Fresh Food Ice Maker Cooling and Bin Latch for Melt Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators with bottom-mount configurations face challenges in placing ice makers within the fresh food compartment, which is maintained above freezing temperature, leading to inefficient ice production and storage due to temperature fluctuations and complex assembly requirements.
Innovation Solution
An ice maker is integrated into the fresh food compartment with a dedicated evaporator for cooling, a rotatable auger for ice dispensing, and a latch system to secure the ice bin, allowing for efficient ice production and storage while minimizing exposure to ambient temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ice maker is placed in the fresh food compartment maintained above freezing temperature, then the ice maker is more accessible and does not require complex conveyor systems, but the ice pieces are exposed to ambient temperatures causing partial melting and temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fresh food compartment into two distinct thermal zones: an ambient temperature region for food storage and a sub-freezing region for ice making and storage. This segmentation allows the ice maker to benefit from the accessible location while being protected from melting by the cold environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a thermal barrier or cold air supply mechanism as an intermediary between the ambient fresh food compartment and the ice maker. This intermediary creates a localized sub-freezing environment around the ice bin, preventing direct exposure to warm ambient air while maintaining the ice maker's accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If the ice bin is made removable for easy access, then users can easily retrieve ice pieces, but the ice bin may become dislodged during operation due to auger driving forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic latch system that can be engaged or disengaged as needed. During ice making and storage, the latch is engaged to secure the ice bin against auger forces. When ice retrieval is needed, the latch can be easily released, allowing the bin to be removed. This dynamic approach provides both stability during operation and accessibility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent may employ a magnetic latch or elastic finger mechanism instead of complex mechanical locking systems. These simplified mechanisms provide sufficient retention force to counteract the auger's driving force while being easily releaseable by the user, combining security with ease of operation.
3Reliability
If a latch system is added to secure the ice bin, then the ice bin remains stable during auger operation, but the assembly becomes more complex and labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive latch components such as elastic fingers or magnetic elements that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. These simple components provide reliable retention without the complexity of mechanical locking systems, reducing both manufacturing complexity and assembly labor.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch system is designed to be self-actuating or automatically engaging. For example, the elastic fingers may automatically engage with the ice bin when it is inserted, or the magnetic latch may automatically attract and secure the bin, eliminating the need for complex manual adjustment or multiple assembly steps.
4Productivity
If the auger applies sufficient driving force to dispense ice pieces, then ice delivery is effective, but the force may exceed the retention capability of simple latch systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent concentrates the retention force at specific critical points where the auger applies force to the ice bin. Rather than requiring uniform strength across the entire bin, the latch system is positioned to counteract the specific forces generated by the auger during ice dispensing, allowing effective ice delivery with a relatively simple latch mechanism.
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 enables effective ice production and storage in a compartment above freezing temperatures, reducing ice melting and simplifying assembly by maintaining a consistent cooling environment and secure ice bin retention.
Implementation Method 1
A refrigeration system is provided including an evaporator for providing a cooling effect to at least one of the fresh food and freezer compartments
Implementation Method 2
An ice maker evaporator disposed in the ice maker chamber that is dedicated to provide air cooled to a temperature below zero degrees Centigrade to the ice maker
Implementation Method 3
An air mover disposed within the ice maker and adjacent the second end of the ice maker chamber for delivering the cooled air from the ice maker evaporator to a region adjacent to the ice bin
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration appliance includes a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment, and an ice maker within the fresh food compartment for freezing water into ice pieces. In one example, a rotatable auger drives the ice pieces out of a removable ice bin via a driving force applied in a first direction. A latch is configured to apply a resisting force to the ice bin along a second direction. In another example, an air mover is disposed within the ice maker for delivering cooled air from an ice maker evaporator to a region adjacent to the ice bin. At least one air channel is formed into an inside surface of the ice maker chamber. In another example, a method of making ice in the refrigeration appliance is provided. The method includes the steps of operating the air mover and a defrost heating of the ice maker evaporator.