Ice Maker Condenser Fan Motor Reversal for Contaminant Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ice making machines accumulate dirt, lint, grease, dust, and other contaminants on the condenser, reducing efficiency and requiring periodic cleaning, which is essential for maintaining proper operation.

Innovation Solution

The ice maker employs a condenser fan motor that operates in a reverse direction at a higher speed when not making ice or when the ice storage bin is full, blowing contaminants off the condenser, and a control system manages this operation to maintain cleanliness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the condenser fan motor operates continuously in the forward direction to cool the condenser, then the ice maker maintains proper cooling function, but dirt, lint, grease, dust, and other contaminants accumulate on the condenser, reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecondenser coolingVSAvoidcontaminant accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The condenser fan motor operates periodically in reverse direction during non-ice-making cycles to blow accumulated contaminants off the condenser. The control system activates the fan in reverse for a predetermined time period after ice making completes or when the ice storage bin is full, creating periodic cleaning action that prevents contaminant buildup while maintaining continuous cooling during ice production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The condenser fan motor reverses its rotation direction to change the airflow pattern from drawing air through the condenser (forward direction for cooling) to blowing air across the condenser surface (reverse direction for cleaning). This inversion of the fan's operational direction enables the same component to perform both cooling and self-cleaning functions at different times

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the condenser fan motor operates in reverse direction to blow contaminants off the condenser, then the condenser cleanliness is improved, but the ice making cycle is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant removalVSAvoidice production continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The reverse operation of the condenser fan motor is implemented as a periodic action during non-ice-making cycles or when the ice storage bin is full. The control system monitors ice bin status and activates the fan in reverse only during these idle periods for a predetermined time, ensuring that ice production is not interrupted while still achieving regular condenser cleaning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The condenser cleaning operation is performed in advance during non-ice-making cycles before the next ice production cycle begins. By proactively removing contaminants during idle periods, the system prevents efficiency degradation that would occur during active ice making, ensuring optimal cooling performance is maintained for the next production cycle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the condenser fan motor operates at high speed in reverse direction for extended periods to thoroughly clean the condenser, then contaminant removal is maximized, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant reductionVSAvoidfan motor energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The condenser fan motor operates in reverse direction at high speed for a predetermined limited time period rather than continuously. This partial action approach provides sufficient cleaning effect to remove accumulated contaminants without the excessive energy consumption that would result from prolonged high-speed reverse operation, achieving an optimal balance between cleaning effectiveness and energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

This solution effectively reduces the accumulation of contaminants on the condenser, enhancing the ice maker's efficiency, reducing wear, and lowering operating costs by periodically cleaning the condenser during non-ice making cycles.

Implementation Method 1

operate the condenser fan motor at a second speed in a reverse direction when the ice maker is not making ice. Operating the condenser fan motor at the second speed in the reverse direction is sufficient to reduce the amount of dirt, lint, dust, and/or other contaminants on or in the condenser

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10928110B2Ice maker with reversing condenser fan motor to maintain clean condenser

Publication Date: 2021.02.23 TRUE MFG CO INC

AI summary

An ice maker for forming ice having a refrigeration system, a water system, and a control system. The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, an ice formation device, and a condenser fan comprising a fan blade and a condenser fan motor for driving the fan blade. The water system supplies water to the ice formation device. The control system includes a controller adapted to operate the condenser fan motor at a first speed in a forward direction when the ice maker is making ice and adapted to operate the condenser fan motor at a second speed in a reverse direction when the ice maker is not making ice. Operating the condenser fan motor at the second speed in the reverse direction is sufficient to reduce the amount of dirt, lint, grease, dust, and/or other contaminants on or in the condenser.