refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigerators with automatic ice makers, the cold air discharge port can be partially covered, leading to ineffective cold air supply to the front of the ice maker, resulting in stagnant air and potential frost formation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a distribution duct system that branches cold air from the discharge port to both the ice maker and an ice maker cover, ensuring even cold air supply to the front of the ice maker and preventing frost formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cold air discharge port is formed at the rear of the ice maker, then the ice making performance is ensured, but the discharge port is covered by the ice maker and cold air cannot be effectively supplied to the space in front of the ice maker
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge port is divided into two functional zones: a rear discharge port for ice making and a front discharge port for cooling the storage space. This segmentation allows each zone to fulfill its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between ensuring ice making performance and providing cold air supply to the front space.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide tube is introduced as an intermediary component to redirect cold air from the rear discharge port to the front space. The guide tube receives cold air discharged from the rear port and directs it toward the front of the ice maker, effectively mediating the cold air supply between the rear discharge location and the front storage space.
2Device complexity
If cold air is not circulated in the space in front of the ice maker, then the structure is simple, but frost is generated and refrigeration performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cold air circulation function for the front space is extracted from the ice making function. By providing a dedicated front discharge port and guide tube structure, the patent separates the cold air supply path for storage space cooling from the ice making process, allowing independent optimization of each function without increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cold air discharge system is designed to serve multiple functions: the rear discharge port handles ice making while the front discharge port (or redirected air via guide tube) handles storage space cooling. This multi-functionality ensures both ice making performance and storage space refrigeration without requiring separate independent systems.
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 ensures smooth cold air supply to the front of the ice maker, maintaining optimal refrigeration performance and preventing frost formation, thus enhancing user convenience and appliance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
cold air discharged from the rear of the ice maker is branched and supplied to the ice maker and the inside of the ice maker cover
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet (10) defining a storage space; a door configured (20) to open and close at least a portion of the storage space (12); a first ice maker (253) provided in the door (20); a second ice maker (40) provided in the storage space and facing the door (20) in a closed state of the door (20); a first cold air passage (PI) configured to guide the cold air to the first ice maker (253), by bypassing the second ice maker (40); and a second cold air passage (P2) configured to guide the cold air to the second ice maker (40).