Icemaker Airflow Guide Structure for Faster Freezing With Less Frost
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Solution Overview
Problem
The icemaker in refrigerators has inefficiencies in directing cool air to the ice tray due to the dome-shaped shielding member, leading to reduced ice making performance and increased frost formation, which further reduces cool air utilization.
Innovation Solution
An icemaker assembly with a bracket that guides cool air flow to the ice tray, featuring a cover with grill ribs and guide ribs to ensure effective air distribution, and a rear guide portion that directs cool air along the top surface of the ice tray, preventing frost buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a dome-shaped shielding member is used to confine cool air around the ice tray, then ice making speed is improved, but frost formation increases and cool air utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding member is segmented into a first shielding portion and a second shielding portion that are rotatably connected. This segmentation allows the structure to adapt its configuration, enabling it to confine cool air effectively for ice making while also allowing frost to be shed or prevented from accumulating excessively on the dome surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding member is made dynamic through rotatable connection between its portions. This dynamic capability allows the structure to change its configuration based on operational needs, optimizing both cool air confinement for rapid ice making and frost management by allowing periodic adjustment to prevent excessive frost buildup.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the shielding member is rounded to define a dome shape, then cool air confinement is improved, but cool air flow distribution to the ice tray becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The dome-shaped shielding member is divided into multiple rotatable portions, creating channels or pathways between them. This segmentation allows cool air to be confined within the dome structure while also directing flow through the segments to the ice tray, improving both confinement and utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable segments can adjust their positions to optimize cool air flow patterns. When positioned appropriately, they maintain the dome's confining effect while creating openings or channels that guide cool air directly to the ice tray surface, enhancing heat exchange efficiency.
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
Enhances ice making performance by fully utilizing cool air and reducing frost formation, resulting in improved ice production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a bracket on which the ice tray rotatably mounted and which has opened top to guide a flow of cool air
Implementation Method 2
a cover that shields an above portion of the bracket and is opened toward the opened top of the bracket to guide the cool air to a top surface of the ice tray
Implementation Method 3
a rear guide portion formed on a portion of a rear half of the bracket, the rear guide portion extending upward at an outer side of ice tray for guiding cool air toward the ice tray
Data Source
AI summary
An icemaker assembly and a refrigerator having the icemaker assembly are provided. The icemaker assembly includes a cover directing cool air toward an ice tray and a bracket for enhancing flow of the cool air directed toward the ice cover.