Apparatus for making clear ice
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice making apparatuses in coolers fail to produce clear ice due to lack of insulation, leading to rapid freezing and entrapment of impurities, and users are unable to determine when ice is ready, often resulting in premature opening and reduced quality.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a lower and upper body with insulating pieces, an ice mold, and a channel system that allows for slow freezing and removal of impurities, along with a float mechanism to indicate completion of freezing, minimizing strain and informing the user when ice is ready.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If insulation materials are used to slow freezing of water, then clarity of ice is improved, but user cannot perceive freezing completion and may open apparatus prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
A float indicator is introduced as an intermediary element that visually signals freezing completion. The float moves in response to water level changes during freezing and provides optical information to the user without compromising the insulation that enables clear ice formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The float mechanism provides visual feedback about the freezing process status. As water freezes and volume changes, the float moves to indicate completion, giving the user real-time information about the process state without requiring them to remove or open the insulated apparatus.
2Manufacturing precision
If thick insulation layer is used for slow freezing, then ice clarity is improved, but freezing process cannot be perceived by user
Solution Approach 1:
The float serves as an intermediary that translates internal freezing process information into visible external signals. It allows the user to detect freezing completion through visual observation without needing to penetrate or remove the insulating barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The float provides a visual change (movement from one position to another) that signals process completion. This optical indication allows easy detection of freezing status through the transparent or translucent wall structure.
3Quantity of substance
If water is filled to maximum level, then ice production volume is maximized, but volume expansion during freezing generates internal strain on apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow channel is pre-designed to accommodate volume expansion before it causes damage. By providing a predetermined escape path for excess water, the system prevents the buildup of harmful internal stresses that would otherwise occur with maximum filling.
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harmful effect of water volume expansion during freezing is converted into a beneficial feature. The overflow channel transforms what would be damaging pressure into a controlled discharge mechanism, allowing the apparatus to handle maximum fill levels safely.
4Ease of operation
If apparatus is opened before freezing completion, then user access is improved, but ice quality decreases due to premature removal
Solution Approach 1:
The float indicator provides clear feedback that distinguishes between incomplete and complete freezing states. This visual signal guides the user on when it is appropriate to open the apparatus, preventing premature access that would compromise ice quality while still allowing easy access when ready.
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 solution ensures clear ice production by removing impurities and preventing premature opening, reducing user discontent and maintaining ice quality by providing a clear indication of completion.
Implementation Method 1
Water filled in the ice making apparatus slowly loses heat when placed in subzero chambers of the cooler thanks to the lower insulating piece and upper insulating piece provided in the lower body and the upper body, thus performing a slow freezing process so as to obtain clear ice
Implementation Method 2
a float is provided in the channel. Said float moves inside the channel by buoyancy of water, is conveyed to the upper portion of the channel by the volume increase resulting from freezing of water
Implementation Method 3
During freezing, the volume of water increases, and the increasing volume generates an internal strain on the ice making apparatus because freezing process advances from top to bottom of the ice cell
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Ice making apparatus (1) comprising a lower body (2), an upper body (3) placed on top of the lower body (2), a lower insulating part (4) placed in the lower body (2), an upper insulating part (5) placed in the upper body (3), an ice mold (8) placed between the upper insulating part (5) and the lower insulating part (4) so as to form at least one ice cell, having at least one filler opening (6) provided on its upper surface and a discharge opening (7) provided on its lower surface, and a cut-out (9) into which water enters, provided so as to be under the ice mold (8) and inside the lower insulating part (4).