Ice maker having a position control for an ice-making tray upon recovery from a power outage
US5881563A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 26, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 26, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C2600/04
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An automatic ice maker adapted for use in a refrigerator includes an ice-making tray rotatable between an upright ice-making position and an inverted ice-discharging position by a motor. A container is disposed beneath the tray for receiving ice when the tray is in the inverted position. First and second switches are each moved between first and second states in response to rotation of the tray. The second switch can be moved to its second state in response to the container being full of ice. Whenever the refrigerator is started-up, e.g., after a power outage, a controller determines whether both of the switches are in their first states. If so, an ice making operation is performed. If not, the motor is actuated in a manner tending to rotate the tray to its upright position. When the tray reaches its upright position, a stop is contacted, whereupon a load is generated at the motor, causing the controller to stop the motor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.