Ice Crushing Device with Rotating Drum to Reduce Adhesion and Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ice-making methods in refrigerators produce ice cubes of limited size, which cannot meet user demands for larger quantities of ice, and existing solutions lack an efficient means to process big ice cubes into small ones.
Innovation Solution
An ice crushing device with a shaft seat, fixed shaft, and a rotating drum equipped with fixed and rotary ice cutters that cooperate to cut whole ice pieces into crushed ice, featuring a unique cutter design and discharge mechanism to prevent adhesion and facilitate efficient processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional ice-making boxes with grids are used, then ice cubes can be made, but the ice-making capacity is limited and cannot meet user demand for large quantities of ice
Solution Approach 1:
The ice-making process is segmented into two independent stages: first producing large ice blocks in an ice-making box, then crushing them into smaller cubes using a dedicated crusher. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, enabling large quantities of ice to be produced without limiting the ice-making box capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to the traditional horizontal ice-making approach by positioning the ice-making box above the crusher, with ice blocks falling vertically from the box to the crusher. This dimensional change allows for larger ice block production while maintaining efficient crushing capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If large ice blocks are produced to meet user demand, then ice quantity is sufficient, but the ice blocks cannot be directly used and require processing into smaller cubes
Solution Approach 1:
The crushing mechanism is segmented into multiple cutting components working in sequence: a first cutting component with a rotating blade and a second cutting component with stationary blades. This segmentation allows large ice blocks to be systematically reduced to usable small cubes through progressive cutting stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The crushing mechanism employs dynamic elements including a rotating blade that spins at high speed and adjustable cutting components. The rotating blade creates dynamic cutting action that efficiently breaks down large ice blocks, while the ability to adjust component positions allows optimization for different ice sizes and crushing requirements.
3Productivity
If ice cutters are positioned close to the ice outlet for efficient crushing, then crushing effectiveness improves, but ice adhesion to the outlet increases and requires frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful adhesion effect is extracted and addressed by providing a separate cleaning component specifically designed to remove ice residues from the outlet area. This dedicated cleaning function allows the cutting components to be positioned optimally for crushing efficiency without suffering from the negative consequence of ice adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning component acts as an intermediary between the cutting components and the ice outlet, preventing ice adhesion from interfering with the crushing operation. By introducing this intermediate cleaning function, the system maintains high crushing efficiency while eliminating the harmful adhesion effect.
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
Effectively processes large ice cubes into small ones, reducing the likelihood of ice adherence and the need for frequent cleaning, while providing a high-capacity ice production solution.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary ice cutter secured to an inner wall of the drum and capable of rotating with the drum; the rotary ice cutter has a first rotation direction for rotation relative to the fixed ice cutter to cut a whole piece of ice in the drum into crushed ice
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an ice crushing device, of which a fixed ice cutter and a rotary ice cutter can cooperate to cut and process big ice cubes that enter a drum into small ice cubes. Besides, based on the operation mode that the drum rotates, the probability that crushed ice is adhered onto an inner wall of the drum can be effectively reduced. Thus, the frequency of cleaning the inner wall of the drum can be reduced.