Refrigerator Ice Maker Lever Mechanism for Bin Fullness Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing ice making systems in refrigerators face issues with precise measurement of ice pieces in the ice bank, leading to over-supply and potential damage to components when the ice bank is mounted or removed.
Innovation Solution
An ice making system with an ejector, ice sensing lever, and lever holding unit that allows for precise measurement and prevents damage by using a driving force transmitting unit to rotate the lever holding unit, which includes an elastic member to support the ice sensing lever, enabling it to move within a predetermined range and absorb external forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ice bank is mounted below the ice maker, then ice pieces can be stored conveniently, but the ice bank and other components may be damaged by colliding with one another
Solution Approach 1:
The ice sensing lever is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position when the ice bank is mounted or removed. The lever can rotate within a predetermined range to accommodate the ice bank without causing collision damage, transforming a static collision risk into a dynamic adaptation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever holding unit provides elastic support to the ice sensing lever, creating a cushioning effect that prevents direct impact between the lever and other components during ice bank mounting. The elastic member absorbs external forces beforehand, protecting the system from damage.
2Quantity of substance
If the amount of ice pieces in the ice bank is not precisely measured, then the ice pieces may overflow from the ice bank, but precise measurement mechanisms increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The ice sensing lever automatically senses the amount of ice pieces in the ice bank through its own movement and position changes, without requiring external measurement devices. The lever's position naturally indicates whether the ice bank is full, allowing the system to self-monitor ice quantity using the existing mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice sensing lever serves multiple functions: it detects ice bank fullness, transmits rotation force from the ejector, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate measurement devices, reducing device complexity while maintaining precise measurement capability.
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 system effectively prevents damage to components by allowing the ice sensing lever to move and absorb external forces, enabling precise measurement of ice pieces and preventing overflow, thus enhancing user convenience and system reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a lever holding unit for elastically supporting and coupling the ice sensing lever so that the ice sensing lever can move within a predetermined range when an external force is applied to the ice sensing lever
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making system for a refrigerator is provided. The ice making system includes an ice maker body, an ejector rotatably coupled to the ice maker body that drops ice pieces made by the ice maker body, an ice bank drawably disposed below the ice maker body that stores the ice pieces dropped by the ejector, an ice sensing lever that senses an amount of the ice pieces stored in the ice bank, a lever holding device that elastically supports and couples the ice sensing lever, and a driving force transmitting device that transmits a rotation force received from the ejector to the lever holding device, thereby rotating the lever holding device. The ice sensing lever may move within a predetermined range when an external force is applied to the ice sensing lever.