Ice Maker Oscillating Tray Design for Clear Ice Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers produce cloudy ice due to trapped air, which affects the taste and appearance of beverages, and require costly processing techniques to produce clear ice.
Innovation Solution
An ice maker with a mechanical oscillating mechanism that rotates the ice tray at an angle of 20° to 40°, allowing water to cascade over a median wall, facilitating the release of air bubbles and promoting the formation of clear ice without the need for a drain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If water is frozen in a stationary ice tray, then ice cubes are formed, but trapped air makes the ice cloudy and undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The ice tray is made oscillatable between a horizontal position and an inclined position. During freezing, the tray oscillates to allow air bubbles to escape from the water as it freezes, preventing trapped air that causes cloudiness. This dynamic movement resolves the contradiction by enabling clear ice formation without complex processing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillation mechanism performs periodic movement during the freezing process, alternating between horizontal and inclined positions. This periodic action continuously facilitates air bubble escape throughout the freezing cycle, ensuring consistent ice clarity without requiring expensive specialized equipment.
2Manufacturing precision
If costly processing techniques are used to produce clear ice, then ice clarity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex stationary processing equipment, the invention employs a simple oscillating ice tray mechanism. The tray moves between horizontal and inclined positions during freezing, allowing air to escape naturally. This dynamic approach achieves clear ice with minimal device complexity, avoiding costly specialized processing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillating mechanism enables the ice-making process to self-regulate air bubble removal. The periodic inclination allows air to escape automatically during freezing without requiring external intervention or complex processing equipment. The system serves itself by using the oscillation to naturally expel air bubbles, achieving clarity without additional complex systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If the tray is rotated at an angle of 20° to 40°, then air bubbles are effectively removed, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ice tray is coupled to an oscillating mechanism that rotates it between horizontal and inclined positions at angles of 20° to 40°. This dynamic rotation is sufficient to enable air bubble escape during freezing while maintaining relatively simple mechanism design. The specific angle range optimizes air removal efficiency without excessive mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillation angle is specifically controlled within the range of 20° to 40° during the freezing process. This parameter optimization ensures effective air bubble removal while keeping the mechanism simple. The angle is sufficient to facilitate air escape but not so large as to require overly complex mechanical systems.
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 effectively removes air bubbles, resulting in clear ice that enhances the taste and appearance of beverages, and can be integrated into consumer refrigerators without expensive modifications.
Implementation Method 1
The oscillating mechanism rotates the tray from a horizontal plane along the longitudinal axis at an angle φ of about 20° to about 40° such that water in the tray cascades over the median wall
Implementation Method 2
A source of freezing temperature is coupled to the ice making tray to freeze water in the tray
Data Source
AI summary
An ice maker includes an ice making tray having an array of individual ice cube compartments. The ice making tray having a transverse axis and at least one pivot axle aligned with the transverse axis. The tray defines a median wall extending parallel with the transverse axis and having a uniform height along the length of the wall. A mechanical oscillating mechanism is coupled to the ice making tray. The oscillating mechanism rotates the tray from a horizontal plane along the longitudinal axis at an angle ϕ of about 20° to about 40° such that water in the tray cascades over the median wall.