Refrigeration and/or freezer device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers in refrigerators and freezers often experience suboptimal air supply and removal, leading to ice buildup in undesired areas due to the lack of targeted airflow, which affects ice formation and temperature regulation.
Innovation Solution
A holding element with a fan and air guiding means is used to direct cooled air specifically to the ice maker, preventing ice buildup and optimizing ice formation, while maintaining minimal impact on the overall temperature stratification within the appliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fan is used to supply cooled air to the ice maker, then ice production speed is improved, but ice builds up in undesired areas such as below the glass plate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing targeted airflow specifically to the ice maker region through dedicated air supply and exhaust ducts. The air supply duct directs cooled air precisely where needed for ice formation, while the exhaust duct removes humid air from specific problem areas like below the glass plate, preventing localized ice buildup without affecting overall refrigerator performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow system is segmented into distinct air supply and exhaust pathways. The air supply duct separates the cooled air delivery to the ice maker from the general refrigerator airflow, while the exhaust duct creates a separate removal path for humid air. This segmentation allows independent control of airflow to prevent ice buildup in undesired areas while maintaining efficient ice production.
2Productivity
If air flow is increased to improve ice formation, then ice production is accelerated, but temperature stratification in the cooled interior is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by concentrating the airflow action specifically in the ice maker region rather than throughout the entire cooled interior. The air supply duct delivers cooled air locally to accelerate ice formation, while the exhaust duct removes humid air locally from problem areas. This localized approach allows accelerated ice production without disrupting the overall temperature stratification in the refrigerator.
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 ensures rapid and efficient ice production with reduced ice accumulation in unwanted areas, protecting against icing and maintaining optimal temperature regulation in the refrigerated interior.
Implementation Method 1
A fan and air guiding means for guiding the air conveyed by the fan to the ice maker are located in the holding element
Implementation Method 2
Cooled air preferably reaches the holding part in the form of a small volume flow from the evaporator of the refrigerant circuit of the device
Implementation Method 3
strong cooling of the water is thus possible and thus rapid formation of ice
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer with a refrigerated interior and with an ice maker (E) which is arranged in the refrigerated interior, with a holding element (H) being provided in which the ice maker is arranged, with a fan (V) and air guiding means for guiding the air conveyed by the fan to the ice maker are also located on the holding element.