Automatic ice maker
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic ice makers face issues with corrosion resistance, particularly with molten tin plated coatings which can peel off, contaminating ice blocks and being susceptible to disinfectants, leading to reduced durability and food sanitation concerns.
Innovation Solution
Applying an electroless nickel-phosphorus plated coating on the ice compartment's outer frame and partition member to enhance corrosion resistance, eliminating the need for multi-layer coatings and reducing manufacturing steps, while maintaining heat conductivity and allowing for disinfection maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If molten tin plated coating is applied to the ice compartment, then corrosion resistance is improved, but the coating peels off and contaminates ice blocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a multi-layer coating structure consisting of a base layer and an electroless nickel-phosphorus plated coating layer. This composite material approach combines the advantages of different materials: the base layer provides adhesion to the metal substrate, while the electroless nickel-phosphorus layer provides superior corrosion resistance and prevents peeling, thereby eliminating contamination of ice blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies precise parameters for the electroless nickel-phosphorus plated coating, including phosphorus content (7-12 wt%) and coating thickness (10-20 μm). By controlling these parameters, the coating achieves optimal corrosion resistance and adhesion properties, preventing peeling while maintaining durability in the ice-making environment.
2Reliability
If molten tin plated coating is applied to the ice compartment, then corrosion resistance is improved, but the coating is susceptible to disinfectants
Solution Approach 1:
The electroless nickel-phosphorus plated coating serves as a chemically inert barrier layer that is highly resistant to disinfectants such as sodium hypochlorite and electrolytic acid water. This coating protects the underlying metal from direct contact with corrosive disinfectants, enabling safe and effective disinfection maintenance without degrading the coating.
3Reliability
If multi-layer coating is applied to the ice compartment, then corrosion resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electroless nickel-phosphorus plated coating is applied through an electroless plating process that does not require external electrical power or complex equipment. The coating deposits automatically from a chemical bath, making the manufacturing process simple and easy to implement while achieving superior corrosion resistance.
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 electroless nickel-phosphorus coating significantly improves corrosion resistance, preventing rust from mixing with ice and ensuring enhanced food sanitation, even in environments with oxidizing substances, and reduces the risk of corrosion from disinfectants, thus improving the reliability and efficiency of the ice-making process.
Implementation Method 1
an electroless nickel-phosphorus plated coating is applied to an outer surface of a basis material of the ice compartment
Implementation Method 2
a cooling pipe 48 as the evaporator is disposed in close contact on the upper surface of the outer frame 14 in a meandering fashion
Implementation Method 3
a refrigerant from the refrigeration system 46 is supplied in circulation to the evaporator 48 to cool the ice compartment 10 to below the freezing point
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
[Task] To provide an automatic ice maker with improved corrosion resistance to prevent ice-making water and ice from being contaminated by a corrosion product such as rust, thereby enhancing the reliability of food sanitation. [Means for solution] The automatic ice maker produces ice having a required shape by supplying ice-making water in circulation to an ice compartment 10 that is cooled by a cooling pipe 48. The automatic ice maker has an electroless nickel-phosphorus plated coating 23 formed in a thickness of 15 µm or more on an outermost layer of the ice compartment 10, which coating 23 contains a 10% to 15% phosphorus component.