Refrigeration device comprising an ice maker with double stops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigeration appliance ice cube trays have a short service life due to frequent deformation and mechanical strain caused by rotational movement during ice ejection, leading to premature aging.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating two stops to delimit the rotational movement of the ice cube tray, allowing it to be twisted between a freezing and an emptying position, reducing mechanical strain and extending the service life by regularizing deformation during ice ejection without the need for additional position detection mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ice cube tray is frequently deformed to eject ice cubes, then the ice cubes can be reliably emptied from the tray, but the mechanical strain on the ice cube tray increases, reducing its service life
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational movement is divided into two distinct phases delimited by two stops: a freezing position where ice cubes are formed, and an emptying position where the tray is twisted to eject ice cubes. This segmentation allows the deformation to be concentrated only during the ejection phase rather than occurring continuously, reducing cumulative mechanical strain on the tray material.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice cube tray undergoes periodic deformation only during the emptying phase, returning to its original position during the freezing phase. This periodic rather than continuous deformation allows the material to recover between stress cycles, extending the service life of the ice cube tray while maintaining reliable ice ejection functionality.
2Ease of operation
If the ice cube tray is twisted to eject ice cubes, then the ice cubes can be released from the tray, but the frequent deformation causes the tray to age faster
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of deformation frequency by introducing two stops that delimit the rotational movement. The tray is deformed only during the emptying position and remains stationary during the freezing position, changing the operational parameters from continuous deformation to intermittent deformation, thereby extending service life while maintaining ejection functionality.
3Device complexity
If a single stop is used to delimit rotational movement, then the structure is simple, but the ice cube tray cannot be reliably positioned for both freezing and emptying
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single stop, the patent employs two stops that segment the rotational movement into distinct freezing and emptying positions. This segmentation provides reliable positioning for both operations without requiring complex measurement systems, achieving precise positioning through simple mechanical delimitation.
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 extends the service life of the ice cube tray by reducing mechanical strain through regularized deformation during ice ejection, ensuring reliable ice formation and ejection while maintaining a simple and compact structure.
Implementation Method 1
the ice cube tray is configured as flexible, contact with the stop causes the ice cube tray to twist, ultimately releasing the ice cubes from the ice cube tray
Implementation Method 2
Gravity then causes them to drop down into an ice cube container arranged below the ice cube tray
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration device has an ice maker with an ice cube tray that is rotatably mounted about a rotational axis. The ice maker includes two stops for limiting the rotational movement of the ice cube tray about the rotational axis.