Perforated Ice Bin Tray for Spherical Ice Debris Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators and freezers face issues with spherical ice deteriorating during storage due to ice debris, rolling, and poor appearance, as well as difficulty in easy discharge and alignment of ice in the ice bin.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator or freezer design featuring an ice bin with an inclined ice tray and tray holes to separate and store spherical ice and debris, preventing debris from adhering to the ice and allowing easy discharge and alignment of ice for smooth surface maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If spherical ice is made and stored in an ice bin, then the ice can be conveniently used and stored, but the ice surface deteriorates due to adhesion of ice debris generated during removal
Solution Approach 1:
The ice bin is segmented into two distinct storage spaces: a first storage space for spherical ice and a second storage space for ice debris. This segmentation prevents ice debris from adhering to the spherical ice, maintaining surface smoothness while preserving storage convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
Ice debris is extracted and separated from the spherical ice storage area into a dedicated second storage space. This extraction eliminates the harmful effect of debris adhesion on ice surface quality while maintaining the overall storage function.
2Device complexity
If ice is stored in a traditional ice bin, then storage is simple, but ice cubes roll and collide causing damage and poor appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The first storage space is designed with a specific local quality feature: an inclined bottom surface that directs ice cubes toward a front discharge port. This inclination prevents random rolling and collisions by providing a controlled movement path, maintaining ice integrity while preserving storage simplicity.
3Volume of stationary object
If ice debris is not separated from spherical ice, then storage space is maximized, but ice appearance deteriorates due to debris adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The second storage space for ice debris is nested within or adjacent to the first storage space for spherical ice. This nesting arrangement allows both storage functions to coexist in a compact configuration, maximizing overall storage capacity while preventing debris adhesion to ice.
4Productivity
If ice is discharged from ice bin without alignment, then discharge is quick, but ice cubes are misaligned causing handling difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined bottom surface of the first storage space performs a preliminary alignment action on ice cubes before discharge. By guiding ice cubes to roll and settle in a specific orientation toward the front discharge port, the system prepares ice for easy handling while maintaining quick discharge speed.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a refrigerator comprising: a cabinet having a freezing compartment defined therein; an ice-maker disposed in the freezing compartment to make spherical ice, wherein the ice is removed from falls down from the ice maker; an ice bin (500) disposed below the ice-maker for storing ice removed from the ice-maker; and an ice tray (520) disposed inside the ice bin, wherein at least a portion of a bottom face (521) of the ice tray for receiving the ice is spaced apart from a bottom face of the ice bin, wherein a plurality of tray holes (521a) are defined to pass through the bottom face of the ice tray.