Systems and methods for harvesting ice from an icemaker tray
US9482455B2 · kind B2 · utility
1Cited by
2References
16Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 9, 2015 |
| Grant date | Nov 1, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 9, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P60/85
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system comprising a gear having at least one slot, wherein the gear is connected to an icetray and a motor so that when the motor rotates the gear, the icetray twists, and an optical sensor that detects when the gear has rotated the slot over the optical sensor. The icetray twists while the gear is rotated in a first direction away from a home position to a reverse twist position. The rotation of gear then reverses to twist the icetray to a harvest position in a second direction that is opposite of the first direction until ice in the icetray is dislodged.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.