Refrigerator Ice Bank Layout With Separable Power Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators with ice machines integrated into the door suffer from reduced storage space due to the ice machine's size and the volume occupied by driving and power transmission units, limiting the capacity for ice storage.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design that includes a separable power transmission system for the ice bank, where the power transmission units are divided into multiple parts and strategically positioned to minimize width, allowing for a larger ice storage space and a slim ice bank configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the ice machine is disposed in the refrigerator door, then the ice making function is provided, but the storage space of the storage room is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ice machine is divided into separable modules: the ice maker unit and the ice bank can be detached from each other. The ice bank can be removed from the refrigerator door and placed in the storage room, allowing the storage space to be fully utilized while maintaining ice making functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice bank is designed with a slim profile in the width direction (thickness minimized through separable power transmission units) while extending in the height and depth directions, allowing it to fit within the refrigerator door without significantly reducing storage space, while providing adequate ice storage capacity.
2Area of stationary object
If the ice bank is formed in a small size to consider the storage space, then the storage room space is preserved, but the amount of ice that can be stored is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The ice bank is designed as a detachable module that can be flexibly positioned - stored in the refrigerator door when ice storage is needed, and removed to the storage room when maximum storage capacity is required, allowing dynamic adjustment between space utilization and storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice bank optimizes its dimensions by minimizing width (through the slim separable design) while maximizing height and depth, allowing it to provide adequate ice storage capacity while fitting within the constrained space of the refrigerator door structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the driving unit and power transmission units are provided for the ice bank, then the ice crushing function is enabled, but the ice storage space is reduced by the volumes of these units
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission system is segmented into separable units: the first power transmission unit remains with the refrigerator door, while the second power transmission unit is integrated with the detachable ice bank. This allows the crushing function to be maintained while minimizing the volume occupied within the ice storage space.
Solution Approach 2:
The power transmission units are arranged to minimize their volume in the width direction of the ice bank, with components positioned to optimize the available ice storage space while maintaining the necessary mechanical functionality for ice crushing.
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 design ensures a wider ice storage space and reduces the overall thickness of the ice-making assembly, enabling increased ice storage capacity without compromising the storage room's width, thus providing a more efficient use of space.
Implementation Method 1
a first power transmission unit that is fitted on the rotary shaft and rotates in a second direction; and a second power transmission unit that is separably coupled to the first power transmission unit and transmits power of the first power transmission unit to the crushing member
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator of the present invention comprises: a storage room in which a storage space is formed; a door for opening and shutting the storage room; an ice storage unit which is provided in the storage room or the door and in which an ice storage space is formed; a crushing member which is rotatably provided at the ice storage unit and crushes the ice stored in the ice storage space; a driving unit which provides rotational power for the crushing member and includes a rotary shaft to be rotated in a first direction; a first power transmission unit which is coupled with the rotary shaft and is rotated in a second direction; and a second power transmission unit which is separably coupled with the first power transmission unit and transmits the power of the first power transmission unit to the crushing member. The refrigerator of the present invention has remarkable industrial applicability since the width of the ice bank can be reduced by dividing the power transmission unit, which transfers the power of a motor unit to the crushing member, into a plurality of power transmission units.