Clear Ice Maker Airflow Design for Bubble-Free Freezing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice makers produce cloudy ice due to trapped air, which affects the taste and appearance of beverages, and existing methods to produce clear ice are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An ice making apparatus with a housing that separates into air chambers, using a thermally coupled cooling device and ambient air circulation to facilitate the escape of air bubbles during the freezing process, combined with a rocking motion to form clear ice without a drain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional freezing methods are used, then ice cubes are produced quickly and simply, but the ice becomes cloudy due to trapped air bubbles
Solution Approach 1:
The freezing process is segmented into distinct phases: initial rapid freezing to form a solid base layer, followed by a slower freezing phase that allows air bubbles to escape. The apparatus is segmented into a freezing chamber and a separate air escape chamber, enabling different freezing rates in different zones to produce clear ice without complex processing equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus introduces dynamic elements including a rocking mechanism that gently agitates the water during freezing to facilitate air bubble escape, and a movable partition that adjusts between freezing phases. The system transitions from static conventional freezing to a dynamic process with controlled motion, improving ice clarity while maintaining reasonable complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If air bubbles are allowed to escape during freezing, then clear ice is produced, but the freezing process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus performs preliminary action by pre-cooling the water and preparing the freezing surface before the actual freezing begins. The initial rapid freezing phase creates a solid base structure in advance, allowing subsequent phases to focus solely on air bubble escape without extending total time significantly. The rocking mechanism is activated at the optimal moment to maximize air escape efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The freezing process uses periodic action with distinct phases: a rapid freezing phase followed by a slower air-escape phase, with the rocking mechanism operating periodically during the air escape phase. This phased approach allows the system to achieve clear ice while managing total cycle time, as each phase is optimized for its specific function rather than using a single prolonged process
3Manufacturing precision
If costly processing techniques are used to produce clear ice, then ice clarity is improved, but the appliance becomes less economical for consumer use
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus enables self-service clear ice production by incorporating a rocking mechanism that automatically agitates the water during freezing to facilitate air bubble escape. The system uses its own operational cycles and built-in mechanical elements rather than requiring external costly processing equipment, making clear ice production economical for consumer appliances
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces costly industrial processing techniques with simple, inexpensive mechanical elements like a rocking mechanism and movable partition. These simple components achieve clear ice production without requiring expensive equipment, making the technology accessible for consumer-grade appliances while maintaining ice clarity
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 effectively produces clear ice by allowing air bubbles to escape, resulting in clearer and more aesthetically pleasing ice cubes with improved taste, without the need for costly processing techniques.
Implementation Method 1
A cooling device is thermally coupled to a bottom surface of the ice forming plate
Implementation Method 2
The cooling device is exposed to chilled air from within the appliance in the first air chamber
Implementation Method 3
When water is frozen to form ice cubes, trapped air tends to make the resulting ice cubes cloudy in appearance
Data Source
AI summary
A method for preparing clear ice includes supporting an ice tray via a rotating assembly within a housing and separating an interior volume of the housing into a first air chamber and a second air chamber. The first air chamber is below the ice tray and the second air chamber is above the ice tray. Water is supplied into the ice tray and the ice tray is cooled with a cooling device thermally coupled to a bottom surface of the ice forming plate. The cooling device is exposed to chilled air from within the appliance in the first air chamber. Ambient air is supplied from outside the appliance into the second air chamber within the interior volume of the housing. The surface of the water in the ice tray is exposed to the ambient air.