Refrigerator Ice Maker Water Supply Control to Prevent Overflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice making devices in home refrigerators face issues with inconsistent water supply, leading to frequent overflow or lack of water, which decreases ice making efficiency and convenience.
Innovation Solution
An ice making device equipped with a water supply unit featuring a water pipe connected to a water supply source, with strategically placed nozzles and a valve member that can be controlled using a switch or timer to ensure optimal water supply, allowing for precise and convenient water distribution to the ice making unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If water is supplied manually using a portable container, then the ice making device can be operated without a fixed water supply system, but the water supply amount is inconsistent leading to overflow or lack of water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical water supply method (pouring from portable containers) with an automated water supply system using a water supply unit that includes a water supply source, water supply pipe, and nozzle. This substitution eliminates the inconsistency of manual pouring while maintaining the convenience of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The water supply unit enables the ice making device to supply water to itself automatically. The water supply nozzle directly supplies water to the ice making mold without requiring external manual intervention, allowing the system to serve itself and achieve consistent water supply amounts.
2Measurement precision
If water supply nozzles are closely arranged on the ice making unit, then water can be supplied precisely to the ice making grooves, but the water supply amount is difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a control unit that receives signals from a water supply sensor to detect when water has been sufficiently supplied to the ice making grooves. This feedback mechanism allows the control unit to automatically close the solenoid valve, preventing overflow and ensuring precise control of water supply amount while maintaining accurate water delivery to the grooves.
3Manufacturing precision
If a water supply unit with control mechanisms is added, then water supply precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water supply control function into a separate, modular water supply unit that includes the water supply source, pipe, nozzle, solenoid valve, and control unit. This modular extraction allows the precision control mechanisms to be added without significantly complicating the overall ice making device structure, as the water supply unit operates as a self-contained subsystem.
4Device complexity
If manual water supply is used, then the device structure remains simple, but ice making efficiency decreases due to frequent overflow or lack of water
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply unit enables the ice making device to supply water to itself automatically without external intervention. The system autonomously controls water supply timing and amount, eliminating the inefficiencies of manual water supply and ensuring consistent ice making operation, thereby improving productivity while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated water supply system ensures continuous and consistent water supply to the ice making grooves without interruption or inconsistency. By eliminating the need for repeated manual water supply operations and preventing overflow or water shortage, the system maintains continuous productive operation, improving ice making efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making device having a water supply unit for controlling a water supply to an ice making unit, including: a water pipe connected to a water supply source; and a valve member so disposed as to open and shut off the water pipe. The valve member is so disposed as to be controlled in opening and shutting off by a control switch. The water pipe may be so mounted as to be connected to a water supply source outside of a refrigerator, or may be so mounted as to be connected to a water supply tank attachably and detachably equipped inside the refrigerator.