Ice Maker Frame Rib Structure to Prevent Twist Distortion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice making machines face distortion issues when the ice making tray is twisted, leading to potential lifting of the frame's lower end from the inner wall surface of the freezing compartment, due to inadequate rigidity and support during the ice rotation process.
Innovation Solution
The ice making machine incorporates a framework with a third frame portion that contacts the side surface of the freezing compartment using a fixing portion, and a fourth frame portion with increased rigidity due to plate portions and ribs, preventing distortion by supporting the reaction force and enhancing structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the frame is made of thin-walled resin material for ease of manufacture and light weight, then manufacturing cost and weight are reduced, but the frame lacks sufficient rigidity to resist distortion when the ice making tray is twisted
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into multiple plate portions (first, second, third, fourth plate portions) connected by reinforcing ribs, creating a segmented structure that distributes stress and prevents distortion while maintaining ease of resin molding
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure transitions from a simple planar configuration to a three-dimensional reinforced structure with ribs extending in the vertical direction, adding structural dimensionality that prevents distortion without increasing overall footprint
2Device complexity
If the frame structure is simplified to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but the frame becomes susceptible to distortion under reaction forces during ice tray rotation
Solution Approach 1:
Reinforcing ribs are strategically placed only in critical areas where reaction forces act during ice tray rotation, providing localized strength enhancement without uniformly increasing structural complexity throughout the entire frame
Solution Approach 2:
The frame combines thin-walled resin material with integrated reinforcing ribs to create a composite structure that achieves high stiffness-to-weight ratio, maintaining simplicity while ensuring structural stability
3Productivity
If the contact portion contacts the ice making tray early in the rotation process to enable effective ice removal, then ice production efficiency is improved, but excessive reaction force causes frame distortion and lifting of the frame from the wall surface
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing ribs are pre-installed in the frame structure to provide ahead-of-time structural support that cushions against the reaction forces generated during ice tray rotation, preventing frame distortion before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure incorporates preliminary anti-action through reinforcing ribs that counterbalance the reaction forces from ice tray rotation, creating a pre-positioned structural resistance that prevents frame lifting and distortion
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making machine has a framework-shaped frame which encloses an ice making tray and a drive unit and a fixing portion which fixes the frame to an inner wall surface in a freezing compartment. The frame includes a first frame portion and a second frame portion opposed to each other in an X-axis direction and a third frame portion and a fourth frame portion opposed to each other in a Y-axis direction. The fixing portion protrudes upward from the third frame portion. The third frame portion contacts the inner wall surface when the frame is fixed to the freezing compartment. The fourth frame portion includes a plate portion which extends in the X-axis direction with a thickness direction directed to the Y-axis direction and connects the first frame portion and the second frame portion to each other and a plurality of ribs provided on the plate portion.