Spherical Ice Maker Tray Sealing Using Asymmetric Elastic Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers face issues with incomplete sealing between the upper and lower trays, leading to ice removal defects and potential damage due to assembly tolerances and lack of movement limiting components, which result in gaps and burrs during spherical ice production.
Innovation Solution
An ice maker design featuring an upper assembly with hemispherical chambers made of elastic material, a pivotable lower assembly, rotating parts, pivoting arms, and elastic members that apply differential forces to ensure the lower tray remains closed, preventing ice flow and burr formation by maintaining contact between the trays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the motor assembly is disposed on one side of the lower tray, then the structure is simplified, but both ends of the lower tray do not pivot equally due to assembly tolerances, causing incomplete closing at the far side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric elastic members (first elastic member and second elastic member) with different configurations to compensate for the asymmetric pivot point location. The first elastic member connects to the first pivoting arm while the second elastic member connects to the second pivoting arm, creating differential elastic forces that balance the asymmetric mechanical structure and ensure both ends close uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the elastic parameters of the elastic members to compensate for assembly tolerances. By adjusting the elastic coefficients and pre-compression forces of the first and second elastic members, the system achieves balanced closing force distribution across both ends of the lower tray, transforming a precision mechanical problem into a controllable elastic parameter problem.
2Device complexity
If no component limits the movement of the ejector, then the structure is simpler, but the ejector may move freely causing ice removal defects or damage to the ice maker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces guide slots as intermediary components that mediate between the ejector and the upper tray. The guide slots constrain the ejector's movement path, ensuring it moves only in the intended direction while still allowing the necessary ejection motion, thus preventing uncontrolled movement without adding complex limiting mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper tray is made of elastic material that can deform to accommodate the ejector's movement. This flexible shell approach allows the ejector to move freely within elastic limits while the elastic deformation of the upper tray provides natural movement boundaries, preventing excessive travel without rigid constraints.
3Ease of manufacture
If the upper tray and lower tray are not perfectly sealed, then the structure allows for assembly tolerances, but gaps cause burr formation on spherical ice and ice flow defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the upper tray from rigid to elastic. This allows the upper tray to deform and adapt to the lower tray's position, dynamically compensating for assembly tolerances and maintaining contact sealing throughout the spherical ice making process, thereby preventing gaps and burr formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static sealing problem into a dynamic one by using elastic materials that can adapt their shape during operation. The elastic upper tray dynamically adjusts its position and shape during the closing and ice making process, maintaining sealing contact despite initial assembly tolerances, thus achieving both ease of manufacture and high ice quality.
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 design ensures reliable ice removal by maintaining tray contact, preventing ice flow and burr formation, and enhancing the sealing between the upper and lower trays, resulting in more complete spherical ice production.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member having one end connected to the first pivoting arm and the other end connected to the lower assembly, and a second elastic member having one end connected to the second pivoting arm and the other end connected to the lower assembly, wherein the first and second elastic members are configured to apply an elastic force such that the lower assembly closes the ice chambers
Data Source
AI summary
An ice maker includes an upper assembly including a plurality of hemispherical upper chambers, a lower assembly disposed below and pivotably coupled relative to the upper assembly, wherein the lower assembly includes a plurality of hemispherical lower chambers, a driver configured to pivot the lower assembly, a pair of rotating parts disposed at both sides of the lower assembly, a first pivoting arm pivotally mounted on one of the rotating parts, a second pivoting arm pivotally mounted on the other of the rotating parts and connected to the driver, a connection shaft connecting the first pivoting arm to the second pivoting arm, a first elastic member having one end connected to the first pivoting arm and the other end connected to the lower assembly, and a second elastic member having one end connected to the second pivoting arm and the other end connected to the lower assembly.