Food preservation system with filtered water supply to icemaker

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerating appliances with separate and independent freezer and fresh food compartments cannot have water filters in the freezer compartment due to freezing issues, resulting in unfiltered water supply to icemakers, particularly in systems where compartments are distinct.

Innovation Solution

A food preservation system with a water filter located in the fresh food compartment, connected via a water supply line to the icemaker in the freezer compartment, utilizing a distribution valve and controller system to manage filtered water delivery to the icemaker, allowing for optional unfiltered water supply as well.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a water filter is located in the freezer compartment to supply filtered water to the icemaker, then the water quality improves, but the water freezes in the filter assembly before being fed into the icemaker

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater qualityVSAvoidfreezing in filter assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The water filter is extracted from the freezer compartment and relocated to the refrigerator compartment, separating the filtration function from the freezing environment. This allows the filter to operate at temperatures above freezing while still providing filtered water to the icemaker through a supply line.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A supply line acts as an intermediary to transport filtered water from the refrigerator compartment (where the filter is located) to the freezer compartment (where the icemaker is located). This mediator enables the filter to be positioned away from the icemaker without compromising water delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the freezer and fresh food compartments are separate and independent units, then the system design flexibility improves, but the water supply to the icemaker cannot be filtered because the filter cannot be located in the freezer compartment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem design flexibilityVSAvoidwater filtration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The water supply system is segmented into separate components: the filter in the refrigerator compartment, the supply line connecting compartments, and the icemaker in the freezer compartment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned while maintaining overall system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The water supply line serves multiple functions: it supplies water to the icemaker, transports filtered water between compartments, and enables the filter to be positioned in the refrigerator compartment while serving the freezer compartment's icemaker.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the water filter is located in the fresh food compartment, then the water freezing issue is resolved, but additional tubing and valve connections are required to deliver filtered water to the icemaker

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreezing preventionVSAvoidtubing and valve connections

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter outlet is connected to the existing refrigerator water distribution valve system, merging the icemaker supply path with the refrigerator's water distribution infrastructure. This integration reduces the need for entirely separate tubing and control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filtered water is prepared in advance in the refrigerator compartment, and the supply line is pre-configured to deliver water to the icemaker when needed. The system proactively filters water before it is needed by the icemaker, ensuring filtered water is available on demand.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Ensures filtered water is consistently supplied to the icemaker, improving ice quality and user control over water filtration, addressing the issue of unfiltered water in separate compartment configurations.

Implementation Method 1

a water filter located in the fresh food compartment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11698222B2Food preservation system with filtered water supply to icemaker

Publication Date: 2023.07.11 ELECTROLUX CONSUMER PROD INC

AI summary

A food preservation system including a refrigerator and a freezer, wherein the refrigerator and freezer are independent from each other; the refrigerator comprising a fresh food compartment; the freezer including an icemaker and means for receiving filtered water; a water filter located in the fresh food compartment; a water supply line leading into an inflow side of the water filter; a refrigerator inlet valve connected to an inlet side of the water filter and a water distribution valve, wherein the water distribution valve comprises an auxiliary icemaker water valve, the distribution valve connected to an outflow side of the water filter; tubing connecting an outflow side of the auxiliary icemaker water valve to the icemaker; and a refrigerator main controller, wherein the refrigerator main controller is in operable communication with the refrigerator inlet valve and the auxiliary icemaker water valve is provided, Methods to make ice with filtered water are also provided.