Patent Publication Number: US-11378321-B2

Title: Ice making machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a 371 application of the international PCT application serial no. PCT/JP2018/035249, filed on Sep. 25, 2018, which claims the priority benefits of Japan application no. 2017-229914, filed on Nov. 30, 2017. The entirety of each of the abovementioned patent applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an ice making machine which is structured to store water supplied through a water supply pipe and make ice pieces. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     An ice making machine mounted on a refrigerator is described in Patent Literature 1. The ice making machine described in the Patent literature includes an ice tray provided with water storage recessed parts, a drive part for reversing the ice tray around an axial line passing the ice tray, and a frame which supports the ice tray and the drive part. In the ice making machine, water supplied from a water supply pipe is filled in the water storage recessed parts to perform ice making. Further, when ice making is completed, the ice making machine reverses the ice tray by the drive part and makes a part of the ice tray abut with the frame to twist the ice tray. As a result, ice pieces are separated from the ice tray and dropped to an ice storage container which is disposed on a lower side. In the Patent literature, a water supply port of the water supply pipe is located on upper side with respect to the ice tray and water is directly poured into the ice tray. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-207824 
     SUMMARY 
     Technical Problems 
     In a case that a water supply pipe is disposed on an upper side with respect to the ice tray, the water supply pipe is required to separate from a turning area of the ice tray to an upper side so that a water supply port of the water supply pipe is not interfered with the ice tray which is reversed (turned). Therefore, an installation space of the ice making machine including the water supply pipe is increased in an upper and lower direction. 
     In view of the problem described above, the present invention provides an ice making machine whose installation space including the water supply pipe can be restrained in an upper and lower direction. 
     Solutions to Problems 
     To solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention provides an ice making machine including an ice tray provided with a water storage recessed part structured to store water supplied through a water supply pipe, a drive part structured to reverse the ice tray around an axial line passing the ice tray between a water storage position where the water storage recessed part faces upward and an ice separation position where the water storage recessed part faces downward, and a frame which supports the ice tray and the drive part. The ice tray is provided with a water receiving part protruded to an outer side in an ice tray portion which is moved to a lower side when the ice tray starts to turn to a first turning direction directing from the water storage position to the ice separation position, and the frame is provided with a frame portion located on an upper side with respect to the water receiving part. The frame portion is provided with a water passage port structured to pass the water at a position overlapping with the water receiving part when the ice tray located at the water storage position is viewed in an upper and lower direction, the water receiving part is communicated with the water storage recessed part, and the water through the water supply pipe is passed through the water passage port and is flowed to the water receiving part and is flowed to the water storage recessed part. 
     In the present invention, water through the water supply pipe is passed through the water passage port provided in the frame and flowed to the water receiving part, which is protruded from the ice tray to an outer side, and is flowed to the water storage recessed part through the water receiving part. Therefore, the water supply port of the water supply pipe can be located outside the ice tray. As a result, the water supply port of the water supply pipe is not required to dispose at a position separated from a turning area of the ice tray on an upper side with respect to the ice tray and thus, an installation space of the ice making machine including the water supply pipe can be restrained in the upper and lower direction. In this case, the water receiving part provided in the ice tray is moved to a lower side when the ice tray starts to turn to the first turning direction directing from the water storage position to the ice separation position. In other words, when the ice tray is turned to the first turning direction, the water receiving part is moved in a direction separated from a frame portion provided with the water passage port. Therefore, even when the ice tray is provided with the water receiving part which is protruded, the water receiving part is not interfered with the frame portion. 
     In the present invention, it may be structured that the water receiving part is protruded from the ice tray in a direction along the axial line. According to this structure, in comparison with a case that the water receiving part is protruded from the ice tray in a direction perpendicular to the axial line, a turning area when the ice tray is reversed can be reduced. Therefore, the ice making machine can be restrained from enlarging in a direction perpendicular to the axial line. 
     In the present invention, it is desirable that the drive part is connected with one side in the axial direction of the ice tray, and the water receiving part is protruded to the outer side from a portion on the other side in the axial direction in the ice tray portion. According to this structure, even when water flowed to the water receiving part is splashed, the drive part can be prevented or restrained from being sprayed with the water. 
     In the present invention, it is desirable that the ice tray is made of flexible material, and the frame is provided with an abutting part structured to abut with the water receiving part from a front side in the first turning direction when the ice tray is turned in the first turning direction and has reached the ice separation position and, thereby turning of the ice tray driven to the first turning direction is prevented. According to this structure, when the water receiving part and the abutting part are abutted with each other and turning of the ice tray is prevented, the ice tray is twisted. Therefore, when having reached the ice separation position, ice pieces are easily separated from the ice tray. 
     In the present invention, it is desirable that the frame portion is provided with a water passage which is extended in a direction intersecting the axial line on an upper face of the frame portion, the water passage port is provided in a bottom face of the water passage, and the bottom face of the water passage is provided with an upper face inclined to a lower side toward the water passage port. According to this structure, when a water supply port of the water supply pipe is disposed on an upper side with respect to the water passage, water through the water supply pipe can be flowed to the water storage recessed part of the ice tray. Therefore, a degree of freedom of arrangement of the water supply pipe is improved. Further, when the bottom face of the water passage is inclined to a lower side toward the water passage port, water in the water passage is flowed toward the water passage port without stagnating. Further, when water supply is stopped, a situation that water is left in the water passage and frozen is prevented or restrained. 
     In the present invention, it is desirable that the frame portion is provided with a guide plate which is protruded from the water passage port to a lower side and guides the water passing through the water passage port to the water receiving part. According to this structure, water having passed through the water passage port can be surely flowed to the water receiving part. 
     In the present invention, it is desirable that, in a case that the water passage port is provided with a first opening edge portion extended in a direction intersecting the axial line in a bottom face of the water passage, and a second opening edge portion and a third opening edge portion which are respectively extended from one end and the other end of the first opening edge portion to a side where the water storage recessed part is located in the bottom face of the water passage, the guide plate is extended from the first opening edge portion to the lower side. When a portion provided with the guide plate is only the first opening edge portion, different from a case that a guide plate is provided in the second opening edge portion and the third opening edge portion, a corner part formed by connecting the guide plates to which water is adhered is not formed. Therefore, water is hard to be left on the guide plate and thus, occurrence of a situation that the water passage port is closed due to freezing, or that water is hard to pass through the water passage port due to freezing can be reduced. 
     In the present invention, it is desirable that the guide plate is provided with a groove which is extended to the lower side in at least a part of the guide plate, and the groove is extended to a lower end of the guide plate. When the guide plate is provided with a groove, water adhered to the guide plate can be gathered to the groove. Therefore, water is easily flowed to a lower side. Further, when the groove is extended to a lower end of the guide plate, water gathered to the groove is easily flowed to the water receiving part. Therefore, occurrence of a situation that the water passage port is closed due to freezing of water adhered to the guide plate, or that water is hard to pass through the water passage port due to freezing can be reduced. 
     In the present invention, it is desirable that a plurality of the grooves is arranged side by side in a direction intersecting a direction toward the lower end of the guide plate. According to this structure, grooves can be provided over a wide area and thus water is hard to be left in the guide face. 
     In the present invention, it is desirable that the frame portion is provided with a first water passage wall which is stood up from a bottom face of the water passage to an upper side on a side where the water storage recessed part is located with respect to the water passage, and the water passage port is provided with a first water passage port portion provided in the bottom face of the water passage and a second water passage port portion which is provided in the first water passage wall and is connected with the first water passage port portion. As described above, when the water passage port is enlarged to a side face (first water passage wall) on a water storage recessed part side in addition to the bottom face of the water passage, water is easily flowed out to a direction toward the water storage recessed part. Therefore, water is hard to splash to a direction different from the water storage recessed part. 
     In the present invention, it is desirable that the ice tray is provided with a peripheral wall part which surrounds an opening of the water storage recessed part and is extended to an upper side when the ice tray is disposed at the water storage position, and a cut-out part provided in a part in a circumferential direction of the peripheral wall part, and the water receiving part is protruded from the peripheral wall part to an outer side and is communicated with the water storage recessed part through the cut-out part. According to this structure, water flowed to the water receiving part is easily flowed to the water storage recessed part. Further, the ice tray is provided with the peripheral wall part and thus, water flowed from the water receiving part to the water storage recessed part through the cut-out part can be prevented from splashing from the ice tray to an outer side. 
     In the present invention, it may be structured that the water receiving part is, when the ice tray is disposed at the water storage position, provided with a bottom part which is protruded to the outer side from an edge portion on a lower side of the cut-out part in the peripheral wall part and faces the frame portion, a pair of side plate parts which are respectively protruded to the outer side from an edge portion on one side and an edge portion on the other side of the cut-out part in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall part, and lower ends of the pair of the side plate parts being continuously connected with the bottom part, and an end plate part which is continuously connected with a tip end portion of the bottom part and tip end portions of the pair of the side plate parts. In addition, the bottom part is inclined to a lower side from a side of the end plate part toward a side of the peripheral wall part. According to this structure, water which is passed through the water passage port and is flowed to the water receiving part can be guided to the water storage recessed part. 
     In the present invention, it is desirable that the ice tray is provided with a peripheral wall part which surrounds an opening of the water storage recessed part and is extended to an upper side when the ice tray is disposed at the water storage position, and a cut-out part provided in a part in a circumferential direction of the peripheral wall part, the water receiving part is, when the ice tray is disposed at the water storage position, provided with a bottom part which is protruded to the outer side from an edge portion on a lower side of the cut-out part in the peripheral wall part and faces the frame portion, a pair of side plate parts which are respectively protruded to the outer side from an edge portion on one side and an edge portion on the other side of the cut-out part in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall part, and lower ends of the pair of the side plate parts being continuously connected with the bottom part, and an end plate part which is continuously connected with a tip end portion of the bottom part and tip end portions of the pair of the side plate parts. In addition, a lower end of the guide plate is located on a lower side with respect to upper ends of the pair of the side plate parts when the ice tray is disposed at the water storage position. According to this structure, water which is passed through the water passage port and is flowed to the water receiving part is prevented or restrained from splashing from the water receiving part to an outer side. 
     Effect of the Invention 
     According to the present invention, water through the water supply pipe is passed through the water passage port provided in the frame and flowed to the water receiving part, which is protruded from the ice tray to an outer side, and is flowed to the water storage recessed part through the water receiving part. Therefore, the water supply port of the water supply pipe can be located outside the ice tray. As a result, the water supply port of the water supply pipe is not required to dispose at a position separated from a turning area of the ice tray on an upper side with respect to the ice tray and thus, an installation space of the ice making machine including the water supply pipe can be restrained in the upper and lower direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an ice making machine to which the present invention is applied and which is viewed from an upper side. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an ice making machine in which an ice tray is located at a water storage position and which is viewed from a lower side. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing an ice making machine in which an ice tray is located at an ice separation position and which is viewed from a lower side. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view showing an ice making machine. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view showing an ice making machine. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are perspective views showing an ice tray. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial sectional view showing a periphery of a water receiving part of an ice tray. 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are cross-sectional views showing an ice making machine in a state that an ice tray is located at a water storage position. 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are cross-sectional views showing an ice making machine in a state that an ice tray is located at an ice separation position. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing a water passage port and a guide plate in a modified embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing an example in which a groove is provided in a guide plate. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing an example in which a groove having another shape is provided in a guide plate. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     An ice making machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     (Entire Structure) 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an ice making machine to which the present invention is applied and which is viewed from an upper side.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an ice making machine in  FIG. 1  which is viewed from a lower side. In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an ice tray of an ice making machine is located at a water storage position.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing an ice making machine in which an ice tray is located at an ice separation position and which is viewed from a lower side.  FIG. 4  is a plan view showing an ice making machine.  FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view showing an ice making machine. 
     An ice making machine  1  is mounted on a refrigerator. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the ice making machine  1  includes an ice tray  5 , a drive part  6  structured to reverse the ice tray  5 , and a frame  7  which supports the ice tray  5  and the drive part  6 . A planar shape of the ice tray  5  is a substantially rectangular shape. The ice tray  5  is provided with a plurality of water storage recessed parts  9  in which water supplied through a water supply pipe  2  is stored. The drive part  6  reverses the ice tray  5  around an axial line “L” passing a center portion in a shorter direction of the ice tray  5  in a longitudinal direction. An output shaft  10  of the drive part  6  is connected with an end portion on one side in the axial line “L” direction of the ice tray  5 . The ice tray  5  is turned between a water storage position  5 A where the water storage recessed parts  9  face upward and an ice separation position  5 B where the water storage recessed parts  9  face downward by driving the drive part  6 .  FIG. 1  shows a state that the ice tray  5  is disposed at the water storage position  5 A.  FIG. 3  shows a state that the ice tray  5  is disposed at the ice separation position  5 B. 
     The ice making machine  1  is structured, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , so that the ice tray  5  is disposed at the water storage position  5 A and water supplied through the water supply pipe  2  is stored in the water storage recessed parts  9  of the ice tray  5  to perform ice making. When the ice making is completed, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the ice making machine  1  drives the drive part  6  to turn the ice tray  5  from the water storage position  5 A to the ice separation position  5 B and to drop ice pieces of the ice tray  5  to an ice storage container (not shown) which is disposed on a lower side with respect to the ice making machine  1 . 
     In the following descriptions, three directions perpendicular to each other are defined as an “X” direction, a “Y” direction and a “Z” direction. The “X” direction is the axial line “L” direction. The “Z” direction is an upper and lower direction in an installation posture (posture shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the ice making machine  1 . The “Y” direction is a direction perpendicular to the axial line “L” direction and the upper and lower direction. Further, in the “X” direction, a side where the drive part  6  is located is defined as an “X1” direction, and a side where the ice tray  5  is located is defined as an “X2” direction. In the “Z” direction, an upper side is defined as a “Z1” direction and a lower side is defined as an “Z2” direction. Further, in the “Y” direction, when the ice tray  5  is turned from the water storage position  5 A toward the ice separation position  5 B around the axial line “L”, which is a “CCW” direction (first turning direction), a direction that openings of the water storage recessed parts  9  are directed is defined as a “Y1” direction, and the opposite side is defined as a “Y2” direction. 
     (Ice Tray) 
       FIG. 6A  is a perspective view showing the ice tray  5  viewed from the “Z1” direction, and  FIG. 6B  is a perspective view showing the ice tray  5  viewed from the “Z2” direction.  FIG. 7  is a partial sectional view showing a periphery of a water receiving part of an ice tray. The ice tray  5  is made of elastically deformable material. In this embodiment, the ice tray  5  is made of resin material. As shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the ice tray  5  is provided with a first wall part  15  located in the “X1” direction and a second wall part  16  located in the “X2” direction. As shown in  FIG. 6B , the first wall part  15  is provided with a connecting part  17  which is connected with an output shaft  10  of the drive part  6 . As shown in  FIG. 6A , the second wall part  16  is provided with a shaft part  18  coaxially with the connecting part  17 . The shaft part  18  is protruded from the second wall part  16  to the “X2” direction. A plurality of the water storage recessed parts  9  is disposed between the first wall part  15  and the second wall part  16 . The water storage recessed parts  9  are disposed in four rows in the “X” direction with two water storage recessed parts  9  arranged in the “Y” direction are paired. 
     Further, the ice tray  5  is provided with a frame-shaped peripheral wall part  20  which surrounds the openings of a plurality of the water storage recessed parts  9  and is extended to an upper side when the ice tray  5  is disposed at the water storage position  5 A. The peripheral wall part  20  is provided with a first peripheral wall portion  21  extended in the “X” direction on a side in the “Y1” direction of the plurality of the water storage recessed parts  9 , a second peripheral wall portion  22  extended in the “X” direction on a side in the “Y2” direction of the plurality of the water storage recessed parts  9 , a third peripheral wall portion  23  which is extended in the “Y” direction and is connected with end portions in the “X1” direction of the first peripheral wall portion  21  and the second peripheral wall portion  22 , and a fourth peripheral wall portion  24  which is extended in the “Y” direction and is connected with end portions in the “X2” direction of the first peripheral wall portion  21  and the second peripheral wall portion  22 . The first peripheral wall portion  21  and the second peripheral wall portion  22  face each other in the “Y” direction, and the third peripheral wall portion  23  and the fourth peripheral wall portion  24  face each other in the “X” direction. Further, the fourth peripheral wall portion  24  is provided with a cut-out part  25  on a side in the “Y1” direction with respect to the shaft part  18 . The cut-out part  25  is formed in a rectangular shape and is extended to the “Z2” direction (lower side) from an upper end edge of the fourth peripheral wall portion  24 . 
     In addition, the ice tray  5  is provided with a water receiving part  26  which is protruded from the fourth peripheral wall portion  24  to the “X2” direction of the “X” direction (axial line “L” direction). The water receiving part  26  is located in the “Y1” direction with respect to the shaft part  18 . The water receiving part  26  is provided with a bottom part  28  protruded from an edge portion in the “Z2” direction (lower side) of the cut-out part  25  in the fourth peripheral wall portion  24  to an outer side, a pair of side plate parts  29  and  30  which are respectively protruded from an edge portion in the “Y1” direction and an edge portion in the “Y2” direction of the cut-out part  25  in the fourth peripheral wall portion  24  to an outer side and are continuously connected with the bottom part  28  at their lower ends, and an end plate part  31  which is continuously connected with a tip end portion of the bottom part  28  and tip end portions of the pair of the side plate parts  29  and  30 . The bottom part  28  is provided with an upper face  28   a  which is inclined to a lower side from a side of the end plate part  31  to a side of the peripheral wall part  20  (side of the cut-out part  25 ). Further, the end plate part  31  is inclined to the side of the peripheral wall part  20  (side of the cut-out part  25 ) toward the bottom part  28 . The water receiving part  26  is communicated with the plurality of the water storage recessed parts  9  located on an inner side of the peripheral wall part  20  through the cut-out part  25 . 
     In this embodiment, the water receiving part  26  is provided in a portion located in the “Y1” direction with respect to the shaft part  18  in the ice tray  5 . The portion located in the “Y1” direction with respect to the shaft part  18  is a portion of the ice tray which is moved to the “Z2” direction (lower side) when the ice tray  5  starts to turn in the “CCW” direction from the water storage position  5 A to the ice separation position  5 B. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , an under face  5   a  in the “Z2” direction of the ice tray  5  is arranged with protruded parts which reflect shapes of the water storage recessed parts  9 . A thermistor  35  for detecting a temperature of the ice tray  5  is disposed on the under face  5   a  of the ice tray  5 . The thermistor  35  is covered by a cover  36  which is fixed to the under face  5   a  of the ice tray  5 . 
     (Drive Part) 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the drive part  6  is provided with a case  41  which is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The case  41  accommodates a motor (not shown) which is a drive source, a rotation transmission mechanism (not shown) structured to transmit a rotating force of the motor, and a cam gear  33  to which the rotating force of the motor is transmitted through the rotation transmission mechanism. The cam gear  33  is integrally formed with an output shaft  10 . The output shaft  10  is protruded to an outer side of the case  41  through a hole  43  provided in an end plate  42  in the “X2” direction of the case  41 . The output shaft  10  is connected with the connecting part  17  provided in the first wall part  15  of the ice tray  5 . The output shaft  10  is turned in a clockwise “CCW” direction with the axial line “L” as a center when the ice tray  5  is turned from the water storage position  5 A to the ice separation position  5 B. Further, the output shaft  10  is turned in a counterclockwise “CW” direction when the ice tray  5  is returned from the ice separation position  5 B to the water storage position  5 A. 
     An ice detection lever  8  is disposed at a position adjacent to the ice tray  5  in the “Y1” direction. In an inside of the case  41  of the drive part  6 , an ice detection mechanism, which is structured to operate so as to turn the ice detection lever  8  depending on a turning angle of the cam gear  33  around the axial line “L” in cooperation with the cam gear  33 , and a switch mechanism which is operated based on a signal from the thermistor  35 , and the like are structured. 
     (Frame) 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the frame  7  is provided with a first side plate part  45 , which is extended in the “X” direction on a side in the “Y1” direction of the ice tray  5  and the drive part  6 , and a second side plate part  46  extended in parallel with the first side plate part  45  on a side in the “Y2” direction of the ice tray  5  and the drive part  6 . The ice detection lever  8  is located between the first side plate part  45  and the ice tray  5 . Further, the frame  7  is provided with an end plate part  47 , which is extended in the “Y” direction and connects ends in the “X1” direction of the first side plate part  45  and the second side plate part  46 , and a wall part  48  which is extended in the “Y” direction and connects ends in the “X2” direction of the first side plate part  45  and the second side plate part  46 . The wall part  48  is a wall having many holes formed of a plurality of plate-shaped ribs connected with each other. A shaft hole  49  which turnably supports the shaft part  18  of the ice tray  5  is provided at a center of the wall part  48 . 
     In addition, the frame  7  is, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , provided with a rectangular support part  50  which projects to the “X2” direction from an upper end of the end plate part  47  and partly connects between the first side plate part  45  and the second side plate part  46  on an upper side with respect to the drive part  6 . The drive part  6  is supported by the support part  50 . 
     Further, the frame  7  is provided with a first upper plate part  51  projecting from an upper end of the first side plate part  45  toward the second side plate part  46 . The first upper plate part  51  connects an end portion on a side in the “Y1” direction of the support part  50  with an end portion on a side in the “Y1” direction of the upper end of the wall part  48 . The first upper plate part  51  is formed with an opening part  51   a  in which an upper end part of the ice detection lever  8  is located on an inner side. In addition, the frame  7  is provided with a second upper plate part  52  which projects from an upper end of the second side plate part  46  toward the first side plate part  45 . The second upper plate part  52  connects an end portion on a side in the “Y2” direction of the support part  50  with an end portion on a side in the “Y2” direction of an upper end of the wall part  48 . Further, the frame  7  is provided with a water passage constituting part  55  on an upper side (side in the “Z1” direction) of the wall part  48 . The water passage constituting part  55  is provided with a projected portion  55   a , which is projected from the wall part  48  to the “X1” direction and is extended in the “Y” direction, and a protruded portion  55   b  which is protruded from the wall part  48  to the “X2” direction in an end portion in the “Y2” direction. 
     In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a substantially rectangular opening part  57  is sectioned on an upper side of the ice tray  5  by the support part  50 , the first upper plate part  51 , the second upper plate part  52  and the water passage constituting part  55 . Since the opening part  57  is formed, when the ice tray  5  is to be reversed between the water storage position  5 A and the ice separation position  5 B, an interference of an upper end portion of the peripheral wall part  20  of the ice tray  5  moving to an upper side (an upper end portion of the second peripheral wall portion  22 , an upper end portion on a side in the “Y2” direction of the third peripheral wall portion  23 , and an upper end portion on a side in the “Y2” direction of the fourth peripheral wall portion  24 ) with the frame  7  is avoided. 
     The water passage constituting part  55  is provided with a water passage  60  for distributing water supplied from the water supply pipe  2  on its upper face. The water passage  60  is formed to be a concave groove and its upper side is formed in an opened state. The water passage  60  is provided with a first water passage portion  61  extended in the “Y” direction (direction intersecting the axial line “L”) along the wall part  48  and a second water passage portion  62  extended from an end portion in the “Y2” direction of the first water passage portion  61  to the “X2” direction along the protruded portion  55   b . The first water passage portion  61  is overlapped with the projected portion  55   a  and the wall part  48  when viewed in the “Z” direction. Therefore, the projected portion  55   a  is provided with the water passage  60  on its upper face. An end side portion in the “Y1” direction of a bottom face  61   a  of the first water passage portion  61  is provided with a water passage port  64  for water. The water passage port  64  is located on an opposite side to the second water passage portion  62  with the axial line “L” interposing therebetween. The water passage port  64  is formed in a rectangular shape and is provided at an end portion in the “X1” direction in the bottom face  61   a  of the first water passage portion  61 . In other words, the water passage port  64  is provided in the projected portion  55   a . The bottom face  61   a  of the first water passage portion  61  is inclined to a lower side toward the water passage port  64 . In other words, the first water passage portion  61  is structured so that the bottom face  61   a  is inclined to a lower side from an end in the “Y1” direction toward the water passage port  64 , and the bottom face  61   a  is inclined to a lower side from an end in the “Y2” direction toward the water passage port  64 . Further, in the first water passage portion  61 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , a portion of the bottom face  61   a  on a side in the “X2” direction with respect to the water passage port  64  is formed to be a recessed part  61   b  which is recessed by one step, and the recessed part  61   b  is inclined to a lower side as approaching the water passage port  64 . 
     A bottom face  62   a  of the second water passage portion  62  is inclined to a lower side toward a side of the first water passage portion  61  (toward the “X1” direction). In this embodiment, a water supply port  2   a  of the water supply pipe  2  is located on an upper side with respect to the second water passage portion  62 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , an opening edge of the water passage port  64  in an under face of the projected portion  55   a  of the water passage constituting part  55  is provided with a first guide plate  65 , a second guide plate  66  and a third guide plate  67  for guiding water passing through the water passage port  64 . The first guide plate  65  is formed in a rectangular shape and is inclined from an opening edge portion in the “X2” direction of the water passage port  64  in the projected portion  55   a  toward a lower side in the “X1” direction. The second guide plate  66  is extended from an opening edge portion in the “Y1” direction of the water passage port  64  in the projected portion  55   a  toward a lower side and is continuously connected with an end edge in the “Y1” direction of the first guide plate  65 . The third guide plate  67  is extended from an opening edge portion in the “Y2” direction of the water passage port  64  in the projected portion  55   a  toward a lower side and is continuously connected with an end edge in the “Y2” direction of the first guide plate  65 . 
     In a state that the connecting part  17  of the ice tray  5  is connected with the output shaft  10  of the drive part  6 , the drive part  6  is supported by the support part  50  of the frame  7  and, when the shaft part  18  of the ice tray  5  is inserted into the shaft hole  49 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the drive part  6  and the ice tray  5  are supported by the frame  7 . When the drive part  6  and the ice tray  5  are supported by the frame  7 , the ice tray  5  is set to be turnable around the axial line “L” in a case that the drive part  6  is operated. 
     Further, in a case that the drive part  6  and the ice tray  5  are supported by the frame  7  and the ice tray  5  is disposed at the water storage position  5 A, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the projected portion  55   a  (frame portion) of the water passage constituting part  55  is located in the “Z1” direction with respect to the water receiving part  26  of the ice tray  5 . In addition, the water receiving part  26  (upper face  28   a  of the bottom part  28 ) of the ice tray  5  and the water passage port  64  provided in the projected portion  55   a  are overlapped with each other when viewed in the “Z” direction. Further, lower ends of the first guide plate  65 , the second guide plate  66  and the third guide plate  67  provided in the projected portion  55   a  of the frame  7  are located on a lower side with respect to upper ends of the side plate parts  29  and  30  and the end plate part  31  of the water receiving part  26 . 
     In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the wall part  48  is provided with an abutting part  70  which is abutted with the water receiving part  26  from a front side in the “CCW” direction when the ice tray  5  is turned in the “CCW” direction around the axial line “L” from the water storage position  5 A and has reached the ice separation position  5 B. The abutting part  70  is protruded from the wall part  48  in the “X1” direction. The bottom part  28  of the water receiving part  26  is abutted with the abutting part  70 . The abutting part  70  is abutted with the water receiving part  26  at the ice separation position  5 B to prevent turning of the ice tray  5  which is driven in the “CCW” direction. As a result, the ice tray  5  is twisted. 
     (Ice Making Operation) 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  are cross-sectional views showing the ice making machine  1  in a state that the ice tray  5  is located at the water storage position  5 A. In  FIG. 8A , the ice making machine  1  is cut by a plane perpendicular to the axial line “L” and passing the water receiving part  26  of the ice tray  5  and, in  FIG. 8B , the ice making machine  1  is cut by a plane perpendicular to the axial line “L” and passing the abutting part  70  of the wall part  48  of the frame  7 .  FIGS. 9A and 9B  are cross-sectional views showing the ice making machine  1  in a state that the ice tray  5  is located at the ice separation position  5 B. In  FIG. 9A , the ice making machine  1  is cut by a plane perpendicular to the axial line “L” and passing the water receiving part  26  of the ice tray  5  and, in  FIG. 9B , the ice making machine  1  is cut by a plane perpendicular to the axial line “L” and passing the abutting part  70  of the wall part  48  of the frame  7 . 
     In an initial state that an ice making operation is to be started, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the ice tray  5  is disposed at the water storage position  5 A. In this state, a predetermined amount of water is supplied from the water supply pipe  2 . As shown by the arrow of a broken chain line in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , water “W” supplied from the water supply pipe  2  through the water supply port  2   a  is flowed from the second water passage portion  62  of the water passage  60 , passing through the first water passage portion  61 , toward the water passage port  64 . Further, the water passes the water passage port  64  to be flowed into the water receiving part  26  of the ice tray  5  which is located on its lower side. 
     In this embodiment, the bottom face  62   a  of the second water passage portion  62  is inclined to a lower side toward a side of the first water passage portion  61 . Further, the bottom face  61   a  of the first water passage portion  61  is inclined to a lower side toward the water passage port  64 . Therefore, the water supplied from the water supply pipe  2  is flowed toward the water passage port  64  without stagnating. Further, since the bottom face ( 61   a ,  62   a ) of the water passage  60  is inclined, when the water supply is stopped, it can be prevented or restrained that the water is left and frozen in the water passage  60 . 
     In addition, the projected portion  55   a  of the water passage constituting part  55  is provided with the first guide plate  65 , the second guide plate  66  and the third guide plate  67  which are protruded from the opening edge of the water passage port  64  to the “Z 2 ” direction (lower side). 
     Therefore, the water passing through the water passage port  64  is, when flowed into the water receiving part  26 , guided by the first guide plate  65  and directed to a side of the cut-out part  25 . Further, the water passing through the water passage port  64  is guided by the second guide plate  66  and the third guide plate  67  and thus, the water passing through the water passage port  64  is prevented or restrained from splashing in the “Y” direction. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the water receiving part  26  of the ice tray  5  and the water passage port  64  provided in the projected portion  55   a  are overlapped with each other when viewed in the “Z” direction, and the lower ends of the first guide plate  65 , the second guide plate  66  and the third guide plate  67  provided in the projected portion  55   a  of the frame  7  are located on a lower side with respect to the upper ends of the side plate parts  29  and  30  and the end plate part  31  of the water receiving part  26 . Therefore, the water passing through the water passage port  64  is surely flowed into the water receiving part  26 . 
     Next, the water flowed into the water receiving part  26  through the water passage port  64  is flowed to the water storage recessed part  9  through the cut-out part  25  of the peripheral wall part  20  of the ice tray  5  and is stored in the water storage recessed parts  9 . In this embodiment, the bottom part  28  of the water receiving part  26  facing the water passage port  64  is provided with the upper face  28   a  which is inclined to a lower side (“Z2” direction) toward the cut-out part  25 . Therefore, the water flowed into the water receiving part  26  through the water passage port  64  is flowed without stagnating and stored in the water storage recessed parts  9 . Further, the ice tray  5  is provided with the peripheral wall part  20  which surrounds openings of the water storage recessed parts  9  and is extended to an upper side. Therefore, the water flowed from the water receiving part  26  to the water storage recessed part  9  through the cut-out part  25  is prevented from splashing from the ice tray  5  to an outer side. 
     When filling of the water to the water storage recessed parts  9  is completed, the water supply is stopped. After that, the water having been filled in the ice tray  5  is frozen. Whether ice making is completed or not is determined whether the temperature of the ice tray  5  becomes equal to or less than a predetermined temperature or not by the thermistor  35  which is attached to the ice tray  5 . 
     When the ice making is completed, an ice quantity in an ice storage container disposed on a lower side with respect to the ice tray  5  is detected by the ice detection lever  8 . Specifically, the ice detection lever  8  is driven and moved down by the drive part  6 . In this case, when the ice detection lever  8  has been moved down to a predetermined position, it is judged that an ice quantity in the ice storage container is insufficient. On the other hand, in a case that the ice detection lever  8  is abutted with an ice piece in the ice storage container before having been moved down to the predetermined position, it is judged that an ice quantity in the ice storage container is full. In the case that an ice quantity in the ice storage container is full, after waited for a predetermined time period, an ice quantity in the ice storage container is detected by the ice detection lever  8  again. 
     When an ice quantity in the ice storage container is insufficient, ice pieces are separated from the ice tray  5  to be dropped into the ice storage container. Specifically, the output shaft  10  is turned in the “CCW” direction by driving the drive part  6  to turn the ice tray  5  in the “CCW” direction around the axial line “L”. 
     In this embodiment, the water receiving part  26  provided in the ice tray  5  so as to be protruded to an outer side is moved to a lower side when the ice tray  5  starts to turn in the “CCW” direction from the water storage position  5 A to the ice separation position  5 B. In other words, when the ice tray  5  is turned in the “CCW” direction, the water receiving part  26  is moved in a direction separated from the projected portion  55   a  of the water passage constituting part  55  located on an upper side. Therefore, even when the water receiving part  26  is provided in the ice tray  5 , the water receiving part  26  is not interfered with a portion of the frame  7 . 
     The ice tray  5  is turned from the water storage position  5 A where the ice tray  5  is disposed horizontally to a predetermined turning angle of 90° or more (for example, 120°) and reaches the ice separation position  5 B. As shown in  FIG. 9B , at the ice separation position  5 B, the abutting part  70  of the frame  7  is abutted with the bottom part  28  of the water receiving part  26  of the ice tray  5 . In this embodiment, at the time when the water receiving part  26  of the ice tray  5  is abutted with the abutting part  70 , although the ice tray  5  is driven in the “CCW” direction by the drive part  6 , the ice tray  5  is prevented from turning further to the “CCW” direction because the water receiving part  26  is abutted with the abutting part  70 . Therefore, ice tray  5  is twisted and deformed. As a result, ice pieces in the ice tray  5  are detached from the water storage recessed parts  9  to be separated from the ice tray  5  and the ice pieces are dropped to the ice storage container. 
     After that, the drive part  6  turns the ice tray  5  in the “CW” direction and the ice tray  5  is returned to the water storage position where the water storage recessed parts  9  face upward. After that, the above-mentioned ice making operations are repeated. 
     (Operations and Effects) 
     According to this embodiment, water from the water supply pipe  2  is passed through the water passage port  64  provided in the frame  7  and is flowed to the water receiving part  26  protruded to an outer side from the ice tray  5 , and then the water is flowed in the water storage recessed parts  9  through the water receiving part  26 . Therefore, the water supply port  2   a  of the water supply pipe  2  can be located on an outer side of the ice tray  5 . As a result, the water supply port  2   a  of the water supply pipe  2  is not required to dispose at a position separated from a turning area of the ice tray  5  on an upper side with respect to the ice tray  5  and thus, an installation space of the ice making machine  1  including the water supply pipe  2  can be restrained in the upper and lower direction. 
     Further, in a case that the water supply port  2   a  of the water supply pipe  2  is disposed on an upper side with respect to the ice tray  5 , the position of the water supply port  2   a  is required to set on an upper side with respect to a turning area when the ice tray  5  is reversed and thus, a distance between the water supply port  2   a  and the water storage recessed parts  9  is liable to increase. Therefore, water through the water supply port  2   a  of the water supply pipe  2  is liable to splash when the water is flowed to the water storage recessed parts  9  and thus, the peripheral wall part  20  of the ice tray  5  which surrounds openings of a plurality of the water storage recessed parts  9  and is extended to an upper side is required to make higher. On the other hand, like this embodiment, in a case that water from the water supply pipe  2  is passed through the water passage port  64  provided in the frame  7  and is flowed to the water receiving part  26  protruded from the ice tray  5  to an outer side and is flowed to the water storage recessed parts  9 , splashing of water flowed to the water storage recessed parts  9  can be prevented or restrained. Therefore, a height of the peripheral wall part  20  can be reduced. As a result, when the ice tray  5  is located at the water storage position  5 A, a size of the ice tray  5  can be reduced in the upper and lower direction “Z”. 
     In addition, the water from the water supply pipe  2  is passed through the water passage port  64  provided in the frame  7  and is flowed to the water receiving part  26  protruded to an outer side from the ice tray  5  and is flowed to the water storage recessed parts  9  through the water receiving part  26 . Therefore, the water supply port  2   a  of the water supply pipe  2  can be located on an outer side with respect to the ice tray  5 . As a result, the water supply port  2   a  of the water supply pipe  2  is not required to dispose at a position separated from a turning area of the ice tray  5  on an upper side with respect to the ice tray  5  and thus, an installation space of the ice making machine  1  including the water supply pipe  2  can be restrained in the upper and lower direction. 
     Further, in this embodiment, the water receiving part  26  is protruded from the ice tray  5  in a direction along the axial line “L”. Therefore, in comparison with a case that the water receiving part  26  is protruded from the ice tray  5  in a direction perpendicular to the axial line “L”, a turning area when the ice tray  5  is reversed can be reduced. Accordingly, the size of the ice making machine  1  can be restrained from increasing in a direction perpendicular to the axial line “L”. 
     In addition, the drive part  6  is connected with one side in the axial line “L” direction of the ice tray  5 , and the water receiving part  26  is protruded to an outer side from a portion of the ice tray  5  on the other side in the axial line “L” direction. Therefore, even when water flowed to the water receiving part  26  is splashed, the drive part  6  can be prevented or restrained from being sprayed with the water. 
     Further, the ice tray  5  is made of flexible material, and the frame  7  is provided with the abutting part  70  structured to be abutted with the water receiving part  26  from a front side in the “CCW” direction where the ice tray  5  is directed from the water storage position  5 A to the ice separation position  5 B. Therefore, the ice tray  5  can be twisted by utilizing the water receiving part  26  and thus, when the ice tray  5  has reached the ice separation position  5 B, ice pieces are easily separated from the ice tray  5 . 
     (Modified Example of Water Passage Port and Guide Plate) 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing a water passage port and a guide plate in a modified embodiment and is a partial sectional view showing a periphery of the water receiving part  26  of the ice tray  5 . A water passage port  164  in a first modified embodiment is, similarly to the embodiment described above, provided in the projected portion  55   a  (frame portion) of the water passage constituting part  55 . The projected portion  55   a  is provided with a first water passage wall  56  which is stood up from a bottom face  61   a  of a first water passage portion  61  to an upper side in the “X1” direction side (in other words, a side where water storage recessed parts  9  are located) with respect to the first water passage portion  61 . The water passage port  164  is provided at a corner part where the bottom face  61   a  of the first water passage portion  61  and the first water passage wall  56  are connected with each other. The water passage port  164  is provided with a first water passage port portion  164   a  provided at an end part in the “X1” direction of the bottom face  61   a  and a second water passage port portion  164   b  provided in a lower part of the first water passage wall  56 . The first water passage port portion  164   a  and the second water passage port portion  164   b  are connected with each other to form one water passage port  164  as a whole. As described above, when the water passage port  164  is enlarged to a side face (first water passage wall  56 ) on a water storage recessed part  9  side in addition to the bottom face  61   a  of the first water passage portion  61 , water is easily flowed to a direction toward the water storage recessed part  9 . 
     The bottom face  61   a  of the first water passage portion  61  is provided with a recessed part  61   b  inclined to a lower side toward the first water passage port portion  164   a  on the “X2” direction side of the first water passage port portion  164   a . An opening edge of the first water passage port portion  164   a  is provided with a first opening edge portion  168   a  which is an opening edge in the “X2” direction, a second opening edge portion  168   b  which is an opening edge in the “Y1” direction, and a third opening edge portion  168   c  which is an opening edge in the “Y2” direction. The first opening edge portion  168   a  is extended in a direction perpendicular to the axial line “L” direction. Further, the second opening edge portion  168   b  and the third opening edge portion  168   c  are respectively extended from one end and the other end of the first opening edge portion  168   a  in a direction along the axial line “L” and are respectively extended from one end and the other end of the first opening edge portion  168   a  to the “X1” direction (in other words, to a side where the water storage recessed part  9  is located). 
     The first water passage port portion  164   a  is provided with a guide plate  165  structured to guide water passing through the water passage port  164 . The guide plate  165  is formed in a rectangular shape and is extended from the first opening edge portion  168   a  to a lower side. The guide plate  165  is inclined and extended in a direction toward the “X1” direction as going to a lower side and its inclination angle is changed in the middle toward the lower side. An inclination angle with respect to a horizontal direction of a portion on a lower end side of the guide plate  165  is larger than that of a portion on the first opening edge portion  168   a  side of the guide plate  165 . Therefore, the guide plate  165  is formed in a bent shape so as to be convex upward as a whole. A lower end of the guide plate  165  is located on a lower side with respect to upper ends of the side plate parts  29  and  30  and the end plate part  31  of the water receiving part  26 . Therefore, water having passed through the water passage port  164  is guided by the guide plate  165  and is flowed to the water receiving part  26 . 
     In the water passage port  64  in the embodiment described above, the guide plate (second guide plate  66  and third guide plate  67 ) is also protruded to a lower side from the opening edge portion in the “Y1” direction and the opening edge portion in the “Y2” direction in addition to the opening edge portion in the “X2” direction. However, in the first modified embodiment, an area where the guide plate is provided is only the first opening edge portion  168   a , and no guide plate is provided in both of the second opening edge portion  168   b  and the third opening edge portion  168   c . Therefore, a portion between a side end edge in the “Y1” direction of the guide plate  165  and the second opening edge portion  168   b  is set in a cut-out state. Further, similarly, a portion between a side end edge in the “Y2” direction of the guide plate  165  and the third opening edge portion  168   c  is set in a cut-out state. In other words, a space is provided between the side end edge of the guide plate  165  and the second opening edge portion  168   b , and a space is provided between the side end edge of the guide plate  165  and the third opening edge portion  168   c . Therefore, in the modified embodiment in  FIG. 10 , corner parts which connect the side end edges of the guide plate  165  with other guide plates are not formed and thus, water is hard to be left in the guide plate  165 . Accordingly, occurrence of a situation that the water passage port  164  is closed due to freezing, or that water is hard to pass through the water passage port  164  due to freezing can be reduced. 
     (Example with Groove in Guide Plate) 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing an example in which grooves  169  are provided in the guide plate  165 . The guide plate  165  is provided with a guide face  165   a  facing upward. The guide face  165   a  is inclined toward the “X1” direction as going to a lower side. Water passing through the water passage port  164  is flowed on the guide face  165   a  and is flowed to the water receiving part  26 . The guide face  165   a  is provided with a plurality of grooves  169  which are extended to a lower side. The plurality of the grooves  169  is arranged side by side in a direction intersecting a direction toward a lower end of the guide face  165   a . In this embodiment, a plurality of the grooves  169  is arranged in the “Y” direction at a constant interval. Each of the grooves  169  is extended from the first opening edge portion  168   a  to the lower end of the guide plate  165 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , when the grooves  169  for draining are provided in the guide face  165   a , water adhered to the guide face  165   a  can be gathered to the groove  169  and thus the water is easily flowed to a lower side. Therefore, water is hard to be left on the guide face  165   a  and thus, occurrence of a situation that the water passage port  164  is closed due to freezing, or that water is hard to pass through the water passage port  164  due to freezing can be reduced. 
     In  FIG. 11 , a plurality of the grooves  169  is provided in the entire area from the first opening edge portion  168   a  to the lower end of the guide face  165   a . Therefore, water is hard to be left on the guide face  165   a . In this case, the groove  169  may be provided only in a part of the guide face  165   a , and the number and arrangement of the grooves  169  may be changed as necessary. Further, it is desirable that the groove  169  is extended to the lower end of the guide face  165   a . When the groove  169  is extended to the lower end of the guide face  165   a , water gathered in the groove  169  is easily flowed to the water receiving part  26 . Therefore, water is hard to be left on the guide face  165   a  and freezing of water is hard to occur. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing an example in which a groove  170  having another shape is provided in the guide plate  165 . In the example in  FIG. 11 , a shape of the groove  169  is a thin groove in which a groove depth is constant, and the groove depth and a groove width are substantially the same as each other. However, a groove  170  in  FIG. 12  is a valley-shaped groove whose groove depth increases as going to a center in a width direction of the groove  170 . The groove  170  is provided with a first inclination part  171  inclined in a direction toward a lower side as going to the “Y1” direction and a second inclination part  172  inclined in a direction toward a lower side as going to the “Y2” direction. The first inclination part  171  and the second inclination part  172  are reversely inclined to each other and are connected with each other at a center in the width direction of the groove  170  so as to form a predetermined angle. In a case that the groove  170  having the above-mentioned shape is provided, water is easily gathered to a center in the width direction of the groove  170  and thus, water is easily flowed to a lower side. Therefore, water is hard to be left on the guide face  165   a  and freezing of water is hard to occur. 
     In  FIG. 12 , the entire guide face  165   a  is structured so as to form one groove  170 . However, a plurality of valley-shaped grooves may be provided in the guide face  165   a . Further, the groove  170  may be provided in only a part of the guide face  165   a  instead of the entire guide face  165   a.    
     Other Modified Embodiments 
     In the embodiment described above, the water supply port  2   a  of the water supply pipe  2  is disposed so as to be located on an upper side of the second water passage portion  62  of the water passage  60 . However, the water supply pipe  2  may be disposed so that the water supply port  2   a  is located on an upper side of the first water passage portion  61 . In this case, the water supply port  2   a  may be disposed at any position in the “Y” direction. Therefore, a degree of freedom of installation of the water supply pipe  2  is improved. 
     Further, the water receiving part  26  may be provided so as to protrude from the first peripheral wall portion  21  of the peripheral wall part  20  of the ice tray  5  to a direction perpendicular to the axial line “L”. In this case, a cut-out part  25  is provided in the first peripheral wall portion  21  of the peripheral wall part  20 , and the water receiving part  26  and the water storage recessed part  9  are communicated with each other through the cut-out part  25 . Further, when the ice tray  5  is disposed at the water storage position  5 A, a water passage port  64  is provided in the first upper plate part  51  at a position overlapping with the water receiving part  26  when viewed in the “Z” direction, and a water passage  60  is extended in the “X” direction along the first upper plate part  51  to a position where the water passage port  64  is provided.