Ice Maker Elastic Mounting to Prevent Damage from Dimensional Errors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerator designs face challenges in stably supporting ice makers within the inner case, leading to potential damage and affecting the exterior quality, due to dimensional errors and deformation during mounting and operation.

Innovation Solution

The integration of elastic protrusions on the ice maker case walls, which are elastically deformable to adjust their position relative to the inner case walls, ensuring stable support and preventing damage during mounting and operation, while improving the exterior quality by allowing for precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If rigid mounting structure is used to ensure stable support, then stability is improved, but damage occurs during mounting due to dimensional errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestable supportVSAvoiddamage to ice maker and inner case

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating elastic protrusions that can deform elastically before damage occurs. These protrusions act as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs mounting errors and dimensional variations, preventing direct rigid contact that would cause damage to the ice maker or inner case walls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by using elastic protrusions that can dynamically adjust their position and deformation state. The protrusions transition between deformed and restored states based on mounting conditions and operational vibrations, providing adaptive support rather than fixed rigid contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If elastic protrusions are used to prevent damage, then reliability is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates due to deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevent damageVSAvoidpositioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service through the elastic protrusions' ability to automatically restore their original position after deformation. The elastic material inherently provides a restoring force that returns the protrusion to its designed position, eliminating the need for additional positioning mechanisms and maintaining precision without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If precise alignment is required for exterior quality, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to dimensional variations worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexterior qualityVSAvoidaccommodation of dimensional variations

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 elastic protrusions provide stable support for the ice maker, prevent damage to both the ice maker and the inner case, and enhance the exterior quality by allowing for precise positioning and deformation to accommodate dimensional variations.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic protrusion provided on the first ice maker case wall, the elastic protrusion being configured to interfere with the first inner wall and to be elastically deformable in a direction in which the elastic protrusion is pressed by the first inner wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20240053081A1refrigerator

Publication Date: 2024.02.15 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes an outer case forming an exterior of the refrigerator; an inner case provided in the outer case and defining a storage compartment, the inner case including a first inner wall and a second inner wall opposing the first inner wall; and an ice maker mounted in the inner case and to make ice, the ice maker including an ice maker case, wherein the ice maker case includes: a first ice maker case wall supported by the first inner wall; a second ice maker case wall supported by the second inner wall; and an elastic protrusion provided on the first ice maker case wall, the elastic protrusion being configured to interfere with the first inner wall and to be elastically deformable in a direction in which the elastic protrusion is pressed by the first inner wall.