Ice Maker Fill-Level Sensing for On-Demand Ice Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice-making devices produce ice pieces in batches, leading to energy inefficiency, quality deterioration, and adherence of ice pieces due to inflexible fill level monitoring, which does not allow for demand-based production.
Innovation Solution
A device with an adjustable signal-emitting and signal-receiving detection system, or a signal-emitting device and adjustable reflector, allows for customizable fill level monitoring, enabling flexible ice production and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the collection container is continuously filled to maximum capacity using fixed fill level monitoring, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but energy consumption increases disproportionately and ice piece quality deteriorates due to prolonged storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the fill level adjustable rather than fixed. The signal-emitting device can be positioned at different heights to define different fill levels, allowing the system to adapt dynamically to user needs. This resolves the contradiction by enabling flexible control that prevents excessive ice production and associated energy waste while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of fill level from a fixed value to an adjustable variable. By allowing the signal-emitting device to be repositioned vertically, the system can modify the fill level parameter according to demand, preventing energy waste from producing unnecessary ice pieces while keeping the monitoring system simple.
2Productivity
If the collection container is continuously filled to maximum capacity, then the productivity of ice production is maximized, but ice piece quality deteriorates due to adherence and moisture loss during prolonged storage
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable fill level allows the system to dynamically match ice production to actual demand rather than continuously producing to maximum capacity. This prevents ice pieces from being stored unnecessarily long, thereby maintaining quality while still achieving high productivity when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection device provides feedback about the current fill level, enabling the system to stop production at the appropriate moment. This feedback mechanism prevents overfilling and prolonged storage of ice pieces, thereby maintaining quality while optimizing productivity.
3Device complexity
If the fill level is fixed at maximum capacity, then the device complexity is minimized, but adaptability to different user needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The signal-emitting device is designed to be vertically adjustable, transforming the fill level from a static parameter to a dynamic one. This allows the system to adapt to different user needs without increasing the fundamental complexity of the detection mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable signal-emitting device provides multi-functionality, allowing the same detection device to serve multiple fill level requirements. This enhances adaptability without requiring multiple different detection systems, thereby maintaining simplicity.
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 allows for on-demand ice production, maintaining ice quality, preventing adherence, and optimizing energy usage by allowing adjustable fill levels, thus enhancing user convenience and device compactness.
Implementation Method 1
The detection device includes a signal-emitting device and a signal-receiving device
Implementation Method 2
the detection device includes a signal-emitting device, a reflector and a signal receiving device
Implementation Method 3
the ice pieces are formed on cooling fingers which are in communication with a compression cooling unit. The cooling fingers are immersed in a water tray and subsequently cooled to the freezing temperature so that the surrounding water freezes on the cooling fingers
Data Source
AI summary
A device for making ice pieces includes an ice piece producing unit, a collection container for receiving ice pieces produced in the ice piece producing unit and a detection device for monitoring a fill level of the collection container. The detection device includes a signal-emitting device and a signal receiving device, where the signal-emitting device is adjustable. Alternatively, the detection device includes a signal-emitting device, a reflector and a signal receiving device, where the reflector is adjustable.