Ice Maker Heater-Controlled Freezing for Transparent Ice Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice makers in refrigerators produce opaque ice due to trapped air and rapid freezing, making it difficult to achieve transparent ice, especially since water cannot flow or be sprinkled in sub-zero temperatures.
Innovation Solution
An ice maker design featuring a first and second tray with a heater embedded in one or both, allowing ice to grow from the bottom up, with the heater surrounding the trays to control freezing direction and prevent air bubbles from forming, and a pusher mechanism to separate ice efficiently, ensuring uniform heating and reducing temperature fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water is frozen in all directions using conventional ice makers, then freezing speed is fast, but air is trapped inside and opaque ice is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The ice making process is segmented into two distinct phases: a freezing phase where cold air solidifies water from all directions for rapid freezing, and a heating phase where a heater melts ice from specific directions to expel air bubbles. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both fast freezing and transparent ice by applying different operations at different stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice maker employs periodic action by alternating between freezing operations (using cold air) and heating operations (using a heater). The heater is driven at specific intervals during the ice making process to control ice crystal growth direction and eliminate air bubbles, while the cold air supply is adjusted periodically. This periodic switching between heating and cooling enables the production of transparent ice while maintaining efficient freezing speed.
2Manufacturing precision
If water flows or is sprinkled to grow ice in one direction, then transparent ice can be made, but water cannot flow or be sprinkled in sub-zero temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical water flow system with a thermal field system. Instead of using water flow or sprinkling mechanisms that cannot operate in sub-zero temperatures, the invention uses a heater to create controlled thermal fields that guide ice crystal growth in one direction. The heater melts ice from specific surfaces, causing ice to grow uniformly from other directions, achieving transparent ice without requiring water flow capability.
3Manufacturing precision
If a heater is used to control freezing direction, then transparent ice is produced, but temperature fluctuations may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The ice maker incorporates feedback control by monitoring temperature conditions and adjusting heater operation accordingly. The controller detects temperature changes and controls the heater's operation to maintain stable freezing conditions. This feedback mechanism ensures that the heater only operates when necessary to achieve transparent ice while preventing excessive temperature fluctuations that would compromise ice quality or energy efficiency.
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 enhances ice quality by reducing air bubbles, maintaining a spherical shape, and improving energy efficiency by minimizing heating deviations, resulting in transparent and spherical ice production.
Implementation Method 1
a heater embedded in one or both, allowing ice to grow from the bottom up, with the heater surrounding the trays to control freezing direction and prevent air bubbles from forming
Implementation Method 2
cold air is supplied to freeze ice
Data Source
AI summary
An ice maker, according to the present disclosure, comprises: 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 arranged on the first tray or the second tray, wherein the heater operates during a period when cold air is supplied for the purpose of freezing ice.