Door Ice Maker Fill Trough Structure for Water Spill Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ice making and dispensing technologies on refrigerators and freezers face challenges in managing water spillage when the door is abruptly opened or closed, especially when water is present in the ice mold, which is not effectively addressed by existing designs.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves an automatic ice maker apparatus with an elongated mold featuring a curved bottom wall, transverse partial partition walls, and a fill trough extending along the top edge, which directs water back into the mold when the door is moved, preventing spills through a combination of design features such as recessed upper edges and strategically positioned openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the door is opened or closed when water is present in the ice mold, then the ice maker can be mounted on the door for space efficiency, but water spills occur from the mold
Solution Approach 1:
The ice mold is divided into multiple cavities by transverse partial partition walls, creating separate compartments that can be filled and drained independently. This segmentation allows water to be contained in specific sections and prevents spillage when the door moves, while still utilizing the door-mounted space efficiently for ice production.
Solution Approach 2:
A fill trough is introduced as an intermediary structure between the water supply and the ice mold cavities. The trough receives water and directs it into the mold through controlled openings, preventing uncontrolled spillage. The trough acts as a buffer that manages water flow during door movement while enabling efficient space utilization.
2Manufacturing precision
If the fill trough extends along the entire length of the mold, then water distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fill trough is integrated with the ice mold as a single die-cast metal component rather than separate assembled parts. This merging of structures provides uniform water distribution along the entire length of the mold while simplifying manufacturing and reducing overall device complexity. The combined structure eliminates the need for separate mounting brackets and connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The fill trough serves multiple functions: it distributes water uniformly along the mold length, prevents spillage during door movement, and provides structural support for the ice mold assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby managing complexity while achieving precise water distribution.
3Reliability
If the second side wall extends higher than the first side wall, then water containment is improved during door movement, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fill trough and ice mold are manufactured as a single die-cast metal component with varying wall heights integrated into the design. This merging of manufacturing processes allows the asymmetric structure (higher second side wall) to be produced in one operation, maintaining water containment reliability during door movement while avoiding the complexity of assembling multiple separate parts with different heights.
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 design effectively prevents water spills when the door is opened or closed, ensuring efficient ice production and storage by containing water within the mold, even during abrupt movements, thus enhancing user convenience and reducing maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The bottom wall can slope downward to the at least one opening and the at least one opening can be in the first side wall
Implementation Method 2
the fill trough and the second end wall direct water back into the mold when the insulated door is moved abruptly with water present in the mold
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic ice maker for f a refrigerator freezer door having an elongated mold including a first edge, a second edge and a fill trough extending along the second edge above the mold. The fill trough has at least one opening for water to flow into the mold from the fill trough. The fill trough has a first side wall extending above the mold, a bottom wall extending from the first side wall away from the mold and a second side wall spaced from the first side wall and extending upwardly from the bottom wall higher than the first side wall. The mold includes a first end wall and a second end wall that extends above the second edge. The fill trough and the second end wall direct water back into the mold when the insulated door is moved abruptly with water present in the mold.