Abstract: A detection device for detecting rotational abnormalities of an auger is formed within an ice making cylinder. The rotational abnormality detection device has a detecting portion made from a substrate mounted with two hall ICs, and a detection object portion made from a magnet. The detection object portion is embedded in a main body portion of the auger. Further, the detecting portion is formed so as to protrude from an inner surface of the ice making cylinder, and is placed such that the magnetic force from the detection object portion can be detected.

Abstract: A down-flow-type ice-making machine has an easily detachable pump and a level sensor mounted in a water reservoir, which allows for easy maintenance. The water reservoir is provided under a horizontal wall of a rear wall of an insulated box. A through-hole is provided in the horizontal wall. The pump and the level sensor are passed through the through-hole and fixed at a predetermined position in the water reservoir using a single bracket. The bracket is detachably mounted on the horizontal wall from the upper exterior of the horizontal wall, that is, from the exterior of the insulated box, so that the pump and the level sensor are easily detached during maintenance.

Abstract: An ice piece manufacturing apparatus is disclosed in which a guide plate is directly installed to retaining plates through both hook members formed at lower ends of the retaining plates which retain manufacturing plates and long holes opened in brim plates formed at both side edges of the guide plate. A suitable distance necessary for smoothly dropping ice pieces thereby secured between the lower ends of the manufacturing plats and flat plate of the guide plate. As a result, the ice pieces released from the manufacturing plates are continuously and smoothly guided from the guide plate into a storing room.

Abstract: A stack-on type automatic ice making machine includes an ice making unit having a box-like casing housing an ice making mechanism, and a stocker within which a space opening upwardly is defined and on which the ice making unit is disposed. A coupling structure for connecting together the ice making unit and the stocker includes a plurality of ribs formed integrally with an external wall of the stocker along a top edge thereof, and a plurality of coupling plates secured fixedly to an external wall of the casing of the ice making unit and each having a hole for receiving each of the ribs and a resilient tongue adapted to engage in a recess formed in a bottom of each rib. The ribs are imparted with strength sufficiently high for withstanding shearing and bending loads. The ice making unit connected to the stocker through the coupling plates fitted on the ribs is positively prevented from displacement relative to the stocker.

Abstract: An ice stock detecting apparatus includes a thermostat having a temperature sensor element and a holder for holding the sensor element in a spaced relationship with an ice stocker inner wall. The holder includes a pair of holding member fixedly mounted on the inner wall to project therefrom inwardly of the stocker, and a protecting member extending between the holding members. The holder supports the sensor element with downward inclination toward one end thereof. The protecting member has a top end portion disposed under the sensor element and inclined in a manner similar to the sensor element at a greater angle than the latter.

Abstract: A thrust bearing device including a bearing oil tank containing a lubricating oil, a plurality of bearing shoes for slidably journaling a rotary member located in the bearing oil tank, the bearing shoes each being segmental in shape, and a support device for the bearing shoes. The support device for the bearing shoes is interposed between the bearing shoes and the bottom of the bearing oil tank and immersed in the oil, including pressure receiving members each having spread-apart two legs, and resilient members. The pressure receiving member are each formed on its upper surface with a portion for supporting the associated bearing shoe and on its undersurface with the spread-apart two legs, one of the shoes being constructed to receive a lower thrust load than the other leg. The resilient members are each located beneath the leg of the associated pressure receiving member that has the lower thrust load applied thereto.