Refrigerator with ice container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with ice containers face issues with the loosening of screws attached to the rotational shaft due to reversible motors, leading to inefficient ice dispensing and potential mechanical failures.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a spring pin system that press-fits through both the rotational shaft and spacer, securing the rotary and fixed blades to prevent loosening, combined with a reversible ice conveyer that can dispense ice in both cubic and broken states using a motor-connected rotational shaft with spacers and blades arranged at specific intervals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a reversible motor is used to dispense ice in both cubic and broken states, then the versatility of ice dispensing is improved, but the reliability of the rotational shaft connection deteriorates due to screw loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The pin is inserted into the rotational shaft and spacer assembly before the pressing operation, pre-positioning the components to prevent loosening during subsequent reversible motor operation. This preliminary positioning ensures that the connection is established in the correct orientation and location before any loosening forces can act on it.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing operation applies compressive force beforehand to expand the pin and create a interference fit between the pin, rotational shaft, and spacer. This pre-compression creates friction and mechanical interlocking that cushions against the loosening forces generated during reversible motor operation, preventing screw backout.
2Ease of manufacture
If screws are used to attach blades to the rotational shaft, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the reliability of the connection deteriorates due to loosening from reversible motor operation
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional screw-threaded mechanical connection is replaced with a press-fit pin system that uses elastic deformation and friction for attachment. The pin is inserted through aligned holes in the rotational shaft and spacer, then pressed to expand and create a secure interference fit, eliminating the loosening problem inherent in threaded connections under reversible loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism changes from a threaded parameter (screw pitch, thread engagement) to a dimensional parameter (pin diameter, hole tolerance, press-fit force). By controlling the pin dimensions and pressing force, a reliable connection is achieved that is immune to the loosening forces that affect threaded connections during reversible motor operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ice container includes a conveyer with multiple blades and spacers, then the functionality of ice dispensing is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyer is divided into modular components: rotational shaft, spacer, multiple blades, and pin connection system. Each component can be manufactured independently and assembled in a standardized sequence, reducing overall complexity despite the multi-functional capability. The segmentation allows for easier manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance of the ice dispensing system.
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator, comprising: a body (1) having at least one storage chamber (5); at least one door (10); an ice container (200) detachably mounted to the at least one door or the body, the ice container including: a discharge portion (400) to discharge the ice; and an ice conveyer (300) to discharge the ice in a cubic ice state or a broken ice state, selectively, wherein the ice conveyer comprises: a rotational shaft (320); a plurality of rotary blades (310) mounted to the rotational shaft; a plurality of fixed blades (380); a plurality of spacers (350, 361, 362) coupled to the rotational shaft to fixedly secure the plurality of rotary blades at predetermined positions, respectively; and a pin (390) configured to be inserted in a hole (322) formed in an end portion of the rotational shaft (320) and in a hole (352) formed in a spacer (350) coupled to the end portion.