Ice Maker Water Switch Assembly With Capacitance Level Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nugget style ice makers face issues with water supply systems where water freezing at the inlet clogs the system, leading to imbalanced cooling, reduced efficiency, and increased complexity, resulting in a larger footprint and decreased performance.
Innovation Solution
A water switch assembly with a capacitance probe to measure the water level in the reservoir, controlling the flow of water through a supply pipe that extends through the auger, minimizing the risk of freezing and optimizing water levels for efficient ice production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heater is positioned near the water inlet to prevent water freezing, then water flow reliability is improved, but cooling balance deteriorates and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heater component from the water supply system, extracting the problematic heating function while maintaining water flow reliability through alternative design of the water inlet structure and insulation approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The water supply system is designed to be self-regulating, where the water flow and temperature control are achieved through the system's own operational characteristics rather than requiring external heating assistance.
2Reliability
If a heater is positioned near the water inlet to prevent water freezing, then water flow reliability is improved, but cooling balance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is completely removed from the system, eliminating the source of thermal imbalance and allowing the cooling system to maintain uniform temperature distribution throughout the ice making assembly.
3Reliability
If additional parts are added to the water supply system to prevent freezing, then water flow reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for heaters and associated control components by redesigning the water supply system to inherently prevent freezing through improved water inlet positioning and flow dynamics.
Solution Approach 2:
The simplified water supply system performs multiple functions - water delivery, temperature maintenance, and freeze prevention - through its basic structural design rather than requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
4Quantity of substance
If a remote reservoir is used to supply water to the mold body, then water storage capacity is improved, but water inlet clogging risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply system integrates the reservoir and water inlet components in a nested configuration where the water delivery mechanism is positioned within or adjacent to the reservoir structure, allowing direct water flow to the mold body while maintaining storage capacity.
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 reduces the number of components, minimizes the risk of freezing, and enhances the efficiency and performance of the ice maker by maintaining optimal water levels, resulting in improved ice production and a smaller footprint.
Implementation Method 1
The water switch assembly is in fluid communication with a water inlet and includes a capacitance probe for measuring the water level in the reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A water switch assembly for a nugget ice making assembly is provided. The ice making assembly includes a hollow auger rotatably mounted within a reservoir and configured for extruding ice. The water switch assembly includes a water supply pipe that extends vertically through the center of the ice making auger and reservoir. The water switch assembly is in fluid communication with a water inlet and includes a capacitance probe for measuring the water level in the reservoir. In this manner, the water switch assembly is configured to control the flow of water to the reservoir in response to the water level measured by the capacitance probe.