Auger-Type Ice Maker Cleaning Using Elevated Fluid Reservoir Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Auger-type ice makers face challenges in cleaning the ice generator and ice compressor without additional space or devices, as existing solutions require additional structures to supply cleaning liquid to the ice compressor, complicating the device's structure and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a fluid reservoir that can be positioned higher than the ice compressor, with a combined water and cleaning tank system that allows for varying fluid levels, enabling effective cleaning without additional pipelines or valves, and a controller to manage the ice making and cleaning processes separately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pipe is installed from the water tank to the upper portion of the ice compressor to supply cleaning liquid, then the cleaning liquid can reach the ice compressor, but the device structure becomes more complex and additional space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid reservoir is repositioned from a lower position to an upper position above the ice compressor, utilizing vertical space dimension. This dimensional change allows gravity to naturally supply cleaning liquid to the ice compressor without requiring additional pipes, valves, or pumping mechanisms, thereby resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid reservoir leverages its elevated position to self-supply cleaning liquid to the ice compressor through gravity flow. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external piping systems, control valves, or additional power sources, achieving effective cleaning while maintaining simple device structure
2Device complexity
If the water tank is positioned at a standard level, then the structure remains simple, but the cleaning liquid cannot reach the ice compressor
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves the fluid reservoir to an elevated vertical position above the ice compressor. This dimensional repositioning in the vertical axis enables gravity-driven flow to the ice compressor while maintaining overall structural simplicity, avoiding the need for complex piping systems that would be required at standard water tank levels
Solution Approach 2:
By positioning the fluid reservoir at a higher elevation, the system creates a gravitational potential difference that enables natural flow of cleaning liquid to the ice compressor. This equipotentiality principle allows the cleaning liquid to reach the compressor without additional mechanical assistance, maintaining structural simplicity while ensuring complete cleaning coverage
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
This solution simplifies the structure and reduces costs by allowing for effective cleaning of both the ice generator and ice compressor without additional components, maintaining fluid levels during both ice making and cleaning processes, thereby preventing device failure and ensuring efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
A portion of the fluid reservoir may be disposed in a position the same as or higher than that of the ice compressor
Data Source
AI summary
An auger-type ice maker includes an ice generator including an ice making tube, an auger installed coaxially within the ice making tube, and a refrigerant pipe wound spirally around and fixed to an outer surface of the ice making tube to be in close contact therewith, an ice compressor connected to an upper portion of the ice generator, the ice compressor configured to compress ice generated by the ice generator, and a fluid reservoir connected to a lower portion of the ice generator, the fluid reservoir configured to retain a fluid to be supplied to the ice generator. A portion of the fluid reservoir is disposed in a position the same as or higher than that of the ice compressor.