Door Ice Bin Blade Layout for Slim Refrigerator Ice Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerators face challenges in efficiently discharging ice cubes from the ice bin, leading to increased thickness and reduced capacity due to the placement and operation of the ice bin within the ice compartment.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a motor-operated rotation blade system within the ice bin that moves ice cubes from the ice maker directly onto a discharge opening, utilizing a combination of inclined guide surfaces and rotation blades to facilitate self-weight-driven movement and efficient discharge without additional transfer units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the ice bin is placed within the ice compartment with conventional discharge mechanisms, then the ice cubes can be stored and discharged, but the thickness of the refrigerator compartment door increases and storage capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidthickness of refrigerator compartment door

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The ice bin is merged with the refrigerator compartment door structure, integrating the storage function directly into the door assembly. This eliminates the need for separate ice bin housing and reduces overall thickness while maintaining storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The discharge mechanism utilizes the vertical dimension by having ice cubes drop downward under gravity from the ice maker through the ice bin to the discharge opening at the bottom, eliminating the need for horizontal transfer mechanisms that would increase door thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If additional transfer units are used to move ice cubes from the ice maker to the discharge opening, then the ice discharge process can be controlled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice discharge controlVSAvoidnumber of transfer mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes gravity as a natural force to automatically move ice cubes from the ice maker through the ice bin to the discharge opening, eliminating the need for motorized transfer mechanisms and reducing device complexity while maintaining operational control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The ice bin is positioned vertically below the ice maker, creating a gravity-driven flow path where ice cubes naturally move from higher to lower potential energy positions, simplifying the discharge mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Reliability

If the ice bin is made thicker to accommodate conventional discharge mechanisms, then the discharge function can be achieved, but the refrigerator compartment door thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge functionVSAvoidice bin thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The complex discharge mechanisms are extracted from the ice bin structure and replaced with a simplified gravity-driven system, reducing the ice bin thickness while maintaining reliable discharge function through the integrated door assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This solution reduces the thickness of the ice bin and the refrigerator compartment door, allowing for a slim design and increased storage capacity by streamlining the ice discharge process, eliminating the need for additional transfer mechanisms and optimizing the use of space.

Implementation Method 1

at least one rotation blade disposed within the ice bin, the at least one rotation blade moving a row of ice in the bin toward a discharge opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

at least one ice separated from the ice maker directly drops onto the at least one rotation blade

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9109826B2Bladed ice dispensing system for an ice compartment in a refrigeration chamber

Publication Date: 2015.08.18 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A refrigerator is described that includes a slim refrigerator door. The refrigerator includes a storage compartment, a refrigerator door to open and close the storage compartment, and an ice maker to generate ice cubes. The refrigerator further includes an ice bin—at the refrigerator door to receive the ice cubes generated in the ice maker and having a discharge opening—for discharging the ice cubes. The refrigerator further includes a motor—at the refrigerator—and at least one blade—within the ice bin and connected to the—motor. The at least one ice cube directly drops onto the at least one blade. The at least one blade moves the at least one ice cube to the discharge and discharges the at least one ice cube from the ice bin by an operation of the motor.