Drainless ice machine with cleaning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice maker appliances require external drain lines for meltwater disposal, which are costly and difficult to install, and cleaning these appliances is time-consuming and burdensome.
Innovation Solution
An ice maker appliance with a circulation system that recirculates meltwater back into the ice making process, eliminating the need for external drain lines and incorporating a cleanout line for easy maintenance and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external drain lines are used to dispose of meltwater, then meltwater disposal is effective, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the drain line connection from the external environment and relocates it to an internal reservoir system. Meltwater is collected in a reservoir within the appliance and evaporated internally, eliminating the need for external drain lines and associated installation complexity while maintaining effective meltwater disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary evaporator system between the meltwater source and the external environment. Instead of directly draining meltwater outside, the system uses an evaporator to transform liquid meltwater into vapor, which is then vented through a controlled pathway, effectively disposing of meltwater without requiring external drain infrastructure.
2Reliability
If external drain lines are installed, then meltwater can be disposed of, but installation becomes difficult in certain locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the requirement for external drain line installation by extracting the disposal function and implementing it internally through evaporation. This eliminates location-specific installation difficulties associated with external drain connections while preserving meltwater disposal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by handling meltwater disposal internally without requiring external infrastructure. The evaporator system automatically processes meltwater within the appliance, making the installation location-independent and significantly easing installation procedures.
3Productivity
If traditional ice maker appliances are designed with external drainage, then operational effectiveness is maintained, but cleaning becomes time-consuming and burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water management function from external drainage and relocates it to an internal reservoir-evaporator system. This design eliminates hidden external drain lines that are difficult to access and clean, while maintaining operational effectiveness through controlled internal evaporation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a localized, self-contained water management system within the appliance. The reservoir and evaporator are positioned as accessible internal components with specific functional properties, allowing for easy monitoring and cleaning while maintaining overall operational effectiveness of the ice maker.
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 recirculation system reduces the need for external drain lines, simplifies maintenance, and enhances cleaning efficiency, thereby improving the operational effectiveness and reducing installation and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first pump connected to the first circulation conduit to pump liquid through the first circulation conduit
Implementation Method 2
a second pump provided at the second reservoir to pump melt water through the return line conduit
Implementation Method 3
heat transfer between liquid water in the ice maker and refrigerant of the sealed system generates ice
Data Source
AI summary
An icemaker appliance includes a cabinet forming an ice storage compartment, a first reservoir provided within the ice storage compartment, a circulation system arranged within the first reservoir, an ice maker provided within the first reservoir to dispense ice into the ice storage compartment, a second reservoir connected to the ice storage compartment, a return line conduit connected to the second reservoir and the first reservoir to direct melt water from the second reservoir to the first reservoir, a second pump provided at the second reservoir to pump melt water through the return line conduit, and a cleanout line having a first end connected to the second reservoir and a second end exposed outside of the cabinet.