Anti-Microbial Injection-Molded Components for Ice Making Appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stand-alone ice making appliances are prone to germ transfer and mold growth due to frequent user contact with components, which can contaminate the produced ice.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of anti-microbial ingredients into components such as the casing, user interface, handle, and reservoir through injection molding, along with an auxiliary reservoir outside the casing, to inhibit bacterial growth and maintain sanitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If components are made accessible for frequent user contact, then ease of operation is improved, but bacterial growth and germ transfer increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the component materials by incorporating anti-microbial agents during injection molding. This modifies the surface properties of frequently touched components (casing, handle, reservoir, user interface) to actively inhibit bacterial growth while maintaining their original functional accessibility and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining anti-microbial additives with the base polymer materials during the injection molding process. This creates components with dual functionality: maintaining the original mechanical and operational properties while adding anti-bacterial protection to surfaces that require frequent user contact.
2Ease of operation
If water contact points are provided for filling, then ease of operation is improved, but mold and bacteria accumulation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition and surface properties of water contact points (reservoir, pump, hoses) by incorporating anti-microbial ingredients. This parameter change creates surfaces that resist mold and bacteria accumulation, allowing the water filling function to continue operating easily while preventing harmful biological growth in the water storage and delivery pathways.
3Ease of operation
If multiple contact points are provided for user interaction, then ease of operation is improved, but germ transfer to ice increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface properties of all user interface components (casing, handle, buttons, display areas) by incorporating anti-microbial agents during manufacturing. This creates a protective barrier on all surfaces that users touch, preventing germ transfer from hands to the ice production areas while maintaining full accessibility and ease of operation of the user interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by integrating anti-microbial additives into the polymer matrices of all user-contact components. This results in components that simultaneously provide the intended user interaction functionality and active protection against germ transfer through their modified material composition.
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making appliance includes a casing, a user interface on the casing, a container within the casing, and a reservoir disposed within the casing. The ice making appliance includes one or more injection molded parts with anti-microbial ingredients. The ice making appliance may include an auxiliary reservoir disposed outside of the casing.