Ice level sensing device for an automatic ice maker in a refrigerator
First Claim
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1. A refrigerator comprising:
- a cabinet including a refrigerated compartment;
an ice maker mounted in the refrigerated compartment, said ice maker including a body portion, an ice maker unit for receiving water and forming ice cubes during an ice production cycle, an ice storage bin for receiving ice cubes from the ice maker unit during a harvest cycle, and a device for detecting a level of ice cubes in the ice storage bin, said device including;
a bail arm pivotally mounted to the body portion for movement between a raised position and a lowered position for controlling the ice production cycle; and
an actuator including a shape memory element operatively connected to the bail arm for moving the bail arm from the lowered position to the raised position for the ice harvest cycle and thereafter allowing the bail arm to return to the lowered position upon completion of the ice harvest cycle; and
a controller for regulating operation of the shape memory element.
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Abstract
A device for sensing a level of ice stored in a bin of an automatic ice maker includes a bail arm and an actuator mechanism. The actuator mechanism is constituted by a shape memory alloy that, upon application of a voltage, contracts to move the bail arm to a raised position prior to initiation of an ice harvest cycle. After completion of the ice harvest cycle, the voltage is discontinued, allowing the shape memory alloy to relax, causing the bail arm to return to a lowered position. The bail arm includes a sensing member that extends into the bin and, depending upon the level of ice, prevents the bail arm from contacting a sensing switch, temporarily halting ice production.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A refrigerator comprising:
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a cabinet including a refrigerated compartment; an ice maker mounted in the refrigerated compartment, said ice maker including a body portion, an ice maker unit for receiving water and forming ice cubes during an ice production cycle, an ice storage bin for receiving ice cubes from the ice maker unit during a harvest cycle, and a device for detecting a level of ice cubes in the ice storage bin, said device including; a bail arm pivotally mounted to the body portion for movement between a raised position and a lowered position for controlling the ice production cycle; and an actuator including a shape memory element operatively connected to the bail arm for moving the bail arm from the lowered position to the raised position for the ice harvest cycle and thereafter allowing the bail arm to return to the lowered position upon completion of the ice harvest cycle; and a controller for regulating operation of the shape memory element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An ice maker for a refrigerator comprising:
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a body portion; an ice maker unit for receiving water and forming ice cubes during an ice production cycle; an ice storage bin for receiving ice cubes from the ice maker unit during a harvest cycle; and a device for detecting a level of ice cubes in the ice storage bin, said device including; a bail arm pivotally mounted to the body portion for movement between a raised position and a lowered position for controlling the ice production cycle; and an actuator including a shape memory element operatively connected to the bail arm for moving the bail arm from the lowered position to the raised position for the ice harvest cycle and thereafter allowing the bail arm to return to the lowered position upon completion of the ice harvest cycle. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of transferring ice from an automatic ice maker arranged in a refrigerated compartment of a refrigerator to an ice storage bin during an ice harvest cycle comprising:
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moving a bail arm from a lowered position to a raised position through actuation of a shape memory element; initiating the ice harvest cycle by expelling a plurality of ice cubes from the ice maker into the storage bin; and deactivating the shape memory element, allowing the bail arm to return to the lowered position.
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Specification