Automatic Ice Maker Twisting Tray for Heater-Free Ice Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional automatic ice makers in refrigerators rely on heating elements to release ice cubes, which consumes energy and increases operational costs, whereas stand-alone ice trays use mechanical means to harvest ice but are less efficient in producing large quantities.

Innovation Solution

An automatic ice maker within a refrigerator that uses a motor-driven ice tray with weirs and a twisting mechanism to release ice cubes without a heating element, capable of producing at least 3.5 pounds of ice per 24-hour period by freezing water in the ice tray and then twisting it to release the ice into an ice bin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a heating element is used to release ice cubes from the ice tray, then the ice can be released effectively, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice release effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal field (heating element) with a mechanical field (motor-driven twisting mechanism). The motor rotates the ice tray to twist and release ice cubes mechanically, eliminating the need for heating elements and reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable ice release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameter from thermal (heating) to mechanical (rotation/twisting). By rotating the ice tray through a specific angle range (90-180 degrees), the ice cubes are mechanically twisted and released from the tray without requiring temperature changes or heating energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If stand-alone ice trays use mechanical twisting to harvest ice, then energy consumption is reduced, but ice production quantity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidice production quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into a single automated system: water dispensing, freezing, mechanical twisting, and ice harvesting all in one unit. This multi-functional integration enables the system to produce large quantities of ice (at least 3.5 pounds per 24 hours) while maintaining energy efficiency through mechanical operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The ice maker is fully automated and self-operating. The motor automatically rotates the ice tray to twist and release ice cubes without human intervention, and the system continuously produces and harvests ice, achieving high productivity through self-service operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of energy

If the ice tray is rotated to release ice mechanically, then heating elements are eliminated, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelimination of heating elementVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the heating element with a simple motor-driven rotation mechanism. The motor connects directly to the ice tray to rotate it within a specific angle range, providing a straightforward mechanical solution that eliminates the heating element while adding minimal complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution enables efficient and cost-effective ice production within the refrigerator, eliminating the need for heating elements and enhancing the ice production rate compared to traditional methods, while maintaining energy efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Twisting a stand-alone ice tray breaks the ice connections between ice cubes and ice wells while also deforming the ice tray, thereby forcing the ice cube out of the ice well by mechanical means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical deformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

freezing compartment... configured to freeze water in the ice tray

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFreezing: Freezing

Data Source

PatentUS9915458B2Method and apparatus for increasing rate of ice production in an automatic ice maker

Publication Date: 2018.03.13 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

An appliance door includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner that defines an ice making receptacle. An ice maker is disposed proximate a top portion of the ice making receptacle. A sliding assembly is defined within an inward-facing surface of the ice making receptacle. An ice bin is operable between an engaged state, wherein the ice bin is fully inserted into the ice making receptacle, a disengaged state, wherein the ice bin is removed from the ice making receptacle, and a lateral sliding state, wherein the ice bin is operated laterally and free of rotation between the engaged and disengaged states. The ice bin and the ice making receptacle cooperatively define an ice delivery mechanism that selectively delivers ice pieces from an inner volume of the ice bin to an ice delivery zone proximate the outer wrapper.