refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers lack a reliable means to detect the completion of the ice making process, leading to potential inefficiencies and inconsistencies in ice production.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator system that includes a temperature sensor integrated into the ice making cell, allowing for precise detection of ice formation completion by monitoring the temperature of the trays, which are optimally positioned to measure internal temperatures without interfering with electric wires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is integrated into the ice making cell to detect ice formation completion, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensor integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is integrated directly into the tray structure, merging the sensing function with the existing ice making component. This eliminates the need for separate sensor housings and complex wiring arrangements, while achieving reliable temperature detection for ice formation monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray serves as an intermediary element that both contains the ice making cell and houses the temperature sensor. This mediator approach allows the sensor to be positioned optimally for temperature detection while maintaining structural integrity and avoiding interference with other components.
2Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is positioned to measure internal tray temperatures accurately, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to positioning constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is positioned at a specific location on the tray where it can accurately measure the internal temperature of the ice making cell. This localized positioning ensures optimal measurement precision while the sensor is integrated into the tray structure to maintain manufacturing feasibility.
3Reliability
If electric wires for the temperature sensor are routed to avoid interference, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to wiring constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is integrated into the tray structure, extracting the sensing function from separate components and reducing the need for complex wire routing. This integration simplifies the overall wiring arrangement while maintaining reliable temperature detection for ice making monitoring.
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 enhances the reliability of ice making completion detection, ensuring consistent and efficient ice production by accurately determining when ice is formed, thus improving the overall performance of the ice maker.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the water or the ice of the ice making cell, wherein the temperature sensor is in contact with at least one of the first tray or the second tray
Implementation Method 2
a first tray configured to define one portion of an ice making cell that is a space in which water is phase-changed into ice by cold air
Implementation Method 3
water is phase-changed into ice by cold air
Data Source
AI summary
The refrigerator includes: a first tray forming a part of ice-making cells which are where water changes phase into ice due to cold air; a second tray forming the other part of the ice-making cells; and a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the water or ice in the ice-making cells, wherein the temperature sensor comes into contact with the first tray and/or the second tray.