Ice Maker Rotation and Detection Lever for Full Ice State Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator ice making assemblies face issues with ice jamming during the ice separation process, which limits the detection of a full ice state and restricts the operation of the ice maker, leading to inaccuracies in detecting the full ice state both before and after ice separation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an ice making assembly with a detection lever and driver system that rotates the ice maker between ice making and separation positions, utilizing a cam gear and magnetic lever to output signals for full ice state detection, allowing for accurate detection before and after ice separation, and preventing ice jamming by rotating the ice maker based on signal timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the detection lever is used to detect full ice state during ice separation process, then the full ice state detection is improved, but ice jamming occurs that restricts the ice maker operation
Solution Approach 1:
The ice maker is designed to rotate dynamically between ice making position and ice separation position. The rotation mechanism allows the ice maker to change its orientation actively, enabling the detection lever to access different detection positions and preventing ice jamming by altering the separation geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of the full ice state before initiating the ice separation process. By detecting whether the ice bin is full in advance, the system can adjust the separation operation accordingly, preventing ice jamming that would occur if separation were attempted when the bin is already full.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the ice maker rotates between ice making and separation positions, then ice jam is prevented, but the device complexity increases due to driver mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The driver mechanism serves multiple functions: it rotates the ice maker between ice making and separation positions, enables the detection lever to access different detection positions, and facilitates the overall ice separation process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection lever mechanism is merged with the ice maker rotation system. The same driver that rotates the ice maker also drives the detection lever to appropriate positions, combining two functions into a single integrated mechanism rather than using separate independent systems.
3Device complexity
If full ice state is detected only before ice separation, then the detection process is simple, but the full ice state detection accuracy is insufficient after ice separation
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback detection by checking the full ice state both before ice separation and after the ice maker returns from separation. The detection lever provides feedback signals at different stages, allowing the control system to verify the ice bin status and adjust operations accordingly, ensuring accurate detection throughout the cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection process operates continuously throughout the ice making and separation cycle rather than at discrete intervals. The detection lever remains positioned to monitor the ice bin status continuously, providing ongoing detection capability that maintains accuracy across all operational phases.
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
This solution effectively prevents ice jamming, improves the accuracy of full ice state detection, and ensures the ice maker operates without restriction, allowing for efficient ice production and storage by detecting the full ice state before and after separation.
Implementation Method 1
a detection element configured to output a first signal and a second signal according to a relative position with respect to the magnetic lever
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making assembly includes: an ice maker configured to make ice, an ice bin that has a portion disposed below the ice maker and that is configured to receive the ice from the ice maker, a detection lever that is disposed below the ice maker and that is configured to rotate to thereby detect a volume of the ice in the ice bin, and a driver configured to rotate the ice maker along a moving path between (i) an ice making position at which ice making is performed and (ii) an ice separating position at which ice separation is performed. The detection lever is configured to detect the volume of the ice in the ice bin being full before and after the ice is separated from the ice maker.