초록 ▼

An ice maker assembly and method of assembling the same wherein the electrical connections between electrical structure carried by the mold and an intermediate support, and contacts carried by a control means also mounted to the support are made solely as an incident of the assembly of the mold, sup

An ice maker assembly and method of assembling the same wherein the electrical connections between electrical structure carried by the mold and an intermediate support, and contacts carried by a control means also mounted to the support are made solely as an incident of the assembly of the mold, support and control means. In the illustrated embodiment, the assembly is effected along a single axle. Illustratively, the electrical components so connected include a heater carried by the mold, a thermostat carried by the support for thermal transfer association with the mold in the assembled arrangment of the structure, and a grounding pin carried by the mold. The support is provided with suitable openings for passing the electrical connection components therethrough to have automatic electrical connection with complementary contact elements carried by the control means. The assembled support and control mechanism may be removed as a unit from the mold to provide access to the mold heater and thermostat for facilitated replacement.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of assembling an ice maker comprising the steps of: forming a support having a wall provided with spaced first and second through openings, said wall defining an inner surface and an outer surface defining an outwardly opening recess therein; providing a sensor in said recess, said sensor d

A method of assembling an ice maker comprising the steps of: forming a support having a wall provided with spaced first and second through openings, said wall defining an inner surface and an outer surface defining an outwardly opening recess therein; providing a sensor in said recess, said sensor defining an inner portion, and an outer portion adjacent said outer surface said sensor having first electrical control means projecting inwardly from said inner portion through said first opening; providing an ice mold having an inner surface adjacent said support wall outer surface, said sensor outer surface abutting said ice mold inner surface, said ice mold having second electrical contact means extending from said inner surface through said support wall second through opening; and providing control means juxtaposed to said support wall inner surface, said control means having third electrical contact means positioned to mate with said first electrical contact means, and fourth electrical contact means positioned to mate with said second electrical contact means as an incident of assembly of said ice maker.