Appliance ice making assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice makers are large, inefficient, and limited to producing a single shape or size of ice, often resulting in performance issues such as ice fragmentation and energy wastage due to prolonged heating for ice release.
Innovation Solution
An ice making assembly with a rotatable carriage and ejector system that allows for the formation and efficient ejection of multiple ice shapes and sizes, utilizing a flexible mold and motor-driven rotation to facilitate ice release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a partitioned plastic mold is physically deformed to break the bond between ice and the tray, then ice cubes can be released from the mold, but the ice cubes are frequently fractured during the twisting process and additional room is required to fully rotate and twist the tray
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical twisting motion with a rotational motion system. The tray rotates on a vertical axis rather than twisting horizontally, substituting a compact rotational mechanism for a space-consuming twisting motion. This allows the mold to be deformed for ice release while maintaining ice cube integrity and reducing the space required for operation.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If a harvest heater is placed far from the water discharge spout, then the heater can be positioned conveniently, but the heater must be turned on for a long period of time to melt the entire cube and clogged water spout, increasing energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the harvest heater specifically at the water discharge spout where ice buildup occurs, rather than using a distributed heating system. This concentrates the heating effect precisely where needed, reducing both the time required to clear ice blockages and the overall energy consumption compared to heating the entire mold assembly.
3Productivity
If conventional ice makers are designed for bulk production, then they can produce multiple pieces of ice, but they are large, inefficient, and only produce one shape or size of ice cube
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mold into multiple independent cavities, each capable of forming different ice shapes and sizes. This segmentation allows the single mold to produce various types of ice (cubes, spheres, nuggets) while maintaining compact dimensions, resolving the contradiction between bulk production capability and versatility.
4Ease of operation
If the carriage is designed to rotate between positions, then the ejector can push ice pieces out during rotation, but the system requires precise coordination of rotation and ejection timing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ejection function with the rotation motion itself. The ejector is positioned to push ice pieces out during the rotation cycle, combining two functions (rotation and ejection) into a coordinated single motion sequence. This integration simplifies the overall control mechanism while maintaining efficient ice ejection, as the rotation provides both the ejection force and the ice release timing.
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 system provides a compact, efficient, and reliable means of producing various ice types, reducing energy consumption and minimizing ice fragmentation while increasing versatility.
Implementation Method 1
A motor is provided for rotating the carriage from the first position to the second position
Implementation Method 2
The ejector is configured to push the ice piece out of the cavity as the carriage rotates between the first position and the second position
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making assembly includes a mold defining a cavity for formation of an ice piece. An ejector may be positioned adjacent to the mold. The mold and the ejector may be rotated between a first position and a second position. The ejector may push the ice piece out of the cavity during rotation between the first position and the second position. The mold and the ejector may be components of a cartridge. The mold and the ejector may be releasably received in a rotatable carriage.