Clear ice maker assembly for producing clear ice for refrigerator appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no home refrigerator appliance with an installed automatic clear ice maker capable of producing clear ice pieces that are substantially free of impurities and trapped air, and that also provides a means for storing the produced ice.
Innovation Solution
An automatic clear ice maker assembly integrated into a refrigerator, featuring an ice maker tray with a water distribution system, a water reservoir tank, and a water collection and return duct, which allows for the production and storage of clear ice pieces within a dedicated ice compartment, maintaining appropriate temperatures and minimizing impurities and trapped air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a standalone clear ice machine is used, then clear ice pieces free of impurities and trapped air can be produced, but the machine is of substantial size and consumes significant amounts of water and energy
Solution Approach 1:
The clear ice maker assembly is segmented into multiple functional components: an ice maker tray portion with cavities for forming ice, a water distribution assembly with multiple outlets for even water flow, a water reservoir tank, a pump for water supply, and a water collection and return duct. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together in a compact integrated system that produces clear ice with minimal energy and water consumption.
2Manufacturing precision
If a standalone clear ice machine is used, then clear ice pieces free of impurities and trapped air can be produced, but the machine has no practical means of storing the produced clear ice pieces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the ice production function with the ice storage function into a single integrated assembly. The ice maker tray portion is positioned directly above the water collection and return duct, and the entire assembly is housed within a refrigerator compartment. This combination allows the compact clear ice maker to both produce and store clear ice pieces without requiring a separate storage system, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ice purity.
3Productivity
If a conventional automatic ice cube maker is used, then ice can be produced, but the ice contains impurities and trapped air that alter the taste of beverages
Solution Approach 1:
The water distribution assembly is designed with multiple outlets that distribute non-pressurized, even flow of water to each cavity of the ice maker tray portion. This local quality control ensures that each ice piece receives uniform water distribution, preventing trapped air and impurities. The water collection and return duct is positioned to collect and return excess water from below the ice maker tray portion, further ensuring purity by removing any contaminants before they can affect the ice formation process.
4Manufacturing precision
If a clear ice maker assembly with water distribution system is used, then clear ice pieces can be produced, but the system requires precise control of water flow to avoid impurities
Solution Approach 1:
The water distribution assembly is designed to automatically distribute non-pressurized, even flow of water to each cavity without requiring complex external control systems. The system self-regulates water flow through its design, and the water collection and return duct automatically collects and returns excess water to the water reservoir tank. This self-service mechanism simplifies the overall system while maintaining precise water flow control necessary for producing pure clear ice.
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 enables the production of clear ice pieces that are aesthetically pleasing and do not alter the taste of beverages, while also providing a compact and energy-efficient means of ice production suitable for household use, with the ability to store the ice for convenient access.
Implementation Method 1
a water reservoir tank and a pump for supplying water from the water reservoir tank to the water distribution assembly
Implementation Method 2
a water distribution assembly configured to distribute a non-pressurized, even flow of water to each of the cavities of the ice maker tray portion
Implementation Method 3
configured to make clear ice pieces... capable of producing clear ice pieces that contain little or no impurities and are substantially free of trapped air
Implementation Method 4
a water collection and return duct that is disposed below and extends along an edge of the ice maker tray portion and is configured to collect and return excess water to the water reservoir tank
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes an ice compartment region disposed in at least one of a fresh food compartment or a freezer compartment; a clear ice maker assembly disposed in the ice compartment region and configured to make clear ice pieces; and an ice bucket configured to store the clear ice pieces made by the clear ice maker assembly. The clear ice maker assembly includes an ice maker tray portion having a plurality of cavities for forming clear ice pieces; a water distribution assembly configured to distribute a non-pressurized, even flow of water to each of the cavities of the ice maker tray portion; a water reservoir tank and a pump for supplying water to the water distribution assembly; and a water collection and return duct that is disposed below and extends along an edge of the ice maker tray portion to collect and return excess water to the water reservoir tank.