In-Door Ice Maker Spill Management With Tray Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ice makers on refrigerator or freezer compartment doors lack effective spill management features, leading to water spills when the door is opened or closed with unfrozen water present, which complicates the integration of ice and water dispensers on these appliances.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a tray with a spill sensor and heater, along with a drain line, to collect and manage water spills, and a door damper to reduce the impact of door movement, combined with innovative ice maker designs featuring covers, hinged walls, and flexible trays to prevent water splashing and facilitate efficient ice harvesting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an automatic ice maker is positioned on a refrigerator or freezer compartment door, then ice production and storage are conveniently integrated, but water spills occur when the door is opened or closed with unfrozen water present in the ice maker
Solution Approach 1:
The ice maker is designed to complete the freezing cycle before door operation. The control system monitors the freezing process and ensures water is fully frozen before allowing door opening/closing operations, preventing spillage before it can occur
Solution Approach 2:
A tray is introduced as an intermediary component between the ice maker and the refrigerator compartment. This tray collects and contains any water that may spill during door operation, preventing it from damaging other components while the ice maker is being serviced or maintained
2Reliability
If a tray is added to collect water spillage, then water damage is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray serves multiple functions: it collects water spillage during door operation, provides a drainage path for melted ice, and acts as a protective barrier between the ice maker and the refrigerator compartment. This multi-functionality justifies the additional component by eliminating the need for separate spill containment and drainage systems
Solution Approach 2:
The tray is designed with automatic drainage capabilities through gravity-fed channels that direct collected water to the refrigerator's existing drainage system. The spill management system requires no manual intervention or additional active components, as it self-regulates through passive gravitational flow
3Ease of operation
If the ice maker allows door movement during operation, then user access is convenient, but water splashing occurs when the door is opened or closed
Solution Approach 1:
The ice maker control system implements a preliminary freezing phase that ensures water is completely frozen before permitting door opening or closing operations. This timing control prevents water splashing by eliminating liquid water presence at the moment of door movement
Solution Approach 2:
The tray acts as a physical barrier and containment structure between the ice maker and the refrigerator compartment. It intercepts and contains any water that may splash during door operation, preventing it from reaching and damaging electrical components or other sensitive areas
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
Effectively prevents water spills during door operation, allows for the integration of ice and water dispensers on doors, and enhances the operational efficiency and user convenience of ice makers by ensuring reliable ice production and storage.
Implementation Method 1
The tray can have a heater. The tray heater can be connected to be energized when the refrigeration system defrost heater is energized.
Implementation Method 2
a refrigeration system for cooling the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment
Implementation Method 3
The tray heater can be connected to be energized when the refrigeration system defrost heater is energized.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed.