Ice Water Dispenser Assembly With Stable Metallic Face Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ice water dispensers in refrigerators lack robust mechanical connections and appealing visual designs, leading to instability and aesthetic concerns.

Innovation Solution

The ice water dispenser features a metallic look body with an S-form cross-section inter-engaging connection between the dispenser outer body and inner sheet, secured by a screw and double-sided adhesive strips, and a dispenser face cover sheet attached via lateral rips, providing enhanced mechanical stability and a visually appealing metallic appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If plastic contours are used for the ice water dispenser body, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but visual appeal and perceived quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidvisual appeal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The dispenser body combines a metallic outer body with a plastic inner tray, creating a composite structure that achieves both aesthetic appeal (metallic appearance) and manufacturing efficiency (plastic components). This composite approach allows each material to contribute its superior properties to the final product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If simple attachment methods are used for connecting dispenser components, then device complexity is reduced, but mechanical stability and connection robustness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection method complexityVSAvoidmechanical connection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into multiple functional segments: protrusions for positioning, lateral rips for attachment, and screws for securing. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple connection mechanisms (protrusions, lateral rips, screws) are merged into a unified attachment system that works together to provide robust mechanical connection. The combination of these elements creates a connection system that is both simple to implement and mechanically strong.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If components are loosely connected in the ice water dispenser, then assembly ease is improved, but mechanical stability and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidmechanical stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Protrusions are pre-formed on the dispenser inner sheet before assembly, and corresponding recesses are prepared in advance on the outer body. This preliminary preparation of connection features enables quick and easy assembly while ensuring proper alignment and stable connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The lateral rips create a curved or flexible connection path that allows for easy insertion and attachment of the face cover sheet. The curved geometry of the rips provides mechanical advantage for attachment while maintaining assembly simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS8695853B2Household appliance having ice water dispenser

Publication Date: 2014.04.15 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

AI summary

A refrigerator having an ice water dispenser either with an overlap frame or flush frame. The ice water dispenser has a dispenser inner sheet and dispenser outer body onto which a dispenser face cover sheet is attached by way of lateral rips. The dispenser face cover sheet is fixed to cover the periphery of the outer body with respective openings for buttons.