Ice maker for refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers face issues with incomplete sealing between the upper and lower trays, leading to ice removal defects and potential damage due to assembly tolerances and lack of movement limiting components, which result in gaps that can cause burrs on spherical ice.
Innovation Solution
An ice maker design featuring an upper assembly with hemispherical chambers made of elastic material, a pivotable lower assembly, rotating parts, pivoting arms, and elastic members that apply differential forces to ensure the lower tray remains closed, preventing ice flow and burr formation by maintaining contact between the trays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the motor assembly is disposed on one side of the lower tray, then the structure is simplified, but both ends of the lower tray do not pivot equally due to assembly tolerances, causing incomplete closure at the far side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric elastic members with different stiffness values on each side of the lower tray. The first elastic member has a first stiffness value while the second elastic member has a second stiffness value that is different from the first. This asymmetric design compensates for the unequal pivoting caused by the motor assembly placement and assembly tolerances, ensuring both ends of the lower tray close evenly and completely.
2Device complexity
If no movement limiting component is provided for the ejector, then the structure is simpler, but the ejector may move freely causing ice removal defects or damage to the ice maker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a movement limiting component that is pre-configured to restrict the ejector's movement range. This component is integrated into the ice maker structure before operation, ensuring the ejector cannot move beyond safe limits. This preliminary constraint prevents ice removal defects and potential damage while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the upper tray and lower tray are not perfectly sealed, then assembly is easier, but gaps between trays cause burrs on spherical ice and ice flow issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs elastic members that dynamically adjust the contact pressure between the upper tray and lower tray. These elastic members can be made of rubber or similar materials that provide continuous sealing pressure, ensuring perfect sealing during ice making. This eliminates gaps that would cause burrs on spherical ice while maintaining ease of assembly through the flexible sealing mechanism.
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 design ensures reliable ice removal by maintaining the closed state of the trays, preventing ice flow and burr formation, and enhancing the sealing between the upper and lower trays, resulting in more uniform spherical ice production.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member having one end connected to the first pivoting arm and the other end connected to the lower assembly, and a second elastic member having one end connected to the second pivoting arm and the other end connected to the lower assembly, wherein the first and second elastic members are configured to apply an elastic force such that the lower assembly closes the ice chambers
Data Source
AI summary
An ice maker includes an upper assembly including a plurality of hemispherical upper chambers, a lower assembly disposed below and pivotably coupled relative to the upper assembly, wherein the lower assembly includes a plurality of hemispherical lower chambers, a driver configured to pivot the lower assembly, a pair of rotating parts disposed at both sides of the lower assembly, a first pivoting arm pivotally mounted on one of the rotating parts, a second pivoting arm pivotally mounted on the other of the rotating parts and connected to the driver, a connection shaft connecting the first pivoting arm to the second pivoting arm, a first elastic member having one end connected to the first pivoting arm and the other end connected to the lower assembly, and a second elastic member having one end connected to the second pivoting arm and the other end connected to the lower assembly.