Ice Container Conveyer Assembly for Selective Cube and Crushed Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with ice containers face issues such as the loosening of screws on the rotational shaft due to reversible motors, leading to instability in ice dispensing mechanisms, and the complexity of internal configurations for ice transfer.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a reversible ice conveyer system with rotary and fixed blades, secured by spacers and a spring pin, which allows for the dispensing of ice in both cubic and broken states by gravity, and prevents the rotational shaft from loosening through press-fitting and elastic components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a reversible motor is used to enable selective ice dispensing, then the ice container can dispense ice in both cubic and broken states, but the screws on the rotational shaft loosen due to reversible rotation
Solution Approach 1:
A spacer is introduced as an intermediary component between the rotational shaft and the rotary/fixed blades. This spacer acts as a mediator that transmits rotational force while preventing direct screw loosening on the rotational shaft during reversible rotation, thus maintaining both versatility and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The ice conveyer system is segmented into distinct components: rotational shaft, spacer, rotary blades, and fixed blades. This segmentation allows the spacer to specifically address the loosening issue while the rotational shaft maintains its reversible rotation capability for selective dispensing
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components (rotary blades, fixed blades, spacers) are added to enable ice breaking and selective dispensing, then ice can be dispensed in both cubic and broken states, but the internal configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational shaft with attached rotary and fixed blades serves multiple functions: it conveys ice, breaks ice when needed, and enables selective dispensing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyer and breaker functions are merged into a single integrated rotational assembly. The rotary blades and fixed blades work together in one mechanism to achieve both ice conveyance and ice breaking, simplifying the overall internal configuration
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ice container includes a rotational shaft with multiple blades and spacers, then selective ice dispensing is enabled, but the width of the ice container increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ice breaking mechanism is arranged in a radial configuration around the rotational shaft rather than extending linearly. This radial arrangement utilizes the rotational dimension to achieve ice breaking functionality within a compact width, allowing selective dispensing without significantly increasing container width
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 simplifies the internal structure, enhances user convenience by allowing selective ice dispensing, reduces the ice container's width, and prevents the rotational shaft from unfastening, resulting in a more efficient and slim refrigerator design.
Implementation Method 1
a spring pin inserted in a pass through hole in an end portion of the rotational shaft and a pass through hole in the spacer coupled to the end portion by press fitting to prevent the rotational shaft from loosening
Implementation Method 2
allows for the dispensing of ice in both cubic and broken states by gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator with an ice container is provided, and more particularly, a refrigerator with an ice container, in which ice stored in an ice container may be transferred by gravity, and the ice thus transferred may be discharged in a cubic ice state or a broken ice state.