Door Ice Maker Airflow Guides to Prevent Ice Cube Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators experience delays in ice making and ice cubes adhering to each other due to the downward flow of cool air, which inefficiently cools the ice maker and causes ice cubes to stick together.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a cool air guide system within the refrigerator, comprising a first guide to direct cool air through the lower portion of the ice maker and a second guide to branch off and flow into both upper and lower portions, enhancing cooling efficiency and preventing ice cubes from adhering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cool air is introduced through an upper inlet port and moves downward, then the ice making chamber receives cooling air, but the ice making time is delayed and ice cubes adhere to each other
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling air flow path is segmented into multiple directions using guide members. The first guide member directs cool air to the lower portion of the ice maker, while the second guide member directs cool air to the upper portion, creating separate cooling zones that prevent ice adhesion and reduce making time
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling approach transitions from a single vertical downward flow to a multi-dimensional flow pattern. Cool air is directed both downward and laterally through the guide members, creating a three-dimensional cooling field that efficiently cools all surfaces of the ice maker without causing ice cubes to adhere
2Temperature
If cool air moves downward through the ice maker, then the ice making chamber is cooled, but ice cubes in the ice bank adhere to one another
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling air flow is segmented into distinct paths using guide members. One path directs cool air through the lower portion of the ice maker, while another path directs air through the upper portion, preventing direct contact between cooling air and ice cubes in the storage area, thus eliminating adhesion
Solution Approach 2:
The guide members act as intermediary structures that redirect cool air flow. These members mediate between the cool air inlet and the ice maker components, ensuring that cooling air reaches the ice making surfaces without directly contacting the stored ice cubes, thereby preventing adhesion
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 configuration significantly reduces ice making time and prevents ice cubes from sticking together by ensuring even cooling of all surfaces of the ice maker and ice bank.
Implementation Method 1
a first guide coupled to a lower portion of the ice maker to guide cool air to pass through the lower portion of the ice maker
Implementation Method 2
a second guide provided at an upper side of the ice maker to guide cool air introduced through the cool air inlet port to be branched off and flowed into the upper and lower portions of the ice maker
Implementation Method 3
water accommodated within the ice-making tray 45 may be cooled down to make ice
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator has a refrigerator body including a storage chamber to store foods, a door configured to open or close the storage chamber, an ice maker mounted on the door and an ice maker cover to at least partially cover the ice maker, the ice maker cover including a cool air inlet port for introducing cool air at an upper portion thereof. The ice maker includes a first guide coupled to a lower portion of the ice maker to guide cool air to pass through the lower portion of the ice maker and a second guide provided at an upper side of the ice maker to guide cool air introduced through the cool air inlet port to be branched off and flowed into the upper and lower portions of the ice maker.