Ice Maker Cooling Control for Higher Output and Lower Energy
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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 increased 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 amount increases, but the temperature of the freezing compartment increases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling supply by providing separate cooling paths: one for the ice making compartment and another for the freezing compartment. The ice making compartment fan operates independently to supply cool air specifically to the ice tray, while the freezing compartment cooling can be controlled separately. This segmentation allows concentrated cooling to the ice making area without unnecessarily cooling the entire freezing compartment, thereby increasing ice production efficiency while reducing overall energy consumption.
2Ease of operation
If the ice making compartment fan operates during ice separation, then heat from the heater is dispersed, but the temperature of the ice making compartment increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by controlling the ice making compartment fan to operate only during specific phases: during ice making when cooling is needed, and during ice separation when heating is needed. The fan is stopped during the heating phase to allow the heater to effectively raise the temperature for ice ejection, and restarted when cooling is again required. This periodic operation ensures that cooling and heating functions do not interfere with each other, maintaining effective ice separation while preventing excessive temperature increases.
3Loss of time
If the ejector RPM is increased to speed up ice separation, then the time required for ice making decreases, but the ice making amount per cycle is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the ejector RPM adjustable and controllable based on operational requirements. The system can dynamically adjust the ejector speed: using higher RPM when rapid ice separation is needed and lower RPM when maximum ice production is the priority. This dynamic control allows optimization of the balance between separation speed and ice making quantity, enabling the system to adapt to different operational conditions and user needs.
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 extending cool air supply time, reduces energy consumption by efficiently using heater heat and minimizing cool air requirements, and improves reliability in ice separation, resulting in increased ice output with reduced energy expenditure.
Implementation Method 1
a heater provided in contact with the ice tray, selectively heating the ice tray to easily separate the ice pieces
Implementation Method 2
performing heat absorption through heat transfer by supplying the cool air generated by an evaporator to the ice tray for storing water of the ice maker
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.