Refrigerator Ice-Maker Layout for Fresh Food Space Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Bottom Mounted Freezer (BMF) type refrigerators, the integration of an ice maker and dispenser compromises the regular shape of the fresh food compartment, reducing space utilization, and requires a passage through the door, which diminishes the space for a door guard.
Innovation Solution
The design includes an auxiliary freezer compartment accessible via a separate door, with an ice making compartment positioned between the fresh food and main freezer compartments, allowing for enhanced space utilization and increased ice storage capacity through an ice home bar storage system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an ice making compartment is provided in the upper corner of the fresh food compartment, then the ice maker can be disposed separately from the fresh food compartment, but the shape of the fresh food compartment becomes irregular and space utilization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ice making compartment is nested within the center compartment rather than occupying space in the fresh food compartment. The center compartment serves as a container for the ice making compartment, allowing the ice maker to be disposed separately while maintaining the regular shape and maximizing the space utilization of the fresh food compartment.
2Ease of operation
If a passage to guide ice from the ice making compartment to the outlet is provided in the rear surface of the door, then ice can be dispensed, but the space for door guard installation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ice guide passage is relocated from the rear surface of the door to the side surface of the door. This dimensional change allows the passage to be positioned on the side rather than the rear, preserving the rear surface space for door guard installation while still enabling ice to be guided from the ice making compartment to the dispenser outlet.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an auxiliary freezer compartment is added with separate door access, then food storage versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The center compartment serves multiple functions: it acts as a container for the ice making compartment, provides an auxiliary freezer storage space, and enables separate access to the ice making compartment through its own door. This multi-functionality increases food storage versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity, as one compartment structure accomplishes multiple purposes.
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator (1) comprises a body (10), a fresh food compartment (30) provided in an upper portion of the body, a first freezer compartment (31) provided in a lower portion of the body, a center compartment (33) provided between the fresh food compartment and the first freezer compartment and provided with an ice making compartment (34) and a second freezer compartment (35), an upper door (41) configured to open and close the fresh food compartment and the center compartment at a same time, and a lower door (42) configured to open and close the first freezer compartment, therefore the space utilization of the fresh food compartment may be enhanced.