Refrigerator Ice Bank Duct Layout for Space-Saving Ice Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigerators with integrated ice makers and dispensers, the configuration often compromises storage space and increases power consumption due to the need for additional volume in the refrigerating compartment to accommodate the ice-making chamber, leading to reduced rear storage space and increased energy use for ice production.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a first duct with a polygonal cross-section and an auxiliary duct for efficient ice transfer and cold air circulation between the ice bank and the freezing compartment, allowing for simultaneous ice transfer and cold air circulation, reducing the number of ducts and enhancing insulation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an ice-making chamber is provided on the refrigerating compartment door, then ice can be made and stored conveniently, but the volume of the refrigerating compartment door increases and the rear storage space decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The ice-making chamber is extracted from the refrigerating compartment door and relocated to the freezing compartment. This extraction resolves the space conflict by placing the ice-making function in a location where it does not encroach on refrigerating storage space, while still maintaining convenient ice making and storage capabilities through the ice bank and transfer mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If an ice-making chamber is provided on the refrigerating compartment door, then ice can be made and stored conveniently, but the volume of the refrigerating compartment door increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ice-making chamber is extracted from the refrigerating compartment door structure entirely and positioned in the freezing compartment. This eliminates the need to increase door volume while preserving ice making functionality through the relocated chamber, ice bank, and automated transfer system.
3Productivity
If multiple ducts are used for ice transfer and cold air circulation, then ice transfer and cold air supply can be performed, but the number of ducts increases and insulation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The first duct is designed to serve dual functions: transferring ice from the ice maker to the ice bank while simultaneously circulating cold air from the freezing compartment to the ice bank. This merging of functions reduces the total number of ducts, minimizing heat transfer pathways and improving insulation efficiency while maintaining both ice transfer and cold air supply capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The first duct is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both ice transfer and cold air circulation. By making the duct universal, the system reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing heat transfer surface area and improving energy efficiency while maintaining full functionality.
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 optimizes storage space by eliminating the need for additional space on the refrigerating compartment door, improves ice-making efficiency, and reduces power consumption by simplifying the duct system and minimizing heat transfer, while ensuring continuous cold air supply to prevent ice melting.
Implementation Method 1
one of the first duct and the second duct is a cold air supplying duct supplying cold air from the freezing compartment to the ice bank and another thereof is a cold air collecting duct returning the cold air of the ice bank to the freezing compartment
Implementation Method 2
A cross section of the first duct is a polygon
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A refrigerator (100) is provided. The refrigerator (100) includes an ice bank (140) installed on a refrigerating compartment door (120) and storing ice therein, a dispenser (123) provided below the ice bank (140) to discharge the ice stored in the ice bank (140) outwards, an ice maker (200) provided in a freezing compartment (113) and making ice, a transfer element (320) connected to one side of the ice maker (200) and transferring the ice made by the ice maker (200) to the ice bank (140), a first duct (340) connecting an outlet of the transfer element (320) and the ice bank (140) and forming a path for transferring ice, and a second duct (350) connecting the ice bank (140) and the freezing compartment (113). One of the first duct (340) and the second duct (350) is a cold air supplying duct supplying cold air to the ice bank (140) and another thereof is a cold air collecting duct returning the cold air of the ice bank (140) to the freezing compartment (113).