Ice Serving Unit Actuation Mechanism for Tool-Free Cube Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice serving units in cooling devices require external service elements for ice cube retrieval, leading to deformation and inefficiency in ice cube transfer from the device to a service container.
Innovation Solution
An ice serving unit with an actuation mechanism, comprising an ice cube tray, a cover, and a body that rotates to change positions, allowing ice cubes to be easily removed without external tools, using a latch-activated mechanism that converts linear movement into rotational movement to push ice cubes out of the tray through roll-shaped protrusions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ice cubes are transferred from the ice serving unit to a receptacle and then to a service container, then ice cubes can be served, but ice cubes undergo deformation and require additional service elements
Solution Approach 1:
The ice cube tray is extracted from the cooling device and integrated into the serving unit body, allowing direct access to ice cubes without transferring them to separate receptacles. The tray can be removed from the body to enable direct serving of ice cubes while maintaining their shape integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The serving unit enables self-service by allowing users to directly access and remove ice cubes from the tray integrated in the body without requiring external service elements like spoons or tongs. The tray design allows ice cubes to be easily taken out by hand while maintaining their shape.
2Productivity
If ice cubes are transferred through multiple steps to service containers, then ice can be served, but the process becomes inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The ice cube tray, body, and serving mechanism are merged into a single integrated unit. The tray is positioned within the body such that ice cubes can be directly accessed and served without intermediate transfer steps, eliminating time loss and improving serving productivity.
3Ease of operation
If the ice cube tray is accessible for direct ice cube removal, then service is simplified, but water may leak during adding and forming operations
Solution Approach 1:
The ice serving unit is segmented into distinct functional parts: the body for water adding and ice forming operations, and the removable ice cube tray for ice storage and serving. This segmentation allows the tray to be accessed for ice removal while the body remains sealed during water operations, preventing leaks.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice cube tray is designed to be dynamically removable from the body. During water adding and ice forming operations, the tray is in a fixed position within the body to prevent leaks. When ice serving is needed, the tray can be easily removed for direct access, providing dynamic adaptability between different operational states.
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
Enables efficient and tool-free retrieval of ice cubes in desired numbers directly from the cooling device, enhancing customer satisfaction and reducing waste by preventing deformation during transfer.
Implementation Method 1
The motion transmitter in circular form converts the linear movement into circular movement
Implementation Method 2
The pushers, since also situated on the shaft, rotate together with the shaft. When the pushers positioned behind the cells contact the cells, the ice cubes inside the cells are provided to be separated from the ice cube tray
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to an ice serving unit (1) suitable to be disposed inside a cooling device (C), comprising a body (2), an ice cube tray (4) disposed inside the body (2) and having more than one cell (3) wherein water is filled for forming ice cubes, a cover (5) that covers the body (2), an opening (6) arranged on the cover (5) and an actuation mechanism (7) that provides the ice cubes formed in the cell (3) to be separated from the cell (3) and transferred out of the cover (5) by passing through the opening (6).