Ice Bucket Coupler Assembly for Self-Aligning Refrigerator Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing coupler design in refrigerators often results in collision and failure to connect the driving and driven couplers when the ice bucket is mounted, leading to potential damage and requiring disassembly and reassembly for proper alignment.
Innovation Solution
A coupler design that includes a connecting member loosely coupled to the transfer member, allowing idling within a predetermined angle range to facilitate smooth connection regardless of initial interference, along with a supporting member and fixing member to ensure secure transmission of driving force, and a driven coupler with slide members and elastic members for safe and efficient power transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the driving coupler and driven coupler are rigidly connected with fixed alignment requirements, then the connection precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the ice bucket must be carefully aligned and demounted/remounted repeatedly to achieve proper connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the coupler components by adding inclined surfaces to the driving coupler and corresponding recesses to the driven coupler. This allows the couplers to connect through a rotational movement along the inclined surfaces rather than requiring precise initial alignment, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic connection process where the driven coupler can rotate relative to the driving coupler during the coupling process. The inclined surfaces guide this rotational movement, transforming a static alignment problem into a dynamic self-aligning process that is easier to operate
2Device complexity
If the wings of the driving coupler and ribs of the driven coupler are positioned at interfering locations during connection, then the structural design is simplified, but the reliability deteriorates due to collision and failure to connect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful collision between wings and ribs into a beneficial self-aligning mechanism. The inclined surfaces are designed so that when the couplers approach each other, any interference causes the driven coupler to rotate along the inclined surface, guiding the wings into the correct position between the ribs rather than causing damage
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined surfaces act as a cushioning mechanism before the final connection is made. They provide a gradual transition zone that absorbs misalignment and guides the components into proper position, preventing sudden collisions and ensuring reliable connection
3Power
If the coupler requires precise alignment for connection, then the power transmission efficiency is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates because complex alignment mechanisms are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler design employs self-aligning inclined surfaces that automatically guide the components into the correct position during assembly. This eliminates the need for complex external alignment mechanisms or tools, making the coupler easy to manufacture and assemble while ensuring proper power transmission alignment
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
Enables seamless connection of driving and driven couplers without impact, improving safety, user convenience, and external design by allowing smooth operation even when initial positions interfere, and enhancing power delivery efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a driven coupler including a plurality of slide members arranged in a circumferential direction, and a portion of the plurality of slide members are provided so as to be retreated in an axial direction by pressurization of the driving coupler when coupled with the driving coupled
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator includes a driving coupler to transmit a driving force and a connecting member to transmit the driving force of the driving coupler to a transfer member. The connecting member is rotated when interference with the driving coupler occurs in a process of connecting with the driving coupler and idles within a predetermined angle range regardless of the transfer member. With this constitution, even when ice cubes are loaded by the transfer member, the connecting member may be smoothly rotated. Thus, the driving coupler and the connecting member may be smoothly connected without an impact.