Refrigerator having an ice maker assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice maker assemblies in refrigerators occupy significant space in the freezer compartment and are inconvenient to use, as users must detach the tray to supply water, leading to inefficient space utilization and cumbersome operation.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator with a movably disposed ice maker assembly that includes a tiltable water tank for supplying water to the tray without detachment, and a detachable water tank and ice basket for improved convenience and cleaning, allowing for efficient space use and user-friendly operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ice maker assembly is mounted on the shelf inside the freezer compartment, then the ice making function is provided, but a lot of space inside the freezer compartment is occupied by the ice maker assembly such that space utilization is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The ice maker assembly is divided into separable components: a removable tray for water/ice and a fixed housing. This segmentation allows the tray to be detached for filling while minimizing the permanent space occupation in the freezer compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray is designed to be movable and removable from the housing, transforming the ice maker from a static space-consuming unit to a dynamic system where only essential components occupy space during operation.
2Ease of operation
If the user detaches the tray to supply water to the tray, then water can be supplied to the ice maker, but usage is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
A water reservoir is introduced as an intermediary component between the user and the tray. Water is first supplied to the reservoir, which then automatically transfers water to the tray, eliminating the need for direct tray manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
Water is pre-supplied to the reservoir before being needed in the tray. This preliminary action allows the tray to be filled automatically when required, saving the user time and effort.
3Device complexity
If the water tank is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the water tank cannot be easily removed for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The water tank system is segmented into a removable tank and a fixed mounting structure. The tank can be easily detached from the simple mounting structure for cleaning, while the structure itself remains uncomplicated.
Solution Approach 2:
The water tank transitions from a fixed state during operation to a removable state for cleaning. This dynamic capability allows the tank to be easily accessed and cleaned without complicating the overall mounting structure.
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
The solution enhances space utilization in the freezer compartment and simplifies the ice-making process by allowing water to be supplied without detaching the tray, while enabling easy cleaning and maintenance of the ice maker components.
Implementation Method 1
the water tank is tilted in a first direction so that water stored in the water tank is supplied to the tray
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
Disclosed herein are an ice maker assembly movably disposed in a storage space, and a refrigerator comprising the same are provided. An ice maker assembly disposed in a storage space of a refrigerator to form ice, the ice maker assembly includes an ice maker unit configured to form ice and a basket unit configured to store the ice formed in the ice maker unit, wherein the ice maker unit includes a frame (31) mounted at the refrigerator, a tray (30) mounted at the frame and having a space in which the ice is formed, a water tank (33) tiltably mounted at the frame and configured to supply water to the tray, and water stored in the water tank is supplied to the tray when the water tank is tilted in one direction.