Ice Compartment Seal and Ducted Cooling for Bottom-Mount Refrigerators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bottom mount refrigerators lack an efficient and practical icemaking compartment within the fresh food compartment due to temperature and structural challenges, including maintaining a suitable temperature for ice formation and dispensing ice without opening the freezer door.
Innovation Solution
An insulated icemaking compartment is integrated into the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator, utilizing a cold air duct from the freezer compartment to maintain a temperature between 0° and 32° F, with a separate icemaker and air duct system, and an ice dispenser on the refrigerator door for convenient access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an icemaking compartment is placed within the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator, then ice can be made and dispensed from the refrigerator compartment without opening the freezer door, but the temperature control becomes more difficult since the fresh food compartment is normally about 40° F. while ice making requires temperatures below 32° F.
Solution Approach 1:
The fresh food compartment is segmented into two distinct thermal zones: the main fresh food storage area maintained at approximately 40° F. and a separate icemaking compartment maintained at temperatures below 32° F. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific temperature requirements, with the icemaking compartment receiving cold air from the freezer through dedicated ducts while the rest of the fresh food compartment remains at refrigeration temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
Cold air ducts serve as intermediaries, transporting cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaking compartment within the fresh food section. This intermediary mechanism enables the icemaking compartment to receive the necessary cold air supply without directly exposing the entire fresh food compartment to freezing temperatures, thus resolving the temperature control conflict.
2Loss of energy
If an insulated icemaking compartment is integrated into the fresh food compartment, then energy efficiency is improved by keeping ice making separate from the freezer, but the device complexity increases due to additional insulation, seals, airflow ducts, and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The icemaking compartment is merged with the fresh food compartment structure, utilizing the existing compartment framework while adding insulation and cold air ducts. This merging approach allows the system to benefit from the separate icemaking capability (improving energy efficiency) while integrating it into the existing refrigerator architecture, thereby limiting the increase in overall complexity compared to a completely separate system.
3Ease of operation
If a door mounted ice dispenser is provided in the refrigerator compartment, then user convenience is improved, but the structural design becomes more complex requiring additional seals and insulation to maintain temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The ice dispenser is integrated into the refrigerator compartment door, utilizing the door's existing structure and sealing mechanisms. By placing the dispenser in the door rather than requiring a separate access point or modifying the freezer door, the solution adds minimal structural complexity while maximizing user convenience. The door's existing insulation and seals are leveraged to maintain temperature integrity.
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 enables efficient and convenient icemaking and dispensing of ice within the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator, improving energy efficiency, user convenience, and aesthetic appeal while maintaining a controlled temperature for ice formation.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a cold air duct from the freezer compartment to maintain a temperature between 0° and 32° F
Implementation Method 2
An insulated icemaking compartment is integrated into the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator
Data Source
AI summary
An insulated icemaking compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The icemaking compartment may be integrally formed with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the icemaking compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaking compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the icemaking compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent with a damper in the icemaking compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh food compartment. A control system provides for controlling refrigerator functions in a manner that promotes energy efficiency, including movement of the damper between open and closed positions. An improved latch and seal are provided for the ice bin assembly to allow removal of the bin assembly and to ensure a positive seal between the bin assembly and the front cover of the ice compartment.