Ultrasonic bin control in an ice machine

A bin control system for an ice machine, the system comprising:

• an ultrasonic bin sensor comprising a body defining a first end and a second end distal from the first end, the first end comprising a lens;
• and
• a controller in electrical communication with the ultrasonic bin sensor and configured to control the ultrasonic bin sensor, wherein the controller is configured to:
• filter out a portion of a return signal of the ultrasonic bin sensor below a threshold voltage as part of controlling a level of ice stored inside a storage bin of the ice machine;
• and
• filter out a portion of the return signal exceeding the threshold voltage for a length of time equal to or less than a predetermined time delay as part of controlling the level of ice stored inside the storage bin.

A method of using an ice machine, the method comprising:

• transmitting an acoustic pulse from an ultrasonic bin sensor of an ice maker of the ice machine into a storage bin of the ice machine, the ultrasonic bin sensor mounted to a body of the ice maker, the acoustic pulse initiated by the ultrasonic bin sensor in electrical communication with a controller;
• receiving a return signal resulting from a reflection of the acoustic pulse off surfaces of materials present inside an interior cavity of the ice machine within range of the ultrasonic bin sensor;
• converting the return signal from an acoustic signal into an electrical signal;
• filtering out a portion of the return signal that exceeds a threshold voltage for a length of time equal to or less than a predetermined time delay;
• and
• switching off production of the ice maker of the ice machine when a portion of the return signal exceeds a threshold voltage for a length of time greater than the time delay.

An ice machine comprising:

• an ice maker comprising:
• an ultrasonic bin sensor mounted to a body;
• and
• a controller in electrical communication with the ultrasonic bin sensor and configured to control the ultrasonic bin sensor;
• and
• a storage bin coupled to the ice maker and sized to receive ice, a lens of the ultrasonic bin sensor facing an interior cavity of the storage bin;
• wherein the controller is configured to:
• filter out a portion of a return signal of the ultrasonic bin sensor below a threshold voltage as part of controlling a level of ice stored inside the storage bin;
• and
• filter out a portion of the return signal exceeding the threshold voltage for a length of time equal to or less than a predetermined time delay as part of controlling the level of ice stored inside the storage bin.