Heated Wire Ice Slab Cutting Assembly to Reduce Meltwater and Clumping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for dividing thick ice slabs into ice cubes using heated electric wires result in significant meltwater production, leading to clumping of ice cubes due to the increased volume of meltwater and prolonged cutting process.
Innovation Solution
A freezing and cutting assembly that includes a freezing unit with a cold plate and a frame, a cutting unit with heated electrical wires tensioned on a frame to divide ice slabs into cubes, and a tray with dividers to separate and refreeze the cubes, minimizing meltwater and preventing clumping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If heated electrical wires are used to divide thick ice slabs into ice cubes, then ice cubes can be produced from thick slabs, but significant meltwater is generated causing ice cubes to clump together
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the meltwater generated during the cutting process from the ice cube formation area. By actively removing the harmful meltwater, the system prevents ice cubes from clumping together while still allowing thick slabs to be cut into cubes using heated wires.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (substrate or surface) that facilitates ice cube formation by providing a non-stick interface between the ice cubes and the forming surface. This intermediary prevents direct adhesion of melted ice to the surface, reducing clumping caused by meltwater.
2Volume of moving object
If heated electrical wires are used to cut through thick ice slabs, then ice cubes can be divided from thick slabs, but the cutting process takes longer time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the electrical wires before contact with the ice slab, and potentially pre-conditioning the ice slab surface. This preparation ensures that the cutting process begins immediately at optimal temperature, reducing the overall cutting time for thick slabs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous heating of the electrical wires throughout the cutting process, ensuring that the wires remain at optimal cutting temperature from start to finish. This continuous action prevents interruptions and maintains efficient cutting speed throughout the entire process of dividing thick slabs into cubes.
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
The solution effectively produces clear ice cubes with minimal meltwater and prevents clumping by using a controlled cutting process and refreezing mechanism, improving the efficiency and quality of ice cube production.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heated electrical wire tensioned on a cutting unit frame and configured to divide the slab of ice into ice cubes
Implementation Method 2
Using heat from an electric wire to divide an ice slab causes melting of frozen ice into meltwater
Implementation Method 3
a freezing unit configured to freeze a slab of ice. The freezing unit includes a cold plate
Implementation Method 4
refrigerated cold plate to define an enclosure for receiving a fluid, freezing the fluid in the enclosure into a slab of ice
Data Source
AI summary
A freezing and cutting assembly and method for producing ice cubes. The freezing and cutting assembly includes a freezing unit configured to freeze a slab of ice. The freezing unit includes a cold plate and a frame removably coupleable to the cold plate. The cutting unit includes at least one heated electrical wire tensioned on a cutting unit frame and configured to divide the slab of ice into ice cubes.