Ice making device, refrigerator including ice making device, and method of controlling refrigerator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators with ice makers face inefficiencies in ice production and separation due to the need for complex mechanisms and high torque requirements, which increase manufacturing costs and reduce ice separation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring an ice making tray that rotates 360° with an ejector system having spirally disposed arms to successively separate ice pieces, using an AC motor for reduced torque and cost, and a water supply system with a valve operated by a cam mechanism to eliminate the need for pumps and electronic valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional ice maker uses a motor to rotate the ice making tray and separate ice pieces, then ice separation can be achieved, but high torque requirements increase manufacturing costs and reduce efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the ice making tray with a high-torque motor, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the tray stationary and rotating the ejector mechanism. The ejector includes a rotating arm with ejector heads that spin around the stationary tray, using centrifugal force and mechanical pressing to separate ice pieces. This inversion dramatically reduces the torque requirements while maintaining effective ice separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejector is segmented into multiple ejector heads arranged along a rotating arm, with each head responsible for separating ice from specific chambers. This segmentation allows the separation function to be distributed across multiple points, reducing the mechanical load on any single component and enabling more efficient ice separation with lower torque requirements.
2Ease of operation
If elastic members are used in the water supply system, then flexibility and sealing can be achieved, but water contact with elastic members creates sanitation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the elastic member (seal) from the water supply path, placing it only at the interface between the rotating ejector arm and the stationary housing. This positioning ensures that elastic members never contact water, eliminating sanitation issues while maintaining necessary sealing functions. The water supply system uses rigid, sanitizeable components throughout the water path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a water-tight barrier or intermediary structure that separates the water supply pathway from areas where elastic members are located. This intermediary ensures that even though elastic members are present in the mechanism, they remain isolated from water contact, thus preventing contamination while maintaining system flexibility and sealing.
3Reliability
If the heater operates continuously to prevent water freezing, then freezing prevention can be achieved, but power consumption increases and overheating risk arises
Solution Approach 1:
The heater operates periodically rather than continuously, with the controller activating it only during specific phases of the ice making cycle when freezing risk is present. The heater is turned off during ice separation and water supply phases, dramatically reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable freezing prevention when needed. This periodic operation is controlled by sensors that detect temperature and operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors and controllers that provide real-time feedback on the water and tray temperature conditions. Based on this feedback, the controller intelligently controls heater activation, turning it on only when temperature thresholds indicate freezing risk and turning it off when conditions are safe. This feedback mechanism prevents both freezing and overheating, optimizing power consumption.
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 design enhances ice separation efficiency, reduces manufacturing costs, and improves sanitation by preventing water contact with elastic members, while efficiently controlling the heater to minimize power consumption and prevent overheating.
Implementation Method 1
a driving unit connected to the first rotation shaft, wherein the driving unit includes an alternating current (AC) motor configured to rotate in at least one direction
Implementation Method 2
a valve operation unit fitted into an outer circumferential surface of the second rotation shaft to integrally rotate with the ice making tray, and an operation member having a first end that is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the valve operation unit and a second end that is connected to the valve, the operation member being configured to convert a rotation force of the valve operation unit into linear reciprocating movement to operate the valve
Implementation Method 3
a heater mounted on the tank support, wherein the heater is configured to be controlled in on/off operation by the controller based on the temperature value detected by the temperature sensor
Implementation Method 4
a temperature sensor mounted on a surface of the ice making tray to detect a temperature of the ice making tray, electrodes electrically connected to the temperature sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a main body defining a storage compartment, a door, an ice making device, a water tank disposed for supplying water into the ice making device, and an ice bin to receive and store ice pieces made in the ice making device. The ice making device includes an ice making tray having ice making chambers configured to be filled with water for making the ice pieces, and an ejector extending from an upper central portion of the ice making tray in a longitudinal direction of the ice making tray to pass through both ends of the ice making tray. The ejector is configured to be maintained in a fixed state during water supply, ice making, and ice separation processes, and the ice making tray is configured to rotate at an angle of about 360° in one direction with respect to the ejector.