Refrigerator and apparatus for ice discharging therein
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice discharging devices in refrigerators do not consistently discharge a fixed amount of ice, leading to operational failures and malfunctions due to uneven ice distribution and excessive load on the discharge mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A device with a rotation member and discharge adjustment part that ensures a predetermined amount of ice is transferred and discharged, utilizing a rotation shaft with wing portions and a flexible adjustment mechanism to control ice quantity, along with an ice processing unit for crushing or cubing, all controlled by a single motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional transfer member with spiral wings is used to transfer ice, then ice can be transferred to the discharge opening, but the amount of discharged ice is not regular and excessive load may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer member is divided into multiple blade portions (first blade portion and second blade portion) that are spatially separated. Each blade portion independently transfers ice along different paths, ensuring that ice pieces are moved in a controlled, segmented manner rather than as a chaotic mass, thereby preventing excessive load and ensuring regular discharge amounts.
Solution Approach 2:
The first blade portion transfers ice to an intermediate position before the second blade portion transfers it to the discharge opening. This preliminary action allows ice to be positioned and distributed in advance, ensuring that the final discharge contains a regular, predetermined amount of ice and preventing operational failures due to uneven distribution.
2Productivity
If ice is transferred without quantity control, then discharge speed is fast, but the amount of ice discharged is not fixed leading to operational failures
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer member is segmented into multiple blade portions that transfer ice in distinct stages. This segmentation enables precise control over the quantity of ice transferred at each stage, ensuring that a fixed, predetermined amount of ice is discharged while maintaining efficient discharge speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-blade configuration creates an inherent feedback mechanism where the first blade portion's transfer action influences the positioning and quantity of ice available for the second blade portion. This interplay ensures that the final discharged amount is controlled and regular, preventing operational failures.
3Device complexity
If a simple transfer mechanism is used, then device complexity is low, but ice quantity cannot be controlled resulting in malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer member is segmented into multiple blade portions that are integrated into a single rotating component. This segmentation provides precise ice quantity control through the spatial arrangement and independent action of each blade, while the integration into one component avoids the need for complex multi-device systems, maintaining reasonable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer member with multiple blade portions serves multiple functions: it transfers ice, controls ice quantity, and distributes ice evenly to the discharge opening. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single component, avoiding the need for additional separate devices and maintaining device simplicity while ensuring reliable, consistent discharge.
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator and a device for ice discharging are disclosed. The device for ice discharging includes a case having an ice introduction opening and an ice discharge opening (312); a rotation member (320) rotatable in the case to transfer ice that is held in a predetermined amount to be discharged; and a discharge adjustment part (340) spaced apart a predetermined space from the rotation member (320) to adjust the number of the ices transferred by the rotation member, such that a fixed amount of the ice is substantially discharged. The refrigerator includes the device for ice discharging therein.