Clear Icemaker Using Dual Evaporator Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing icemakers in refrigerators produce cloudy or opaque ice cubes, are energy-intensive, and occupy valuable space, making it difficult to maintain a sufficient supply of clear and efficient ice production during high demand periods.
Innovation Solution
A sealed system with a compressor, capillary tubes, and evaporators is used to generate chilled air at specific temperatures, allowing for clear ice cube formation and efficient production within a compact design, utilizing a dual evaporator setup to optimize ice formation and harvesting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a mold body with heater and auger is used to produce ice cubes, then ice cubes can be harvested, but energy consumption increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the heater and auger components from the ice making assembly, replacing them with a cold plate that directly freezes water in the reservoir. This eliminates the energy-intensive heating and mechanical augering processes while maintaining ice production capability through direct contact cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical system consisting of heater and auger is replaced with a thermal conduction-based cold plate system. The cold plate directly contacts the water in the reservoir and freezes it through thermal conduction, eliminating the need for mechanical harvesting components and reducing overall system complexity and energy consumption.
2Productivity
If stationary water is frozen within a mold body, then ice cubes can be formed, but ice formation speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the water into multiple compartments within the reservoir, each in direct contact with the cold plate. This segmentation increases the surface area for heat transfer and allows simultaneous freezing of multiple portions of water, significantly accelerating ice formation compared to a single large body of stationary water.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from freezing water in a traditional mold cavity to freezing water in an open reservoir configuration where the cold plate contacts the water from below. This dimensional change allows for greater surface area contact and more efficient heat transfer, reducing freezing time.
3Productivity
If a mold body is used for ice production, then ice cubes can be formed, but the volume occupied is large
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the traditional mold body structure, replacing it with a simple reservoir that sits directly on the cold plate. This removal of unnecessary structural components significantly reduces the volume occupied by the ice making assembly while maintaining full ice production capability.
4Manufacturing precision
If a mold body with heater and auger is used, then ice cubes can be harvested, but the produced ice cubes are cloudy or opaque
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the heater component that causes uneven freezing and cloudiness in traditional ice makers. The simple cold plate design creates uniform freezing conditions that produce clear, transparent ice cubes without the need for complex heating elements or control systems.
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 system produces clear and efficient ice cubes quickly while occupying a smaller volume, improving the refrigerator's efficiency and ice supply during peak demand.
Implementation Method 1
A first capillary tube is sized such that the chilled air at the first evaporator is a first temperature during operation of the sealed system. The second capillary tube is sized such that the chilled air at the second evaporator is a second, different temperature during operation of the sealed system.
Implementation Method 2
A first evaporator is connected in series with the first capillary tube. A second evaporator is positioned proximate an inlet of the duct. The first evaporator is connected in series with the first capillary tube.
Implementation Method 3
A sealed system includes a compressor operable to generate compressed refrigerant. A first capillary tube is connected to receive the compressed refrigerant.
Implementation Method 4
A sealed system includes a compressor operable to generate compressed refrigerant.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator appliance includes a sealed system with a first evaporator connected in series with a first capillary tube and a second evaporator connected in series with second and third capillary tubes such that the second evaporator is between the second and third capillary tubes. The first capillary tube is sized such that the chilled air at the first evaporator is a first temperature during operation of the sealed system. The second capillary tube is sized such that the chilled air at the second evaporator is a second, different temperature during operation of the sealed system.