Segmented Auger Design for Refrigerator Ice Transfer Without Breakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

In refrigerators, ice often accumulates in the ice bucket due to inefficient transfer mechanisms, leading to broken ice pieces being left behind, which cannot be transferred by the auger.

Innovation Solution

The design includes an auger with a spirally extended rotating shaft and transfer portions that form a continuous spiral shape, featuring perimeter edges and side edges to minimize the gap between the auger and the ice bucket, along with passing portions to reduce ice transfer speed and prevent accumulation, and a discharge transfer portion to facilitate smooth ice discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the transfer portion is cut at one part toward the rotating shaft to adjust ice transfer amount, then the ice transfer amount becomes adequate, but ice is caught between the cut part and the ice bucket inner surface causing broken ice and residual pieces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice transfer amountVSAvoidice transfer completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The extension portion is divided into multiple transfer portions with passing portions between them, creating a segmented structure that allows ice to be transferred without being caught. The passing portions provide gaps through which ice can pass freely, preventing the ice catching problem while maintaining adequate transfer amount.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of cutting the transfer portion completely to adjust ice transfer amount, the patent uses multiple transfer portions with passing portions that provide partial transfer capability. This allows adequate ice transfer while preventing ice from being caught, as the passing portions ensure complete transfer paths exist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Productivity

If the extension portion has a continuous spiral shape with transfer portions, then ice transfer efficiency is improved, but sections incapable of transferring ice remain causing residual ice

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice transfer efficiencyVSAvoidresidual ice

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous spiral extension portion is segmented into multiple transfer portions with passing portions between them. This segmentation ensures that every section of the auger contributes to ice transfer, eliminating dead zones where ice could accumulate and ensuring complete transfer with minimal residual ice.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The passing portions are positioned to ensure continuous ice transfer action throughout the entire rotation of the auger. By strategically placing passing portions between transfer portions, the design ensures that ice is continuously transferred without interruption, minimizing residual ice while maintaining high transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If the auger transfer portions are designed with perimeter edges and side edges, then ice fluidity in the ice bucket is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice fluidityVSAvoidauger structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The extension portion is segmented into multiple transfer portions, each with perimeter edges and side edges. This segmentation improves ice fluidity by creating multiple contact points that guide ice movement, while the modular segmented structure makes the design more manageable and manufacturable compared to a completely new complex structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The perimeter edges of the transfer portions are designed with curved surfaces that follow the spiral shape of the auger. These curved surfaces improve ice fluidity by providing smooth contact surfaces that guide ice pieces along the spiral path, reducing friction and improving transfer efficiency without requiring overly complex geometric forms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 configuration prevents ice from being caught and broken between the auger and the ice bucket, minimizes residual ice, and ensures efficient ice transfer and discharge, reducing the amount of ice that accumulates and is broken.

Implementation Method 1

an auger provided in the ice bucket and including a rotating shaft and an extension portion radially extended from the rotating shaft while being spirally extended along the rotating shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpiral motion: Archimedes Screw

Data Source

PatentUS11073321B2Refrigerator and method of manufacturing auger for the refrigerator

Publication Date: 2021.07.27 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a body which includes a storage compartment, an ice maker provided in the storage compartment and configured to form ice, an ice bucket in which the ice formed by the ice maker is stored, and an auger provided in the ice bucket and configured to include a rotating shaft and an extension portion radially extended from the rotating shaft while being spirally extended along the rotating shaft. Here, the extension portion includes a plurality of transfer portions configured to include perimeter edges spirally extended and side edges radially extended and to be arranged to allow the perimeter edges to form a continuous spiral shape.