Ice Cube Removal Tool Using Twisting Deformation to Reduce Effort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice cube removal tools require significant effort and complex operations, involving flipping and aligning ribs and grooves, making them cumbersome and structurally complex.
Innovation Solution
An ice cube removal tool with a twisting mechanism that deforms the ice cube mold, allowing easy removal of ice cubes without the need for flipping or aligning ribs and grooves, featuring a cylindrical sidewall, limiting ribs, and a radial or axial opening system for efficient ice cube extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ice cube mold is pressed and deformed to free ice cubes, then ice cubes can be removed, but significant effort is required and the operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pressing the mold to release ice cubes, the patent inverts the approach by twisting the mold in the opposite direction. The twisting part rotates the mold body, using torsional deformation to loosen and release the ice cubes, thereby reducing the pressing force needed and making the operation easier.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic twisting mechanism that allows the mold to be rotated and twisted during the ice cube removal process. This dynamic action transforms the static pressing operation into a rotational motion, enabling easier release of ice cubes through twisting deformation rather than forceful pressing.
2Ease of operation
If a support structure is added to enable pressing deformation, then ice cubes can be freed, but the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support structure with the mold body itself. The limiting ribs are integrated into the mold structure, serving dual purposes: providing structural support during freezing and enabling twisting deformation during ice cube release. This integration eliminates the need for separate support components, simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold body is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the container for freezing water and as the twisting mechanism for ice cube release. The limiting ribs simultaneously provide structural support and act as the twisting interface, allowing the same structure to fulfill multiple functions without adding complexity.
3Productivity
If the mold is flipped and ribs and grooves are aligned during operation, then ice cubes can be removed, but the operation process becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary alignment features in the form of limiting ribs and corresponding grooves that automatically align the mold during insertion. This preliminary alignment action eliminates the need for manual flipping and alignment operations, simplifying the user's task to merely inserting and twisting the mold.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold design enables self-alignment through the limiting ribs and grooves that automatically engage when the mold is inserted into the holder. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for user intervention in aligning ribs and grooves, making the operation simpler and more efficient.
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
The tool allows for convenient and effortless ice cube removal with a simplified structure, reducing operational complexity and assembly costs.
Implementation Method 1
the ice cube twisting part is turned to twist and deform the ice cube mold and allow the ice cubes to be removed
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an ice cube removal tool, including an ice cube removal main body for containing an ice cube mold. The ice cube removal main body is provided with an ice cube twisting part capable of being turned relative to the ice cube removal main body, the ice cube removal main body and the ice cube twisting part are partially limited and fixed to the ice cube mold respectively, and during the process of removing ice cubes, the ice cube twisting part is turned to twist and deform the ice cube mold and allow the ice cubes to be removed.