Freezer-to-Door Ice Transfer for Space-Saving Refrigerators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators face inefficiencies in ice production and storage, leading to increased power consumption and reduced storage capacity due to the need for continuous cool air supply in the refrigerating compartment for ice making, which compromises cooling efficiency and increases energy usage.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an ice maker in the freezing compartment, with an ice transfer device and ice bank in the refrigerating compartment door, utilizing a piston and ice chute to transfer ice pieces made in the freezing compartment to the ice bank, allowing for efficient ice storage and dispensing while optimizing cool air circulation and reducing the need for continuous cool air supply in the refrigerating compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ice maker is disposed in the refrigerating compartment, then ice pieces can be made using cool air from the refrigerating compartment, but the storage capacity of the refrigerating compartment is reduced and cooling efficiency is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The ice maker is extracted from the refrigerating compartment and relocated to the freezing compartment. This separation allows the refrigerating compartment to maintain its full storage capacity while the ice maker utilizes the freezing compartment's cool air supply for ice production.
2Productivity
If the ice maker is disposed in the refrigerating compartment, then ice pieces can be made using cool air from the refrigerating compartment, but continuous cool air supply is required which increases power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The ice maker is extracted from the refrigerating compartment's cool air supply system and relocated to the freezing compartment. This allows the ice maker to utilize the freezing compartment's existing cool air supply, eliminating the need for continuous additional cool air supply and reducing power consumption.
3Volume of stationary object
If the ice maker is disposed in the freezing compartment, then storage capacity of the refrigerating compartment is maintained, but ice pieces need to be transferred from the freezing compartment
Solution Approach 1:
An ice transfer device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the freezing compartment (where ice is made) and the refrigerating compartment (where ice is dispensed). This device includes a transfer passage and actuation mechanism that automatically moves ice pieces, eliminating the need for manual transfer while maintaining full storage capacity.
4Loss of energy
If the ice maker is disposed in the freezing compartment, then continuous cool air supply in the refrigerating compartment is reduced, but ice pieces must be transferred through additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The ice maker is extracted from the refrigerating compartment and placed in the freezing compartment, eliminating the need for continuous cool air supply to the refrigerating compartment for ice making. The energy savings from this extraction outweigh the additional complexity of the ice transfer device, as the transfer mechanism uses minimal energy compared to continuous cool air supply.
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 enhances ice making efficiency, reduces power consumption, and expands storage capacity by decoupling ice production from continuous cool air supply in the refrigerating compartment, improving overall cooling efficiency and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a piston configured to push the ice pieces made by the ice maker
Implementation Method 2
an ice chute configured to guide the ice pieces pushed by the piston to the ice bank
Implementation Method 3
an ice maker disposed in the freezing compartment and configured to make the ice pieces
Implementation Method 4
since such a refrigerator cools the inside of a storage space using cool air generated by heat-exchanging with a refrigerant circulating a refrigeration cycle
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a cabinet including a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, a refrigerating compartment door opening or closing the refrigerating compartment, a dispenser disposed at the refrigerating compartment door to dispense water or ice pieces. The refrigerator also includes an ice bank disposed at a back surface of the refrigerating compartment door to supply the ice pieces to the dispenser, an ice maker disposed in the freezing compartment to make the ice pieces, and an ice transfer device disposed in the freezing compartment to transfer the ice pieces supplied from the ice maker into the ice bank. The ice transfer device includes a piston pushing the ice pieces supplied from the ice maker and an ice chute guiding the ice pieces supplied by the piston to the ice bank.