Refrigerator Ice Bucket Infrared Sensing for Accurate Ice Level Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice making systems in refrigerators occupy significant space with feeler arms that limit ice storage capacity and are not efficient in determining ice levels within the ice bucket.
Innovation Solution
An ice making system that includes an infrared light emitter and receiver to detect ice levels within the ice bucket, allowing for precise determination of ice levels without occupying additional space, enabling the system to initiate ice making cycles accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a feeler arm is used to determine ice level, then ice level detection is reliable, but the ice bucket storage capacity is reduced due to the space occupied by the feeler arm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical feeler arm system with an optical detection system consisting of an infrared transmitter and receiver. This substitution eliminates the need for a physical feeler arm that occupies space above the ice bucket, thereby maximizing storage capacity while maintaining reliable ice level detection through optical means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces infrared light as an intermediary medium to transfer information about ice level. The infrared transmitter emits light that reflects off the ice surface to the receiver, allowing indirect measurement of ice level without requiring physical contact or space-occupying mechanical components.
2Measurement precision
If a feeler arm is positioned at the top of the ice bucket to detect ice level, then detection accuracy is maintained, but the overall appliance space efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical feeler arm with an optical detection system that can be positioned at the edge or side of the ice bucket rather than requiring overhead space. This substitution maintains measurement precision through optical reflection detection while improving space utilization by eliminating the need for vertical clearance above the ice bucket.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a vertical measurement approach (feeler arm extending downward from above) to a horizontal or lateral measurement approach (infrared sensors positioned at the edge). This dimensional change allows the detection system to operate without occupying valuable vertical space above the ice bucket.
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 solution allows for accurate detection of ice levels, optimizing ice storage capacity and reducing unnecessary ice production, ensuring a consistent supply of ice while minimizing space usage.
Implementation Method 1
the infrared light receiver receives infrared light from the infrared light emitter reflected by ice cubes within the storage volume of the ice bucket
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making system for a refrigerator appliance is provided. The ice making system includes an ice maker, an ice bucket and an ice cube level sensing assembly. The ice cube level sensing assembly includes an infrared light emitter and an infrared light receiver. The infrared light emitter directs infrared light into a storage volume of the ice bucket, and the infrared light receiver receives infrared light from the infrared light emitter reflected by ice cubes within the storage volume of the ice bucket.