Ice Maker Sump Reservoir Layout for Automatic Descale and Sanitize
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ice makers often require time-consuming and inconvenient manual descaling and sanitizing processes, which are neglected due to their labor-intensive nature and the need for continuous supervision, leading to potential health risks from mineral buildup and bacterial contamination.
Innovation Solution
An automatic descale and sanitize process is implemented, utilizing a sump with separate water and sanitizer reservoirs, where water levels are controlled to mix cleaners or sanitizers with water, pumped through the system, and then purged, allowing for unattended operation and reduced maintenance time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual descaling and sanitizing processes are used, then cleaning effectiveness is achieved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ice maker system performs descaling and sanitizing operations automatically without requiring manual intervention. The control system orchestrates the sequence of filling reservoirs, pumping cleaning solutions, circulating through the freeze plate and sump, draining, and refilling with fresh water, enabling the system to maintain itself autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares cleaning and sanitizing solutions in advance by filling the cleaning reservoir and sanitizing reservoir with appropriate chemicals before the actual cleaning cycle begins. This preliminary preparation allows the automated process to proceed efficiently without interrupting ice production.
2Reliability
If manual descaling and sanitizing processes are used, then mineral buildup is removed, but user supervision and intervention are required
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically manages the entire descaling and sanitizing process including monitoring water levels in the sump, activating the pump to circulate cleaning and sanitizing solutions, controlling the sequence of operations, and managing drainage. This eliminates the need for user supervision while ensuring proper sanitizing effectiveness.
3Extent of automation
If separate water and sanitizer reservoirs are used, then automated mixing is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the liquid storage function into separate reservoirs: a fresh water reservoir, a cleaning reservoir for descaling solution, and a sanitizing reservoir for sanitizing solution. This segmentation allows each reservoir to be dedicated to a specific function, enabling automated selection and mixing of appropriate solutions during different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The sump serves multiple functions: it acts as a water reservoir for ice making, a collection point for cleaning and sanitizing solutions during maintenance cycles, and a drainage system. The pump system also performs multiple roles including circulating water during ice production and circulating cleaning/sanitizing solutions during maintenance, reducing overall system complexity.
4Productivity
If continuous water circulation is maintained, then ice production efficiency is improved, but mineral concentration in sump increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system alternates between continuous water circulation during ice production and periodic descaling cycles. During descaling cycles, the pump circulates cleaning solution through the sump and freeze plate to dissolve mineral deposits, then sanitizing solution is applied to eliminate bacteria. This periodic maintenance action prevents excessive mineral buildup while maintaining high ice production efficiency during normal operation.
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 automatic process effectively removes mineral buildup and sanitizes the ice maker, reducing the risk of bacterial contamination and minimizing downtime, while requiring less user intervention and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The water and cleaner mixture is pumped through the water system and over the freeze plate of the ice maker to descale the water system and freeze plate
Implementation Method 2
When removing mineral buildup, or scale, from an ice maker, food grade acids are used to help dissolve the mineral buildup
Implementation Method 3
sanitizing eliminates harmful bacteria, viruses and protozoa that thrive in a cold ice-making environment
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic descale and sanitize process for an ice maker which requires less user intervention and time. During descaling, a main water reservoir of an ice maker sump is filled with water to a descale water level and mixes with a cleaner placed in the main water reservoir. The water/cleaner mixture is pumped through the ice maker to descale the water system and freeze plate. During sanitizing, the sump is filled with water to a sanitize water level, above the descale water level, and mixes with sanitizer placed in a sanitizer reservoir of the sump. The water/sanitizer mixture is pumped through the ice maker to sanitize the water system and freeze plate. During descaling, the sanitizer placed in the sanitizer reservoir does not come into contact with the water in the main water reservoir. After the descale and sanitize process, the ice maker can return to making ice.