Ice Discharge Duct Structure for Safe Refrigerator Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with icemakers pose a risk of injury to users, especially children, due to direct access to the ice crushing device through the ice discharge duct, and the fixed structure reduces storage space.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an approaching prevention unit within the ice discharge duct, which can be in the form of a detachable basket or a rotatable mechanism, to prevent user access to the icemaker while maintaining ice flow to the dispenser, thereby enhancing storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the ice discharge duct is fixed on the door by a structure on which an ice discharge passage is formed, then the ice can be discharged to the dispenser, but the storage space is reduced by the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The ice discharge duct is made detachable rather than fixed, allowing it to be removed when not in use. This dynamic configuration enables the storage space to be fully utilized while maintaining the ice discharge function when needed, resolving the contradiction between storage space and device structure.
2Ease of operation
If the user can directly approach the icemaker through the ice discharge duct and the dispenser, then the dispenser is accessible, but the user may be injured by the ice crushing device
Solution Approach 1:
The ice discharge duct is segmented into detachable portions, allowing the dispenser to remain accessible for ice retrieval while preventing direct access to the ice crushing device. The duct can be configured to allow ice passage while blocking hand insertion, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and safety.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an approaching prevention unit is disposed in the ice discharge duct to prevent user access, then user safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ice discharge duct incorporates a detachable or movable prevention unit that can be easily installed or removed. This dynamic approach provides safety functionality without permanently increasing device complexity, as the prevention mechanism integrates with the detachable duct structure rather than requiring separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes an icemaker for making and discharging ice, an ice bank for storing the ice discharged from the icemaker, an ice discharge duct for discharging the ice stored in the ice bank to the dispenser, and an approaching prevention unit that is disposed in the ice discharge duct to prevent a user from approaching the ice bank through the dispenser.