Apparatus and method for driving icemaker of refrigerator
US10139146B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 10, 2013 |
| Grant date | Nov 27, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C2700/02
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and a method for driving an icemaker for making ice cubes in a refrigerator. An ice-full state is sensed in such a way as to rotate an ejector and a cam gear in a reverse direction (opposite to an ice-ejecting direction), thereby preventing interference with the ice cubes present in the icemaker and thus enabling the ice-full state to be accurately sensed. A first torsion spring is mounted to an intermediate gear with a small rotation angle ratio to allow only a minimum amount of torque to be transferred to other components such as an ice-detecting lever, thereby increasing the durability of the components and providing a precise rotation force. The axial center of rotation of a second torsion spring is defined at a position that faces the other end (the revolving end) of the ice-detecting lever, to allow a minimum moment to be substantially constantly applied.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.