Refrigerator Ice Dispenser Assembly With Bidirectional Auger Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional through-the-door ice dispensers in refrigerators often produce undesirable operating noises and experience lag time when switching between crushed and cubed ice modes due to the use of solenoid assemblies and crushers with axially rotating blades.
Innovation Solution
An ice dispenser assembly featuring a bi-directional helix device that delivers ice to a crusher when rotated in one direction and bypasses it when rotated in the opposite direction, eliminating the need for solenoids and reducing component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a solenoid assembly is used to actuate the diverter door for transferring ice to the crusher, then the ice dispenser can switch between crushed and cubed ice modes, but undesirable operating noises are produced and lag time occurs during mode switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the solenoid assembly and diverter door mechanism from the ice dispenser system. Instead of using electromagnetic actuators to switch between crushed and cubed ice modes, the invention uses a single horizontal wire auger that can directly convey ice to either the crusher or the discharge chute based on its rotational direction, eliminating the noisy solenoid actuation entirely
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using a diverter door to redirect ice flow paths, the invention inverts the approach by using a bidirectional auger that actively transports ice to different destinations. The auger rotates in one direction to deliver ice to the crusher and in the opposite direction to bypass the crusher and deliver cubed ice directly, reversing the conventional diverter mechanism
2Adaptability or versatility
If a solenoid assembly and diverter door are used to switch between crushed and cubed ice modes, then ice can be directed to the crusher or bypass it, but lag time in dispensing ice is experienced during mode changes
Solution Approach 1:
The bidirectional auger is positioned to have direct access to both the crusher inlet and the discharge chute. By pre-positioning the auger to serve both functions and eliminating the intermediate diverter door mechanism, the system can switch modes immediately by simply reversing the auger's rotation direction, without the lag time associated with mechanical door actuation and ice redirection
Solution Approach 2:
The single horizontal wire auger performs multiple functions: it conveys ice to the crusher when rotating in one direction and conveys ice directly to the discharge chute when rotating in the opposite direction. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for each dispensing mode, enabling instant mode switching without lag time
3Adaptability or versatility
If a crusher with axially rotating blades is used to crush ice cubes, then crushed ice can be produced, but the device complexity increases with additional components like solenoids and diverter doors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the ice conveyance and mode selection functions into a single horizontal wire auger system. The auger combines the functions of ice transport and diverter operation that were previously separate components, reducing device complexity while maintaining the capability to dispense both crushed and cubed ice
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the solenoid assembly and diverter door from the system. By eliminating these additional components and using only the bidirectional auger for mode switching, the device complexity is reduced while still providing both crushed and cubed ice dispensing options
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 solution minimizes operational noise and reduces manufacturing and assembly costs by eliminating solenoids, while enabling efficient delivery of both cubed and crushed ice with reduced lag time between modes.
Implementation Method 1
a bi-directional helix device configured to deliver ice to a crusher when operated in a first direction and have ice bypass the crusher when operated in a second opposite direction
Data Source
AI summary
An ice-dispenser assembly for a refrigerator includes a crusher, an auger, a motor configured to drive the auger, and a sorting device operatively coupled to the auger. The sorting device is configured to deliver ice to the crusher when rotated in a first direction and have ice bypass the crusher when rotated in the opposite direction.