Heated Ice Level Sensor for Frozen Bin Fullness Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigerators, if the full ice detection lever becomes frozen, it fails to operate, leading to continuous ice supply and overflow from the ice container, as the controller cannot determine if the container is full.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an ice detecting sensor that applies heat to detect the ice amount in the storage bin and controls heat application based on the detected amount, allowing accurate determination of the ice container's fullness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a mechanical full ice detection lever is used to detect ice container fullness, then the device structure is simple, but the detection reliability deteriorates when the lever becomes frozen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical full ice detection lever with an optical detection system consisting of a light emitter and light receiver. This substitution eliminates the mechanical components that are prone to freezing, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while significantly improving detection reliability in cold environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary (light signal) between the ice container and the controller. The optical detector uses light transmission through the ice container to detect ice levels, acting as an intermediary that is not affected by freezing temperatures, thus resolving the reliability issue of direct mechanical contact.
2Ease of operation
If the full ice detection lever is used, then the detection method is simple, but the detection precision deteriorates due to frozen lever failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical detection lever with an optical detection system that uses light transmission principles. This substitution maintains operational simplicity through automated optical sensing while dramatically improving measurement precision by eliminating the uncertainty caused by frozen mechanical components.
3Device complexity
If mechanical ice detection is used, then the device structure is simple, but the stability deteriorates when ice overflow occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the unstable mechanical detection lever with a stable optical detection system. The optical sensors provide consistent and reliable detection signals that are not affected by freezing conditions, thereby stabilizing the overall detection system while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
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 stable and accurate detection of the ice container's fullness, preventing ice overflow by addressing the faulty mechanical operation of the full ice detection lever.
Implementation Method 1
applying heat to the ice detecting sensor of the ice maker
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of detecting an amount of ice stored in a storage bin made by an ice maker of a refrigerator, the method comprises applying heat to the ice detecting sensor of the ice maker, detecting an amount stored in the storage bin, and controlling heat application according to the detected amount. The ice maker has an ice detecting sensor attached thereto. A sensor heater provides the heat.