Hinged Feeler Arm Icemaker to Reduce Spillage and Vertical Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing icemaker feeler arms occupy valuable vertical space and cause ice cubes to spill when the ice bucket is filled above its top edge, leading to inefficient ice detection and handling.
Innovation Solution
A hinged feeler arm rake system with a sweep plate and lift plates that rotates to detect ice bucket fill levels without obstructing movement, allowing ice bucket removal without spilling by impacting below the top edge of the bucket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a feeler arm sweeps above the top edge of the ice bucket to detect fullness, then the feeler arm can reliably detect when the ice bucket is full, but it occupies valuable vertical space and causes ice cubes to spill when the bucket is moved
Solution Approach 1:
The feeler arm is repositioned from sweeping above the top edge of the ice bucket to sweeping along the side of the bucket. This spatial reconfiguration allows the feeler arm to detect ice cube presence through lateral contact rather than vertical overhang, eliminating spillage while maintaining detection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The feeler arm acts as an intermediary element that contacts the ice bucket side rather than requiring ice cubes to extend above the bucket. This intermediary positioning allows detection of ice cube presence through side contact, preventing direct contact between overhanging ice cubes and potential spillage points
2Reliability
If a feeler arm sweeps above the top edge of the ice bucket, then the feeler arm can detect fullness, but it obstructs movement of the ice bucket
Solution Approach 1:
The feeler arm detection mechanism is moved from a vertical position above the bucket to a lateral position along the side of the bucket. This dimensional change allows the ice bucket to move freely vertically without the feeler arm interfering, while detection still occurs through side contact with ice cubes
3Reliability
If the feeler arm is positioned to sweep above the top edge of the ice bucket, then full detection is achieved, but valuable vertical space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The feeler arm is repositioned from a vertical arrangement above the bucket to a lateral arrangement along the side of the bucket. This spatial reconfiguration eliminates the need for vertical clearance above the bucket, freeing up valuable headspace while maintaining effective ice cube detection through side contact
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
The hinged feeler arm rake system effectively detects ice bucket fill levels without obstructing ice bucket movement, reducing spillage and optimizing vertical space usage.
Implementation Method 1
The feeler arm impacts ice cubes on the ice bucket when the ice bucket is filled above a certain height
Data Source
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AI summary
An icemaker (100) for a refrigeration appliance includes a motor (110) having a shaft (112). A feeler arm coupling (120) is connected to a shaft (112) of the motor (110). The motor (110) is operable to rotate the feeler arm coupling (120) about a rotation axis. A feeler arm rake (130) is hinged to the feeler arm coupling (120) such that the feeler arm rake (130) is rotatable relative to the feeler arm coupling (120) about a hinge axis. The hinge axis is perpendicular to the rotation axis. The feeler arm rake (130) rotates with the feeler arm coupling (120) about the rotation axis when the motor (110) operates to rotate the feeler arm coupling (120).