Dual-Compartment Mobile Cooler With Integrated Ice Making
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile coolers with a freezing system provide limited functionality due to their simple cooling function, restricting their use in various applications.
Innovation Solution
A mobile cooler with an ice making function, featuring a main body divided into thermally insulated spaces, a cooling device, ice tray, ice bank, and additional components like a water supply unit and ice discharge unit, allowing for the production, storage, and management of ice cubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile cooler is designed with only basic cooling function, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability or versatility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile cooler is designed to perform multiple functions: it can cool stored items in the first space and simultaneously make ice cubes in the second space. The cooling device serves dual purposes by providing cooling air to both the storage space and the ice making space, allowing one device to fulfill multiple roles rather than requiring separate cooling and ice making devices
Solution Approach 2:
The internal space of the main body is divided into two mutually insulated spaces: a first space for storing cooled items and a second space for making ice cubes. This segmentation allows independent functionality in each space while sharing the common cooling device, enabling multi-functionality without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the internal space is divided into multiple thermally blocked spaces, then the ice making function can be added, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The internal space is segmented into two thermally blocked spaces: a first space for storing cooled items and a second space for making ice cubes. Each space has its own shelf and is thermally isolated to maintain independent temperature control, enabling the ice making function while maintaining clear functional separation
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling device is merged to serve both spaces simultaneously. The cooling device provides cooling air to both the first space (for stored items) and the second space (for ice making), reducing the need for separate cooling systems and minimizing the increase in device complexity despite the added functionality
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
Enables extended use by providing both cooling and ice making capabilities, enhancing versatility and utility in various settings beyond basic cooling functions.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling device positioned at a lower portion of the main body and providing cooling air to the first and second spaces
Implementation Method 2
a main body having first and second spaces which are thermally blocked
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile cooler having an ice maker includes: a main body having first and second spaces which are thermally blocked; a cooling device positioned at a lower portion of the main body and providing cooling air to the first and second spaces; a plurality of shelves installed in the first space; an ice tray installed in the second space; an ice bank positioned on a lower surface of the ice tray and detachably mounted in the main body; and a cover that covers an opening in which the ice bank is inserted.