Refrigerator Ice Bank Circulation to Prevent Ice Sticking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ice pieces in refrigerator ice banks tend to stick together, leading to operational inefficiencies and incorrect ice maker operation, especially when installed in the refrigerator door, where space constraints increase sticking likelihood and a bar connecting blades disrupts ice discharge.
Innovation Solution
An ice bank with an ice accommodation chamber and an ice pressing unit, such as a carrier or ice crusher, that circulates and separates ice pieces to prevent sticking, including a separator and rotary blades to manage ice flow and prevent adherence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ice bank is installed in the refrigerator door as a fixed part, then the ice bank can be easily accessed, but the size of the ice bank is restricted and ice pieces easily stick together
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable carrier that can move between a storage position and a discharge position, transforming the static ice bank structure into a dynamic one. This movement prevents ice pieces from sticking by continuously changing the spatial arrangement of ice pieces during the discharge cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The ice bank is divided into distinct functional zones: a storage chamber for holding ice pieces and a discharge mechanism with separate carrier components. This segmentation allows independent operation of storage and discharge functions, preventing ice sticking by separating the ice handling processes
2Strength
If a bar is used to fix blades to the lower portion of the ice bank, then the blades are securely fixed, but the bar disturbs ice discharge and increases ice sticking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the problematic bar component that was used to fix blades. Instead, the blades are directly mounted to the carrier body or housing, eliminating the intermediate bar structure that caused ice sticking and discharge disruption while maintaining secure blade fixation
Solution Approach 2:
The blade mounting structure is redesigned to utilize different spatial dimensions, allowing blades to be secured without requiring a horizontal bar that protrudes into the ice discharge path. The fixation is achieved through vertical or lateral mounting arrangements that clear the discharge pathway
3Quantity of substance
If a large amount of ice is stored in the storing chamber, then the ice bank can supply ice for extended periods, but ice pieces mix and stick together
Solution Approach 1:
The movable carrier continuously shifts ice pieces from the storage chamber to the discharge position, creating dynamic movement that prevents ice pieces from settling and sticking together even when large quantities are stored. This continuous motion maintains ice piece separation throughout the storage period
Solution Approach 2:
The ice discharge mechanism operates continuously or periodically to move ice pieces, ensuring that ice pieces are constantly in motion rather than remaining static. This continuous action prevents the mixing and sticking that occurs when ice pieces are stored without movement
Data Source
AI summary
An ice bank (6) of a refrigerator is provided. The ice bank includes an ice accommodation chamber storing ice pieces made by an ice maker, and an ice pressing unit (34,37) circulating the ice pieces by pressing the ice pieces for preventing sticking of the ice pieces in the ice accommodation chamber.