Twist Ice Maker Tray With Convex Features for Easier Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ice makers require significant twisting force to eject ice cubes, leading to tray fatigue and reduced lifespan due to the high rotational angle needed for ice removal.
Innovation Solution
The ice making tray incorporates specialty features such as a convex bottom surface, a ledge around the perimeter, or threads extending from one corner to another, which assist in reducing the twist angle required for ice ejection, thereby minimizing stress on the tray material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional flat-bottom ice making tray is used, then the ice cube is firmly held in the tray, but a large twist angle is required to eject the ice, causing tray fatigue and reduced lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom surface of the ice making tray is modified with localized convex features or threads at specific positions where ice contact occurs. These localized structural changes create friction and mechanical interlocking with the ice cube, improving holding stability without requiring overall tray reinforcement that would increase complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Convex features are added to the bottom surface of the tray to create curved geometric profiles. These curved surfaces provide better contact with the ice cube, increasing friction and mechanical engagement. The curvature allows the ice to be held firmly during freezing while enabling easier ejection with reduced twist angle, as the convex shapes naturally guide ice release.
2Ease of operation
If a large twist angle is applied to eject ice from the tray, then complete ice removal is achieved, but significant twisting force causes fatigue on the tray material
Solution Approach 1:
The convex features on the tray bottom surface create curved contact points with the ice cube. During ejection, these curved surfaces guide the ice release path, allowing complete ice removal with a smaller twist angle. This reduces the mechanical stress and fatigue on the tray material while maintaining effective ice ejection.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom surface is segmented into multiple convex features or threads distributed across the tray. These segmented features provide distributed contact points with the ice cube, allowing progressive engagement and release. This segmentation enables complete ice ejection with reduced twist angle, as each feature contributes to the overall ejection mechanism rather than relying on a single large-twist action.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the tray material is made stronger to withstand repeated twisting, then tray lifespan increases, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly increasing tray material strength throughout the entire structure, convex features or threads are added only at the bottom surface where ice contact occurs. This localized modification provides the necessary mechanical engagement to reduce ejection twist angle without requiring complex reinforcement of the entire tray structure, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while extending tray lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The convex geometric features are formed through simple molding processes that create curved surfaces on the tray bottom. These curved features provide effective ice engagement and reduced ejection force requirements without adding complex structural elements. The curvature is achieved through standard manufacturing techniques, avoiding increased device complexity while extending tray durability.
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
These features enable more efficient and earlier ice removal with reduced tray fatigue, extending the life of the ice making tray by decreasing the rotational force needed during the harvesting process.
Implementation Method 1
The ice making tray is configured to receive water from the inlet. The perimeter sidewall, dividing wall, and a bottom surface form at least one ice compartment. The at least one ice compartment is configured to produce at least one ice body and includes at least one specialty feature chosen from the group consisting of a convex bottom surface, a ledge disposed about a perimeter of the at least one ice compartment
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making apparatus for an appliance comprising an ice making tray having at least one specialty feature chosen from the group consisting of: a convex bottom surface, a ledge disposed about a perimeter of the at least one ice compartment and proximate a bottom portion of the at least one ice compartment, at least one thread extending from one corner of the at least one ice compartment to another corner of the at least one ice compartment, or any combination thereof.