Ice Maker Harvesting Assembly for Low-Energy Cube Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice-making systems in refrigeration appliances are inefficient in removing ice cubes from molds due to the energy required to melt them and the risk of refreezing, leading to clogs and energy inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
An ice-making assembly with a heating element and a rotatable harvesting assembly that melts ice cubes just enough to be removed from the mold compartments, allowing the melted portion to refreeze on the harvesting assembly, thereby minimizing energy usage and preventing re-freezing issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If heating is applied to melt ice cubes for removal, then ice cubes can be removed from mold compartments, but energy consumption increases and refreezing problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is positioned only at the interface between the ice cube and mold compartment wall, providing localized heating only where needed for release. This prevents unnecessary heating of the entire ice cube, reducing energy consumption and minimizing melted portions that could refreeze problematically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies just enough heat to achieve the minimum required effect (ice cube release from mold) without excessive heating. The heating element operates at controlled temperature and duration to melt only the interface portion, avoiding full ice cube melting while ensuring successful removal.
2Ease of operation
If heating is applied to melt ice cubes, then removal is facilitated, but melted portions may refreeze causing clogs
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is integrated into the mold compartment structure itself, allowing direct localized heating at the ice-mold interface. This extraction of the heating function to the precise location needed enables controlled melting only where ice release is required, preventing excessive melting that would cause refreezing clogs.
Solution Approach 2:
Heating is applied locally only at the critical interface zone between ice and mold, not to the entire ice cube. This localized thermal treatment creates just enough melt to facilitate release while leaving the bulk of the ice cube intact and properly structured for harvesting without clogging.
3Ease of operation
If full melting is applied to remove ice cubes, then removal is ensured, but energy efficiency decreases due to freezing then melting cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs partial action by heating only the necessary interface portion of the ice cube rather than melting the entire cube. This minimizes the energy input required for the phase change, avoiding the inefficient cycle of completely melting and then refreezing ice, thereby improving overall energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is activated at the precise moment when ice cubes are ready for harvest, applying heat only when and where needed. This preliminary localized heating prevents the need for more extensive melting operations, reducing the total energy required for the remove-refreeze cycle.
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 solution effectively reduces energy consumption by only heating ice cubes enough to be removed and prevents refreezing, enhancing the efficiency of ice cube harvesting and reducing clogs in the ice maker or bucket.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element for heating the ice cubes to create a melted portion to assist in removal of the ice cubes from the compartment
Implementation Method 2
Rotation of the rod stopping for a period of time at a stop position in which a removed ice cube can rest atop the harvesting assembly to refreeze the melted portion
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making assembly for a refrigeration appliance includes an ice maker having a mold body defining a plurality of compartments for forming ice cubes therein, a heating element for heating the ice cubes to create a melted portion to assist in removal of the ice cubes from the compartment, and a harvesting assembly including a plurality of elements attached to a rotatable rod. Each element is movable via rotation of the rod through a respective one of the compartments to remove an ice cube from the compartment. Rotation of the rod stopping for a period of time at a stop position in which a removed ice cube can rest atop the harvesting assembly to refreeze the melted portion. Related refrigeration appliances are also disclosed.