Ice Maker Temperature Sensor Positioning to Reduce Heater Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers face issues with temperature sensor accuracy due to heat from heaters and complex structures, leading to twisting wires and reduced sensing precision, especially when making spherical ice.
Innovation Solution
An ice maker design with a temperature sensor accommodated in a recessed groove on the upper tray, positioned closer to the contact surface with the lower tray, and installed with different heights for the heater and sensor to prevent interference, ensuring accurate temperature sensing and easy mounting without wire twisting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is mounted on the upper tray without a recessed groove, then the mounting is simpler, but the temperature sensing accuracy deteriorates due to heat interference from the heater
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is nested within a recessed groove formed on the upper tray, positioning it inside a cavity that provides thermal isolation from the heater while maintaining direct contact with the tray for accurate temperature measurement
2Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is positioned closer to the heater, then the mounting is easier, but the sensing accuracy deteriorates due to heat from the heater
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed groove creates a localized thermal environment for the temperature sensor, providing heat shielding in the specific area where the sensor is mounted while maintaining the overall simplicity of the upper tray structure
3Ease of operation
If the lower tray is rotated with the thermistor and heater attached, then the ice transfer function is achieved, but the wires twist and the structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor and heater are extracted from the rotating lower tray assembly and fixed to the stationary upper tray, allowing the lower tray to rotate for ice transfer while the sensing and heating components remain in fixed positions without wire twisting
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
Improves temperature sensing accuracy, prevents heater-induced deterioration, and simplifies the mounting process for the temperature sensor, enhancing the ice-making process by maintaining precise temperature control and reducing operational complexities.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor configured to sense temperature of the upper tray or the ice chamber
Implementation Method 2
an ice transfer heater for heating the upper tray
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an ice maker and a refrigerator having the ice maker. An ice maker according to the present disclosure includes: an upper assembly including an upper tray forming an upper chamber, which is a portion an ice chamber, and having an upper opening, and a temperature sensor configured to sense temperature of the ice chamber in contact with the upper tray; and a lower assembly being rotatable with respect to the upper assembly and having a lower tray forming a lower chamber that is another portion of the ice chamber, in which a contact portion between the temperature sensor and the upper tray is positioned closer to a contact surface of the upper tray and the lower tray than the upper opening.