Evaporator for ice maker

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional evaporators for ice makers face inefficiencies in heat exchange and ice separation due to the compression process, which reduces heat transfer efficiency and damages the refrigerant pipe, and the elliptical cross-section of the refrigerant pipe limits ice quality and production efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The evaporator features a refrigerant pipe with a circular cross-section and bent ice making plates that cover the pipe, eliminating the need for compression and maximizing heat exchange efficiency while ensuring ice separates efficiently without obstruction, even at high internal pressures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the refrigerant pipe is compressed to fit between ice making plates, then the ice making plates can cover the pipe, but the heat transfer efficiency decreases and the pipe is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice separation efficiencyVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of compressing the refrigerant pipe to fit the ice making plates, the invention inverts the approach by making the ice making plates bendable to conform to the circular refrigerant pipe. The refrigerant pipe maintains its original circular cross-section without compression, while the ice making plates are designed with bent parts that can flex to wrap around the pipe surface, maximizing heat transfer area without damaging the pipe or reducing heat transfer efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state parameter of the ice making plates from rigid to flexible/bendable. The plates are designed with bent parts that can deform to match the circular geometry of the refrigerant pipe, allowing close contact and maximum heat exchange surface area without requiring compression of the pipe itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the refrigerant pipe is compressed to an elliptical cross-section, then it can be covered by ice making plates, but the heat exchange area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice making reliabilityVSAvoidheat exchange area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional approach by maintaining the refrigerant pipe's circular cross-section and instead making the ice making plates adaptable. The plates are designed with bent parts that can flex to conform to the circular pipe geometry, ensuring maximum heat exchange area is maintained while still achieving reliable ice making through complete coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If the refrigerant pipe is compressed, then the ice making plates can cover it, but the pipe structure is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice separationVSAvoidpipe structure integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention reverses the conventional design by making the ice making plates the flexible component rather than the refrigerant pipe. The plates are designed with bent parts that can deform to wrap around the circular pipe, allowing the pipe to maintain its structural integrity and circular cross-section while still achieving the necessary coverage for reliable ice separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The ice making plates are designed with flexible bent parts that can deform to conform to the circular refrigerant pipe geometry. This flexibility allows the plates to wrap around and cover the pipe surface completely without requiring compression or deformation of the rigid refrigerant pipe, maintaining both structural integrity and functional effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 design enhances heat transfer and ice separation efficiency, maintains ice quality, and allows for the use of refrigerants with high pressure without reducing the heat exchange area, thereby improving ice production and separation processes.

Implementation Method 1

a refrigerant pipe having a circular cross-section, with refrigerant flowing therethrough; and a pair of ice making plates disposed on opposite sides of the refrigerant pipe... maximize heat exchange efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

an evaporator for an ice maker including: a refrigerant pipe having a circular cross-section, with refrigerant flowing therethrough... heat exchange efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS10677504B2Evaporator for ice maker

Publication Date: 2020.06.09 BLUENIX CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is an evaporator for an ice maker including: a refrigerant pipe having a circular cross-section, with refrigerant flowing therethrough; and a pair of ice making plates disposed on opposite sides of the refrigerant pipe. The refrigerant pipe is disposed between inner side surfaces of the ice making plates facing each other, and rounded parts are provided by being formed outwards at a place where the refrigerant pipe is located such that the rounded parts cover both sides of the refrigerant pipe by being in close contact therewith.