Refrigerator Ice Dispenser Structure for Whole and Crushed Ice
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In ice making compartments with narrow widths, existing ice crusher apparatuses face difficulties in selectively discharging whole ice and crushed ice due to reduced opening angles of the opening/closing member, making it hard to manage ice discharge efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The design includes an ice maker, an ice bucket with an auger and rotary blades, and an opening/closing member that rotates on a hinge shaft, allowing for the selective discharge of whole ice or crushed ice by adjusting the position of fixed blades and using a solenoid driving apparatus to control the opening/closing member, ensuring easy discharge even with a reduced compartment width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the ice making compartment width is reduced to increase storage compartment volume, then the storage compartment volume is enlarged, but the opening angle of the opening/closing member is decreased making it difficult to selectively discharge whole ice and crushed ice
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge hole is segmented into multiple portions, with each portion controlled by a separate opening/closing member. This allows selective discharge of whole ice or crushed ice even in a narrow compartment, as different segments can be opened or closed independently to control the discharge path.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening/closing members are designed to rotate on hinge shafts, providing dynamic control over the discharge hole openings. This rotational movement enables flexible adjustment of the discharge path regardless of the limited compartment width, maintaining operational ease while maximizing storage space.
2Length of stationary object
If the opening/closing member opening angle is reduced due to narrow compartment width, then the compartment width is reduced, but the ability to selectively discharge whole ice and crushed ice is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge hole is divided into multiple segments, each with its own opening/closing member. This segmentation allows the system to maintain full discharge selection capability (whole ice or crushed ice) even when the overall compartment width is reduced, as each segment can be independently controlled.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on a large opening angle in a narrow width direction, the patent uses multiple segments arranged in a dimensional configuration that allows independent control. This transforms the problem from a single-dimension angle limitation to a multi-segment spatial arrangement that preserves functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A structure of an ice making compartment of a refrigerator capable of enlarging the volume of a storage compartment by reducing a width of an ice making compartment, and capable of easily discharging the whole ice separately from pieces of ice, the refrigerator including an opening/closing member configured to open and close a portion of a discharge hole and having a cover portion to prevent the whole ice from being discharged in a state that the portion of the discharge hole is closed, the refrigerator including an opening/closing member integrally formed with a fixed blade configured to crush ice in cooperation with a rotary blade.