Ice-making device for refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice-making devices in refrigerators reduce storage capacity and allow food odors to permeate ice due to their installation within the freezing chamber, affecting storage efficiency and hygiene.
Innovation Solution
The ice-making device is configured with a cold air duct extending longitudinally on the ceiling of the storage space, guiding cold air efficiently to the ice maker through angled blades, and an ice bank is installed on the backside of the door, minimizing odor transfer and optimizing storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the ice maker is installed on the rear side of the freezing chamber to extend from side to side, then the ice making function is achieved, but the storage capacity of the freezing chamber is reduced due to the volume occupied by the ice maker, motor casing and ice bank
Solution Approach 1:
The ice maker is extracted from the freezing chamber and relocated to the door assembly. The motor casing and ice bank are also moved to the door, separating the ice making components from the storage space. This extraction eliminates the volume occupation within the freezing chamber, thereby maximizing storage capacity while maintaining ice making functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the ice maker is installed in the freezing chamber to make ice by cold air circulating, then the ice making process is simplified, but the smell of other food stored in the freezing chamber permeates the ice
Solution Approach 1:
The cold air supply system is segmented into separate pathways: one for the freezing chamber and another dedicated pathway through the cold air duct for the ice maker. The cold air duct creates an isolated channel that directs cold air specifically to the ice maker without exposing it to odors from food storage areas, thus preventing odor contamination while maintaining the cooling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cold air duct acts as an intermediary component between the cold air source and the ice maker. It serves as a dedicated conduit that transports cold air specifically for ice making purposes, isolating the ice maker from the general freezing chamber environment where food odors are present, thereby preventing odor permeation.
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 configuration maximizes storage capacity and prevents food odors from permeating ice, ensuring efficient and hygienic ice production.
Implementation Method 1
a cold air duct (141) causing a portion of cold air supplied to the storage space to be supplied to the ice maker
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an ice-making device for a refrigerator. The present invention provides an ice-making device for a refrigerator including a main body (100) having a storage space and a door (131) selectively opening or closing the storage space. The ice-making device comprises an ice maker (161) installed on a backside of the door and making ice; a cold air duct (141) provided in one side of the storage space and supplying the ice maker with a portion of cold air supplied to the storage space; an ice maker cover (171) detachably installed on the backside of the door to selectively open or close the ice maker; and an ice bank (181) detachably installed on the backside of the door below the ice maker, the ice bank storing ice made in the ice maker and transferring it to a dispenser provided on the door.