Patent ID: 9170042
Filing Date: 2015-10-27
Classification: F25C

Abstract:
1. An automatic ice maker, comprising: a housing; an ice tray moveably mounted to the housing and operable between an ice forming position and an ice harvesting position, the ice tray further comprising a generally planar body portion having a plurality of ice forming cavities disposed thereon; each ice forming cavity having an open top and a closed bottom surface for receiving a liquid and holding the liquid to form ice structures; and a harvesting mechanism coupled to the housing and operable between retracted and extended positions, the harvesting mechanism adapted to engage and deform the ice tray in the extended position when the ice tray is in the ice harvesting position to aid in the release of the ice structures from the ice tray; wherein the harvesting mechanism comprises an electrical solenoid having an armature operable between the extended and retracted positions or the harvesting mechanism comprises a pneumatic piston having a piston rod operable between the extended and retracted positions.