Refrigerator appliance having an ice making assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerator appliances with ice makers face issues such as melted ice nuggets causing water accumulation, which leads to clumping, damage to electrical components, and difficulties in filtering out undesirable elements from reused water, requiring significant energy for filtration.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator appliance design incorporating an ice bin with a support tray and fluid filter, where melted water flows through an inclined groove to a filter positioned below, allowing for effective filtration and storage of filtered water, which can be reused by a fluid pump to feed the icemaker without needing additional energy-driven systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If melted water from ice nuggets is reused to make new ice, then water consumption is reduced, but undesirable elements such as sediments, dirt, and bacteria accumulate in the water
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system is segmented into multiple filters arranged in series (first filter, second filter, third filter) positioned at different locations along the water flow path. Each filter captures different types of contaminants, with the first filter removing larger particles, the second filter removing finer particles, and the third filter providing final purification. This segmented approach effectively removes undesirable elements while maintaining water reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple filters serve as intermediary components between the melted water and the ice maker. These filters act as mediators that selectively remove harmful substances (sediments, dirt, bacteria) from the reused water, allowing only purified water to reach the ice maker for new ice production.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pump systems or electrically activated filtration systems are used to filter melted water, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The filters are positioned at different vertical heights to create a gravity-driven flow system. The first filter is positioned at a higher elevation than the second filter, which is positioned higher than the third filter. This vertical arrangement allows melted water to flow downward through the filters using gravity alone, eliminating the need for energy-consuming pump systems while maintaining effective filtration.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration system is designed to operate autonomously using the natural force of gravity. The water flow itself drives the filtration process by passing through the vertically arranged filters without requiring external energy input from pumps or electrically activated systems. The system serves itself by utilizing the potential energy already present in the elevated water source.
3Quantity of substance
If liquid water accumulates in the ice bin, then melted ice can be stored, but the water freezes and causes ice nuggets to clump together making dispensing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system extracts melted water from the ice bin through dedicated water collection channels and removes it from the ice storage environment. By separating the water collection function from the ice storage function and positioning filters outside the ice bin, the system prevents accumulated water from freezing and clumping with the ice nuggets, maintaining easy dispensing operation.
4Quantity of substance
If liquid water accumulates in the ice bin, then melted ice is contained, but electrical components such as motors are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system extracts and removes melted water from the ice bin environment through dedicated collection channels and vertical filtration paths. By continuously removing accumulated water and positioning all filtration components outside the ice storage space, the system prevents water contact with electrical components, ensuring their reliability and preventing damage.
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 design efficiently manages and filters melted ice water, preventing clumping and damage, while reducing energy consumption by utilizing gravity and eliminating the need for energy-intensive filtration systems.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid filter positioned below the support tray... The fluid filter may define a filter inlet and a filter outlet downstream therefrom
Implementation Method 2
The support tray may define an inclined groove extending downward toward a tray outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator appliance having an ice making assembly is provided herein. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, an icemaker attached to the cabinet, an ice bin, a support tray, a fluid filter, a liquid storage volume, and a fluid pump. The ice bin may define a bin outlet at a bottom end. The support tray may be positioned below the bin outlet to receive water therefrom. The support tray may define an inclined groove extending downward toward a tray outlet. The fluid filter may be positioned below the support tray. A filter inlet may be positioned downstream from the tray outlet. A filter outlet may be positioned below the filter inlet along the vertical direction. The liquid storage volume may be positioned below the filter outlet and downstream therefrom. The fluid pump may be positioned in fluid communication between the liquid storage volume and the icemaker.