Ice Chute Door Voltage Control for Low-Energy Dispensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ice dispensers in refrigerators and freezers face challenges in maintaining cold air while efficiently dispensing ice, as existing designs often consume excessive energy and struggle to prevent warm, moist air from entering the compartment.
Innovation Solution
A control system that uses a motor to open and close the ice chute door, energizing it at different voltages to minimize energy expenditure and maintain the door in an open position during ice dispensing, then returning it to a closed position using a biasing mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the ice chute door is kept closed to maintain cold air, then energy consumption is reduced, but ice dispensing becomes less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The ice chute door transitions from a static closed position to a dynamic system that opens automatically upon detecting an ice dispense request. The door remains open during dispensing and automatically closes when dispensing stops, optimizing both energy efficiency and dispensing speed through dynamic position changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual door operation with an automated motor-driven system controlled by a processor. The motor opens the door when ice dispensing is detected and closes it when dispensing stops, eliminating the need for manual intervention and optimizing the balance between energy conservation and dispensing efficiency.
2Productivity
If the ice chute door is opened for ice dispensing, then ice dispensing efficiency is improved, but warm moist air enters the compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The ice chute door operates periodically - remaining closed during most times to maintain cold air, and opening only during the specific period when ice dispensing is detected. The door closes automatically when dispensing stops, minimizing the duration of exposure to warm moist air while ensuring efficient ice delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
An automated motor and processor control system replaces manual door operation, precisely timing the door opening to coincide with ice dispensing requests and automatically closing it when dispensing stops. This automated control minimizes warm air intrusion by ensuring the door is open only when absolutely necessary.
3Extent of automation
If a motor is used to control the ice chute door, then automated control is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor operates at full power only for the brief period needed to open the door against the biasing mechanism. Once the door is open, the motor stops running, and the biasing mechanism maintains the open position passively. This partial action approach provides automated control while minimizing energy consumption during the door holding phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor operates periodically - activating only when ice dispensing is detected to open the door, and stopping when dispensing stops to allow automatic closing. This intermittent operation pattern provides necessary automation while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous motor operation.
4Productivity
If the motor operates continuously to maintain the door open, then ice dispensing is efficient, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor provides just enough action to open the door and initiate ice dispensing, then stops completely. The biasing mechanism maintains the door in the open position during dispensing without additional motor energy input. This approach achieves efficient ice dispensing while avoiding continuous motor operation and its associated energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor operates in brief periodic bursts - activating to open the door when ice dispensing starts, and deactivating when dispensing stops. This periodic operation maintains dispensing efficiency by keeping the door open during the dispensing period while dramatically reducing energy consumption compared to continuous motor operation.
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 effectively reduces energy consumption by optimizing the operation of the ice chute door, maintaining cold air within the compartment while allowing efficient ice dispensing with minimal energy expenditure.
Implementation Method 1
A motor is provided. The motor is mounted to the ice chute door to move the ice chute door to an open position relative to the door casing when energized.
Data Source
AI summary
An ice dispensing system is provided that includes a motor, a processor, and a computer-readable medium. The motor is mounted to an ice chute door. The computer-readable medium is operably coupled to the processor and comprises computer-readable instructions configured to control opening of the ice chute door by energizing the motor at a first voltage for a first time period after receipt of an ice dispense request; after energizing the motor at the first voltage for the first time period, control energizing of the motor at a second voltage at least as long as the ice dispense request is received to maintain the ice chute door in the open position; and after energizing the motor at the second voltage, control de-energizing of the motor to allow the ice chute door to return to a closed position. The second voltage is less than the first voltage.