Mechanism for detecting completion of ice formation in ice making machine

A mechanism for detecting completion of ice formation in an ice making machine having an evaporator connected to a freezing system including a compressor and a condenser;

• a freezing base plate having a multiplicity of freezing fingers formed on the lower surface thereof at predetermined intervals, with said evaporator being disposed on the upper surface thereof;
• and a water tray pivotally supported on the main body side of the ice making machine to maintain normally a horizontal posture and having defined therein a freezing chamber, for carrying water to be frozen in which said freezing fingers are to be dipped;
• said water tray being adapted to be tilted downward upon freezing of the water to form ice pieces around the freezing fingers;
• characterized in that said mechanism consists of:
• a rocking plate disposed in said freezing chamber, which can be rocked to be able to be in contact with the bottom of said freezing chamber;
• a fixture pivotally supported on the main body side of the ice making machine, on which a rocking motor is to be mounted;
• a rocking means disposed to be pivotable integrally with said fixture and to be rotated by said rocking motor;
• an engagement member provided on said rocking means for rocking said rocking plate by the rotation of said rocking motor under the action of another engagement member provided on said rocking plate engaged therewith;
• a detect ion means for detecting completion of ice formation locating on the turning orbit of said rocking means;
• and
• a resilient member engaged with said fixture, for resiliently urging said rocking means away from said detection means;
• wherein completion of ice formation around said freezing fingers is designed to be detected upon actuation of said detection means by the rocking means as said fixture is turned against the resilience of said resilient member, when said rocking plate is brought into contact with the ice pieces formed around said freezing fingers to apply a counterforce to said fixture through said rocking means, in the rocking motion of said rocking plate through said engagement member of said rocking means rotated by said rocking motor in engagement with said engagement member of said rocking plate.