Ice Maker Motion-Coupled Pumping for Energy-Efficient Cooling Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers in refrigerators are inefficient in terms of energy usage due to the need for separate power sources for rocking motion and cooling fluid circulation, especially when the ice maker is remotely located from the freezer compartment.
Innovation Solution
An integrated system that uses a single power source to provide both the rocking motion and pumping of cooling fluid through a bladder pump or motor drive output, which circulates cooling media to freeze water into ice, eliminating the need for separate power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a single power source is used to provide both rocking motion and pumping of cooling fluid, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rocking motion mechanism and the cooling fluid pumping function into a single integrated system. The motor that provides rocking motion to the ice maker is also coupled to drive the pump that circulates cooling fluid, eliminating the need for separate power sources and reducing overall system complexity despite the multifunctional nature of the integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides rocking motion to the ice maker for ice formation and simultaneously drives the pump for cooling fluid circulation. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components and power sources needed, improving energy efficiency while maintaining manageable device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the ice maker is located remotely from the freezer compartment, then design flexibility is improved, but energy consumption increases due to additional cooling fluid circulation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic system using cooling fluid circulation to transfer cooling capacity from the freezer compartment to the remotely located ice maker. The pump-driven cooling fluid circulation enables thermal energy transfer over distance, allowing flexible ice maker placement while managing the energy requirements of remote cooling through efficient fluid dynamics and heat exchange.
3Reliability
If separate power sources are used for rocking motion and cooling fluid pumping, then system reliability is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power sources for rocking motion and cooling fluid pumping into a single motor assembly. This integration improves energy efficiency by eliminating redundant power conversion and reducing overall energy consumption, while the system maintains reliability through the coordinated design of the integrated motor-pump-rocking mechanism that ensures both functions operate reliably together.
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 solution enhances energy efficiency by integrating the power source for both functions, reducing energy consumption and simplifying the ice-making process while maintaining effective ice production.
Implementation Method 1
cooling fluid must be circulated in order to freeze the water into ice
Implementation Method 2
freeze the water into ice
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, an ice maker disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, a pump fluidly connected to the ice maker and configured for pumping cooling media to the ice maker, and a motor operatively connected to the ice maker and configured to provide oscillating movement to the ice maker. The pump is operatively connected to the motor such that driving of the motor results in the pumping of the cooling media with the pump.