Ice Storage Container Separator to Prevent Premature Level Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cooling appliances with automated ice making units, the uneven distribution of ice cubes within the container leads to premature deactivation due to stacking, causing the level arm to contact ice cubes at a higher level than intended, resulting in incomplete filling of the container.
Innovation Solution
A separator with protrusions is placed inside the container to divide it into sub-volumes, intercepting and diverting incoming ice cubes, preventing stacking and ensuring even distribution, which allows for accurate level detection by the level arm and complete filling of the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ice making unit rotates to empty ice into the container, then ice cubes are freed and stored in the container, but the ice cubes stack together creating a pile which causes the level arm to contact at a higher level, resulting in premature deactivation
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two separate compartments by a partition wall. This segmentation prevents ice cubes from stacking into a single large pile, instead distributing them across two zones. The level arm detects ice level in one compartment while the other compartment receives incoming ice cubes, ensuring accurate level detection without interference from stacking.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall acts as an intermediary structure between the ice making unit and the level detection system. It intercepts and redirects incoming ice cubes into the second compartment, preventing direct stacking under the level arm contact point. This mediator structure solves the contradiction by allowing continuous ice production while maintaining accurate level detection.
2Ease of operation
If the level arm contacts the ice pile tip to detect ice level, then the detection mechanism operates, but the container is considered full while most of the container remains empty
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the container into two compartments with a partition wall, the system creates separate detection and storage zones. The level arm operates in one compartment detecting ice level accurately, while the other compartment serves as the primary receiving zone for incoming ice cubes. This allows the container to be fully utilized without premature deactivation.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall introduces a spatial dimension separation, creating distinct zones for ice detection and ice accumulation. Instead of a single vertical stacking dimension, the system uses horizontal compartmentalization to distribute ice cubes, allowing the level arm to detect true ice levels while the container reaches its full storage capacity.
3Productivity
If ice cubes are allowed to stack freely in the container, then the container fills quickly, but the uneven distribution causes the level arm to contact ice at a higher level than the real level
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall segments the container into two independent zones, preventing the formation of a single large ice pile. Ice cubes are distributed across both compartments, with the level arm monitoring one compartment while the other receives incoming ice. This maintains both rapid filling and accurate level measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall serves as an intermediary that redirects the flow of ice cubes away from the detection zone. It intercepts ice falling from the ice making unit and channels it into the second compartment, ensuring that the level arm contacts ice at the true accumulation level rather than an artificially elevated pile tip.
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 separator ensures even ice distribution, preventing premature deactivation of the ice making unit and ensuring the container is fully filled by accurately detecting the ice level, while also preventing physical damage from bridging ice cubes.
Implementation Method 1
A separator having protrusions is placed inside the container and is configured to extend longitudinally along the container, dividing the container into two smaller sub volumes. The separator is located underneath and beside the ice making unit and is configured to intercept the incoming ice cubes from the ice making unit, dividing the ice cubes into respective sub volumes.
Implementation Method 2
The level arm contacts the ice cubes inside the container, electrical current drawn increases therefore the presence and height of the ice cubes inside the container is detected.
Implementation Method 3
The ice making unit is agitated via a motor, rotating the ice making unit therefore freeing the ice cubes and storing the ice cubes inside the container.
Implementation Method 4
Inside the freezer compartment an ice making unit is placed so as to utilize cold air to freeze the water inside to form ice cubes.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cooling appliance (1) comprising; a freezer compartment (2) having an automated ice making unit (3) wherein the ice cubes are formed, a container (4) having an open top, placed underneath the ice making unit (3) to store ice cubes which are ejected upon rotation of the ice making unit (3), a level arm (5) pivotally attached to the ice making unit (3) to detect the ice level inside the container (4) and deactivate the ice making unit (3) if the ice level inside the container (4) reaches a predetermined value.