Ice Storage Transfer Member Rotation to Prevent Agglomeration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Ice cubes stored in a refrigerator's ice storage room tend to agglomerate due to sublimation, making them difficult to discharge and causing user inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerator system that includes a transfer member and a controller to rotate the transfer member in specific directions to prevent ice agglomeration and alert the user when agglomeration is detected, using a combination of motor control, display messages, and sound alerts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If ice cubes are stored in the ice storage room, then the ice cubes can be stored for later use, but the ice cubes agglomerate due to sublimation making them difficult to discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice storage durationVSAvoidice discharge ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer member rotates periodically in first and second rotation directions to prevent ice agglomeration. The controller alternates the rotation direction of the transfer member at predetermined time intervals, creating periodic mechanical action that prevents ice cubes from sticking together while maintaining storage conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer member automatically rotates to separate ice cubes without user intervention. The system self-regulates by detecting ice agglomeration conditions and activating the transfer member to discharge or redistribute ice cubes, eliminating the need for manual ice removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the transfer member rotates continuously to prevent ice agglomeration, then ice cubes remain separate, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice discharge easeVSAvoidtransfer motor energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous rotation, the transfer member operates periodically with alternating rotation directions. The controller activates the transfer motor only when needed to prevent or resolve agglomeration, reducing energy consumption while maintaining ice discharge capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system discards the continuous operation mode in favor of intermittent operation. The transfer member rotates only when agglomeration is detected or prevented, recovering energy by remaining stationary during periods when ice cubes are already separated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Loss of information

If the controller adds warning functions and multiple rotation directions, then user awareness of ice agglomeration improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice agglomeration warningVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller monitors the rotation status of the transfer member and provides feedback through display or sound output when agglomeration is detected. The system uses the rotation direction control as both a prevention mechanism and a detection method, where failed rotation indicates agglomeration conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer member serves multiple functions: it transfers ice cubes for discharge, prevents agglomeration through bidirectional rotation, and acts as a sensor indicator (through its rotation capability) to detect agglomeration conditions. The display and sound outputs serve dual purposes as both warnings and operational status indicators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Effectively prevents ice agglomeration by rotating the transfer member to separate ice cubes and warns the user through visual and auditory signals when agglomeration is imminent, ensuring easy removal and maintaining the integrity of ice cubes.

Implementation Method 1

the transfer member prevents the ice cubes stored in the ice storage from agglomerating by rotating in the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical motion:

Implementation Method 2

When an operation time period of a cooling apparatus for supplying cool air to the ice storage is longer than a third reference time period

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer:

Implementation Method 3

In the direct cooling method, the ice making tray receives cooling energy from the refrigerant pipe by heat conduction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

the ice cubes may agglomerate due to sublimation generated on the surfaces of the ice cubes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSublimation: Sublimation

Data Source

PatentUS10948227B2Refrigerator and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2021.03.16 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed herein are a refrigerator includes an ice storage, a transfer member, a transfer motor coupled to the transfer member, and a controller configured to control the transfer motor to rotate the transfer member in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction, wherein the transfer member prevents the ice cubes stored in the ice storage from agglomerating by rotating in the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction. The controller warns a user of agglomeration of the ice cubes stored in the ice storage in response to no rotation of the transfer motor sensed.