refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators with ice making devices require a direct connection to a water pipe for continuous operation, limiting installation flexibility and increasing costs due to the need for a long water supply line and restricted installation locations.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design that includes a water supply container in the refrigerating compartment, connected to a pump and ice making device via a water feeding passage, allowing for continuous ice production without a direct water pipe connection, using a mineral water bottle as a reliable water source and enhancing user convenience with modular installation options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a direct water pipe connection is used for continuous ice making, then reliable water supply is achieved, but installation flexibility is reduced and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a water tank as an intermediary component between the water source and the ice making device. The water tank stores water and can be detached for refilling, serving as a mediator that enables continuous ice making without requiring a direct permanent water pipe connection to the refrigerator. This resolves the contradiction by providing reliable water supply through the intermediary tank while maintaining installation flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The water supply system is segmented into separate components: a detachable water tank, a water supply line, and the ice making device. This segmentation allows the water tank to be independently removed and refilled, providing both reliable water supply during operation and installation flexibility when the tank can be easily detached and repositioned.
2Ease of operation
If a long water supply line is provided to reach the water pipe, then water supply is enabled, but installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The water tank serves as a portable intermediary that eliminates the need for long water supply lines. Instead of extending piping throughout the refrigerator, the tank is positioned close to the ice making device and connected via a short water supply line, reducing material costs and installation complexity while maintaining full water supply capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a water supply container is disposed in the refrigerating compartment, then water supply for ice making is enabled without water pipe connection, but the container occupies storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The water tank is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing it to be moved between the refrigerating compartment and external locations. The tank can be disposed in the refrigerating compartment when water supply is needed, and removed when storage space is required, providing adaptability while temporarily occupying minimal space only when necessary for 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
Enables flexible installation, reduces installation costs, and provides a stable water supply for continuous ice production without the need for a direct water pipe connection, improving user convenience and manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a pump and an ice making device are disposed in the housing, the pump being adapted to supply water into the ice making device
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator including: a body defining a storage space; a door selectively shielding the storage space; a container connecting part disposed in the storage space or the door; a water supply container separably coupled to the container connecting part, the water supply container comprising an opening for injecting water; an ice making device making ice using the water supplied from the water supply container; a water supply passage fluidly connecting the water supply container to the ice making device, the water supply passage extending in an inside direction of the water supply container; and a pump connected to the water supply passage to supply the water within the water supply container into the ice making device. According to the refrigerator, installation costs is reduced, and quality and reliability are improved.