Ice making device and method of controlling the same

Abstract

An automatic ice making machine 1 includes an ice tray 2 for making ice cubes, ice separating means 5 for separating ice cubes from the ice tray 2 by turning the ice tray 2, and an ice storage container for storing separated ice cubes. A stepping motor 13 is used for a drive source for the driver unit 5. The automatic ice making machine further includes detecting means for detecting a predetermined position of the ice tray 2; and control means for controlling a drive of the stepping motor 13. When the ice tray 2 is returned to the water supply position, the control means determines a predetermined position of the ice tray 2 by use of a signal from the detecting means, and determines other positions of the ice tray 2 by the utilization of the number of steps of the motor counted from the predetermined position. When the ice tray 2 is returned to the water supply position, the control means turns the ice tray 2 beyond the ice making position and the water supply position in the opposite direction to the ice separation position, and then turns the ice tray 2 toward the ice separation position and returns the ice tray 2 to the water supply position. Therefore, the amount of water to the ice tray 2 is increased.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.