A cooler appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooler appliance designs with thermoelectric ice-making modules cause ice pieces to melt and stick inside ice chambers, making them inconvenient for users.
Innovation Solution
A cooler appliance with a door-integrated ice making unit featuring a thermoelectric module, a catcher mechanism, and a control unit that allows ice to form and detach from the ice chamber without user intervention, using buoyancy and a pivoting catcher to collect ice and a perforated ice tank for water management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a thermoelectric module is used for producing ice in the ice chamber, then ice can be made in the cooler appliance door, but ice pieces melt and stick inside the ice chamber causing inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the ice chamber movable relative to the door body. The ice chamber is detached from the door body and can be moved independently, allowing users to easily remove the ice chamber and retrieve ice pieces without dealing with melted ice sticking to a fixed chamber. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable ice detachment and convenient ice retrieval.
2Reliability
If the thermoelectric module continuously cools the ice chamber, then ice formation is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through the control unit that intermittently activates the thermoelectric module rather than continuous operation. The control unit determines when ice formation is sufficient and stops the cooling process, then resumes when ice levels decrease. This periodic operation maintains reliable ice formation while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous cooling.
3Volume of moving object
If the ice chamber is integrated into the door body, then space is utilized efficiently, but ice pieces stick to the chamber and are difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by detaching the ice chamber from the door body. Instead of being integrated, the ice chamber is separated and can be independently removed. This allows the ice chamber to maintain its space-efficient position during operation while enabling easy removal for ice retrieval, thus resolving the contradiction between space utilization and ease of operation.
4Extent of automation
If a catcher mechanism is added to collect ice, then ice collection is automated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the catcher mechanism to automatically collect ice pieces using buoyancy and gravity. When ice pieces are formed, they naturally float to the surface and are collected by the catcher without requiring additional active mechanisms. The catcher passively utilizes the physical properties of water and ice to automate ice collection, achieving automation while minimizing added complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to obtain ice directly from the cooler appliance door without opening the freezer compartment, improving convenience and reducing maintenance and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
When a low voltage is applied to a thermoelectric module by means of a DC power supply, heat is quickly transferred from one side of the module to the other side. Therefore, one side of the thermoelectric module heats up while the other side cools and a temperature difference forms between two sides.
Implementation Method 2
Upon completion of freezing, the control unit changes the polarization direction of the thermoelectric module, enabling it to operate such that the upper surface heats. Consequently, a thin layer of ice melts on the surface of the ice contacting the ice chamber, breaking the contact of the ice to the ice chamber.
Implementation Method 3
The first member is attached from one of its ends to the pin and has a passive position in which it extends towards the base of the first water chamber such that it is almost parallel to the second wall, and an active position to which it is brought by rotation of the pin about its axis
Implementation Method 4
The second member is placed so as to be able to fit into the first member. By this, while the catcher shifts from the passive position to active position, the second members enters into the first member by the second member contacting the first wall, shortening the length of the catcher.
Implementation Method 5
Ice leaves the ice chamber due to buoyancy of water and rises up to water surface
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a cooler appliance (1) comprising a body (2), at least one cooler compartment (3) provided in the body (2), a door (4) enabling access into the body (2), a first water chamber (7) adapted to store water therein, disposed on the surface of the door (4) facing the body (2) when the door (4) is closed, having a first wall (5) and a second wall (6), an ice chamber (8) placed in the first water chamber (7) so as to at least partially rest on its base, a thermoelectric module (11) having an upper surface (9) and a lower surface (10), whose upper surface (9) contacts the base of the ice chamber(8), an ice tank (13) and a control unit (12) enabling ice formation in the ice chamber (8) by activating the thermoelectric module (11) when the first water chamber (7) is filled with water up to a level predetermined by the producer, such that the upper surface (9) cools and the lower surface (10) heats, and enabling the ice pieces to leave the ice chamber (8) upon completion of ice formation by operating the thermoelectric module (11) such that the upper surface (9) heats and the lower surface (10) cools.