Ice storage box and refrigerator having same

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ice storage containers are costly due to the presence of control levers and motors or electromagnets, which increase production costs and are prone to freezing, leading to disabled ice output functions.

Innovation Solution

An ice storage container design that eliminates the need for a control lever and motor or electromagnet by using a rotating ice pushing component with blades that can push ice cubes forward or reverse, allowing for separate discharge of complete and crushed ice without mixing, and includes a movable ice blade and fixed ice blade for crushing, ensuring consistent ice output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a control lever and motor or electromagnet are used to control ice discharge, then the ice output function is improved, but the production cost increases and the risk of freezing disables the function

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice output functionVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the control lever and motor/electromagnet from the system entirely. Instead of using these complex components to control ice discharge, the invention uses a rotating ice pushing component with blades that can operate in forward and reverse directions to achieve both complete ice and crushed ice discharge functions through simple rotational direction control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating ice pushing component with blades performs both ice pushing and ice crushing functions automatically based on rotation direction. The system serves itself by using the same component for multiple functions (pushing complete ice in forward rotation, crushing and discharging crushed ice in reverse rotation), eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a control lever and motor or electromagnet are used to control ice discharge, then the ice output function is improved, but the system becomes prone to freezing which disables the function

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice output functionVSAvoidfreezing resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the control lever and motor/electromagnet from the system entirely. Instead of using these complex components to control ice discharge, the invention uses a rotating ice pushing component with blades that can operate in forward and reverse directions to achieve both complete ice and crushed ice discharge functions through simple rotational direction control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating ice pushing component with blades performs both ice pushing and ice crushing functions automatically based on rotation direction. The system serves itself by using the same component for multiple functions (pushing complete ice in forward rotation, crushing and discharging crushed ice in reverse rotation), eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If a rotating ice pushing component with blades is used, then the production cost is reduced and freezing issues are prevented, but the ability to discharge complete and crushed ice separately must be achieved through rotation direction control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoidice discharge control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the ice pushing component rotatable in both forward and reverse directions. The functional characteristics of the component change dynamically based on rotation direction: forward rotation pushes complete ice, while reverse rotation crushes and discharges crushed ice. This dynamic behavior allows one component to perform multiple functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter of rotation direction to achieve different ice discharge modes. By controlling the direction of rotation (forward or reverse), the system switches between pushing complete ice and crushing/dischargeing crushed ice, allowing parameter-based control without complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If the rotating ice pushing component pushes ice in fixed direction only, then the structure is simple, but the ability to discharge complete and crushed ice separately is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestructureVSAvoidice discharge modes

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the ice pushing component rotatable in both forward and reverse directions. The functional characteristics of the component change dynamically based on rotation direction: forward rotation pushes complete ice, while reverse rotation crushes and discharges crushed ice. This dynamic behavior allows one component to perform multiple functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter of rotation direction to achieve different ice discharge modes. By controlling the direction of rotation (forward or reverse), the system switches between pushing complete ice and crushing/dischargeing crushed ice, allowing parameter-based control without complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 reduces production costs, prevents freezing issues, and enables efficient separate discharge of complete and crushed ice, improving ice output effectiveness and operational stability while maintaining consistent ice quality.

Implementation Method 1

the rotating ice pushing component with blades pushes ice cubes toward the ice outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

The control lever is driven by a motor or an electromagnet to adjust the size of the ice discharge outlet and thus controls the discharge of complete ice or crushed ice

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3786549B1Ice storage box and refrigerator having same

Publication Date: 2023.11.29 HEFEI HUALING CO LTD

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AI summary

Disclosed are an ice storage container (100) and a refrigerator (1000) having same. The ice storage container (100) comprises: an ice delivering part (10) and an ice crushing part (20). The ice delivering part (10) comprises: a container body (11), an ice pushing component (12), and a driver. The container body (11) defines therein a first accommodating cavity (a) used for accommodating ice cubes. The first accommodating cavity (a) is provided with an ice outlet (b). The ice pushing component (12) is provided within the first accommodating cavity (a) and comprises multiple blades (1211). The driver is connected to the ice pushing component (12). The blades of the ice pushing component (12) are constructed as being capable of crushing ice optionally on the basis of a preset criterion. The preset criterion being a forward rotation or a reverse rotation. The multiple blades (1211) push ice towards the ice outlet (b).