Ice Maker Fullness Detection to Prevent Ice Quality Degradation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers do not effectively prevent ice making when the ice bin is full, leading to potential issues like ice melting and re-freezing, resulting in non-spherical or opaque ice being dropped into the bin.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator system that includes a first tray forming part of an ice chamber, a second rotatable tray, a driving unit to rotate the second tray, an ice bin for storing ice, an ice fullness detection device, and a controller to manage the ice making and separation processes, ensuring ice making only occurs when the ice bin is not full.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ice maker continues to make ice without detecting ice fullness, then ice production efficiency is maintained, but ice quality deteriorates due to melting and re-freezing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where an ice fullness detection device continuously monitors the ice bin status and communicates with the controller. When the ice bin reaches fullness, the detector sends a signal to the controller, which then stops the ice making process. This closed-loop feedback system prevents both overfilling (which causes melting and re-freezing) and unnecessary ice production, thereby maintaining ice quality while preserving production efficiency through intelligent control.
2Ease of operation
If the lower tray is rotated for ice separation without checking ice fullness, then ice separation is completed, but ice making may start immediately causing potential overfilling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing ice fullness detection before the ice making process restarts after separation. The detection device checks the ice bin status in advance, and only when there is sufficient space does the controller permit the ice making cycle to begin. This preliminary check prevents overfilling issues while ensuring complete ice separation, maintaining both operational ease and reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If ice making is prevented when bin is full, then ice quality is maintained, but ice production may be interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through continuous or periodic monitoring of ice bin fullness by the detection device. Instead of a single stop condition, the system periodically checks ice bin status and dynamically adjusts the ice making process. When space is available, ice making proceeds; when full, it pauses. This periodic monitoring ensures ice quality is maintained while minimizing production interruptions through intelligent, real-time decision-making.
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 prevents ice making when the ice bin is full, thereby avoiding the melting and re-freezing of ice, which can result in non-spherical or opaque ice. It ensures that ice is only produced when the bin has sufficient space, maintaining the quality and shape of the ice.
Implementation Method 1
a first tray (150) configured to form a portion of an ice chamber (111) for generating ice by cold air
Implementation Method 2
a second tray (250) configured to form another portion of the ice chamber (111) and to be rotatable relative to the first tray (150)
Data Source
AI summary
A method controls a refrigerator including first and second trays defining an ice chamber, a driving unit for moving the second tray, an ice bin for storing ice produced in the ice chamber, and an ice-fullness detection means for detecting whether or not the ice bin is full of ice. The method includes supplying water to the ice chamber when the second tray is at a water-supply position, making ice after the second tray has moved to an ice-making position in an inverse direction after the water supply has been completed, determining whether the ice bin is full of ice after the ice making is completed, moving the second tray to an ice-separating position and then rotating in the inverse direction if it is not determined whether or not the ice bin is full of ice, and determining again whether the ice bin is full of ice after ice separation is completed.