Ice Maker Drive Module Insulation Against Frost Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Direct-cooling type ice makers in refrigerators face issues with frost formation due to temperature differences, leading to potential malfunctions in the ice separating motor and electro-motion members during the ice making process.
Innovation Solution
A driving apparatus is designed with an ice separating motor and electro-motion members that include a module case with heat insulation, featuring a gear system to rotate the ejector and prevent frost formation, ensuring improved assembly quality and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a refrigerant pipe is directly contacted with an ice making tray to enable direct-cooling, then cooling speed is improved, but frost formation occurs due to temperature difference in the ice making compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The ice making compartment is divided into two distinct zones: a direct-cooling zone where the refrigerant pipe contacts the ice making tray for rapid ice production, and a separate space for the driving apparatus that remains insulated from direct cooling. This segmentation allows different parts of the system to experience different thermal conditions appropriate to their functions.
Solution Approach 2:
A heat insulation case is introduced as an intermediary barrier between the refrigerant pipe/ice making tray and the driving apparatus. This insulation layer prevents the cold temperature from the direct-cooling zone from affecting the motor and electro-motion members, thereby preventing frost formation while maintaining efficient cooling where needed.
2Ease of operation
If the driving apparatus is disposed at one longitudinal side of the ice making tray to drive the ejector, then ice separation is enabled, but the motor and electro-motion members are exposed to cold temperatures causing frost formation and potential malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The heat insulation case acts as a protective intermediary that shields the driving apparatus components from the cold environment. This allows the motor and electro-motion members to remain at temperatures suitable for reliable operation while still being positioned to drive the ejector for ice separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation structure provides localized thermal protection specifically for the driving apparatus components that are sensitive to cold temperatures, while allowing other parts of the ice making system to operate in the cold environment necessary for ice production. This creates different thermal conditions in different locations within the same compartment.
3Productivity
If a separate heat exchanger is installed inside the ice making compartment for direct-cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ice making tray serves multiple functions: it acts as both the container for water-to-be-frozen and as a heat exchanger through direct contact with the refrigerant pipe. This eliminates the need for a separate dedicated heat exchanger component, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining direct-cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant pipe is directly integrated with the ice making tray structure, merging the cooling function and the ice formation function into a single integrated assembly. This combination reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture.
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 effectively prevents frost formation on the ice separating motor and electro-motion members, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the ice making process by maintaining the components' functionality and improving assembly quality.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant pipe is configured to make direct contact with an ice making tray of an ice maker so that the ice making tray may serve as a heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a module case configured to accommodate the ice separating motor and the circuit board
Data Source
AI summary
A structure of a driving apparatus capable of easily organizing a driving apparatus that is configured to drive an ejector of an ice maker, and preventing frost from being formed on inner compartments, the driving apparatus including a case and a driving module detachable to the inner side of the case, wherein the driving module includes an ice separating motor to drive the ejector, a circuit board to control an ice making process, an electro-motion member to deliver a rotational force of the ice separating motor to the ejector, and a module case to accommodate the components of the driving module.