Ice Dispenser Shield Geometry for Smooth Clump-Free Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice dispensing assemblies in cooling appliances require motorized components like augers to break up clumped ice, leading to inefficient energy use due to the small cross-sectional area of the ice crushing region compared to the ice storage bin, causing ice cubes to get stuck and preventing smooth dispensing.
Innovation Solution
A shield with increasing width along its length is positioned within the ice bucket to block ice from falling directly into the ice chute, preventing clumps from getting stuck and allowing them to fall into the ice crushing region by gravity, eliminating the need for an auger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a small cross-sectional area ice crushing region is used, then the ice dispensing assembly structure is compact, but ice cubes get stuck and cannot move smoothly
Solution Approach 1:
The shield features a curved lower surface that guides ice cubes smoothly from the storage bin through the crushing region. This curvature prevents ice from getting stuck by providing a continuous sloping path, resolving the contradiction between compact area and smooth ice flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield extends vertically into the ice storage bin, creating a three-dimensional flow path. By utilizing the vertical dimension, the design allows ice to flow smoothly through the limited horizontal area of the crushing region without requiring a larger cross-sectional area.
2Reliability
If motorized augers are used to break up clumped ice, then ice dispensing reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield's curved surface allows ice cubes to naturally slide and break apart under their own weight and the force of falling ice, eliminating the need for motorized augers. This self-service mechanism maintains dispensing reliability while significantly reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes the motorized auger component entirely from the system. By extracting this energy-consuming element and replacing it with a passive curved shield, the design achieves reliable ice dispensing without the associated energy costs.
3Quantity of substance
If horizontal surfaces are used in the ice storage bin, then ice cubes can be stored efficiently, but ice cubes get caught and cannot dispense
Solution Approach 1:
The shield's curved lower surface replaces horizontal surfaces in the critical discharge area. This curvature prevents ice cubes from getting caught while maintaining storage capacity above the shield, resolving the contradiction between storage efficiency and flow smoothness.
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal surface is maintained in the upper storage area for efficient ice storage, while the curved surface is applied locally at the lower discharge area to ensure smooth ice flow. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between storage capacity and flow smoothness.
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 design enhances energy efficiency by allowing clumped ice to fall into the crushing region without getting caught, facilitating smooth dispensing of ice cubes without the need for motorized components, thus improving the overall efficiency of the ice dispensing process.
Implementation Method 1
block ice from falling directly into the ice chute, preventing clumps from getting stuck and allowing them to fall into the ice crushing region by gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A shield for an ice dispensing assembly of a cooling compartment. The shield has at least one side member that increases in width along its length downwardly from a top of the shield. The shield blocks ice from falling directly from an ice maker into an ice chute of the cooling compartment.