Ice Maker Non-Contact Temperature Detection for Harvest Time Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers in refrigerators suffer from inefficiencies due to inaccuracies in temperature measurement, leading to variations in ice harvest time and faulty components, which are often undetected.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a non-contact-based sensing device, such as an infrared thermopile, to measure the temperature within the mold cavities of the ice maker, allowing the controller to determine the temperature of liquid water or ice pieces and adjust operations accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If contact-based temperature sensing is used in the mold cavity, then the temperature measurement is direct, but the ice harvest time increases and measurement accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-contact infrared temperature sensor as an intermediary device to measure the temperature of the mold cavity and water target without physical contact. This intermediary sensing approach allows temperature measurement during the ice making process without interfering with heat transfer or extending harvest time, thereby resolving the contradiction between direct measurement and time efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces contact-based mechanical temperature sensing with non-contact infrared thermal radiation sensing. By substituting the mechanical contact system with an optical/thermal field-based system, the measurement process no longer interferes with the thermal conduction and convection processes essential for efficient ice harvesting
2Measurement precision
If traditional temperature sensing is used, then the device structure is simple, but temperature detection accuracy is insufficient leading to inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The non-contact infrared sensor acts as an intermediary that captures thermal radiation from the mold cavity and water target, converting it into temperature data. This intermediary approach provides accurate temperature detection without requiring complex contact-based sensor arrays or intrusive measurement systems
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared temperature sensor serves multiple functions: measuring mold cavity temperature, monitoring water target temperature, detecting ice formation status, and providing data for harvest timing decisions. This multi-functionality achieves high measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity
3Reliability
If frequent temperature monitoring is implemented, then ice maker inefficiencies are detected earlier, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the non-contact temperature sensor continuously monitors the mold cavity and water target temperatures, and the controller uses this feedback to determine ice formation status and trigger harvest operations. This feedback mechanism provides reliable fault detection and process optimization without requiring complex manual monitoring systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment by automatically detecting temperature changes, determining ice formation completion, and initiating harvest operations. This self-service capability enhances reliability by continuously monitoring the process without adding complex external monitoring infrastructure
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
Enhances temperature detection accuracy, reduces ice harvest time inconsistencies, and provides timely maintenance alerts, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of the ice maker.
Implementation Method 1
a non-contact-based sensing device, such as an infrared thermopile, to measure the temperature within the mold cavities
Data Source
AI summary
An ice maker appliance includes a mold body with a mold cavity configured to receive a fill of liquid water and form an ice piece. Additionally, the ice maker appliance includes a non-contact-based sensing device configured to generate data indicative of a temperature within the mold cavity. Moreover, the ice maker appliance includes a controller operatively coupled to the non-contact-based sensing device. The controller is configured to determine the temperature of a water target within the mold cavity based on the data generated by the non-contact-based sensing device. The water target corresponds to the liquid water or the ice piece. Moreover, the controller is configured to initiate a control action associated with the ice maker appliance based on the determined temperature of the water target.