Refrigerator Ice Transfer Mechanism to Prevent Ice Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators face challenges in efficiently making and storing ice, leading to increased power consumption and reduced storage capacity due to the need for continuous cool air supply for ice production within the refrigerating compartment, which can cause ice jamming and damage during transfer.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design incorporating an ice maker in the freezing compartment, an ice bank on the door, and an ice transfer device with a transfer member and an ice jam or damage prevention unit, which includes a tensioner and elastic member to prevent ice jamming and damage by ensuring smooth transfer of ice from the ice maker to the ice bank, reducing the need for continuous cool air supply and enhancing storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an ice making compartment is provided in the refrigerating compartment door, then ice making capability is improved, but the accommodation space of the refrigerating compartment door is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ice making compartment is segmented as a separate, independently openable compartment within the refrigerating compartment door. This allows the ice making function to be isolated from the main storage space, enabling independent access and management of ice without compromising the overall door structure and accommodation space.
2Productivity
If cool air is continuously supplied to the ice making compartment, then ice making efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cool air supply to the ice making compartment is implemented as a periodic process rather than continuous supply. The system supplies cool air in cycles, allowing the compartment to accumulate sufficient cold temperature for ice making, then pauses the supply. This periodic operation maintains ice making efficiency while significantly reducing the energy consumption associated with continuous cool air circulation.
3Quantity of substance
If ice is transferred from the ice maker to the ice bank, then ice storage is improved, but ice jamming and damage occur during transfer
Solution Approach 1:
An ice transfer device with a transfer member acts as an intermediary mechanism between the ice maker and the ice bank. The transfer member, equipped with an ice jam or damage prevention unit, facilitates smooth ice transfer by preventing direct contact and potential jamming between ice pieces and the transfer mechanism, thereby maintaining high ice storage capacity while ensuring reliable transfer operation.
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
This design improves ice making efficiency, reduces power consumption, and prevents ice jamming and damage during transfer, thereby enhancing the overall performance and storage capacity of the refrigerator.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member configured to apply an elastic force to the tensioner
Implementation Method 2
Cool air introduced into the cool air inlet 42 cools the inside of the ice making compartment 40 to make ice
Implementation Method 3
Cool air introduced into the cool air inlet 42 cools the inside of the ice making compartment 40 to make ice
Implementation Method 4
cool air within the heat exchange chamber 14 is introduced into the ice making compartment 40 through a supply passage 51 of the cold air duct 50
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator (100) includes a main body (110) including a freezing compartment (113) and a refrigerating compartment (112), a door (121), and an ice maker (200) disposed in the freezing compartment (113). The refrigerator (100) also includes an ice bank (140) disposed on the door (121), an ice transfer device (300) configured to transfer ice made in the ice maker (200) to the ice bank (140), and an ice chute (340) that connects the ice transfer device (300) to the ice bank (140). The ice transfer device (300) includes a housing (310) in which ice separated from the ice maker (200) drops and a transfer member (320) accommodated within the housing (310) and configured to transfer ice from the housing (310) into the ice chute (340). The ice transfer device (300) also includes an ice unit (400; 500; 600) configured to reduce ice jamming or damage caused by interference with the transfer member (320).