Heating control method and device, and ice maker

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The deicing heating control technology in ice makers has high energy consumption due to constant heating of ice-prone parts, leading to inefficiencies and energy wastage, especially when the ice maker is not in operation.

Innovation Solution

A heating control method that determines the ice maker's operation state and adjusts the heating strategy based on ambient temperature and humidity, using specific on-off ratios, heating powers, or durations to minimize energy consumption while ensuring deicing and preventing ice formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If heaters are always in heating state or heated according to on-off-ratio at fixed time, then ice formation in inlet pipe, ice outlet or dispenser is prevented, but energy consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of ice formationVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating control strategy transitions from static fixed-time on-off ratio to dynamic adjustment based on real-time operation state detection. The controller dynamically modifies heating parameters (power, duration, frequency) according to whether the ice maker is in ice-making mode, storage mode, or idle mode, optimizing energy usage while maintaining reliable ice prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes heating parameters (power level, heating duration, heating frequency) based on detected operation states. Different parameter sets are applied for different operational contexts, allowing the system to maintain effective ice prevention during critical periods while reducing heating intensity during non-critical periods, thereby lowering overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If heating operation is performed at fixed time according to on-off-ratio, then ice formation is prevented, but heating efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveice formation preventionVSAvoidheating efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback through detection of operation state (ice-making mode, storage mode, idle mode) to continuously adjust heating control strategies. This closed-loop approach ensures heating operations are synchronized with actual system needs, improving heating efficiency by eliminating unnecessary heating cycles and concentrating heating resources when most needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary heating actions based on predicted ice formation risk. When transitioning to ice-making mode or when ambient conditions suggest high condensation risk, the system proactively applies heating before ice formation occurs, rather than reacting after ice has formed, thereby improving overall heating efficiency and system responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach reduces energy consumption by optimizing heating control strategies during both ice-making and non-ice-making operations, ensuring efficient deicing and preventing ice formation without constant heating, thus enhancing the energy efficiency of ice makers.

Implementation Method 1

heating the target part based on the first heating strategy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3764028B1Heating control method and device, and ice maker
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 HEFEI MIDEA REFRIGERATOR CO LTD
  • EP3764028B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3764028B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3764028B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a heating control method, a heating control device, and an ice maker. The heating control method comprises: determining that the ice maker is in an ice-making operation state; acquiring a first heating strategy of a target part of the ice maker according to a preset first heating strategy acquisition rule, based on ambient parameter information of an ambient in which the target part of the ice maker is located; and heating the target part based on the first heating strategy. Through the embodiments of the present disclosure, the problem that the deicing heating control technology of the ice maker in the prior art has high energy consumption is solved, and the beneficial effect of precise and low-energy deicing heating control on the ice-prone parts of the ice maker is achieved.