Ice Maker Fixing Structure for Uniform Ice Chamber Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers face issues with unintended deformation of structures other than the ice chamber during the ice removal process, leading to ice-removal failure, especially when deformation amounts of multiple ice chambers are not equal.
Innovation Solution
The ice maker incorporates a fixing structure between adjacent lower chambers of the ice tray, which includes an insertion protrusion on the tray and a slot on the supporter, to securely fasten the lower tray and supporter without separate fastening members, ensuring uniform deformation and preventing ice-removal failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ice chamber is deformed to remove ice, then ice removal is achieved, but unintended deformation of other structures occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The lower tray is divided into multiple ice chambers, each with its own insertion protrusion and slot configuration. This segmentation allows independent deformation control of each chamber while preventing unintended deformation of other structures through localized fixing structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing structure with insertion protrusions and slots is strategically positioned at specific locations between adjacent lower chambers. This local quality approach provides targeted support where needed to prevent unintended deformation while allowing necessary deformation for ice removal in specific chambers.
2Productivity
If multiple ice chambers are deformed simultaneously, then multiple ices are made, but deformation amounts become unequal leading to ice-removal failure
Solution Approach 1:
Each ice chamber is equipped with its own insertion protrusion and slot configuration, enabling independent deformation control. This segmentation ensures that when multiple chambers are deformed simultaneously, each chamber maintains consistent deformation characteristics, preventing ice-removal failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing structure is uniformly configured across all ice chambers with consistent insertion protrusion and slot arrangements. This homogeneity ensures that deformation amounts are equal across multiple chambers, maintaining manufacturing precision while producing multiple ices simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If the ice tray is made of soft material for easy deformation, then ice removal is facilitated, but uniform fixing force is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing structure is segmented into multiple insertion protrusions and slots distributed across the ice tray. This segmentation allows the soft material to deform locally for ice removal while the distributed fixing points maintain uniform overall fixing force across the entire tray.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion protrusions and slots are strategically positioned to provide localized support to the soft ice tray material. This local quality approach enables the material to remain soft and deformable where needed while achieving uniform fixing force through the distributed arrangement of fixing structures.
4Strength
If a separate fastening member is used to secure the ice tray, then strong fixation is achieved, but the fastening member may loosen during long-term use
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing structure integrates the fastening function directly into the ice tray and supporter components through insertion protrusions and slots. This merging eliminates separate fastening members, achieving strong fixation while preventing loosening during long-term use as there are no separate fastening components to deteriorate.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion protrusion and slot configuration creates a self-fixing mechanism where the ice tray and supporter secure each other through their own structural features. This self-service approach eliminates dependence on separate fastening members that may loosen, providing durable long-term fixation.
Data Source
AI summary
Each of an ice maker and a refrigerator has a fixing structure disposed between lower chambers adjacent to each other and constructed to fasten a lower tray and a lower supporter to each other. Thus, even when an ice chamber is deformed, unintended deformation of structures other than the ice chamber is minimized, and deformation amounts respectively applied to the ice chambers are substantially equal to each other, thereby reducing ice-removal failure.