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A circuit for controlling an automatic ice making system of a refrigeration apparatus. The device includes an electrical circuit which operates the ice making machine using a light interrupter system. A plused light source is placed such that it will be interfered when the ice has reached a predeter

A circuit for controlling an automatic ice making system of a refrigeration apparatus. The device includes an electrical circuit which operates the ice making machine using a light interrupter system. A plused light source is placed such that it will be interfered when the ice has reached a predetermined level in the ice containing bin. The circuit uses operational amplifier signal processing components which activate the ice making machine once the light source is sensed for a predetermined period of time and deactivates the ice maker when the light source is not sensed for another predetermined period of time. The circuit also includes means for eliminating the effect of ambient lights.

대표청구항 ▼

An electrical circuit for use in a refrigeration device having an ice making device, an ice bin for receiving ice produced by said ice making device, said electrical circuit controlling said ice making device to cause said device to provide ice when the accumulated ice in said bin is below a predete

An electrical circuit for use in a refrigeration device having an ice making device, an ice bin for receiving ice produced by said ice making device, said electrical circuit controlling said ice making device to cause said device to provide ice when the accumulated ice in said bin is below a predetermined level said circuit comprising: a light source, a light sensitive element spaced from said light source such that when said ice is above said predetermined level, the light path between said light source and said light sensitive element is interrupted, said light sensitive element producing a current proportional to the level of light it receives, current-to-voltage convertor means which receives a current signal from said light sensitive element and converts said signal to a voltage signal, peak detector means comprising at least one first operational amplifier having at least one diode providing feedback to said operational amplifier for detecting the peaks of said voltage signal from said current-to-voltage means, threshold detector means comprising at least one second operational amplifier for passing the signal from said peak detector means only if said signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, and time delay means which provides an output which controls said ice making device only after the signal from said threshold detector means exists for at least a first predetermined time duration, such that when said ice is below said predetermined level for said first predetermined time duration, said time delay means activates said ice making device, said time delay means further maintaining said output until said signal from said threshold detector does not exist for a second predetermined time duration, such that when said ice is above said predetermined level for said second predetermined time period, said time delay means deactivates said ice making device, said time delay means comprising at least one third operational amplififier having an input and at least one resistor and capacitor circuit connected to the input of said third operational amplifier, said resistor and capacitor circuit also being connected to said threshold detector and defining a time constant which in turn defines both said first and said second predetermined time durations, wherein said time constant is selected such that the discharge of ice from said ice making device does not deactivate said ice making device if the level in said bin is below said predetermined level, and wherein said time constant is further selected such that the momentary displacement of ice in said bin during vending will not activate said ice making device.