Ice Maker Ejector Heating Control for Reliable Ice Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice makers in refrigerators consume excessive energy and inefficiently produce ice, as they require manual ice tray removal and prolonged compressor operation, leading to increased energy waste and reduced ice production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a compressor system with two evaporators and a valve to optimize cooling cycles, an ice making compartment fan that continues to operate during ice production, and a motorized ejector with a heater and fan control system to enhance air circulation and heat management, allowing for increased ice production while reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual ice tray removal is required, then ice separation is achieved, but user convenience deteriorates and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ice maker automatically separates ice from the tray using an ejector mechanism that rotates to push ice cubes off the tray, eliminating the need for manual user intervention. The system self-regulates the ice making and separation processes, improving convenience while optimizing energy usage through automated control sequences.
2Productivity
If compressor operation is prolonged to increase ice production, then ice making amount increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ice maker operates in periodic cycles, alternating between ice making mode and ice separation mode. The ejector rotates periodically to discharge ice cubes, and the compressor operates intermittently rather than continuously. This periodic operation maintains productivity while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous compressor operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters dynamically - switching between different modes (ice making, ice separation, standby) and adjusting compressor run cycles based on ice tray fullness detection. This parameter optimization ensures maximum ice production within energy-efficient operating windows.
3Productivity
If ice making time is reduced to increase productivity, then ice production speed increases, but ice making quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling of the ice tray before water is introduced, ensuring the tray is sufficiently cold for rapid ice formation. This preliminary preparation allows the ice making process to proceed quickly while maintaining quality, as the thermal conditions are already optimized for efficient freezing.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice making process maintains continuous cooling action throughout the freezing cycle, with the evaporator continuously supplying cold air to the ice tray. This uninterrupted cooling ensures consistent ice quality even as production speed increases, preventing partial freezing or quality degradation.
4Reliability
If heater is operated during ice separation to improve separation, then ice separation reliability increases, but ice making compartment temperature increases requiring more cool air
Solution Approach 1:
The heater operates periodically only during the ice separation phase when the ejector is rotating, rather than continuously. This timed heating provides sufficient thermal energy for reliable ice release while minimizing the duration of heat input, thereby reducing the subsequent cooling burden and cool air supply requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater provides just enough thermal energy to facilitate ice separation - not excessive heating that would require significant re-cooling. The heating is applied partially in time (only during separation) and in amount (sufficient for release but not over-heating), optimizing the balance between separation reliability and cooling energy requirements.
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 increases ice production efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and improves the reliability of ice separation by optimizing cooling and heating processes within the ice maker, resulting in enhanced energy efficiency and increased ice output.
Implementation Method 1
a first evaporator for cooling the refrigerating compartment
Implementation Method 2
cooling the refrigerating compartment
Implementation Method 3
a second evaporator for cooling the freezing compartment
Implementation Method 4
cooling the freezing compartment
Implementation Method 5
a heater for selectively supplying heat to the ice tray
Implementation Method 6
supplying heat to the ice tray... disperses heat of a heater
Implementation Method 7
an ice making compartment fan... allowing the cool air to be supplied to an ice making compartment
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes an ice tray, a motor, an ejector including a rotary shaft and a protrusion pin, and a heater for selectively supplying heat to the ice tray. A control method of the refrigerator includes a first step of sensing whether the ejector is rotated to reach a first setup position; a second step of driving the heater and stopping driving of an ice making compartment fan if the first step is satisfied; a third step of determining whether the ejector is rotated to reach a second setup position; and a fourth step of stopping driving of the heater if the third step is satisfied, and wherein the ejector continues to be rotated while the second to fourth steps are implemented.