Ice Maker Heater-Controlled Directional Freezing for Transparent Ice
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers in refrigerators produce opaque ice due to air trapped inside, and methods to make transparent ice, such as directional freezing, are not applicable in refrigerator ice makers as they require water to be spilled or sprinkled at sub-zero temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design that includes a first tray and a second tray forming an ice making cell, with a heater adjacent to one of the trays. The second tray is inclined and moves to a water supply position to receive water, and then to an ice making position where it contacts the first tray. The heater is used to control the ice making rate and facilitate transparent ice production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water is frozen in all directions in a general refrigerator ice maker, then ice is produced quickly, but air is collected inside the ice making opaque ice
Solution Approach 1:
The ice making cell is divided into two separate trays (first tray and second tray) that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows water to be frozen directionally from one side while the other side remains accessible for water supply and ice removal, resolving the contradiction between fast production and transparency
Solution Approach 2:
The second tray is designed to be movable between a water supply position (inclined and spaced apart from the first tray) and an ice making position (contacting the first tray). This dynamic positioning enables the system to switch between water filling mode and freezing mode, achieving both transparent ice formation and continuous production
2Manufacturing precision
If directional freezing method is used to make transparent ice by spilling water downward or sprinkling water upward, then transparent ice is produced, but this method cannot be applied in refrigerator ice makers at sub-zero temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is positioned locally adjacent to the ice making cell and selectively heated during specific phases. This local heating creates a temperature gradient that allows controlled directional freezing from one side while maintaining sub-zero overall temperature, enabling transparent ice production in refrigerator conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The second tray is pre-positioned at an inclined water supply position where water is supplied before the freezing process begins. This preliminary water positioning ensures proper water distribution in the ice making cell before directional freezing starts, making the directional freezing method applicable to refrigerator ice makers
3Ease of manufacture
If the second tray is inclined and spaced apart from the first tray at water supply position, then water can be supplied properly, but the ice making cell volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The second tray dynamically changes position between water supply mode (inclined and spaced apart) and ice making mode (horizontal and contacting the first tray). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to achieve both proper water supply geometry and maximum ice making cell volume at different operational phases
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 design enables the production of transparent and spherical ice by controlling the ice making rate and using a heater to manage ice separation, maintaining a consistent ice production while providing transparent ice to the user.
Implementation Method 1
the heater may be driven to supply heat to one or more trays of the first tray and the second tray
Implementation Method 2
While cold air is supplied to the first tray and the second tray to make ice
Data Source
AI summary
An ice maker includes a first tray forming a part of an ice-making cell; a second tray forming another part of the ice-making cell; and a heater which is disposed so as to be adjacent to the first or the second tray, wherein the heater operates during a period when cold air is supplied to the first tray and the second tray and ice making takes place, and supplies heat to the first tray and/or the second tray.