Ice Maker Upper Tray Multi-Region Heating for Uniform Ice Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers face issues with non-uniform heating during the ice separation process, leading to damage and shape inconsistencies in ice, particularly when using materials with varying thermal conductivity, and require materials that restrict design flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The ice maker incorporates an upper heater with multiple heating regions at different vertical positions and heat transfer portions to ensure uniform heating across the upper chamber, allowing for spherical ice formation without damage and enabling the use of plastic materials for the upper tray.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single heating region is used in the upper tray, then the heating structure is simple, but the heat distribution is non-uniform causing ice damage and shape inconsistencies
Solution Approach 1:
The upper tray is divided into multiple heating regions (first heating region and second heating region) positioned at different vertical locations. Each heating region is independently controlled by separate heating structures, allowing differentiated heat application to various zones of the upper tray to achieve uniform overall heating and consistent ice shape formation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different heating regions are applied to different vertical positions of the upper tray based on local heat transfer needs. The first heating region addresses areas requiring higher heat input while the second heating region addresses areas needing moderate heat input, optimizing heat distribution according to local thermal characteristics.
2Ease of manufacture
If the upper tray is made of material with low thermal conductivity, then manufacturing flexibility and cost are improved, but heat transfer uniformity deteriorates causing ice damage
Solution Approach 1:
The heating structure is segmented into multiple independent heating regions that can be selectively activated. This allows compensating for the low thermal conductivity of plastic materials by applying concentrated heat to specific areas that need it most, ensuring reliable ice separation while maintaining the manufacturing advantages of plastic trays.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system adjusts temperature parameters across different heating regions to compensate for the thermal insulation properties of plastic materials. By controlling the intensity and distribution of heat in each region, the system achieves effective heat transfer despite the material's low thermal conductivity, preventing ice damage during separation.
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 design achieves uniform heat distribution, preventing ice damage and shape inconsistencies while allowing for efficient production of spherical ice and reducing manufacturing costs through the use of plastic materials.
Implementation Method 1
the upper heater heats the upper tray to melt the surface of the ice
Implementation Method 2
heats the upper tray to melt the surface of the ice
Implementation Method 3
heat transfer portions to ensure uniform heating across the upper chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet forming a storage space, a door configured to open or close the storage space, and an ice maker provided in the storage space or the door. The ice maker includes an upper tray including an upper chamber forming an upper portion of an ice chamber, a lower tray including a lower chamber forming a lower portion of the ice chamber, and an upper heater disposed along a circumference of the upper chamber so that at least two heating regions are formed at different positions in a vertical direction in the upper chamber.