Ice Maker Lower Ejector Pin Design for Complete Ice Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers face issues with inefficient ice separation due to localized pressing, potential deformation of ejecting pins, and increased load on motors, leading to incomplete ice removal and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
The ice maker design includes a lower ejector with a curved lower ejecting pin that applies force to the center of the lower tray, distributing the load over time and preventing interference with the support, ensuring smooth ice separation without breaking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lower ejecting pin assembly presses a local portion of the lower tray, then ice separation is attempted, but the pressing force is not efficiently transmitted and ice does not separate completely
Solution Approach 1:
The lower ejecting pin assembly is segmented into multiple ejecting pins (at least three pins arranged in a triangular pattern) that contact different portions of the lower tray simultaneously. This segmentation distributes the pressing force across multiple contact points, efficiently transmitting force to separate ice from the entire tray surface rather than concentrating force on a single local portion.
Solution Approach 2:
Each ejecting pin is designed with specific geometric characteristics (spherical tips with predetermined diameters) to optimize local contact quality with the lower tray. The pins are positioned at specific locations (including central and peripheral regions) to ensure uniform force distribution, creating locally optimized pressing conditions that collectively achieve complete ice separation.
2Reliability
If the lower tray is pressed by the lower ejecting pin assembly, then ice separation is promoted, but deformation of the ejecting pin assembly may occur under increased load
Solution Approach 1:
The load is segmented and distributed across multiple ejecting pins rather than concentrating stress on a single pin. This segmentation reduces the mechanical load on each individual pin, preventing deformation while maintaining effective ice separation through collective action of all pins.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejecting pins are designed with spherical tips that allow dynamic adaptation to the lower tray surface during pressing. This dynamic contact mechanism distributes stress more evenly and prevents rigid structural deformation under load, while still providing sufficient pressing force for ice separation.
3Productivity
If multiple ices are removed at the same time, then productivity is improved, but the load applied on the motor rotating the lower tray increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ice removal process is segmented into simultaneous ejection of multiple ice portions through multiple ejecting pins. This allows batch removal of ice (improving productivity) while distributing the mechanical load across multiple pin-motor connection points, reducing peak motor stress compared to sequential removal of single ice pieces.
4Reliability
If the lower tray is pressed locally by the ejecting pin, then ice separation is attempted, but ice may break or damage during the process
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing action is segmented into multiple gentle contact points via multiple ejecting pins rather than one concentrated force. This distributes the separating force across the entire ice mass, preventing stress concentration that would cause ice breaking while still achieving complete separation from the tray.
Solution Approach 2:
Each ejecting pin is designed with optimized local pressing characteristics (spherical tip geometry, predetermined diameter, specific positioning) to apply force evenly across different regions of the lower tray. This local optimization ensures uniform ice separation without creating stress concentrations that would damage the ice structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an ice maker, for a home appliance, in particular for a refrigerator or freezer, including an upper assembly including an upper tray having at least one upper chamber part; a lower assembly including a lower support and a flexible lower tray separably supported thereon and having at least one lower chamber part, and a lower ejector including at least one lower ejecting pin, wherein the lower assembly is movable with respect to the upper assembly between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, the lower chamber part and the upper chamber part form at least one ice chamber in which ice is to be formed, wherein the lower support has at least one lower opening corresponding respectively to the at least one lower chamber part, and wherein the lower ejector is arranged such that in the open position, the lower ejecting pin is configured to penetrate through the lower opening in the lower support and to partially separate the lower tray from the lower support for removing ice from the lower chamber part.