Ice Crusher Cutter Venting for Refrigerator Cold Air Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
In bottom freezer type refrigerators, the flow of cold air is disturbed by the spacing of rotational cutters in the ice crushing space, leading to trapped cold air, melting of crushed ice, and reduced ice crushing efficiency, which affects the reliability and storage duration of ice.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of rotational cutters with first cold air through holes and fixed cutters with second cold air through holes, allowing for improved cold air flow and reduced friction during ice crushing, maintaining the cleanliness and functionality of the cutters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If rotational cutters are spaced apart at regular intervals, then ice crushing load is reduced, but cold air flow is disturbed and cold air becomes trapped
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational cutters are designed with through-holes that allow cold air to pass through them. This porous structure enables cold air to flow through the cutter bodies rather than being blocked by the solid cutter material, maintaining continuous cold air circulation in the ice crushing space while the cutters perform their crushing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutters incorporate a composite structure combining cutting edges for ice crushing with through-holes for air flow. This composite design integrates two functions (crushing and air flow passage) into a single component, resolving the contradiction between mechanical function and fluid flow requirement.
2Productivity
If rotational cutters are spaced apart at regular intervals, then ice crushing operation is improved, but crushed ice melts due to trapped cold air
Solution Approach 1:
The through-holes in the rotational cutters enable continuous cold air flow through the ice crushing space, preventing cold air entrapment and ensuring that crushed ice remains at low temperature, thus preventing melting while maintaining efficient crushing operation.
3Force
If rotational cutters are spaced apart at regular intervals, then load during ice crushing is reduced, but cutter cleanliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The through-holes in the cutters allow cold air to flow through and around the cutting surfaces, preventing ice particles and debris from accumulating on the cutters. This continuous air flow maintains cutter cleanliness and functionality while the spaced arrangement reduces crushing load.
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
Enhances cold air flow in the ice crushing space, prevents melting of crushed ice, maintains cutter cleanliness, and improves ice crushing efficiency and storage duration, thereby increasing the reliability of the refrigerator.
Implementation Method 1
a rotational cutter (501) including a first cold air through hole (506) and configured to crush ice supplied from the ice maker by rotation
Implementation Method 2
a fixed cutter (601) including a second cold air through hole (606) and configured to press and crush the ice supplied from the ice maker
Implementation Method 3
enhances cold air flow in the ice crushing space, prevents melting of crushed ice
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator including an ice maker and cutters for crushing ice produced from the ice maker. The cutters include fixed cutters and rotational cutters. Through holes are formed on the cutters to facilitate cold air flow to pass through the cutters and into the ice crushing space. The rotational cutters can rotate in one direction to crush the ice, and can rotate in another direction to leave the ice uncrushed.