Refrigerator Ice Bucket Drive Layout to Reduce Cold Air Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bottom freezer type refrigerators have inefficient space utilization and cold air loss due to the installation of the motor system inside the ice machine, which requires additional air supply ducts and reduces the usability of space.
Innovation Solution
The motor system is installed in the door, and a transport system with a first end portion coupled to the rear surface of the ice bucket and a second end portion docked with the motor system when the door is closed, allowing the ice to be transported without the need for additional air supply ducts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the motor system is installed inside the ice machine, then the ice machine can be self-contained, but the space utilization of the ice machine deteriorates and cold air loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor system is extracted from the ice machine and relocated to the rear wall of the refrigerator compartment. This extraction resolves the space utilization problem by eliminating the need for internal motor housing and air supply ducts within the ice machine, while maintaining the self-contained functionality through external motor placement that still drives the ice transport mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the motor system is installed inside the ice machine, then the ice machine can operate independently, but additional air supply ducts are required causing space loss and cold air leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The motor system and its associated air supply ducts are extracted from the ice machine interior and positioned on the rear wall. This eliminates cold air loss through ducts while maintaining independent operation capability, as the motor remains functionally connected to the ice transport system through the dockable transport mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport system acts as an intermediary between the externally mounted motor and the ice bucket. The transport system includes a dockable connection that transfers rotational motion from the motor to the ice bucket, enabling independent operation without requiring internal motor installation or extensive air supply infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If the motor system is installed inside the ice machine, then the structure is compact, but the ice tray size is reduced due to space occupation
Solution Approach 1:
The motor system is extracted from the ice machine interior and mounted on the rear wall. This extraction frees up significant internal space that can be allocated to enlarging the ice tray and increasing the number of ice cells, while the compact structure is maintained through the dockable transport system that connects the external motor to the ice mechanism.
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 enhances inner capacity utilization, reduces cold air loss, and increases the size of the ice tray, leading to more ice cells and improved ice production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
When the transport system, such as an auger, is rotated, the ice accumulated in the ice bucket may be disposed between the wings of the auger and may be transported in a direction in which the ice is guided through the wings
Implementation Method 2
a motor system for rotating the transport system is installed inside the ice machine
Implementation Method 3
an ice maker provided with an ice tray generating ice
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a refrigerator comprising: a main body including a food storage space and a cold air generation portion, a door installed on the main body to open and close the food storage space, an ice machine installed in the food storage space to generate ice, an ice bucket arranged in the ice machine to accommodate the ice therein, a motor system installed in the door, and a transport system which includes a first end portion that is rotatably coupled to a rear surface of the ice bucket and a second end portion that is docked with the motor system when the door is closed, and is rotated together with a motor of the motor system to transport the ice accommodated in the ice bucket when the motor of the motor system is rotated.