Refrigerator Water Container Locking Assembly for Continuous Ice Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators face issues with continuous ice production due to water supply containers freezing before all water is used, leading to interruptions in ice making and water dispensing.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a container connection assembly with a manipulation unit that allows for easy locking and unlocking, ensuring the water supply container remains attached during door rotation or impact, and can be conveniently detached, using elastic members to support the suction passage for easy attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a large water supply container is used to ensure continuous water supply, then the water supply duration is extended, but the water may freeze before all water is supplied, interrupting ice making
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply container is divided into multiple compartments: a first water storage chamber for storing water to be supplied to the ice maker, and a second water storage chamber for storing additional water. This segmentation allows the system to manage water supply in stages, preventing freezing of the entire supply while ensuring continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump is configured to supply water from the first water storage chamber to the ice maker before the second water storage chamber is utilized. This preliminary action ensures that the ice maker receives water from the warmer first chamber before the colder second chamber is accessed, preventing freezing interruptions.
2Ease of operation
If the water supply container is made detachable for convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but the container may be freely detached during door rotation or impact, compromising reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The connection assembly incorporates a manipulation unit that transitions between locked and unlocked states. The elastic member provides dynamic positioning, allowing the connection assembly to be easily attached and detached when unlocked, while automatically locking into place during normal door operation to prevent unintended detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulation unit acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the locking system. By providing a dedicated interface for locking and unlocking, it enables intentional attachment and detachment operations while preventing accidental changes in attachment state during door rotation or impact events.
3Productivity
If a pump system is used to supply water from a water supply container, then continuous water supply is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is integrated into the existing refrigerator structure, serving multiple functions: supplying water to the ice maker, managing water levels in the storage chambers, and coordinating with the manipulation unit for container attachment/detachment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems while maintaining continuous water supply capability.
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
Enables stable and continuous operation of the ice maker and dispenser by preventing the water supply container from being freely detached, allowing for convenient handling and ensuring continuous water supply to the ice maker and dispenser.
Implementation Method 1
upper and lower ends of a vertically movable suction passage of the container connection assembly are supported by elastic members so that the suction passage can be positioned at an original center position after an external force is removed
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a cabinet providing a storage chamber closed by a door, a water supply container disposed at the door or the storage chamber to store water to be supplied to an icemaker or a dispenser, a detachable container connection assembly disposed at an upper side of the water supply container, a housing disposed at the door or the storage chamber so that the container connection assembly can be detachably attached to the housing, and a manipulation unit disposed at the container connection assembly to lock or unlock the container connection assembly attached to the housing. Therefore, the refrigerator can be conveniently used.