Spherical Ice Maker Detection Lever to Prevent False Ice-Full Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice-makers lack an effective mechanism to detect the ice-full state in an ice bin without causing false detection or interference, leading to potential breakage and inefficient use of space.
Innovation Solution
The ice-maker incorporates an ice-full state detection lever that pivots in conjunction with the lower assembly, extending downward to avoid interference and detect ice layers above the first layer, preventing false detection and allowing for compact layout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the ice-full state detection lever extends downward to detect ice layers, then detection accuracy is improved, but the risk of breakage and false detection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection lever is positioned to extend downward vertically to detect ice layers, but its pivot point is located in the upper assembly rather than at the bottom. This spatial arrangement allows the lever to detect ice-full state by contacting ice layers from above while maintaining structural support, resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and breakage risk.
2Volume of moving object
If the detection lever pivots with the lower assembly, then space utilization is improved, but interference with the lower tray increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ice-maker is divided into upper and lower assemblies with distinct functions. The detection lever is integrated into the upper assembly and pivots independently, while the lower tray remains stationary for ice storage. This segmentation allows the detection lever to pivot with the upper assembly for compact space utilization without interfering with the lower tray's ice storage function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the detection lever extends to the bottom level of the ice bin, then detection capability is improved, but false detection and space inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detection lever extends downward to detect ice layers but does not reach the absolute bottom level of the ice bin. Instead, it detects the presence of ice layers at an optimal height that provides sufficient detection capability while avoiding false detections that could occur at the bottom level where ice accumulation patterns differ.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet, an ice maker configured to make spherical ice, and an ice bin for storing the ice. The ice maker includes an upper assembly including a plurality of hemispherical upper chambers, a lower assembly disposed below and pivotably coupled to the upper assembly, wherein the lower assembly includes a plurality of hemispherical lower chambers that are configured to come in contact with the plurality of hemispherical upper chambers to define a plurality of spherical ice chambers, a driver configured to pivot the lower assembly, and an ice-full state detection lever that is coupled to and configured to be pivoted by the driver, wherein the ice-full state detection lever is configured to pivot in the same direction as the lower assembly to detect whether the ice bin is in an ice-full state.