Continuous Flaker Ice-Making Freezer Self-Cleaning Without Disassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ice-making freezer cleaning processes are time-consuming, require disassembly, and involve handling corrosive solutions, leading to potential safety hazards and reduced operational life due to mineral buildup.
Innovation Solution
A simplified cleaning method for continuous flaker ice-making freezers that uses a fluid reservoir assembly to switch between ice-making and cleaning modes without disassembly, utilizing a cleaning solution that submerges components without the need for manual handling of corrosive substances, allowing for routine maintenance and extended operational life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cleaning methods are used, then mineral buildup is removed, but cleaning time increases and operational life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically circulating cleaning solution through the water supply circuit before significant mineral buildup occurs. The microprocessor-controlled system monitors cleaning intervals and initiates cleaning cycles proactively, preventing extensive mineral accumulation that would require lengthy manual cleaning and disassembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice-making freezer performs self-cleaning through an automated system where the cleaning solution is pumped through the water supply circuit, soaking and dissolving mineral buildup on the auger and ice extruder parts. The system automatically drains and refills the cleaning solution without requiring technician disassembly or manual handling, enabling routine maintenance that extends operational life.
2Reliability
If disassembly is performed for cleaning, then thorough cleaning is achieved, but exposure to harmful cleaning solutions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing water supply circuit as an intermediary pathway to deliver cleaning solution to the auger and ice extruder parts. This closed-loop circuit allows thorough cleaning of internal components while containing the corrosive cleaning solution within the system, preventing technician exposure. The pump and tubing act as intermediaries that enable cleaning without direct contact or disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system performs cleaning without requiring technician disassembly or manual handling of cleaning solutions. The microprocessor-controlled pump automatically circulates the cleaning solution through the water supply circuit, allowing thorough cleaning while eliminating human exposure to harmful chemicals. The system serves itself by monitoring and executing cleaning cycles without technician intervention.
3Ease of operation
If manual cleaning handling is used, then cleaning can be performed, but safety hazards increase due to corrosive solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates manual handling of corrosive cleaning solutions by implementing self-service automation. The microprocessor-controlled pump automatically fills, circulates, and drains the cleaning solution through the water supply circuit. This automation makes cleaning operation simple (pressing a button or scheduled operation) while completely eliminating safety hazards associated with manual handling of corrosive substances.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical cleaning operations with an automated pump-driven fluid circulation system. Instead of technicians manually disassembling, soaking, and reassembling components, the electrical pump automatically circulates cleaning solution through the water supply circuit, substituting hazardous manual mechanical operations with safe automated fluid dynamics.
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 method reduces cleaning time, minimizes exposure to hazardous solutions, and ensures thorough cleaning without disassembly, thereby extending the operational life of the freezer and making routine maintenance more feasible.
Implementation Method 1
The cleaning solution used to remove mineral buildup is generally a mixture of citric and phosphoric acids and warm water
Implementation Method 2
By operating an electromagnetic pump of the water supply circuit, the ice-making water in the internal water storage tank is supplied to the auger-type ice making machine
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An ice-making freezer having a freezer assembly; a fluid reservoir coupled to the freezer assembly by a hose and configured to contain a fluid; and a mounting assembly configured to adjust the fluid reservoir to be in a first position during an ice-making mode and in a second position during a cleaning mode, wherein when the fluid reservoir is in the second position the fluid submerges at least a portion of the freezer assembly.