Ice level sensor for an ice maker
US5460007A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 28, 1994 |
| Grant date | Oct 24, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 28, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/7306
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ice level sensor includes three capacitive plates for sensing the level of ice cubes in an ice tray or ice bucket. The ice level sensor preferably includes a relay for turning off the ice maker when a particular ice level is reached. The three capacitive plates provide immunity to frost collection because frost will collect on all plates equally. Preferably, the capacitive sensor is positioned with one plate next to the ice bucket and two plates positioned above the ice bucket. Preferably, the ice sensor may be retrofitted to existing refrigerators by mounting the capacitor plates to the rear freezer wall, and connecting AC input wires to the ice maker through a relay in the capacitor sensor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.