Ice Maker with Movable Tray for Rapid or Transparent Ice Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers produce non-transparent and misty ice due to rapid cooling, which is addressed by controlling the ice-making speed and mode through adjustable distance between the ice-making tray and the cooling device, allowing for rapid or transparent ice production based on user selection.
Innovation Solution
The ice maker includes a movable ice-making tray that can be positioned closer to or farther from the cooling device, utilizing an eccentric-shaped ejector to change the distance and control ice-making speed, enabling rapid ice formation or transparent ice production by adjusting the angle of the ejector to alter the cooling air reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ice-making tray is positioned adjacent to the cooling device for rapid cooling, then the ice-making speed is improved, but the ice transparency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ice-making tray is designed to be movable between a first position (adjacent to cooling device) for rapid ice-making and a second position (spaced from cooling device) for transparent ice-making. The ejector mechanism enables dynamic repositioning of the tray based on user selection, allowing the system to adapt its cooling intensity and produce different ice qualities.
2Manufacturing precision
If the ice-making tray is spaced farther from the cooling device for transparent ice, then the ice transparency is improved, but the ice-making speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The movable ice-making tray positioned at a second position (spaced from the cooling device) enables slower cooling that allows air bubbles to dissipate and ice crystals to form in a layer-by-layer manner, producing transparent ice. The ejector mechanism allows users to select this position when transparency is prioritized over speed.
3Manufacturing precision
If a heater is applied on the bottom of the ice-making tray to grow ice in one direction, then the ice transparency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding a heater component to the ice-making tray, the invention extracts the heating function by utilizing the ambient temperature of the ice-making chamber (maintained at 0°C or higher) to naturally facilitate upward ice crystal growth. This approach achieves transparent ice without introducing additional heating components, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If the temperature of the ice making chamber is set to 0°C or higher to remove air inside the ice making water, then the ice transparency is improved, but the cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates different thermal environments in different locations: the ice-making chamber is maintained at 0°C or higher for transparent ice production, while the cooling device (evaporator) operates at lower temperatures for efficient cooling. By positioning the ice-making tray selectively, users can access either rapid cooling (first position) or transparent ice production (second position) without compromising overall system 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 solution allows for flexible ice production modes, reducing ice transparency while shortening formation time in rapid mode and improving transparency by slowing cooling in transparent mode, enhancing user control over ice quality and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling device (141) configured to provide cold air
Implementation Method 2
the ice-making tray receives cooling energy from the refrigerant tube in a thermally conductive manner
Implementation Method 3
an ejector configured to move the ice-making tray
Implementation Method 4
crystals are grown to have a layer by layer form by setting the temperature of the ice making chamber to 0° C. or higher to remove the air inside the ice making water to produce transparent ice
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a main body having a storage compartment, and an ice maker provided in the storage compartment to make ice. The ice maker includes a cooling device to provide cold air, an ice-making tray movably provided between a first position adjacent to the cooling device and a second position spaced farther from the cooling device than the first position, and an ejector is configured to move the ice-making tray. The ejector includes a driving portion to separate the ice produced in the ice-making tray.