Ice Tray Water Receiving Design to Reduce Vertical Installation Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing ice making machines with water supply pipes positioned above the ice tray require additional space to avoid interference during the ice tray's turning mechanism, leading to increased installation space in the upper and lower directions.
Innovation Solution
The ice making machine design includes a water receiving part protruded from the ice tray, allowing water from the supply pipe to flow through a passage port in the frame, which is positioned outside the ice tray, reducing the need for the water supply port to be separated from the turning area and minimizing the installation space required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the water supply pipe is disposed on the upper side with respect to the ice tray, then water can be directly supplied to the ice tray, but the installation space in the upper and lower direction is increased to avoid interference with the turning area
Solution Approach 1:
The water receiving part protrudes in the axial line direction (horizontal dimension) rather than extending in the upper and lower direction. This dimensional shift allows water supply while avoiding interference with the turning area, reducing installation space in the vertical dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The water receiving part is integrated into the ice tray structure, with the water passage port positioned in the frame to overlap with the protruding water receiving part. This nested arrangement allows compact integration of water supply functionality within the existing structure.
2Reliability
If the water supply port is separated from the turning area on the upper side, then interference with the turning ice tray is avoided, but the installation space in the upper and lower direction is increased
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of separating the water supply port vertically (upper and lower direction), the water receiving part protrudes in the axial line direction. This allows the water supply function to be positioned in a different spatial dimension that does not interfere with the turning area, maintaining reliability while reducing installation space.
3Ease of operation
If the water receiving part is protruded from the ice tray, then water can be supplied through the frame's water passage port, but the turning area may be interfered with during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The water receiving part protrudes specifically in the axial line direction where it does not interfere with the turning area during rotation. This localized protrusion maintains the water supply function while avoiding interference with the turning mechanism by positioning the protrusion in a direction perpendicular to the turning plane.
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making machine is provided and includes: an ice tray, having a water storage recessed part; a drive part for reversing the ice tray around an axial line passing the ice tray between a water storage position and an ice separation position; and a frame, supporting the ice tray and the drive part. The ice tray includes a water receiving part protruded to an outer side in a portion which is moved to a lower side when the ice tray starts to turn to a CCW direction directing from the water storage position to the ice separation position. The frame includes a projected portion located on an upper side with respect to the water receiving part. The projected portion includes a water passage port for passing the water at a position overlapping with the water receiving part when being viewed in a Z-direction.