Ice Maker Fluted Ducts for Balanced Airflow and Faster Freezing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In typical refrigerator ice makers, it is challenging to freeze ice quickly due to the need for air below the freezing point of water, which is often delivered from the freezer compartment to the ice maker through ducts, resulting in inefficient heat transfer and prolonged freezing times.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an ice maker air duct with flutes that distribute air flow evenly across the ice tray, and an air flow diverter with channels to direct cold air underneath the ice wells, enhancing air distribution and heat transfer for faster ice formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cold air is delivered from the freezer compartment to the ice maker through ducts, then the ice maker can operate in a compartment held above freezing point, but the heat transfer efficiency is poor and freezing time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The air duct is divided into multiple flutes that segment the air flow into separate channels. Each flute directs cold air to a specific row of ice wells, ensuring uniform distribution and efficient heat transfer to all ice cubes simultaneously, thereby reducing the overall freezing cycle time.
Solution Approach 2:
The air flow diverter is positioned specifically underneath the ice tray to direct cold air locally to the bottom surfaces of the ice wells. This localized delivery of cold air enhances heat transfer efficiency at the critical freezing interface without requiring the entire compartment to be below freezing point.
2Device complexity
If a single duct delivers air to the ice compartment, then the device structure is simple, but the air flow distribution across the ice tray is uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The single air duct is transformed into multiple flutes within the duct structure. This segmentation allows the duct to maintain structural simplicity while achieving uniform air flow distribution across all rows of ice wells through the divided air channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The air distribution problem is solved by adding a vertical dimension with the air flow diverter positioned underneath the ice tray. This diverter uses channels to distribute air from below, complementing the top-down delivery through flutes and ensuring uniform coverage without increasing horizontal duct complexity.
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 configuration allows for simultaneous and uniform freezing of ice cubes across all wells, reducing the ice-making cycle time by ensuring balanced air flow and efficient heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of flutes are configured to separate an air flow through the ice maker air duct into a plurality of substantially evenly distributed air flows
Implementation Method 2
The air flow diverter has air channels corresponding to and configured to direct air underneath the rows of ice wells
Implementation Method 3
air below the freezing point of water must be delivered to the ice maker... Simultaneous and uniform freezing of ice cubes across all wells
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator having an ice maker in the door, an ice maker air duct in the ice compartment door, and an inlet and a plurality of flutes. The inlet is in fluid communication with the duct outlet and the flutes are configured to separate an air flow through the ice maker air duct into substantially evenly distributed air flows. Each of the plurality of flutes terminate proximate a row of ice wells.