Ice Maker Airflow Layout to Prevent Cool Air Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigerators with ice makers positioned in the refrigerating chamber, cool air accumulation behind the water overflow reducing plate interferes with new cool air supply, affecting ice making efficiency and potentially freezing adjacent components.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a separate cool air inlet and outlet passage system, where the cool air outlet passage is positioned lower than the inlet and can be created by rotating the ice making tray or the water overflow reducing plate, with a control unit to detect water freezing status and initiate rotation to enhance air circulation and ice separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the water overflow reducing plate is positioned at the upper side of the ice making tray, then water overflow is reduced, but cool air accumulates and interferes with new cool air supply
Solution Approach 1:
The water overflow reducing plate is divided into multiple sections: a first plate body positioned at the upper side to prevent water overflow, and a second plate body extending downward to form a cool air passage. This segmentation allows the plate to simultaneously perform water containment and air circulation functions without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The cool air passage extends in the vertical dimension from the first plate body downward to the second plate body. This vertical extension creates a dedicated channel for cool air flow, separating the air circulation path from the water containment function and preventing cool air accumulation.
2Ease of operation
If the ice maker is positioned at the door of the refrigerator, then ice making is convenient, but impacts cause water to be slopped and splash around
Solution Approach 1:
The water overflow reducing plate is pre-positioned at the upper side of the ice making tray before any water slopping can occur. This preliminary positioning creates a barrier that prevents water from splashing around during door impacts, addressing the problem before it arises.
3Temperature
If cool air is supplied in the space defined by the water overflow reducing plate, then cooling is provided, but the accumulated cool air interferes with new cool air
Solution Approach 1:
The cool air passage extracts cool air from the space defined by the water overflow reducing plate and channels it downward through the second plate body. This extraction prevents cool air accumulation in the upper space and maintains continuous air circulation for efficient ice making.
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
This configuration prevents cool air accumulation, increases ice making speed, and reduces the risk of freezing adjacent components by ensuring efficient cool air circulation and controlled ice separation.
Implementation Method 1
a cool air inlet passage configured to allow cool air to be introduced to an area inside of the plate and a cool air outlet passage that is separate from the cool air inlet passage, the cool air outlet passage configured to allow release, to an exterior of the plate, of the cool air introduced to the area inside of the plate
Implementation Method 2
an ice making tray associated with the ice maker and configured to retain water to be frozen
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes an ice maker positioned in the refrigerator and configured to make ice. The refrigerator also includes a plate positioned at an open side of the ice making tray and configured to reduce water overflow. The refrigerator further includes a cool air inlet passage configured to allow cool air to be introduced to an area inside of the plate. In addition, the refrigerator includes a cool air outlet passage that is separate from the cool air inlet passage, and configured to allow release of cool air from the area inside of the plate to an exterior of the plate.