Ice maker and refrigerator having the same
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers face difficulties in easy assembly and disassembly of the water supply part, leading to decreased workability and interference issues during ice transfer, which can cause deformation of the upper tray and interference with the water supply guide.
Innovation Solution
The ice maker design includes a water supply part with fixing protrusions that can be easily coupled and separated from a vertical extension part, preventing plastic deformation and minimizing interference, allowing for improved coupling force and reduced deformation of the upper and lower cases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the water supply tray is coupled to the upper tray by separate fasteners such as bolts, then the water supply tray can be securely fixed, but the assembly process becomes difficult and workability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply tray is integrated with the upper tray as a single unified structure, eliminating the need for separate fasteners and assembly steps. This merging of components resolves the contradiction by providing both secure fixing (through the integrated design) and ease of manufacture (by eliminating assembly complexity).
Solution Approach 2:
The upper tray structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it forms the upper chamber for ice making, provides structural support, and integrates the water supply function. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate water supply trays and fasteners, simultaneously achieving secure fixing and assembly ease.
2Ease of operation
If the upper tray is deformed to transfer ice, then ice can be transferred from the ice chamber, but interference is generated between the lower end of the water supply tray and the water supply guide
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply guide is extracted and positioned separately from the deformation zone of the upper tray. By locating the water supply guide in a position that does not interfere with the upper tray's deformation during ice transfer, the harmful interference is eliminated while preserving the ice transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The water supply guide is positioned in a different spatial dimension or location relative to the upper tray's deformation path. This dimensional separation ensures that when the upper tray deforms to transfer ice, the water supply guide remains unaffected and no interference occurs.
3Strength
If the upper end of the water supply guide presses the lower end of the water supply tray or the upper end of the water supply guide is inserted under the water supply tray, then structural support is provided, but the water supply part cannot be easily separated
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply system is segmented into distinct modular components (upper tray, water supply guide, water supply tray) that are easily separable. This segmentation allows the components to be assembled and disassembled independently while maintaining structural support during operation, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of disassembly.
Data Source
AI summary
An ice maker includes: an upper assembly comprising a plurality of upper chambers recessed upward to define an upper portion of an ice chamber in which water is filled and ice is made, and having an intake opening by being open on a top, and a vertical extension part formed to protrude upward around the intake opening; a lower assembly comprising a plurality of lower chambers recessed downward to define a lower portion of the ice chamber, and rotatably connected to the upper assembly; and a water supply part that is recessed downward from an upper side of the water supply part and configured to receive therein water for making ice, the water supply part being removably coupled to the vertical extension part and configured to guide the received water into the intake opening.