Ice Bank Shaft Coupling for Bidirectional Refrigerator Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice bank systems in refrigerators face issues with maintaining a secure coupled state between the rotation shaft and joint, leading to unreliable rotation in both forward and backward directions, often requiring additional nuts or bonding processes that compromise reliability.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a joint coupling unit with a polygonal coupling hole and a coupling ring that locks onto a corresponding polygonal section of the rotation shaft, preventing relative motion and allowing rotation in both directions without the need for screw threads or nuts, ensuring a stable and compact configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional nuts are coupled to the screw thread of the rotation shaft to prevent release during reverse rotation, then the coupled state between rotation shaft and joint is strengthened, but the reliability is degraded and the rotation shaft cannot rotate in forward and backward directions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a dynamic coupling mechanism where the coupling member engages with the rotation shaft through a polygonal cross-section interface. This allows the coupling to maintain a secure connection during rotation while accommodating bidirectional movement without requiring additional fastening elements that would restrict motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes the screw thread and additional nuts from the coupling system between the rotation shaft and joint. By extracting these complex fastening elements, the design achieves a simpler structure that naturally maintains coupling reliability through the polygonal interface without restricting rotational freedom.
2Reliability
If screw threads and additional nuts are used to secure the rotation shaft to the joint, then the coupled state is strengthened, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the coupling function into a single integrated coupling member that directly engages with the rotation shaft through a polygonal cross-section interface. This eliminates the need for separate screw threads and multiple nuts, reducing the number of components while maintaining coupling stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it secures the rotation shaft to the joint, transmits rotational force, and accommodates bidirectional rotation. This multi-functional design replaces the specialized screw thread and nut assembly with a single versatile component.
3Reliability
If bonding process is performed to secure the rotation shaft to the joint, then the coupled state reliability is improved, but the rotation shaft cannot rotate in forward and backward directions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a dynamic mechanical coupling through polygonal cross-section engagement that allows bidirectional rotation. This replaces the static bonding process with a flexible mechanical interface that maintains reliability while enabling free rotation in both directions.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator having an ice bank includes a rotation shaft to which a transfer unit for transferring ice pieces in the ice bank is connected, and having a coupling groove on an outer circumferential surface of the end thereof; a joint penetrated by the rotation shaft; a driving shaft connected to the joint, and transmitting a driving force of a motor to the joint; and a coupling ring coupled to the coupling groove of the rotation shaft penetrating the joint. Since the coupling ring is locked by the joint, the rotation shaft is prevented from being arbitrarily separated from the joint. The rotation shaft can be rotated in forward and backward directions. Furthermore, since the rotation shaft has a length shorter than a rotation shaft having screw threads and nuts, the motor can have a compact configuration.