Ice Maker Heater Layout for Uniform Heating and Clear Ice
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers face inefficiencies in heating distribution, leading to prolonged operation times, increased power consumption, and the formation of opaque ice due to non-uniform heat application and interference between components, as well as issues with wire disconnection during rotation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an upper and lower heater system where the upper heater is positioned closer to the horizontal central line of the ice chamber, ensuring uniform heat transfer between the trays, and a wire guiding mechanism with a hook to prevent disconnection, allowing for stable operation and transparent ice production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the ice separation heater is placed on the top surface of the upper tray in a U-type shape, then the heater structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but heat cannot be uniformly provided to the upper cells and the heating time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is moved from the top surface (2D plane) to the inner wall surface (vertical dimension), changing the heating dimension from horizontal to vertical. This allows heat to be applied from the side rather than from above, improving heat distribution to the upper cells while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater is pre-installed on the inner wall of the upper tray before the ice making process begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that heat is immediately available when needed, reducing the overall heating time without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the ice separation heater contacts the upper tray at a higher position than the upper cells, then the heater is exposed outwards for easy access, but heat transmission to the boundary between upper and lower trays is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is repositioned from a horizontal arrangement on the top surface to a vertical arrangement on the inner wall. This dimensional change allows the heater to extend downward along the wall, improving heat transmission to the boundary between upper and lower trays while maintaining accessibility through the vertical exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater is designed with varying proximity to different parts of the tray - closer to the boundary between upper and lower trays where heat transmission is most needed, while maintaining exposure for accessibility. This local optimization ensures efficient heat distribution without sacrificing operational access.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the upper heater is positioned away from the horizontal central line, then the heater does not interfere with the lower ejecting pin rotation, but heat distribution to the upper chamber becomes non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is positioned at the horizontal central line, creating a symmetric heat distribution pattern that ensures uniform heating across the upper chamber. This central positioning establishes thermal equipotential conditions, where heat is distributed evenly in all directions, while the heater's vertical orientation prevents interference with rotation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater is designed with a curved or arc-shaped configuration that follows the spherical geometry of the ice chamber. This curved design, combined with central positioning, ensures uniform heat distribution across the spherical upper chamber while the vertical placement prevents interference with the lower ejecting pin's rotational path.
4Ease of operation
If the wire connected to the heater is not guided properly, then the wire has more freedom of movement, but the wire may disconnect during rotation of the lower assembly
Solution Approach 1:
A wire guiding mechanism acts as an intermediary between the heater wire and the rotating lower assembly. This guide structure allows the wire to move flexibly during rotation while preventing complete disconnection, serving as a mediator that balances flexibility and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire guiding mechanism is installed in advance to prevent wire disconnection before it can occur. By providing guidance paths and tension management beforehand, the system cushions against the risks of wire detachment during rotation, ensuring continuous reliable connection.
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 enables rapid and uniform heating, reducing power consumption and preventing wire disconnection, while ensuring transparent ice production by concentrating heat effectively and maintaining the upper heater's stability.
Implementation Method 1
an upper heater for providing heat to the upper tray
Implementation Method 2
a lower heater for providing heat to the lower tray
Data Source
AI summary
An ice maker includes an upper tray defining an upper chamber that is a portion of an ice chamber, a lower tray rotatable relative to the upper tray and defining a lower chamber that is another portion of the ice chamber, wherein the lower chamber is disposed under the upper chamber, an upper heater disposed around the upper tray, for providing heat to the upper chamber, and a lower heater disposed around the lower tray, for providing heat to the lower chamber, wherein in an ice making position, a distance from a horizontal central line passing a contact surface of the upper tray and the lower tray to the upper heater is shorter than a distance from the horizontal central line to the lower heater.