WATER COOLER

摘要

A water cooler comprises a water chamber and a thermoelectric module having a cooling surface on which ice forms in the cooling chamber. A sensing device is provided for controlling the supply of power to the thermoelectric module. The sensing device interrupts cooling of the cooling surface when the ice being formed on it achieves a predetermined thickness so that a layer of the ice in contact with the cooling surface melts and the ice is released. Power supply to the thermoelectric module is automatically returned when the ice clears the sensing device. If the released ice does not clear the sensing device, for example because the chamber is full of ice, cooling of the cooling surface will continue to be interrupted until some of the ice in the chamber melts so allowing the newly formed ice to clear the sensing device. In one embodiment the sensing device comprises a photoelectric transmitter and receiver.