Ice cube maker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice cube makers are inefficient in dispensing ice cubes, as they often stick together, require manual handling, and occupy large space, making them unhygienic and difficult to use in commercial settings.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with movable mould parts and a controller to form and disperse ice columns, allowing continuous ice supply, featuring an ice remover and breaker to separate and distribute ice cubes efficiently, and an alignment device for automatic distribution into receptacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If ice cubes are stored in a refrigerator container, then they can be stored for later use, but they stick together making it difficult to pick them up
Solution Approach 1:
The ice cubes are segmented from each other by being formed around separate elongated elements (sticks) that act as individual holders. This segmentation prevents the ice cubes from sticking together in the storage container, allowing them to be easily picked up one at a time or in small groups without the entire mass adhering together.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongated elements (sticks) serve as intermediaries between the ice cubes and the user. These sticks are inserted into the ice cubes during formation and remain as handling aids, mediating the interaction between the stored ice cubes and the user's hand, thereby preventing direct contact and making pickup easier.
2Quantity of substance
If a large refrigerator is used to store ice cubes, then sufficient storage space is available, but it occupies large space in the establishment
Solution Approach 1:
The ice making process is segmented into multiple stations arranged in a sequence, with each station forming ice cubes around elongated elements. This segmentation allows for continuous ice production in a compact footprint, as multiple ice cubes are formed simultaneously at different stations rather than requiring a large single-chamber refrigerator for storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus enables continuous ice cube production by having multiple mould stations in sequence, where while one station is forming ice, another is releasing finished ice cubes. This continuous action maintains adequate ice supply without requiring excessive storage space, as ice is produced and dispensed in an ongoing manner rather than batch-processing in a large refrigerator.
3Ease of operation
If ice cubes are exposed to ambient air during handling, then they are easily accessible, but hygiene conditions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The elongated elements (sticks) serve as intermediaries that users can hold without directly touching the ice cubes. This intermediary approach maintains hygiene by preventing user hands from contacting the ice surface, while still providing easy accessibility as users can simply grasp the stick to retrieve ice cubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is designed to be self-serving by automatically forming, releasing, and presenting ice cubes on sticks for dispensing. The ice cubes remain on the sticks throughout the process, and the system automatically manages their formation and release without requiring manual handling that would expose them to contamination.
4Device complexity
If manual handling of ice cubes is used, then simplicity is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The ice making apparatus is segmented into multiple automated stations that simultaneously form multiple ice cubes around elongated elements. This segmentation enables parallel production of ice cubes, dramatically increasing productivity compared to manual ice making, while the elongated elements maintain simplicity by providing easy grasping and dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus maintains continuous operation with multiple mould stations working in sequence, where ice cubes are constantly being formed, released, and made available for dispensing. This continuous automated process significantly increases productivity over manual handling, while the elongated elements preserve operational simplicity by allowing easy retrieval and serving.
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 apparatus provides a continuous and efficient supply of ice cubes, reducing manual handling and hygiene issues, while occupying less space, by forming and dispersing ice columns and cubes automatically.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerating device for freezing said liquid substance
Implementation Method 2
said at least one mould may comprise heating means for detaching the obtained ice column from the mould by melting
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for making ice cubes includes a plurality of elongated elements (1, 2). A plurality of mold parts (3, 4, 5, 6) are movable with respect to the elongated elements (1, 2). The plurality of mold parts are movable to form a mold (7) around a first elongated element (1) of the elongated elements. A control unit is configured to control a movement of the plurality of mold parts with respect to the elongated elements to move the mold parts (3, 5) forming the mold (7) around the first elongated element (1) apart once a first ice column (201) has been formed in the mold (7), and form a mold (8) around a second elongated element (2) of the elongated elements. An ice remover (202) is configured to remove the first ice column (201).