Ice Maker Tubing with Variable Diameter to Prevent Freeze Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stand-alone ice makers are prone to freezing issues due to liquid water freezing within critical components, leading to operational failures and loud squealing noises.
Innovation Solution
A stand-alone ice making appliance with a casing, a first and second water tank, a pump, and a flexible tubing conduit with a fitting having ports of varying internal diameters to minimize air bubbles, ensuring smooth water flow and preventing freezing in the ice maker.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If stand-alone ice makers use critical components with small internal diameters, then device complexity is reduced, but liquid water freezes within components causing operational failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using tubing with different internal diameters in different locations of the system. The third tubing portion (between fitting and ice maker) has a larger internal diameter than the first and second tubing portions, specifically at the location where water flow and freezing risks are most critical, while maintaining smaller diameters elsewhere to preserve device simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If stand-alone ice makers use uniform tubing internal diameter, then manufacturing precision is improved, but air bubbles accumulate causing loud squealing noises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by varying the internal diameter of tubing in specific locations. The third tubing portion has a larger internal diameter to facilitate air bubble escape from the ice maker, while other portions maintain smaller diameters. This localized dimensional change addresses air bubble accumulation without requiring uniform dimensional changes throughout the entire system.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If stand-alone ice makers use larger internal diameter tubing throughout, then air bubble flow is improved, but device complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by applying the larger internal diameter only where needed - specifically in the third tubing portion between the fitting and ice maker inlet - rather than throughout the entire tubing system. This localized approach improves air bubble flow and prevents freezing without unnecessarily increasing overall device complexity or material usage.
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
Prevents freezing of liquid water in critical components, reducing operational failures and loud noises, while maintaining efficient ice production.
Implementation Method 1
a pump disposed within the casing. The pump is in fluid communication with the first water tank and the second water tank. The pump is operable to flow water from the first water tank to the second water tank.
Implementation Method 2
the ice makers operate to freeze the liquid water and form ice
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making appliance includes a casing, a water tank, and an ice maker with an inlet. The ice making appliances also includes a fitting comprising two or more ports, and a flexible tubing conduit that includes a tube extending from one port of the fitting and a tube extending from another port of the fitting. One of the ports of the fitting is in fluid communication with the water tank, and another port of the fitting is in fluid communication with the inlet of the ice maker. The tube of the flexible tubing conduit between the inlet of the ice maker and one of the ports of the fitting comprises an internal diameter greater than an internal diameter of the other tube between the other port of the flexible tubing conduit and the water tank.