Ice Maker Piston-Driven Separation for Reduced Space and Cool Air Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice makers occupy large space, reduce refrigerator utilization, and cause energy inefficiency due to increased distance between freezing and ice making chambers, leading to cool air loss and complex configurations with high fabrication costs.
Innovation Solution
An ice maker with a slim configuration using pistons to mechanically separate ice, reducing size and installation height, and integrating ice making and separation units for simplified operation and reduced air loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional ice maker with horizontal ice container is used, then ice making function is provided, but the ice container and ice separation unit occupy large space reducing refrigerator utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal ice container layout to a vertical ice making arrangement. The ice maker is positioned at the bottom of the refrigerating chamber with the ice container extending vertically upward, utilizing the vertical dimension instead of horizontal space. This dimensional change allows the ice maker to occupy less floor space while maintaining adequate ice making capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a rotatable ice separation unit that can rotate between a first position (for ice separation) and a second position (for ice ejection). This dynamic positioning allows the same structural element to serve multiple functions at different times, reducing the need for separate static components and thereby reducing overall space occupation.
2Loss of energy
If ice maker installation height is reduced to shorten distance between freezing and ice making chambers, then cool air loss is minimized, but ice separation space becomes constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The ice separation unit is designed to rotate between different positions. In the first position, it extends upward to provide adequate separation space despite the compact vertical arrangement. In the second position, it retracts to minimize the occupied volume. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain cool air efficiency while providing sufficient ice separation space when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice separation function is separated from the ice making function, with the ice separation unit being a distinct rotatable component. This segmentation allows the separation unit to be positioned optimally for its specific function (extending upward for separation) without constraining the ice making chamber space, and can be retracted when not in use.
3Ease of operation
If ice maker is positioned at high location in refrigerating chamber, then ice can be dropped to dispenser location, but distance between freezing and ice making chambers increases causing cool air loss
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning the ice maker at the top and dropping ice downward, the patent inverts the arrangement by placing the ice maker at the bottom of the refrigerating chamber. Ice is formed in the vertical ice container and then ejected upward or laterally to the dispenser location. This inversion eliminates the long vertical distance for cool air transfer while still achieving effective ice delivery through the rotatable separation unit.
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 solution allows for efficient ice production with reduced space occupation, minimized cool air loss, and lower fabrication costs, enhancing energy efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an ice maker (100) installed in a refrigerating chamber (3) of the refrigerator (1)
Implementation Method 2
cool air inside the freezing chamber is guided to the ice maker to perform an ice making operation
Data Source
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AI summary
An ice maker, a refrigerator including the ice maker, and an ice making method are provided. The ice maker includes a tray having a predetermined length and to which water is supplied to make ice. The ice maker is configured to mechanically separate the ice from the tray by using pistons which are driven by being pressed by structures. This allows the ice maker to have a reduced size, and a small occupation area, thereby implementing a slim configuration of a refrigerator. Furthermore, since an installation height of the ice maker is lowered, a path for supplying cool air may be shortened. This may prevent loss of cool air being supplied to the ice making chamber. Since the ice maker has a simplified configuration and precise operation controls, the fabrication costs may be reduced, and inferiority of the ice maker due to malfunctions may be prevented.