Clear Ice Maker Tray With Varied Thermal Conductivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ice makers produce cloudy ice due to trapped air, which affects the taste and appearance of beverages, and require costly processing techniques to produce clear ice.

Innovation Solution

An ice maker assembly with a metallic ice forming plate and a polymeric containment wall and grid, where the grid has a lower thermal conductivity than the plate, and a rocking motion is used to dispense water over the plate, allowing air bubbles to escape and forming clear ice without the need for a drain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional ice making process is used, then ice cubes are produced quickly and easily, but the ice cubes are cloudy due to trapped air

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice clarityVSAvoidprocessing technique complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thermal conductivity parameter of the ice forming plate by using a composite structure with a metallic plate and an insulating layer. This parameter change allows controlled freezing that prevents air bubble entrapment while maintaining simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The ice forming plate uses a composite material structure combining metal (for thermal conductivity) and insulating material (for controlled heat transfer). This composite structure enables clear ice formation without complex processing techniques by controlling the freezing process from the sides rather than the bottom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If costly processing techniques are used to produce clear ice, then ice clarity is improved, but the cost and complexity of the ice maker increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice clarityVSAvoidice maker manufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the thermal conductivity parameter of the ice forming plate through the composite structure, enabling clear ice production without expensive processing equipment. The insulating layer thickness and material properties are optimized to achieve the desired freezing pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses inexpensive, readily available materials for the ice forming plate (metal and common insulating materials), avoiding costly specialized components. The simple composite structure can be manufactured economically for consumer appliances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If air bubbles are trapped in ice cubes, then the ice making process is simpler, but the taste and appearance of beverages deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice making process simplicityVSAvoidbeverage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thermal conductivity distribution in the ice forming plate to create controlled freezing conditions. The insulating layer prevents rapid bottom-freezing that traps air, allowing bubbles to escape while maintaining simple device structure and good beverage quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 during the freezing process, improving the taste and appearance of ice cubes and eliminating the need for costly clear ice production techniques.

Implementation Method 1

A cooling source is thermally coupled to the bottom surface of the ice forming plate and is configured to freeze water retained on the top surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The containment wall and the grid have a material with a lower thermal conductivity than the ice forming plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS9599388B2Clear ice maker with varied thermal conductivity

Publication Date: 2017.03.21 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A clear ice maker assembly for an appliance includes an ice tray rotatably coupled with a housing and horizontally suspended within an interior volume of the housing. The ice tray includes a metallic ice forming plate with a bottom surface, a substantially planar top surface and an edge portion. A containment wall extends upward from the top surface along the edge portion. A grid having at least one dividing wall extends across the top surface between the containment walls. A fluid line extends into the housing and supplies water to the top surface of the ice tray to be retained by the containment wall and the grid. A cooling source is thermally coupled to the bottom surface of the ice forming plate. The containment wall and the grid have a material with a lower thermal conductivity than the ice forming plate.