Refrigerator Ice Dispenser Door Actuator Silent Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door opening/closing devices for ice dispensers generate impact sounds due to solenoid operation, pose safety risks with high-voltage AC power, and have complex configurations that increase size and cost, while also restricting installation space and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A door opening/closing device using a DC motor with 2-staged and 3-staged spur gears and a fan-shaped output gear that rotates in both directions to open and close the door silently, reducing the number of components and eliminating high-voltage risks, allowing for a compact and cost-effective design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a solenoid is used to open and close the door, then the door can be opened and closed electrically, but strong impact sound is generated when the metal rod collides against the iron core
Solution Approach 1:
A cushioning member (rubber or foam material) is provided between the metal rod and the iron core to absorb impact energy before collision occurs. This beforehand cushioning prevents the strong impact sound generated when the solenoid's metal rod collides with the iron core during door closing operation.
2Ease of operation
If a solenoid is used to open and close the door, then the door can be opened and closed electrically, but continuous vibration occurs in frozen conditions generating buzzer sound
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning member is positioned between the metal rod and the iron core to prevent direct contact and vibration. In frozen conditions where the solenoid case adheres to the iron core, this cushioning layer maintains separation and prevents continuous vibration, thereby eliminating the buzzer sound.
3Ease of operation
If a large-sized cam member is used to open and close the door, then the door can be opened and closed mechanically, but the device size increases and installation space is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the large-sized cam member from the door opening/closing mechanism. By removing this bulky component and replacing it with a more compact actuator system, the overall device size is reduced and installation space requirements are minimized while maintaining the door opening/closing function.
4Ease of operation
If a large-sized cam member is used to open and close the door, then the door can be opened and closed mechanically, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting and removing the large-sized cam member from the mechanism, the manufacturing cost is reduced. The replacement compact actuator system requires fewer materials and simpler manufacturing processes, thereby lowering production costs while maintaining operational functionality.
5Ease of operation
If high-voltage AC power is used to operate the cam motor, then the door can be opened and closed, but electric shock danger exists due to moisture in the ice dispenser
Solution Approach 1:
The operating voltage parameter is changed from high-voltage AC power to low-voltage DC power. This parameter change eliminates the electric shock danger associated with high voltage in the moisture-prone ice dispenser environment, while the low-voltage DC motor still provides sufficient torque to operate the door opening/closing mechanism.
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 enables silent and smooth operation of the ice dispenser door, reduces the risk of electric shock, and minimizes the device's size and manufacturing costs, enhancing user comfort and aesthetic appeal while maximizing space usage.
Implementation Method 1
A door opening/closing device for an ice dispenser includes a DC motor 1 which is rotated in forward and reverse directions
Implementation Method 2
a 2-staged spur gear 3 meshed with a worm gear 2 installed on a driving shaft of the DC motor 1, a 3-staged spur gear 4 meshed with the 2-staged spur gear 3, and a fan-shaped output gear 5 meshed with the 3-staged spur gear 4
Implementation Method 3
a rod-shaped boss 5a pushes and rotates a link lever 6a to press a coil spring 8 wound around an opening/closing link 6 and thus open the door 7. When the output gear 5 is rotated in the reverse direction, the coil spring 8 is released from a pressurized state
Data Source
AI summary
A door opening/closing device for an ice dispenser is disclosed. The door opening/closing device includes a DC motor 1 which is rotated in forward and reverse directions, a 2-staged spur gear 3 meshed with a worm gear 2 installed on a driving shaft, a 3-staged spur gear 4 meshed with the 2-staged spur gear 3, and a fan-shaped output gear 5 meshed with the 3-staged spur gear 4 and rotated in forward and reverse directions by interconnection of the motor 1 and the gears 2, 3 and 4. If the output gear 5 is rotated in the forward direction, a rod-shaped boss 5a pushes and rotates a link lever 6a to press a coil spring 8 wound around an opening/closing link 6 and thus open a door 7. If the output gear 5 is rotated in the reverse direction, the coil spring 8 is released from a pressurized state, and the rod-shaped boss 5a rotates in the reverse direction while abutting against the link lever 6a, so that the door 7 is closed without generating impact and sound.