Ice Maker Wall Seal Structure for Thermal Isolation and Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household refrigeration apparatuses with ice makers face challenges such as complex and difficult-to-clean designs, incorrect positioning of ice maker components leading to thermal insulation issues, and condensation water accumulation, which affects hygiene and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A household refrigeration apparatus with an ice maker featuring a separate, L-shaped wall element and an elongated seal with a hollow portion that compresses between the ice maker housing and the interior container, providing improved thermal insulation and easy assembly, while also incorporating a drain gutter for condensation water management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple screw connections are used to attach the wall element to the interior container, then the wall element can be securely fixed, but the assembly process becomes more complex and requires additional manual retention during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary retention mechanism that temporarily holds the wall element in the correct position during assembly, eliminating the need for manual retention by the assembler. This intermediary structure facilitates the screw connection process without adding complexity to the overall assembly procedure.
2Manufacturing precision
If the wall element is retained manually by the assembler during assembly, then the wall element can be positioned accurately, but the assembly process becomes more expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The wall element incorporates self-retention features that automatically maintain its position during assembly without requiring manual intervention. The element serves itself by having built-in mechanisms that hold it in the correct position, eliminating the need for assembler retention and reducing assembly time and cost.
3Strength
If the wall element is formed with an integral circumferential frame and bracket, then the structure is more rigid, but the design becomes complex and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wall element into separate components rather than forming it as an integral structure. The circumferential frame and bracket are separated, allowing each component to be optimized independently. This segmentation maintains structural rigidity while creating smooth surfaces that are easier to clean and maintain hygiene standards.
4Ease of operation
If the seal is positioned without compression, then the assembly is simpler, but the sealing effect between the wall element and interior container is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a compression mechanism that is pre-configured in the assembly structure. The seal is positioned to be compressed during the normal assembly process, ensuring proper sealing effectiveness without requiring additional manual compression steps. This preliminary arrangement maintains assembly simplicity while guaranteeing reliable sealing.
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
The solution enhances thermal isolation, simplifies assembly and cleaning, and improves hygiene by ensuring accurate positioning of components and effective condensation water drainage, leading to a more efficient and user-friendly ice maker system.
Implementation Method 1
an elongated or elongate seal with a hollow portion disposed on an edge of the wall element and sealing the wall element to the interior container
Data Source
AI summary
A household refrigeration apparatus includes an interior container having a first wall, a second wall, and a rear wall angled to each other. The interior container bounds a first receiving space for food. An ice maker has a housing, and the housing is formed by a wall area of the first wall of the interior container and a wall area of the second wall of the interior container in certain areas. The housing bounds a receiving space of the ice maker. The housing has a wall unit with a wall element being a component separate from the interior container and having an L-shape in cross-section. The wall element has a first wall plate and a second wall plate, which together form the L-shape. An elongated seal with a hollow portion is disposed on an edge of the wall element and seals the wall element to the interior container.