Ice Maker Water Supply Control Using Ejector Transit Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers face challenges in maintaining stable water supply due to varying household water pressures, leading to inconsistent ice production, as current methods require manual adjustment or repeated adjustments when water pressure changes, which can be inconvenient for users.
Innovation Solution
A water supply control apparatus for ice makers that includes sensors to detect the rotation position of an ejector and a controller to automatically adjust water supply based on the time it takes for the ejector to move between sensors, allowing for optimized water supply adjustments according to the ice maker's capacity and water pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of water supply time is used, then users can control ice size, but it is inconvenient for users not familiar with the ice maker and difficult to achieve desired ice size
Solution Approach 1:
The ice maker automatically adjusts water supply time based on detected ice ejection status, eliminating the need for manual user adjustment. The system monitors whether ice is properly ejected and self-adjusts the water supply parameters to maintain optimal ice production without user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect ice ejection status and feeds this information back to the control unit, which then adjusts water supply time accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures consistent ice size and quality without requiring user knowledge or manual adjustment.
2Ease of operation
If water supply time is fixed, then the system is simple to operate, but it causes overflow in high water pressure areas and produces small-sized ice in low water pressure areas
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply time is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system automatically adjusts the water supply duration based on detected ice ejection characteristics, allowing the parameter to adapt to different water pressure conditions while maintaining simple operation for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the water supply time parameter based on detected operational conditions. By monitoring ice ejection status and adjusting water supply duration accordingly, the system adapts to varying water pressure conditions without requiring user intervention.
3Manufacturing precision
If adjustment work is repeated when water pressure changes, then proper ice size can be maintained, but the adjustment process must be repeated when user moves to new house
Solution Approach 1:
The ice maker performs self-adjustment based on detected ice ejection status, eliminating the need for repeated manual adjustment when water pressure changes or when moving to a new location. The system automatically adapts to new conditions without user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of ice ejection status and proactively adjusts water supply parameters before problems occur. This preliminary action ensures proper ice size is maintained from the start of operation in new locations without requiring subsequent adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a water supply control apparatus for an ice maker and method thereof. In the apparatus and method, an ejector pushes out ice, a sensor detecting portion is formed on the ejector, and at least two sensors detect a senor transit time for the sensor detecting portion to travel from one of the sensors to the other. Therefore, an adequate amount of water can be supplied to the ice maker to make ice with a desired size regardless of the variation in the water pressure of a water inlet line from a household water source.