Refrigerator Icemaker Heat Shielding for Ice Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing icemakers in refrigerators face issues where heat from the heater used to detach ice is radiated into the refrigerator, causing objects stored at low temperatures to be heated and potentially overheating the appliance.
Innovation Solution
An icemaker design that includes a heater shielding unit to prevent heat generated from the heater from entering the refrigerator, along with a splash preventing unit for the water supply hopper to prevent water from splashing and freezing inside the fridge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a heater is used to detach ice from the icemaker, then ice detachment is facilitated, but heat is radiated into the refrigerator causing stored objects to be heated and potentially overheating the appliance
Solution Approach 1:
A heat shielding member is introduced as an intermediary between the heater and the refrigerator interior. This shielding member blocks and redirects heat away from the refrigerator, allowing the heater to effectively detach ice while preventing heat from raising the refrigerator's internal temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The icemaker is segmented into distinct functional zones: a heater assembly for ice detachment, a heat shielding component to redirect heat, and an ice storage section. This segmentation allows the heating function to operate independently without affecting the refrigerator's thermal environment
2Productivity
If the heater supplies heat into the refrigerator to detach ice, then ice detachment is achieved, but the refrigerator becomes overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shielding member acts as a mediator that confines heater output to the ice detachment zone, preventing heat from propagating into the refrigerator. This allows efficient ice detachment while avoiding the need for the refrigerator's cooling system to work harder to compensate for the added heat
3Ease of operation
If water supply hopper is exposed, then water supply is accessible, but water may splash and freeze inside the refrigerator
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent or translucent cover is placed over the water supply hopper, creating a physical barrier that prevents water from splashing out while still allowing users to visually monitor water levels and access the water supply through the transparent material
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
Prevents heat from the heater from entering the refrigerator, maintaining low temperatures and reducing the risk of overheating, while also preventing water splashing and freezing, enhancing user safety and appliance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heater provided to the icemaker body to generate heat to facilitate detachment of the made ice
Implementation Method 2
a heater shielding unit provided to prevent the heat generated from the heater from being supplied to an inside of the refrigerator
Data Source
AI summary
An icemaker in a refrigerator is disclosed, by which heat generated from a heater to detach ice is prevented from being transferred to an inside of the refrigerator. The present invention includes an icemaker body provided to a prescribed position of the refrigerator to make to ice from a supplied water, a heater provided to the icemaker body to generate heat to facilitate detachment of the made ice, and a heater shielding unit provided to prevent the heat generated from the heater from being supplied to an inside of the refrigerator.