Ice Maker Ejector Geometry for Small Cube Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers face difficulties in removing small crescent-shaped ice cubes and those with 'volcano' defects due to adhesion and interference issues, which hinder efficient harvesting.
Innovation Solution
An ice making assembly with an offset shaft ejector and tines having arcuate bottom surfaces, designed to sweep through mold volumes and accommodate various ice cube sizes, including small crescent-shaped and defective ice cubes, preventing jamming and facilitating easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional ejector with straight or linear tines is used, then it works well with relatively large crescent shaped ice cubes, but it has difficulty removing relatively small crescent shaped ice cubes
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector tines are designed with arcuate (curved) bottom surfaces instead of straight or linear surfaces. This curvature allows the tines to better conform to and engage with small crescent-shaped ice cubes, enabling effective removal across a wider range of ice cube sizes while maintaining productivity.
2Productivity
If liquid water freezes within partially formed ice cubes, then ice cubes are formed, but expanding liquid water forms a hole at the ice cube's weakest point creating a volcano defect
Solution Approach 1:
The arcuate bottom surfaces of the ejector tines are specifically designed to accommodate and work with ice cubes that have volcano defects. The curved geometry allows the tines to sweep through the cavities and remove ice cubes with defects without jamming, converting what would be a harmful defect into a condition that does not interfere with the harvesting process.
3Ease of operation
If the ejector rotates to sweep tines through cavities, then ice cubes can be scooped out, but the volcano defect can impact the ejector and interfere with rotation and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The arcuate bottom surfaces of the ejector tines create a sweeping motion that naturally guides ice cubes with volcano defects off the tines during rotation. The curved geometry prevents the defect from impacting or jamming the ejector mechanism, ensuring smooth rotation and continuous productivity.
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 effectively addresses the challenges of removing small ice cubes and those with volcano defects by ensuring smooth rotation and extraction, reducing jamming and adhesion issues, thereby enhancing the efficiency of ice harvesting.
Implementation Method 1
Each tine of the plurality of tines has an arcuate bottom surface
Implementation Method 2
During freezing, the ice cubes can adhere or stick to the mold body
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making assembly for a refrigerator appliance is provided. The ice making assembly includes a mold body and an ejector. The ejector has a shaft with a central axis that is offset from an axis of rotation of the ejector. The ejector also has a plurality of tines for sweeping through mold volumes of the mold body. Each tine has an arcuate bottom surface.