Ice Maker Mount Design for Tool-Free Sensor and Pump Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice makers face difficulties in accessing and removing water level sensors and water pumps for maintenance or repair, as these components are often hard to access and require separate fasteners, which can lead to misalignment and disrupt water level-based control schemes.
Innovation Solution
The ice maker incorporates a mount system with a sensor mount and pump mount that allow for the releasable connection of water level sensors and water pumps using bayonet connections and screw connections, eliminating the need for additional fasteners and ensuring precise positioning, facilitating easy installation and removal for maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If conventional mounting methods with separate fasteners are used, then the components can be securely attached, but the components become difficult to access and remove for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate integrates multiple mounting locations and fastening mechanisms into a single component. The plate includes a first location for the water level sensor and a second location for the water pump, combining what would traditionally require separate mounting operations into one unified structure that simplifies installation and maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is divided into distinct functional zones on the mounting plate: a first location specifically designed for the water level sensor with its own opening and fastening mechanism, and a second location for the water pump with separate openings and fastening features. This segmentation allows independent access and removal of each component while maintaining secure attachment
2Reliability
If separate fasteners are used for mounting components, then secure attachment is achieved, but misalignment occurs disrupting water level-based control schemes
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple mounting functions are consolidated into a single pre-positioned mounting plate that provides both the first location for the water level sensor and the second location for the water pump. The plate includes pre-formed openings and fastening features at precise locations, eliminating cumulative alignment errors that would occur with separate mounting operations
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate is pre-configured with openings and fastening features at the correct positions before installation. The first opening for the water level sensor and the second opening for the water pump are pre-positioned to ensure proper alignment, so that when components are mounted, they are automatically positioned accurately without requiring complex alignment procedures
Data Source
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AI summary
An ice maker (10) includes a water system that delivers water from a water reservoir (70) to an ice formation device. A mount can hold one or both of a fitting of a water level sensor (90) and a water pump (62) in relation to the water reservoir (70). For example, the mount can include integral features that lock with the fitting to mount the fitting on the ice maker (10) at a sensing position. The mount can include integral features that form a bayonet connection with a portion of the pump (62). A vertical support wall can included integrated features for supporting the mount in relation to the water reservoir (70).