Lighted Refrigerator Dispenser Ring for Accurate Ice Filling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ice and water dispensers in refrigerators face issues such as reduced storage capacity, inability to accommodate large containers, ice and water splattering, high power consumption, and air leaks due to noisy solenoids and manufacturing variances.

Innovation Solution

A forward projecting ice and water dispenser with an ice chute extending through both the outer and inner door cavities, a retractable drip pan, a motorized ice chute door, and an air seal to reduce noise and power consumption, and a lighted target ring to prevent splattering, allowing for larger container filling and improved storage efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the dispenser cavity is inset into the door, then the dispenser structure is compact, but valuable storage space within the inner compartment is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispenser structureVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The dispenser assembly is extracted from the traditional inset position within the door and relocated to project forward from the front panel. This extraction removes the conflict between dispenser structure and storage space, allowing the storage cavity to extend fully to the front panel while the dispenser occupies the protruding space in front of it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If the actuator and circuitry are located at the rear side of the dispenser cavity, then the dispenser structure is simplified, but storage space is further compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispenser structureVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator and circuitry components are extracted from the rear side of the dispenser cavity and relocated to the front of the dispenser assembly. This allows the storage cavity to extend completely to the front panel without being blocked by these components, maximizing storage volume while keeping the dispenser structure accessible from the front.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If the ice chute and water tube are located above the control panel, then the dispenser structure is compact, but the user cannot see where to locate the container causing splatter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispenser structureVSAvoidice and water splatter

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ice chute and water tube are repositioned from a vertical arrangement above the control panel to a horizontal arrangement at the front of the dispenser assembly. This dimensional change allows the discharge point to be visible to the user from the front, enabling proper container positioning and reducing splatter while maintaining compact internal structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

A lighted target ring is added to the front of the dispenser assembly to visually indicate the proper location for positioning the container. This optical indicator helps users see where to place their containers, preventing splatter caused by incorrect positioning, especially in low-light conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

4Device complexity

If an electrical solenoid is used to open and close the ice chute door, then the dispenser structure is simple, but it creates noise and high power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice chute door mechanismVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical solenoid is replaced with a mechanical spring-loaded latch mechanism that automatically opens and closes the ice chute door. The spring provides the closing force, and the latch engages with a cam or lever actuated by the ice dispensing mechanism, eliminating the need for continuous electrical power and reducing noise from electromagnetic actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

5Ease of manufacture

If manufacturing variances in parts are present, then production is easier, but air leaks between the ice box and ice chute occur causing cold air loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparts productionVSAvoidair seal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible gasket or seal film is introduced between the ice box and ice chute components. This flexible element compensates for manufacturing variances in the rigid parts by deforming to maintain contact and seal the interface, preventing air leaks while allowing standard manufacturing tolerances to be used in mass production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS7617698B2Refrigerator with a water and ice dispenser having a lighted dispenser target ring

Publication Date: 2009.11.17 MAYTAG

AI summary

The present invention is a refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser with a lighted dispenser target ring. The dispenser has a lighted target ring to facilitate positioning of a container for receipt of ice and water. An additional benefit is that the lighted target ring reduces ice and water spray outside of the container being filled.