Conductive Ice Tray With Electromagnetic Heatless Ice Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice making modules in refrigerators rely on heat and torsional forces to remove ice, which can be inefficient and may damage the ice tray, and there is a need for a method that allows for heatless removal of ice.
Innovation Solution
A conductive ice tray with a barrier coating and an electrical circuit including a capacitor that generates an electromagnetic pulse to repel ice pieces without heat or torsional forces, using a conductive material to create an induced electrical current and repelling force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If heat and torsional forces are used to remove ice from the ice tray, then ice removal is achieved, but the ice tray may be damaged and the process is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical and thermal ice removal system with an electromagnetic pulse generation system. The capacitor discharge creates an electromagnetic pulse that generates repelling forces between the conductive ice tray and conductive material, eliminating the need for heat application and torsional mechanical forces that damage the ice tray.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the ice tray by making it conductive (either through conductive material or conductive coating). This parameter change enables the ice tray to interact with electromagnetic pulses, allowing for a completely different ice removal mechanism that avoids thermal and mechanical damage.
2Productivity
If a conductive coating is applied to the ice tray, then electromagnetic ice removal is enabled, but the complexity of the ice making module increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a barrier coating as an intermediary layer between the conductive ice tray and the ice pieces. This barrier coating prevents direct contact and adhesion between the ice and the conductive surface, enabling the electromagnetic repulsion mechanism to work effectively while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice tray is constructed as a composite structure combining conductive material (for electromagnetic interaction) with a barrier coating (for ice release). This composite approach enables the dual functionality of electromagnetic actuation and easy ice release without requiring complex separate mechanisms.
3Speed
If the capacitor is continuously charged and discharged, then ice removal is rapid, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic charging and discharging of the capacitor at strategically timed intervals. The capacitor charges during the ice formation period and discharges only when needed for ice release, creating a periodic action pattern that achieves rapid ice removal when required while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption during other operational phases.
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 efficient, heatless removal of ice pieces from the ice tray, reducing wear and tear on the tray and improving the ice removal process, while maintaining the quality of the ice.
Implementation Method 1
the capacitor is configured to selectively release the electrical charge through the conductive ice tray in the form of an electromagnetic pulse
Implementation Method 2
the electromagnetic pulse selectively released by the capacitor through the conductive ice tray generates an induced electrical current through the conductive material
Implementation Method 3
A cooling apparatus is configured to selectively decrease the temperature of the water in the at least one ice piece forming cavity to a predetermined temperature, wherein the water is substantially solidified
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making module includes a conductive ice tray having a bottom surface and a barrier coating on at least a portion of the conductive ice tray. An electrical circuit in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray includes a power source and a capacitor. A switch is configured to move between a charging position, wherein the capacitor stores an electrical charge, and a pulse position, wherein the capacitor releases the electrical charge. A conductive material disposed proximate the conductive ice tray is in selective electromagnetic communication with the conductive ice tray. The electrical charge released by the capacitor generates an induced electrical current through the conductive material and a repelling electromagnetic force between the conductive ice tray and the conductive material. A water dispensing mechanism disposes water into the conductive ice tray. A cooling apparatus decrease the temperature of the water in the conductive ice tray.