Ice making assembly vertical detection arm

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ice making appliances with horizontal detection arms fail to accurately detect ice levels when the ice storage bucket is shifted, leading to potential overfilling and overflow.

Innovation Solution

A vertical ice detection arm assembly with a first arm rotating around a vertical axis and a second arm rotating around a lateral axis, which engages a switch to control ice generation, ensuring accurate detection even when the ice bucket is moved.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a horizontal detection arm is used to detect ice level, then the structure is simple, but the detection accuracy deteriorates when the ice bucket is shifted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection arm structureVSAvoidice level detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a horizontal detection arm to a vertical detection arm assembly, changing the detection dimension from horizontal to vertical. This allows the detection mechanism to work along the vertical axis of the ice bucket, making it insensitive to horizontal shifts of the bucket. The vertical arm rotates around a vertical axis and is actuated by a second arm rotating around a lateral axis, creating a three-dimensional detection mechanism that maintains accurate ice level detection regardless of bucket position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the ice bucket is moved during cycling, then the ice maker can be relocated, but ice may shift away from the detection zone causing false low level detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice maker relocation capabilityVSAvoidice level detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the detection arm orientation from horizontal to vertical and rotating it around a vertical axis, the detection zone becomes a vertical cylindrical volume rather than a horizontal linear zone. This three-dimensional detection volume encompasses the entire ice column, ensuring that ice pieces at any horizontal position within the bucket will be detected, eliminating false low level readings during bucket movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The vertical detection arm assembly serves multiple functions: it detects ice level, determines ice fullness, and operates independently of bucket position. The ability to rotate around a vertical axis and be actuated by the second arm provides universal detection capability throughout the ice bucket volume, making the system reliable regardless of whether the bucket is stationary or being moved during the ice making cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260002720A1Ice making assembly vertical detection arm

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An ice making assembly for a refrigerator appliance includes an ice maker defining a top side, a bottom side, a front side, and a back side. The ice maker is configured to generate ice. The ice making assembly also includes an ice detection arm assembly. The ice detection arm assembly includes a mounting bracket coupled to the ice maker at a top side of the ice maker, and a first arm rotatably coupled to a bottom side of the ice maker. The first arm is configured to rotate around a vertical axis. The ice detection arm assembly also includes a second arm rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket. The second arm is configured to rotate around a lateral axis. The second arm is configured to rotate the first arm as the second arm rotates.