Ice Maker Water Dispense Cup Geometry to Prevent Ice Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ice accumulation in the water dispense cup due to water remaining in the supply pipe after dispensing into the ice maker, which can lead to ice formation and storage issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a water guide section with inclined surfaces in the water dispense cup to direct water from the supply pipe to a region below, and using a heater to melt any formed ice by transferring heat from the ice making tray, ensuring water flows to the ice making cells and preventing accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water is supplied to the ice making tray through the water dispense cup, then the ice making function is achieved, but ice accumulates in the water dispense cup due to water remaining in the supply pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful element (remaining water in the supply pipe) by providing a drainage path that leads below the water supply pipe level, allowing residual water to drain out and preventing it from freezing in the water dispense cup
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial dimension by extending the drainage path to a lower level below the water supply pipe, creating a vertical dimension for water drainage that prevents ice accumulation in the horizontal water dispense cup area
2Ease of manufacture
If the water dispense cup is made from plastic material, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but heat transfer efficiency for melting ice is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure where the water dispense cup is made of plastic (for cost-effectiveness and insulation) while incorporating a metal heater element (for efficient heat transfer), combining the advantages of both materials to achieve both low cost and high heat transfer efficiency
3Temperature
If the ice making tray and water dispense cup are made from metal, then heat conductivity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using metal material specifically for the heater element where high heat conductivity is critical, while the water dispense cup remains plastic, optimizing heat transfer only where needed without increasing overall manufacturing cost
4Device complexity
If water is not guided away from the supply pipe region, then simple structure is maintained, but ice forms and accumulates in the water dispense cup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by designing the drainage path in advance to guide water away from the supply pipe region before it can freeze, preventing ice accumulation proactively rather than addressing it after formation
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 prevents ice accumulation in the water dispense cup by ensuring water flows to the ice making cells and melting any formed ice, maintaining operational efficiency and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a water guide section is formed in the water dispense cup to guide the water, which is supplied from the water supply pipe, to a region below the water supply pipe. The water guide section includes a first inclination surface, which is inclined to guide the water supplied from the water supply pipe toward the region below the water supply pipe
Implementation Method 2
The ice making tray and the water dispense cup include metal having superior heat conductivity. The ice maker heats the water dispense cup by using heat of the heater that is operated when ice pieces are separated from the ice making tray
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an ice maker and a refrigerator having the same. The refrigerator includes a storage compartment, a storage compartment door for opening/closing the storage compartment, and an ice maker including an ice making tray for producing pieces of ice, and a water dispense cup for dispensing water supplied from a water supply pipe to the ice making tray. A water guide section is formed in the water dispense cup to guide the water, which is supplied from the water supply pipe, to a region below the water supply pipe so that ice pieces are prevented from being accumulated in the water dispense cup.