Refrigerator with ice maker

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ice making machines in refrigerators are fixed on the refrigerator box through screws, leading to high material and assembly costs.

Innovation Solution

The ice making machine main frame is secured to the freezing chamber using a buckle structure, eliminating the need for screws and simplifying the connection method, which also facilitates easy disassembly for cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the ice making machine assembly is fixed on the refrigerator box through screws, then the connection is strong and reliable, but the material cost and assembly cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional screw mechanical connection system with a buckle structure system. The buckle structure includes a buckle body and a buckle hook that engage with each other through mechanical interlocking, eliminating the need for screws while maintaining connection reliability and reducing material and assembly costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the connection parameter from threaded engagement (screws) to hook-and-loop engagement (buckle structure). This parameter change allows for easier assembly and disassembly while maintaining sufficient connection strength, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the ice making machine assembly is fixed on the refrigerator box through screws, then the connection is stable, but the disassembly for cleaning becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoiddisassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The buckle structure is designed to be dynamically adjustable - it provides stable connection during normal operation but can be easily opened when needed for cleaning or maintenance. The buckle hook can be simply disengaged from the buckle body, transforming the connection from permanently fixed to temporarily secured

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system is segmented into separate components (buckle body and buckle hook) that can independently engage and disengage. This segmentation allows the ice making machine assembly to be easily separated from the refrigerator box for cleaning while maintaining stability during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the ice making machine assembly is fixed on the refrigerator box, then the structure is stable, but the air duct length increases reducing cooling efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The buckle structure changes the spatial arrangement of the connection, allowing the ice making machine assembly to be positioned more optimally relative to the freezing chamber. This dimensional optimization shortens the air duct path while maintaining structural stability through the engineered buckle engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250271194A1Refrigerator with ice maker

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A refrigerator includes a freezing chamber and an ice making machine assembly. The ice making machine assembly includes an ice making machine main frame and an ice tray assembly. The refrigerator also includes a buckle structure that secures the ice making machine assembly to a top of the freezing chamber.