Refrigerator Ice Maker Water Container for Accurate Tray Filling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers for refrigerators face issues with accurately supplying a predetermined amount of water to the ice tray, leading to water overflow or insufficient ice production, and potential damage from interference between the valve structure and the ice tray during rotation.
Innovation Solution
An ice maker design utilizing a cylindrical water container with a lid featuring holes for natural water discharge and a housing with a funnel-shaped holder to collect and supply water to the ice tray, eliminating the need for a complex valve system and preventing splashing or leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a valve structure is used to supply water to the ice tray, then water supply control is improved, but the complexity of the device increases and potential interference with ice tray rotation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex valve structure from the water supply system and replaces it with a simple hole in the lid through which water naturally flows by gravity. This extraction of the valve component eliminates the interference problem with ice tray rotation while maintaining adequate water supply control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses natural gravity-driven water flow through holes in the lid instead of mechanically controlled valves. The water supply mechanism serves itself by utilizing gravitational force and the natural flow properties of water, eliminating the need for complex control structures that could interfere with ice tray rotation.
2Measurement precision
If a valve structure is used to supply water to the ice tray, then water supply control is improved, but the risk of water leakage or damage during rotation increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the valve structure entirely and using simple holes in the lid for water discharge, the patent eliminates the component that could cause leakage or damage during rotation. The simplified structure has fewer moving parts and potential failure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, replaceable lid with holes instead of a complex, durable valve mechanism. While the lid may need replacement, its simplicity ensures it cannot cause damage during rotation, and it can be easily replaced if worn.
3Device complexity
If water is supplied using a simple hole structure, then device complexity is reduced, but water supply accuracy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into multiple sections with multiple holes distributed across its surface. This segmentation allows water to be discharged at multiple points, distributing the flow more evenly and improving overall water supply accuracy to the ice tray while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The holes in the lid are strategically positioned in specific locations to optimize water distribution to different areas of the ice tray. By varying the local quality (position and number of holes) in different regions of the lid, the system achieves accurate water supply without complex mechanisms.
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 design ensures accurate and efficient water supply to the ice tray, preventing overflow and damage, while allowing for easy installation and operation without complex valve structures, ensuring consistent ice production and reducing the risk of water leakage or interference during ice tray rotation.
Implementation Method 1
a lid having a plurality of holes formed therein to naturally discharge water
Implementation Method 2
a housing provided with a funnel-shaped holder for collecting water naturally discharged from the water container and for supplying the water into the ice tray
Data Source
AI summary
An ice maker for a refrigerator is provided that may accurately and simply supply a predetermined amount of water to an ice tray. The ice maker may include an ice tray for receiving water for freezing into ice, a water container including a body for storing and supplying a predetermined amount of water to the ice tray and a lid coupled to the body and having holes for discharging water from the water container, and a housing for installing the water container in a case of the ice maker.