Ice Maker Support Frame with Air Plenum for Flexible Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Relocating an ice maker in a refrigerator or freezer poses design challenges due to the need for new anchoring points, redesigning water fill tube routing, and ensuring adequate chilled air supply, which increases complexity and parts count.
Innovation Solution
An ice maker assembly with a support frame featuring a fill cup and air plenum, along with a fan positioned downstream to direct used air through the air plenum, enhances anchoring, water distribution, and air circulation, maintaining efficiency and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the ice maker is relocated from the upper corner position, then aesthetic appearance and installation flexibility are improved, but anchoring complexity and structural support requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ice maker assembly is merged with the shelf structure by integrating mounting features directly into the shelf. The shelf serves dual purposes: food storage and ice maker support, eliminating the need for separate complex anchoring structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a food storage surface and as a structural support for the ice maker assembly. This universal design allows the ice maker to be positioned at various locations on the shelf without requiring dedicated anchoring points.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the water fill tube routing is redesigned for relocated ice maker, then adaptability to new positions is improved, but parts count and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The water fill tube is implemented as a flexible conduit that can be routed through the shelf structure to reach the ice maker at various positions. This flexible tubing allows adaptation to different ice maker locations without requiring rigid pre-installed pathways or additional routing components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ice maker is positioned away from the top wall, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but chilled air supply requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
An air plenum is introduced as an intermediary component between the evaporator and the ice maker. This plenum collects and redistributes chilled air to the ice maker location, mediating the air supply challenge created by relocating the ice maker away from direct evaporator proximity.
Solution Approach 2:
The air supply function is extracted from the direct evaporator-to-ice-maker pathway and separated into an independent air distribution system. This allows the ice maker to be positioned independently of the evaporator location while still receiving adequate chilled air supply.
4Device complexity
If conventional corner installation is used, then anchoring is simplified, but air circulation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The air circulation system is made dynamic with an adjustable fan that can be positioned and oriented to optimize air flow patterns. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain high ice maker efficiency regardless of the ice maker's position on the shelf, overcoming the limitations of static corner installation.
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 allows for efficient ice production by ensuring proper anchoring, water distribution, and air circulation, reducing installation complexity and improving ice maker productivity.
Implementation Method 1
The air plenum defines a channel therein and extends between first and second walls of the ice maker support frame. The fan is located at a position downstream from the ice maker with respect to an air flow generated by the fan.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling device including a liner defining a freezer compartment, a shelf positioned within the freezer compartment, and an ice maker assembly secured to the shelf. The ice maker assembly including an ice maker configured to produce ice pieces, and an ice maker support frame that supports the ice maker. The ice maker support frame includes a fill cup and an air plenum, the air plenum defining a channel therein and extends between first and second walls of the ice maker support frame. A fan is disposed adjacent the ice maker frame at a location corresponding to the air plenum. The fill cup is configured to receive water from a water fill tube and direct the water to an ice tray of the ice maker.