperature, and power supply means for said control circuit, said power supply means including said fill tube heater operative in said circuit to reduce the value of A.C. line voltage supplied to the refrigerator to a predetermined amount prior to its being supplied to said control circuit, said temperature sensing means being in heat exchange relation with said sensing pocket for sensing an above-freezing temperature when said sensing pocket has water therein and for sensing a below-freezing temperature when said sensing pocket has a stuck ice piece therein, whereby said harvest means is conditioned for immediate harvest after said predetermined temperature is effected in said ice pieces when said temperature sensing means senses an above-freezing temperature after the preceding harvest and subsequent fill, and whereby said harvest means is conditioned for delayed harvest, wherein said time delay means is selected to provide a predetermined fixed time freezing interval that insures said predetermined temperature effected in said ice pieces if said temperature sensing means senses a below-freezing temperature after the preceding harvest and subsequent fill.

4. In an ice maker having a compartmented tray defining pockets adapted for exposure to below-freezing temperatures, means for periodically filling the pockets in said tray with an above-freezing temperature liquid fill adapted to solidify as ice pieces in said pockets when said pockets have been exposed to said below-freezing temperatures for freeze periods sufficient in duration depending on the freezing capacity producing said below-freezing temperatures to effect ice pieces at a predetermined below-freezing temperature, and ice harvesting means associated with said tray for normally removing all of the ice pieces from said pockets in a normal harvest cycle repeated after each of said freeze periods but occasionally and abnormally removing some of said ice pieces while leaving a stuck ice piece remaining in one of said pockets which comprises a sensing pocket, the invention comprising: harvest control means for controlling the harvesting means of said ice maker in accordance with the presence or absence of a stuck ice piece in said sensing pocket, said harvest control means including temperature sensing means in heat exchange relation with said sensing pocket and operable during sequential first and second intervals after fill for sensing below-freezing and above-freezing temperatures and thus, respectively, the presence or absence of an ice piece in said sensing pocket, said temperature sensing means being operable in said normal harvest cycle to condition said harvesting means for subsequent removal of said ice pieces from said tray in response to temperature when said sensing means operates during said first interval after fill to sense an above-freezing temperature and, thus, the absence of a stuck ice piece in said sensing pocket, said temperature sensing means when operating in said normal harvest cycle including means for shifting said temperature sensing means to sense for said predetermined below-freezing temperature and, thus, the presence of a solid ice piece in said sensing pocket during said second interval after fill as the condition for said harvesting means to remove said ice pieces from said tray, said temperature sensing means being operable in a stuck ice piece harvest cycle to condition said harvesting means for subsequent removal of said ice pieces from said tray in response to time and temperature when said sensing means operates during said first interval after fill to sense a below-freezing temperature and, thus, the presence of a stuck ice piece in said sensing pocket, said temperature sensing means when operating in said stuck ice piece harvest cycle including time delay means providing a fixed time freeze period during at least a portion of which said temperature sensing means is prevented from operating to condition said harvesting means for subsequent removal of ice pieces from said tray, said time delay means including means operable after at least said portion of said fixed time freeze period to permit said temperature sensing means to operate in said normal harvest cycle with said temperature shifting means to condition said harvesting means for subsequent removal of ice pieces from said tray when said temperature sensing means senses said predetermined below-freezing temperature and, thus, the presence of a solid ice piece in said sensing pocket, whereby solid ice pieces may be harvested repeatedly under normal or abnormal conditions in respective normal harvest cycles or stuck ice piece harvest cycles so as to enhance the quality and quantity of ice production resulting from the repeated harvests.

5. The harvest control means of the ice maker of claim 4 in which said time delay means is a digital counter, said means for shifting said temperature sensing means is an electrically resistive feedback circuit and said temperature sensing means includes a bridge network with a temperature-sensitive resistor in temperature sensing relation with said sensing pocket and in power supply relationship with operational amplifier means, said operational amplifier operating in response to the temperature sensed by said bridge network to select accurately either said feedback circuit or said digital counter in the harvest control means for controlling the harvesting means of said ice maker regardless of the ambient or altitude pressure at which the ice maker is located.

6. In an ice maker having a compartmented flexible tray defining pockets adapted for exposure to below-freezing temperatures, means for normally periodically filling the pockets in said tray with an above-freezing temperature liquid fill adapted to solidify as ice pieces in said pockets when said pockets have been exposed to said below-freezing temperatures for freeze periods sufficient in duration depending on the freezing capacity producing said below-freezing temperatures to effect ice pieces at a predetermined below-freezing temperature but occasionally and abnormally not filling said pockets with sufficient liquid, and ice harvesting means associated with said tray for normally removing all of the ice pieces from said pockets by inverting and twisting said tray in a normal harvest cycle repeated after each of said freeze periods but occasionally and abnormally removing some of said ice pieces while leaving a stuck ice piece remaining in one of said pockets which comprises a sensing pocket, the invention comprising: harvest control means for controlling the harvesting means of said ice maker in accordance with the presence or absence of a stuck ice piece or sufficient liquid in said sensing pocket, said harvest control means including temperature sensing means in heat exchange relation with said sensing pocket and operable during sequential first and second intervals after fill for sensing below-freezing and above-freezing temperatures and thus, respectively, the presence or absence of an ice piece in said sensing pocket or the absence or presence of sufficient liquid in said sensing pocket, said temperature sensing means being operable in said normal harvest cycle to condition said harvesting means for subsequent removal of said ice pieces from said tray in response to temperature when said sensing means operates during said first interval after fill to sense an above-freezing temperature and, thus, the absence of a stuck ice piece in said sensing pocket and the presence of sufficient liquid in said sensing pocket, said temperature sensing means when operating in said normal harvest cycle including means for shifting said temperature sensing means to sense for said predetermined below-freezing temperature and, thus, the presence of a solid ice piece in said sensing pocket during said second interval after fill as the condition for said harvesting means to remove said ice pieces from said tray, said temperature sensing means being operable in a stuck ice piece or insufficient fill harvest cycle to condition said harvesting means for subsequent removal of said ice pieces from said tray in response to time and temperature when said sensing means operates during said first interval after fill to sense a below-freezing temperature and, thus, the presence of a stuck ice piece in said sensing pocket or the absence of sufficient liquid in said sensing pocket, said temperature sensing means when operating in said stuck ice piece or insufficient fill harvest cycle including time delay means providing a fixed time freeze period during which said temperature sensing means is prevented from operating to condition said harvesting means for subsequent removal of ice pieces from said tray while the temperature to be sensed in said sensing pocket is below freezing, said time delay means including means operable at the conclusion of said fixed time freeze period irrespective of the temperature to be sensed in said sensing pocket or during said fixed time freeze period when the temperature to be sensed in said sensing pocket changes from below freezing to above freezing thereby to permit said temperature sensing means to operate in said normal harvest cycle with said temperature shifting means to condition said harvesting means for subsequent removal of ice pieces from said tray when said temperature sensing means senses said predetermined below-freezing temperature and, thus, the presence of a solid ice piece in said sensing pocket, whereby solid ice pieces may be harvested repeatedly under normal or abnormal conditions in respective normal harvest cycles or stuck ice piece or insufficient fill harvest cycles so as to enhance the quality and quantity of ice production resulting from the repeated harvests.

Patent Citations (2)

Patent	Date	Inventor	Cited By
US3540227	1970-11-01	Eyman, Jr. et al.
US4002041	1977-01-01	Canter

Abstract

Description