Ice Maker Water Diversion and Fill Control for Drip Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers produce excess water during the ice cutting process, which can create discomfort and dissatisfaction by dripping onto user-accessible areas and electronics, necessitating a solution to divert this water effectively.
Innovation Solution
The ice making apparatus includes a control unit that calculates the water flow rate and valve open time to manage water supply, a contact sensor for reservoir level detection, and a fluid diverter to redirect excess water away from user-accessible areas, integrated with a recirculation and drainage system to maintain cleanliness and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gravity is used to feed ice into a container, then ice extraction is simplified for users, but excess water from the cutting process drips onto user-accessible areas and electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful element (excess water) is extracted and separated from the beneficial element (ice). The fluid diverter specifically targets and redirects only the excess water byproduct away from user-accessible areas, while the ice continues to be fed into the container via gravity for easy extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary component (fluid diverter) is introduced between the ice cutting process and the user-accessible areas. This diverter acts as a mediator that intercepts and redirects the excess water, preventing it from reaching harmful locations while allowing the ice delivery function to continue uninterrupted.
2Reliability
If a fluid diverter is added to redirect excess water, then water damage to electronics is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of redesigning the entire ice maker system, the solution applies a localized modification with the fluid diverter positioned specifically where excess water needs to be redirected. This localized approach provides electronic protection without requiring complex system-wide changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid diverter changes the flow path parameter of the excess water, redirecting it along a different trajectory that avoids user-accessible areas and electronics. This simple parameter change (flow direction) achieves protection without adding significant structural complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If control unit calculates flow rate and valve open time, then water supply precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit uses feedback from the contact sensor to calculate the appropriate flow rate and valve open time. The sensor detects water level or flow conditions, and the controller adjusts the valve operation accordingly, achieving precise water supply control through a closed-loop feedback mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual or purely mechanical water control with an automated electronic control system. The control unit electronically calculates and adjusts valve open time based on flow rate measurements, substituting mechanical trial-and-error adjustment with precise electronic control.
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 ensures consistent ice production while diverting excess water efficiently, preventing it from reaching user-accessible areas and electronics, thus enhancing user satisfaction and appliance longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a contact sensor disposed within the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
a recirculation pump may transport water from the reservoir through a distributor
Implementation Method 3
onto an evaporator plate cooled to a temperature below the freezing point of the desired fluid to be frozen
Implementation Method 4
an evaporator plate cooled to a temperature below the freezing point of the desired fluid to be frozen
Implementation Method 5
a cutter grid may be disposed adjacent the evaporator plate and may be configured to receive a section of ice after forming on the evaporator plate
Implementation Method 6
a fluid diverter may be disposed adjacent the cutter grid and may be configured to collect a fluid byproduct or meltwater from the cutter grid and divert it
Data Source
AI summary
A stand alone ice making appliance or an ice maker within an appliance is provided including a water inlet, a water inlet valve disposed within the water inlet configured to allow water passage when in an open position and configured to prevent water passage when in a closed position, a reservoir in fluid communication with the water inlet, a water level sensor disposed in the reservoir, and a control unit in electrical communication with the water level sensor and the water inlet valve. The control unit is configured to calculate a fluid flow rate using the time between the water inlet valve opening and the water level sensor communicating when a first predetermined water level has been reached within the reservoir, and use the calculated flow rate to calculate a total water inlet valve open time to fill the reservoir to a second predetermined water level.