Drainless Icemaker with Recirculation and Deionization Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Icemaker appliances require external drain lines to manage meltwater, which are expensive and difficult to install in certain locations, necessitating a solution for operating without external drain lines.
Innovation Solution
An icemaker appliance with a circulation conduit and pump system that recirculates liquid water from a sump to the ice maker, incorporating a deionization filter assembly to reduce total dissolved solids and a sensor to monitor water quality, eliminating the need for external drain lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external drain lines are used to manage meltwater, then meltwater disposal is effective, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the drain line requirement from the icemaker system by implementing a self-contained water recycling system. The circulation pump and filter assembly process meltwater internally, eliminating the need for external drain lines while maintaining effective meltwater disposal through evaporation and reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The icemaker system performs self-service by recycling its own meltwater through an internal circulation system. The pump moves water from the sump through a filter assembly back to the ice maker, and excess water evaporates or is reused, making the system self-sufficient without external drainage infrastructure.
2Reliability
If external drain lines are installed, then meltwater can be disposed of, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external drain line requirement by implementing internal meltwater management. The circulation pump and filter assembly create a closed-loop system that processes and recycles meltwater, eliminating the need for costly external drainage installation while maintaining disposal capability through evaporation and reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses disposable or replaceable filter assemblies that are inexpensive compared to installing external drain lines. The filter cartridges can be periodically replaced to maintain water quality, providing a cost-effective solution that avoids the high upfront and ongoing costs of external drainage infrastructure.
3Manufacturing precision
If water is recirculated through the ice maker, then ice quality improves, but total dissolved solids increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by filtering water through deionization cartridges before it enters the ice maker. This pre-filtration removes dissolved solids in advance, ensuring that only purified water contacts the ice-making surfaces, thereby maintaining high ice quality while preventing dissolved solids accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly acts as an intermediary between the water supply and the ice maker. It mediates the water quality by removing dissolved solids through deionization cartridges, allowing the recirculated water to maintain low mineral content and produce high-quality ice without direct contact between impurities and the ice-making process.
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
Enables installation without external drain lines, reduces installation costs, and maintains ice quality by filtering mineral impurities, improving the performance and longevity of the icemaker system.
Implementation Method 1
A deionization filter assembly is coupled to the circulation conduit. The deionization filter assembly is configured for filtering the liquid water flowing through the circulation conduit during operation of the pump to reduce a total dissolved solids value of the liquid water.
Implementation Method 2
A sensor is operable to measure a total dissolved solids value of the liquid water flowing through the circulation conduit.
Implementation Method 3
A pump is connected to the circulation conduit such that the pump is operable to flow liquid water from the sump to the ice maker through the circulation conduit.
Implementation Method 4
Icemaker appliances are frequently cooled by a sealed system, and 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 an ice maker positioned within a cabinet. A circulation conduit extends from a sump to the ice maker. A pump is connected to the circulation conduit such that the pump is operable to flow liquid water from the sump to the ice maker through the circulation conduit. A deionization filter assembly is coupled to the circulation conduit. A sensor is operable to measure a total dissolved solids value of the liquid water flowing through the circulation conduit.