Refrigerator Ice Tray Motion for Interference-Free Ice Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice-making devices in refrigerators face challenges in effectively separating and dispensing ice due to complex structures and interference issues when ice falls from the tray.
Innovation Solution
An ice-making device with a drive unit and power transmission system that allows the ice core member to move vertically and rotate, creating a clearance path for ice to fall without interference, ensuring efficient separation and dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heater is provided at a side of the ice tray to separate the ice from the ice tray, then the ice can be separated from the tray, but the structure for directing the ice separated from the ice tray to an ice bank becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The ice tray is designed to be movable rather than fixed. A lifting mechanism raises the ice tray vertically, and a rotating mechanism tilts it, dynamically changing its position and orientation to enable ice separation and transfer to the ice bank without requiring complex fixed directing structures
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting mechanism and rotating mechanism are combined to work together in sequence - first lifting the tray vertically, then rotating it to tilt. This combination of two relatively simple mechanisms achieves the complex function of ice separation and transfer that would otherwise require a complicated directing structure
2Productivity
If the ice separated from the ice tray falls down to the ice bank, then the ice can be collected, but the ice may interfere with a part of the ice-making device and thus it may not be effectively dispensed
Solution Approach 1:
The ice tray's dynamic movement (lifting and rotating) controls the ice separation and falling path. By tilting the tray through rotation, the ice is directed to fall into a specific location that avoids interfering with the dispensing mechanism, ensuring both effective collection and subsequent dispensing operation
3Productivity
If the ice tray is filled with water to freeze into ice, then ice can be produced, but the structure requires thermal insulation and air passage arrangements that increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The freezing chamber serves multiple functions: it provides the cold environment for ice making, acts as a thermal insulation structure, and functions as an air passage for cool air circulation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated structures for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity
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 solution enables simple and effective ice separation and dispensing, preventing ice from interfering with the ice tray and ensuring smooth operation.
Implementation Method 1
an ice core member that is at least partially received in the ice-making space to form ice at an end thereof
Implementation Method 2
a drive unit adapted to move the ice core member in a vertical and rotational direction
Implementation Method 3
the ice formed on the ice core member is separated from the ice core member when the ice is positioned spaced apart from the ice tray so that the ice may fall downward without interference with the ice tray
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An ice-making device (100) for a refrigerator, which is designed to separate ice through a simple process is provided. The ice-making device for a refrigerator includes an ice tray (146) defining an ice-making space, an ice core member that is partly received in the ice-making space to make ice at an end thereof, a driving unit moving and rotating at least one of the ice tray and the ice core member, and a power transmission unit for transferring power from the driving unit to the ice core member. The ice on the ice core member starts being separated in a state where the ice is spaced apart from an outer surface of the ice tray.