Removable Water Tank and Rotating Ice Tray for Easy Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice making devices are complex, expensive, and difficult to maintain due to permanent tray assemblies and lack of effective water supply systems that prevent water waste from freezing, causing valve malfunctions and making cleaning and maintenance challenging.
Innovation Solution
An ice making device with a detachable tank for easy mounting and filling, featuring a drive transmission mechanism for tray rotation, a plug valve with a torsion spring and water diversion flap to prevent water waste from freezing, and a tubular element with an angular cut to guide water flow, allowing for automatic water supply and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual valve actuation mechanism is used to supply water to trays, then water can be supplied to the trays, but the user must continuously activate the mechanism while filling the trays, making it impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automatic valve actuation system where a cam mechanism automatically pushes the valve plunger to the open position when the tank is installed in the case. The valve opens automatically without user intervention, and the tank itself serves as the actuating mechanism through its positioning features, eliminating the need for continuous manual operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If a system of chutes and pipes is used to guide water into the trays, then water can be directed to the trays, but the assembly becomes considerably more complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the complex system of chutes and pipes by directly positioning the tank's drain opening above the tray. Water flows directly from the tank drain opening into the tray without intermediate guiding structures, significantly simplifying the assembly while maintaining effective water delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a tubular element with an angular cut as a simple intermediary structure that guides water flow from the tank drain opening to the tray. This minimal intermediary component replaces the complex chute and pipe system while effectively controlling water direction and preventing waste accumulation.
3Reliability
If water can accumulate near the valve element, then the valve can function, but the accumulated water freezes causing a bad seal of the valve and apparatus malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful accumulation of water waste into a beneficial drainage path. The tubular element with angular cut and channel-type groove is specifically designed to direct water waste away from the valve plunger and toward the tray, preventing freezing while maintaining reliable valve sealing.
4Stability of the object's composition
If trays are permanently assembled inside the inner case, then the structure is stable, but it becomes difficult to clean and maintain the trays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ice making device into separable components: the tank is detachably mounted on the case, and the trays are independently removable from the case. This segmentation allows each component to be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance while maintaining structural stability during operation.
5Ease of repair
If trays are detachably mounted but require specific assembly orientation, then they can be removed for cleaning, but additional care is required from the user during reassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning features including a decentralized cam follower element and symmetric shaft portions that allow trays to be mounted in either orientation. This asymmetric design with symmetric functionality eliminates the need for users to remember specific assembly orientations, making reassembly as easy as the initial installation.
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
The device provides a practical, efficient, and cost-effective solution for ice production with reduced risk of valve malfunctions, facilitating easy maintenance and cleaning by preventing water waste from freezing and allowing symmetrical tray assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a plug valve (60)... held in close position due to the force exerted by a torsion spring (64)
Implementation Method 2
a tubular element (58) that extends downwards and has an angular cut on its end... to guide the discharge of water
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making device with a manually removable water tank is provided. When mounted, this tank has a system for opening a valve that allows dispensing water into an ice making tray of the ice making device. The ice making tray is rotatable so that the ice cubes formed in the tray can be removed. The ice making tray may be rotated by a pair of gears, one of them holds the ice making tray in position and transmits a rotation force to the tray; this gear has a preload spring which generates an appropriate return force. The other gear is part of the lever, giving torsion to the tray and may be operated by a user. When rotating the tray, the ice cubes may fall directly into an ice bucket which can be removed from the system to externally serve ice.