Ice maker and refrigerator having the same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ice makers face issues with properly discharging ice due to interference between the ejector and the ice tray, leading to damage or stopped rotation, as ice often remains on the tray during the separation process.

Innovation Solution

The ice maker design incorporates an ice tray with a curved inner surface and protrusions that create a groove for ice formation, allowing the ejector to rotate and separate ice efficiently by spacing it away from the tray surface, reducing surface tension and facilitating easy discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the ejector rotates to separate ice from the ice tray, then ice discharge is achieved, but ice remains on the rear end of the tray causing interference and damage to the ejector

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice discharge efficiencyVSAvoidejector operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ice tray's inner surface is designed with a curved configuration rather than a flat surface. This curvature facilitates the movement of ice during ejection and prevents ice from remaining on the tray, thereby resolving the contradiction between ice discharge efficiency and ejector reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The ice tray is divided into multiple ice formation spaces, each capable of independently forming and discharging ice. This segmentation allows for more effective ice separation and prevents interference between the ejector and remaining ice, improving both discharge efficiency and operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the ejector rotates to lift and discharge ice, then ice separation is achieved, but ice interference stops rotation or damages the ejector

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice separation easeVSAvoidejector protection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The curved inner surface of the ice tray simplifies the ice separation process by naturally guiding ice movement during ejection. This eliminates the need for complex protective mechanisms for the ejector, maintaining ease of operation while avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The design converts the potential harmful effect of ice remaining on the tray into a beneficial feature by using the curved surface to actively promote ice movement and discharge. This prevents ejector damage without requiring additional protective components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS9897362B2Ice maker and refrigerator having the same

Publication Date: 2018.02.20 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

An ice maker and a refrigerator including an ice maker are provided. The ice maker may include a tray including at least one projection that extends and protrudes from an inner surface of the tray, an ejector that rotates to separate the ice from the tray, and an ice separation motor connected to a side of the ejector to provide power to rotate the ejector so that the ice maker may effectively discharge ice out of the tray and the ice maker.