Ice Maker Driving Module Insulation to Prevent Frost Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Direct-cooling type ice makers with refrigerant pipes contacting the ice making tray face issues with frost formation due to temperature differences, leading to potential malfunctions and reduced assembly quality.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a driving apparatus with a module case made of heat insulation material, featuring interlocking gears and a coupling system to securely attach the driving module inside the apparatus case, preventing frost formation and ensuring proper assembly and operation.
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 separate spaces: a first space containing the refrigerant pipe and ice making tray for direct cooling, and a second space containing the driving apparatus protected from direct cooling. This segmentation allows the refrigerant pipe to directly cool the ice making tray while preventing the driving apparatus from being exposed to excessive cold that would cause frost formation.
Solution Approach 2:
A partition wall with a specific opening configuration acts as an intermediary structure between the first space (refrigerant pipe and ice making tray) and the second space (driving apparatus). The opening allows controlled thermal interaction while maintaining spatial separation, enabling the driving apparatus to be protected from direct refrigerant cooling while still functioning within the ice making compartment.
2Volume of moving object
If the driving apparatus is disposed at the inside of the ice making compartment to save space, then device compactness is improved, but frost may form on the driving apparatus components causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The ice making compartment is segmented into a first space for ice making operations and a second space for housing the driving apparatus. This spatial segmentation allows the driving apparatus to be located within the overall ice making compartment volume while being thermally isolated from the direct cooling zone, preventing frost formation on electrical components.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the ice making compartment are given different thermal characteristics: the first space near the refrigerant pipe experiences direct cooling for efficient ice making, while the second space containing the driving apparatus is protected from direct refrigerant contact. This local differentiation of thermal conditions allows space-efficient positioning while protecting sensitive components.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the ice making tray is directly contacted with the refrigerant pipe for direct-cooling, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but assembly quality of the driving apparatus is reduced due to frost formation
Solution Approach 1:
The ice making compartment is divided into a first space where the refrigerant pipe directly contacts the ice making tray for efficient heat exchange, and a second space where the driving apparatus is protected from direct refrigerant cooling. This segmentation enables optimal thermal contact for ice making while protecting the driving apparatus from frost that would compromise assembly quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall structure with controlled openings serves as an intermediary that allows the refrigerant pipe to efficiently cool the ice making tray in the first space while preventing excessive cold and frost from affecting the driving apparatus in the second space, thus maintaining both heat exchange efficiency and assembly quality.
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
This configuration enhances the assembly quality of the driving apparatus, prevents frost from forming on critical components, and avoids malfunctions by ensuring effective heat management and secure attachment of the driving module.
Implementation Method 1
the ice making tray may serve as a heat exchanger without having a separate heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
The module case may be formed with a heat insulation material
Data Source
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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.