Ice maker apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nugget ice makers require complex and expensive unitary mold bodies with liquid cooling systems that are difficult to assemble and maintain, and often rely on refrigerant lines that are hard to install and maintain, especially when mounted on refrigerator doors.
Innovation Solution
An ice maker apparatus with a casing, auger, discrete flanges, and an extruder die, utilizing a cooling air duct with fins for heat exchange, allowing air to be used as a heat exchange medium while minimizing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a liquid cooling system is used to draw heat from the mold body, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but assembly difficulty and maintenance complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the liquid cooling system from the mold body and replaces it with an air cooling system using a blower and cooling fins. This removes the complex liquid cooling infrastructure (refrigerant lines, liquid cooling channels) while maintaining the essential heat exchange function through direct air flow over the fins attached to the mold body exterior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical liquid cooling system with a simpler air-based cooling system. Instead of using liquid refrigerant circulation through channels, the system uses a blower to force air flow across cooling fins, substituting a complex mechanical liquid handling system with a simpler pneumatic system.
2Strength
If a unitary mold body is used, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mold body into multiple separate components rather than using a single unitary structure. The mold body is segmented into sections that can be manufactured separately and then assembled together, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the necessary structural integrity through proper joining methods.
3Temperature
If refrigerant lines are installed for liquid cooling, then cooling capability is improved, but installation and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes refrigerant lines from the system by replacing liquid cooling with air cooling. The blower-driven air flow system eliminates the need for refrigerant circulation lines, making installation and maintenance significantly easier as there are no sealed refrigerant circuits to install or repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic principles by forcing air flow through a blower across cooling fins. This pneumatic cooling approach replaces the hydraulic refrigerant circulation system, using compressible gas (air) instead of liquid refrigerant, which simplifies the system architecture and eliminates the need for complex refrigerant line installation and maintenance.
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 provides a more efficient and cost-effective ice making process by using air as a heat exchange medium, simplifying assembly and maintenance, and reducing energy usage, while maintaining the production of ice nuggets.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a cooling air duct with fins for heat exchange, allowing air to be used as a heat exchange medium
Implementation Method 2
During ice making operations, heat is generally conducted away from water within the mold body
Implementation Method 3
The plurality of fins are in thermal communication with the chamber. The plurality of fins extend radially outward away from the outer surface of the casing within the air passage.
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator appliance and ice maker apparatus are included herein. The ice maker apparatus may include a casing, an auger, a discrete flange, and an extruder die. The casing may define a chamber about a central axis. The casing may extend along the central axis between a top portion and a bottom portion. The casing may include a first material. The auger may be disposed within the chamber of the casing. The discrete flange may be selectively mounted on the casing. The discrete flange may include a second material that is unique from the first material. The extruder die may be attached to the discrete upper flange and positioned above the casing.