Refrigerated Drawer Icemaker Coil Layout for Dual Temperature Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a refrigerated drawer that can maintain freezing temperatures and incorporate an icemaking system with an associated evaporator unit capable of producing ice cubes while establishing a refrigerated environment, which has not been commonly available in smaller refrigerated drawer units.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerated appliance with a drawer featuring a compressor, condenser, and evaporator system where the evaporator coil is mounted below the icemaker housing, proximate to the ice cube mold, allowing for both ice production and refrigeration of the compartment, with a serpentine coil configuration and snap-fitting arrangement to minimize vibrations and enhance heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single refrigeration system is used for both ice making and compartment cooling, then device complexity is reduced, but it becomes difficult to simultaneously maintain freezing temperatures for ice production and refrigerated temperatures for compartment storage
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator is segmented into two distinct coils: a first evaporator coil positioned adjacent to the ice maker for freezing temperature generation, and a second evaporator coil positioned to blow cooled air into the refrigerated compartment for refrigeration temperature maintenance. This segmentation allows each coil to serve its specific temperature requirement independently while sharing the same refrigeration system.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the refrigeration system are assigned different temperature qualities: the first evaporator coil region operates at freezing temperatures (0°F or below) for ice production, while the second evaporator coil region operates at refrigerated temperatures (35-40°F) for food storage. This local quality differentiation enables the single system to satisfy both temperature requirements simultaneously.
2Productivity
If the evaporator is positioned adjacent to the ice maker for efficient ice production, then ice making efficiency is improved, but the ability to distribute cooled air to the refrigerated compartment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator assembly is segmented into two spatially separated coils: the first coil is located in the ice maker housing adjacent to the ice mold for efficient heat transfer and rapid ice production, while the second coil is positioned in the refrigerated compartment to distribute cooled air to stored items. This segmentation resolves the spatial conflict between ice making and air distribution functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration system utilizes vertical and spatial dimensionality within the drawer unit to accommodate both evaporator coils. The first evaporator coil operates in the upper ice maker section, while the second evaporator coil operates in the lower refrigerated compartment section, allowing both functions to coexist without spatial interference.
3Temperature
If a dedicated refrigeration system is used for each compartment (freezer and fresh food), then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the refrigeration systems for the drawer unit by using a single compressor and condenser assembly that serves both the ice maker and refrigerated compartment. The refrigerant flow is distributed to two evaporator coils through a common refrigeration circuit, reducing the number of independent systems from two to one while maintaining separate temperature zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The single refrigeration system is designed with multi-functionality to perform both ice making and refrigerated storage functions. The compressor and condenser assembly serve universal purposes for both the first evaporator coil (ice production) and the second evaporator coil (compartment cooling), eliminating the need for dedicated systems while maintaining temperature precision through localized evaporator design.
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
This configuration enables efficient ice production and maintains a refrigerated environment in the drawer, optimizing space and functionality by using the same refrigeration system for both ice making and compartment cooling, regardless of ice demand.
Implementation Method 1
the evaporator taking the form of a coil being sandwiched between the housing and the mounting plate... the evaporator coil is employed in establishing both freezing temperatures to form ice cubes
Implementation Method 2
A refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator is selectively operated to establish a refrigerated temperature in the refrigeration compartment
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerated appliance includes a cabinet including a drawer and a refrigeration system having at least a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator. An icemaker unit is mounted in the drawer and includes a housing and an ice cube mold. The evaporator includes a coil mounted below the housing proximate to the ice cube mold. A mounting plate is attached to the housing with the evaporator coil sandwiched therebetween. With this arrangement, the evaporator coil is selectively operated to provide freezing temperatures to form ice cubes in the ice cube mold and establish refrigerated temperatures in the refrigerated compartment. That is, the refrigeration system is selectively operated to chill the evaporator in both an ice production mode and a refrigeration mode.