An ice making assembly having an ice distribution means
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice making assemblies result in underutilization of container volume due to ice piling in the middle, leaving sides empty, which limits the effective storage capacity and requires larger containers.
Innovation Solution
An ice making assembly with an elongated ice mold and a guide on its side wall that rotates to push ice towards the container's edges, ensuring homogeneous distribution and preventing pyramid formation, utilizing a removable guide with ribs for structural support and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the ice mold is located above the container and configured to drop ice onto the middle section of the container, then the ice mold structure is simple, but ice piles in the middle of the container leaving side walls empty, causing underutilization of container volume
Solution Approach 1:
A guide structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the ice mold and the container. The guide includes a guide body extending along the ice mold and wings that contact and push ice toward the container edges during rotation, thereby mediating the ice distribution process to achieve homogeneous distribution and maximize container volume utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure is designed to rotate together with the ice mold. During rotation, the wings dynamically contact and push ice pieces toward the container edges, transforming the static ice dropping process into a dynamic distribution process that prevents pyramid formation and maximizes space utilization
2Volume of stationary object
If a guide with wings is added to push ice towards container edges, then container volume utilization increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure is merged with the ice mold assembly, rotating together with the ice mold. This integration reduces the need for separate drive mechanisms and simplifies the overall structure while still achieving the ice distribution function. The guide body and wings form a unified structure that leverages the existing rotation motion of the ice mold
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure serves multiple functions: it guides ice pieces during rotation, pushes ice toward container edges, prevents pyramid formation, and maximizes container volume utilization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
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
Maximizes container volume usage by distributing ice evenly, allowing for a smaller container design and increased usable space within the cooling appliance.
Implementation Method 1
The ice mold is rotatable about a longitudinal axis... the ice mold is configured to rotate, thereby releasing ice from the cavities
Implementation Method 2
The guide, upon rotation of the ice mold is configured to contact and push said ice towards an edge of the container
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Cooling appliance comprising an ice maker assembly (1); the ice maker assembly (1) comprising; an ice mold (2) including a plurality of three dimensional cavities, placed into the ice maker assembly (1) and configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis; a container (3) placed underneath the ice mold (2) and configured to store ice; a guide (4) at least partly extending longitudinally along a side on the ice mold (2), which upon rotation of the ice mold (2) is configured to contact and distribute ice inside the container (3).