Refrigerator Ice Transfer Device to Reduce Jamming and Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators face challenges in efficiently transferring and storing ice, leading to potential jamming and damage due to the interference between ice pieces and transfer mechanisms, which affects the storage capacity and cooling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an ice transfer device with a housing, transfer member, and ice chute, along with an ice unit that includes a tensioner and elastic member to manage ice pieces, reduces jamming and damage by ensuring proper alignment and transfer of ice pieces, and an ice bank connected to the cold air duct for efficient cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ice is transferred using a mechanical transfer member, then ice can be moved from the ice maker to the ice bank, but ice jamming and damage occur due to interference between ice pieces and the transfer mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical transfer member with an air flow-based ice transfer system. Ice pieces are conveyed from the ice maker to the ice bank using a stream of air instead of mechanical contact, eliminating jamming and damage caused by mechanical interference while maintaining efficient ice transfer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the ice making compartment is provided on the refrigerating compartment door, then ice can be made and stored, but the accommodation space in the back surface of the door is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning the ice making compartment at the upper portion of the door while the ice bank is located at the lower portion. This vertical arrangement allows both ice making and ice storage functions to coexist on the door without significantly reducing the horizontal accommodation space, effectively using three-dimensional space optimization.
3Productivity
If cool air is supplied continuously to the ice making compartment, then ice can be made efficiently, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic air flow control where cool air is supplied to the ice making compartment in intervals rather than continuously. The air supply is activated during ice making phases and stopped during storage phases, maintaining efficient ice making when needed while significantly reducing power consumption during idle periods.
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 solution enhances ice storage capacity, reduces ice jamming and damage, and improves cooling efficiency by ensuring smooth ice transfer and maintaining optimal cooling conditions within the refrigerator.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member configured to apply an elastic force to the tensioner
Implementation Method 2
an ice bank disposed on the door and configured to store ice made in the ice maker
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a main body including a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment, a door, and an ice maker disposed in the freezing compartment. The refrigerator also includes an ice bank disposed on the door, an ice transfer device configured to transfer ice made in the ice maker to the ice bank, and an ice chute that connects the ice transfer device to the ice bank. The ice transfer device includes a housing in which ice separated from the ice maker drops and a transfer member accommodated within the housing and configured to transfer ice from the housing into the ice chute. The ice transfer device also includes an ice unit configured to reduce ice jamming or damage caused by interference with the transfer member.