초록 ▼

Embodiments of the invention can provide an ice storage bin control sensor and housing. In one embodiment, an ice storage bin can be provided. The ice storage bin can include at least one wall, an ice control sensor, and a housing section. The housing section can include an inner wall component oper

Embodiments of the invention can provide an ice storage bin control sensor and housing. In one embodiment, an ice storage bin can be provided. The ice storage bin can include at least one wall, an ice control sensor, and a housing section. The housing section can include an inner wall component operable to support at least a portion of the ice control sensor. The housing section can also include an outer wall component operable to support at least a portion of the ice control sensor. In addition, the housing section can include a cavity operable to receive the ice control sensor. Furthermore, the housing section can include a stop portion operable to maintain the position of the outer wall component or the inner wall component relative to the at least one wall of the ice storage bin, wherein at least a portion of the inner wall component is angled with respect to the stop portion, and at least a portion of the ice control sensor can be maintained at a predefined angle to the at least one wall within the ice storage bin.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for housing an electronic ice control sensor associated with an ice storage bin, the apparatus comprising: a body section comprising:an inner wall component operable to support at least a portion of the electronic ice control sensor;an outer wall component operable to support at leas

1. An apparatus for housing an electronic ice control sensor associated with an ice storage bin, the apparatus comprising: a body section comprising:an inner wall component operable to support at least a portion of the electronic ice control sensor;an outer wall component operable to support at least a portion of the electronic ice control sensor, wherein the inner wall component and the outer wall component are mounted to each other;a cavity operable to receive the electronic ice control sensor, wherein the cavity is formed through both the inner wall component and the outer wall component; anda stop portion operable to maintain the position of the outer wall component or the inner wall component relative to at least one wall of the ice storage bin;wherein at least a portion of the inner wall component is angled with respect to the stop portion, and when the electronic ice control sensor is positioned in the cavity, the electronic ice control sensor is maintained by the inner wall component and outer wall component at an angled position relative to the at least one wall of the ice storage bin, the angled position protecting the electronic ice control sensor from the formation of condensation on the electronic ice control sensor, and wherein the inner wall component protrudes into the associated ice storage bin protecting the electronic ice control sensor from excess condensation or water that can drip onto the electronic ice control sensor from the ice storage bin. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cavity comprises at least one wall component comprising one or more internal threads to receive corresponding external threads associated with the electronic ice control sensor. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic ice control sensor comprises at least one of the following: a level detecting sensor, an ice detection sensor, an infrared-type sensor, a photodetection-type sensor, a motion sensor, or a temperature sensor. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the angle of the inner wall component with respect to the stop portion is between approximately 15 degrees and approximately 75 degrees. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body section further comprises: an extension associated with the inner wall component, wherein the extension is operable to protect a portion of the electronic ice control sensor when the sensor is mounted within the cavity. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body section further comprises: a protrusion associated with the inner wall component, wherein the protrusion is operable to cooperate with the stop portion to maintain the position of the inner wall component or outer wall component relative to at least one wall of the ice storage bin. 7. A system for providing ice control for an ice storage bin, the system comprising: an electronic ice control sensor; anda housing section comprising:an inner wall component operable to support at least a portion of the electronic ice control sensor;an outer wall component operable to support at least a portion of the electronic ice control sensor, wherein the inner wall component and the outer wall component are mounted to each other;a cavity operable to receive the electronic ice control sensor, wherein the cavity is formed through both the inner wall component and the outer wall component; anda stop portion operable to maintain the position of the outer wall component or the inner wall component relative to at least one wall of the ice storage bin;wherein at least a portion of the inner wall component is angled with respect to the stop portion, and when the electronic ice control sensor is positioned in the cavity, the electronic ice control sensor is maintained by the inner wall component and outer wall component at an angled position relative to the at least one wall of the ice storage bin, the angled position protecting the electronic ice control sensor from the formation of condensation on the electronic ice control sensor, and wherein the inner wall component protrudes into the associated ice storage bin protecting the electronic ice control sensor from excess condensation or water that can drip onto the electronic ice control sensor from the ice storage bin. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the cavity comprises at least one wall component comprising one or more internal threads to receive corresponding external threads associated with the electronic ice control sensor. 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the electronic ice control sensor comprises at least one of the following: a level detecting sensor, an ice detection sensor, an infrared-type sensor, a photodetection-type sensor, a motion sensor, or a temperature sensor. 10. The system of claim 7, wherein the angle of the inner wall component with respect to the stop portion is between approximately 15 degrees and approximately 75 degrees. 11. The system of claim 7, wherein the body section further comprises: an extension associated with the inner wall component, wherein the extension is operable to protect a portion of the electronic ice control sensor when the sensor is mounted within the cavity. 12. The system of claim 7, wherein the body section further comprises: a protrusion associated with the inner wall component, wherein the protrusion is operable to cooperate with the stop portion to maintain the position of the inner wall component or outer wall component relative to at least one wall of the ice storage bin. 13. An ice storage bin comprising: at least one wall;an ice control sensor; anda housing section comprising:an inner wall component operable to support at least a portion of the ice control sensor;an outer wall component operable to support at least a portion of the ice control sensor, wherein the inner wall component and the outer wall component are mounted to each other;a cavity operable to receive the ice control sensor, wherein the cavity is formed through both the inner wall component and the outer wall component; anda stop portion operable to maintain the position of the outer wall component or the inner wall component relative to the at least one wall of the ice storage bin;wherein at least a portion of the inner wall component is angled with respect to the stop portion, and when the electronic ice control sensor is positioned in the cavity, the electronic ice control sensor is maintained by the inner wall component and outer wall component at an angled position relative to the at least one wall of the ice storage bin, the angled position protecting the electronic ice control sensor from the formation of condensation on the electronic ice control sensor, and wherein the inner wall component protrudes into the associated ice storage bin protecting the electronic ice control sensor from excess condensation or water that can drip onto the electronic ice control sensor from the ice storage bin. 14. The ice storage bin of claim 13, wherein the cavity comprises at least one wall component comprising one or more internal threads to receive corresponding external threads associated with the ice control sensor. 15. The ice storage bin of claim 13, wherein the ice control sensor comprises at least one of the following: a level detecting sensor, an ice detection sensor, an infrared-type sensor, a photodetection-type sensor, a motion sensor, or a temperature sensor. 16. The ice storage bin of claim 13, wherein the angle of the inner wall component with respect to the stop portion is between approximately 15 degrees and approximately 75 degrees. 17. The ice storage bin of claim 13, wherein the body section further comprises: an extension associated with the inner wall component, wherein the extension is operable to protect a portion of the ice control sensor when the sensor is mounted within the cavity. 18. The ice storage bin of claim 13, wherein the body section further comprises: a protrusion associated with the inner wall component, wherein the protrusion is operable to cooperate with the stop portion to maintain the position of the inner wall component or outer wall component relative to at least one wall of the ice storage bin. 19. A method for providing an ice control sensor and housing for an ice storage bin, the method comprising: mounting a sensor housing to at least one wall of the ice storage bin, the sensor housing comprising:an inner wall component operable to support at least a portion of the ice control sensor, wherein the inner wall component and the outer wall component are mounted to each other;an outer wall component operable to support at least a portion of the ice control sensor;a cavity operable to receive the ice control sensor, wherein the cavity is formed through both the inner wall component and the outer wall component; anda stop portion operable to maintain the position of the outer wall component or the inner wall component relative to at least one wall of the ice storage bin;wherein at least a portion of the inner wall component is angled with respect to the stop portion; andmounting the ice control sensor within the cavity associated with the sensor housing, wherein the ice control sensor is maintained by the inner wall component and outer wall component at an angled position relative to the at least one wall of the ice storage bin, the angled position protecting the electronic ice control sensor from the formation of condensation on the electronic ice control sensor, and wherein the inner wall component protrudes into the associated ice storage bin protecting the electronic ice control sensor from excess condensation or water that can drip onto the electronic ice control sensor from the ice storage bin. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein mounting the ice control sensor within the cavity associated with the sensor housing comprises interlocking one or more internal threads to receive corresponding external threads associated with the ice control sensor. 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the ice control sensor comprises at least one of the following: a level detecting sensor, an ice detection sensor, an infrared-type sensor, a photodetection-type sensor, a motion sensor, or a temperature sensor. 22. The method of claim 19, wherein the angle of the inner wall component with respect to the stop portion is between approximately 15 degrees and approximately 75 degrees.