Ice Maker Heater Case Motion for Transparent Spherical Ice
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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 with a movable heater case and tray system that allows for controlled expansion and contraction, enabling efficient heat distribution and bubble removal, resulting in transparent and spherical ice production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water is frozen in all directions using conventional ice maker, then freezing speed is fast, but air is trapped inside and ice becomes opaque
Solution Approach 1:
The ice making process is segmented into two distinct phases: a rapid freezing phase that forms the ice structure, and a subsequent transparent ice making phase where controlled heating removes air bubbles. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both fast freezing and high transparency by applying different thermal conditions at different stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater operates periodically after ice formation, applying intermittent heat to facilitate bubble removal while maintaining overall freezing progress. This periodic heating action allows the ice to develop transparency without compromising the freezing speed achieved in the initial phase.
2Manufacturing precision
If heater provides continuous heat to second tray, then bubble removal is effective, but excessive heating occurs and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor the tray temperature and provide feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the heater operation to provide only the necessary heat for bubble removal, preventing excessive heating and optimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying full heating continuously, the system applies partial heating only when and where needed for bubble removal. The heater operates at reduced power levels and only during specific periods when bubble removal is required, avoiding excessive energy consumption while still achieving the desired transparency.
3Device complexity
If heater case is fixed, then structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate tray expansion during ice making
Solution Approach 1:
The heater case is designed with movable components that can dynamically adjust to tray expansion during the ice making process. The heater case includes movable walls or adjustable positioning mechanisms that accommodate the dimensional changes of the tray as water freezes and expands, maintaining reliable contact and heat transfer without requiring a complex fixed structure.
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 solution reduces energy consumption, improves ice quality by preventing excessive heating, and ensures consistent freezing speed and transparency, while maintaining the spherical shape of the ice.
Implementation Method 1
the heater case and the second tray may move together in a state in which the heater contacts the second tray due to the expansion of the second tray during the ice making process
Implementation Method 2
a spring configured to adjust a gap between the tray supporter and the heater case
Implementation Method 3
a first tray configured to define a portion of the ice making cell, which is a space for generating ice
Data Source
AI summary
An ice maker, according to the present invention, comprises: a first tray for defining one portion of the ice-making cell, which is a space for creating ice; a second tray for defining the other portion of the ice-making cell; a heater for providing heat to the second tray; and a heater case having the heater coupled thereto, wherein in an ice-making process, at least one portion of the heater case may move along with the second tray.