Ice maker with specific coupling of a driving unit with a storage container, and household cooling appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers lack an effective mechanical coupling mechanism between the driving unit and the storage container, leading to inefficient locking and sealing, which affects the appliance's performance and user experience.
Innovation Solution
The ice maker incorporates a coupling extension on the rear wall of the storage container that inserts into a closing aid within the drive housing, utilizing a gripper and energy storage to automatically lock the container in place, ensuring a secure and sealed position without requiring user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple insertion mechanism is used for coupling the storage container with the driving unit, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of the locking mechanism deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling extension automatically engages with the closing aid through a self-locking mechanism. When the storage container is inserted, the coupling extension is pulled into the locking position by the closing aid, and the mechanical coupling self-adjusts to ensure proper engagement without requiring manual intervention or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the coupling extension on the storage container and the closing aid in the driving unit. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the coupling extension for easy insertion and the closing aid for reliable locking - while working together as an integrated system.
2Reliability
If a complex locking mechanism is used to ensure secure coupling, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling extension and closing aid are merged into a single integrated locking action. The closing aid performs multiple functions simultaneously: it receives the coupling extension, pulls it into the locking position, and secures the mechanical coupling. This consolidation achieves reliable locking without requiring multiple separate mechanisms or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is self-actuating through the mechanical interaction between the coupling extension and closing aid. The closing aid automatically pulls the coupling extension into the locking position when the storage container is inserted, eliminating the need for external actuators, sensors, or control electronics.
3Ease of operation
If manual intervention is required for locking the storage container, then the ease of operation is improved, but the extent of automation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is fully automated through the self-actuating interaction between the coupling extension and closing aid. When the user inserts the storage container, the closing aid automatically pulls the coupling extension into the locking position without requiring any additional manual steps, buttons, or switches. The system performs the locking action autonomously based on the mechanical engagement alone.
Data Source
AI summary
An ice maker for mounting into a household cooling appliance, comprising: a storage container for ice comprising a rear wall and an opening, which is accessible from the top, a coupling extension, which is arranged on the rear wall and extends towards the rear, a driving unit comprising a drive housing and a closing aid arranged in the drive housing for locking of the storage container in a closed end position, wherein the drive housing comprises a front wall, at which an insertion opening of the closing aid is arranged so that upon inserting of the coupling extension into the insertion opening the coupling extension couples with the closing aid and by the closing aid viewed in the depth direction of the ice maker said coupling extension is pulled into the locking position towards the rear.