Flat Evaporator Freeze Surface for Faster Ice Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice-making apparatus evaporator assemblies are costly due to the need for extensive copper components and nickel plating, are difficult to clean, and have inefficient ice harvesting times due to raised geometrical features on the freeze surface that hinder ice release and cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A flat, stainless steel freeze surface with a thermally coupled copper freeze template that defines ice formation zones using interconnected strips, eliminating the need for nickel plating and facilitating easy ice release and cleaning by allowing all ice pieces to fall and break apart easily.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If raised geometrical features are used on the freeze surface to define ice cube shapes, then ice cube formation is improved, but ice harvesting time increases and cleaning difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The freeze surface is segmented into multiple freeze zones separated by divider walls, allowing ice to form in distinct sections. This segmentation enables gravity to effectively release ice cubes from each zone independently, reducing overall harvesting time while maintaining proper ice cube shape definition through the divided structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using raised geometrical features that cause ice to cling, the invention uses a flat freeze surface where ice forms against the underside of the freeze surface. This inversion allows ice to release more easily under gravity during harvesting, reducing ice harvesting time while still defining cube shapes through the freeze zone geometry.
Solution Approach 3:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional raised features on the freeze surface to a three-dimensional structure with divider walls that create separate freeze zones. This dimensional change allows ice to be defined in shape while providing clear separation zones that facilitate easier and faster harvesting by allowing gravity to act on each zone independently.
2Temperature
If extensive copper components and nickel plating are used in the evaporator assembly, then thermal conductivity and sanitation requirements are met, but assembly cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies copper material specifically to the freeze template where high thermal conductivity is most critical for efficient heat transfer during ice formation. The divider walls and other structural components can use different materials with lower cost, achieving the necessary thermal performance locally where needed while reducing overall assembly cost through selective material application.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporator assembly uses a composite structure combining copper freeze template with divider walls made from other suitable materials. This composite approach allows the critical thermal conduction path to be copper while other structural elements use cost-effective alternatives, meeting both thermal conductivity requirements and sanitation standards without requiring extensive nickel plating across all surfaces.
3Shape
If divider walls are added to separate ice growth zones, then ice cube separation is improved, but cleaning difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The freeze surface is divided into multiple freeze zones by divider walls, creating distinct separation areas for ice cube formation. This segmentation improves ice cube separation by preventing ice from different zones from merging, while the modular zone structure actually facilitates cleaning by allowing targeted access to each zone and making mineral buildup more visible and removable in discrete areas.
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 reduces ice harvesting time, improves cleaning efficiency, and decreases assembly costs by minimizing material usage and eliminating the need for complex plating processes, while ensuring effective thermal conductivity for efficient ice production.
Implementation Method 1
the refrigerant absorbs heat and vaporizes as the refrigerant passes therethrough. This low-pressure, liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 540 cools the freeze portion
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant absorbs heat and vaporizes as the refrigerant passes therethrough
Implementation Method 3
The high-pressure, substantially hot gaseous refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 540 defrosts the freeze portion to facilitate the release of ice from the freeze portion
Implementation Method 4
a freeze template that is thermally coupled between the freeze surface and the refrigerant circuit
Data Source
AI summary
An evaporator assembly for an ice-making apparatus having a vertical, substantially flat freeze surface, a refrigerant circuit, and a freeze template. The freeze template is thermally coupled between the freeze surface and the refrigerant circuit, and is formed of a plurality of regions arranged in a plane and interconnected by strips having a smaller dimension in the plane than the regions. Interface locations between the freeze template and the freeze surface define where on the freeze surface ice is to be formed. During a freeze cycle, expanded refrigerant is passed through the refrigerant circuit, and water is run over the freeze surface. During a harvest cycle, compressed refrigerant is passed through the refrigerant circuit, wherein heat transfers from the refrigerant circuit to the freeze surface until the freeze surface is warmed to a temperature sufficient to allow ice formed on the freeze surface to fall from the freeze surface by a force of gravity.