Feed tank equipped with packing structure of float sensor and ice maker including the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers with float sensors lack a sealing structure, making them vulnerable to contamination and difficult to assemble and separate, which can lead to overflow issues with ice-making water.
Innovation Solution
A feed tank equipped with a packing structure of a float sensor, featuring a hollow packing member and a spiral fixing member, allows for easy assembly and separation of the float sensor while maintaining a sealed state for contamination prevention and waterproofing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the float sensor is coupled to the feed tank with a bolt and nut type connection, then the float sensor can be securely fixed, but it becomes difficult to separate without tools and requires complex assembly/disassembly procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing member is divided into multiple functional parts: a protrusion that engages with the float sensor, a spiral fixing portion that provides secure attachment, and a hook portion that enables tool-free manipulation. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spiral fixing portion allows the float sensor to be rotated for fixing and separation, transforming a static bolt-nut connection into a dynamic rotational mechanism that can be easily operated by hand without requiring tools.
2Device complexity
If the float sensor is separated to the outside without a sealing structure, then the assembly is simple, but the float sensor becomes vulnerable to contamination and ice-making water may overflow
Solution Approach 1:
The packing member is inserted into a packing groove formed in the feed tank, creating a nested sealing structure. The packing member protrudes into the storage space to contact the float sensor, forming a sealed interface without requiring complex external sealing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The packing member acts as a flexible sealing element that can deform to maintain contact with the float sensor and prevent contamination and overflow, while remaining simple in structure and easy to install.
3Ease of repair
If the float sensor is removed and reassembled on the opposite side after unsealing the feed tank, then the float sensor can be replaced, but the procedure becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing member is divided into distinct functional portions (protrusion, spiral fixing portion, hook portion) that allow the float sensor to be independently removed and reinstalled from the same side, eliminating the need to open the feed tank or work from the opposite side.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational fixing mechanism allows the float sensor to be quickly removed and reinstalled by simple rotation, dramatically reducing replacement time compared to traditional bolt-nut connections that require tools and multi-step procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A feed tank equipped with a packing structure of a float sensor which may be easily assembled and separated and maintain a sealed state for contamination prevention and waterproofing and an ice maker including the same are provided. The feed tank equipped with a packing structure of a float sensor includes a feed tank including a storage portion provided with a storage space in which ice-making water is stored, a cover portion unit detachably coupled to an upper surface of the storage portion, and a packing portion including a hollow packing member provided to penetrate through one surface of the cover portion and a fixing member extending in a spiral direction along at least a portion of an inner circumferential surface of the packing member and a float sensor inserted into the packing portion and detecting a level of the ice-making water.