Ice Maker Compartment Cooling Control to Reduce Energy Consumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers in refrigerators face inefficiencies in ice production and energy consumption due to challenges in ice separation, where cool air discharge increases temperature, leading to higher energy use and reduced ice production.
Innovation Solution
A control method and design for an ice maker that concentrates cool air supply to the ice making compartment, stops the ice making compartment fan during ice separation to disperse heat, and adjusts the ejector's RPM based on door closure status to optimize ice production and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cool air is supplied to the freezing compartment during ice making, then the ice making process can proceed, but the cool air discharge increases the temperature of the freezing compartment, leading to higher energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling air supply into two separate paths: one dedicated to the ice making compartment and another to the freezing compartment. This segmentation allows independent control of cool air supply to each compartment, enabling the ice making compartment to receive sufficient cool air for ice production while the freezing compartment can maintain its temperature through a separate cooling path, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the cool air supply system by adjusting the operation of fans and cooling paths based on the specific needs of each compartment. During ice making, the system dynamically allocates cooling resources prioritizing the ice making compartment, and during ice separation, it adjusts the cooling to prevent excessive temperature increase, optimizing energy usage throughout the ice making cycle.
2Ease of operation
If the ice making compartment fan operates during ice separation, then cooling can be maintained, but heat from the heater is dispersed, preventing sufficient temperature increase for effective ice separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic control of the ice making compartment fan, stopping it during the ice separation phase when heater operation is required. This periodic on-off control allows the heater to effectively increase the ice tray temperature for ice separation without heat dispersion from the fan, while resuming fan operation during ice making to maintain cooling, thus optimizing both ice separation effectiveness and energy efficiency.
3Productivity
If the ejector RPM is increased to speed up ice making, then productivity improves, but energy consumption increases and ice quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the ejector RPM parameter based on operational conditions, using different rotation speeds for different phases of ice making. By carefully selecting and adjusting the RPM parameter rather than always operating at maximum speed, the system achieves effective ice making while reducing unnecessary energy consumption and maintaining ice quality.
4Quantity of substance
If cool air supply time to the ice tray is increased, then ice making amount increases, but the overall ice making time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling process into distinct phases with optimized durations: a first cooling period for initial ice formation and a second cooling period for completing the ice making process. This segmented approach allows sufficient cool air supply time to achieve high ice making amounts while maintaining overall process efficiency by preventing excessive total processing time.
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 approach enhances ice production by increasing the time for cool air supply to the ice tray, reduces energy consumption, and improves overall energy efficiency by efficiently using heat and minimizing cool air requirements during ice making.
Implementation Method 1
a first evaporator and a second evaporator that are configured to receive the refrigerant compressed by the compressor
Implementation Method 2
a third fan configured to blow air cooled by the second evaporator to an ice making compartment of the refrigerator
Implementation Method 3
a first evaporator and a second evaporator that are configured to receive the refrigerant compressed by the compressor
Data Source
AI summary
A control method of a refrigerator includes: determining whether a first temperature of a refrigerating compartment satisfies a first temperature condition; based the first temperature satisfying the first temperature condition, determining whether a second temperature of a freezing compartment satisfies a second temperature condition; based on the second temperature satisfying the second temperature condition, determining (i) whether a third temperature of an ice making compartment satisfies a third temperature condition and (ii) whether a driving time for ice making has passed; maintaining operation of a compressor while determining (i) whether the second temperature satisfies the second temperature condition, (ii) whether the third temperature satisfies the third temperature condition, and (iii) whether the driving time has passed; and stopping operation of the compressor based on at least one of (i) a determination that the third temperature satisfies the third temperature condition or (ii) a determination that the driving time has passed.