Ice Maker with Nested Refrigerant Tube for Compact Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice making technologies do not efficiently address the need for a compact and efficient system that can produce ice cubes for chilling perishable items while ensuring effective water management and easy ice removal.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates an ice formation unit with a refrigerant tube nested within an ice formation cell, where the refrigerant tube is designed for efficient heat transfer and water is guided to freeze, and an ejector mechanism for removing ice pieces, integrated with a self-contained ice making system that includes a compressor, expansion valve, and water supply for continuous ice production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compact ice making system is designed, then space efficiency is improved, but heat transfer efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator tube is nested within the ice formation cell, with the refrigerant tube positioned inside the tray structure. This nesting arrangement allows the cooling system to be integrated within the ice-making components themselves, achieving compactness while maintaining effective heat transfer between the refrigerant and water.
2Productivity
If water is guided to freeze efficiently, then ice production speed is improved, but water management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ice formation tray includes specific water guide structures that direct water flow to predetermined locations on the evaporator tube. These localized water guidance features ensure efficient freezing at critical areas without requiring complex overall water management systems, achieving high productivity through targeted water distribution.
3Ease of operation
If an ejector mechanism is integrated for easy ice removal, then operational ease is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector mechanism is integrated with the existing ice formation cell and evaporator tube structure. The ejector works in conjunction with the naturally formed ice cube geometry and the tray structure, combining multiple functions (ice formation, ejection, and removal) into a unified system that achieves ease of operation without proportionally increasing complexity.
4Use of energy by moving object
If refrigerant tube is nested within ice formation cell, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ice making system is divided into modular components: the ice formation tray with integrated evaporator tube, the ejector mechanism, and the water supply system. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately with optimized heat transfer and assembly features, then assembled into the final compact system, balancing manufacturing ease with heat transfer efficiency.
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 configuration enables efficient ice production and easy removal, ensuring consistent chilling of perishable items while optimizing water usage and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant tube nested within an ice formation cell... the refrigerant tube is designed for efficient heat transfer
Implementation Method 2
water is guided to freeze
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed are various embodiments for systems, apparatus, and methods for making ice. According to some embodiments, a refrigerant tube is disposed within an ice formation cell. The ice formation cell receives a water stream, and the portion of the water stream makes direct contact with the refrigerant tube is frozen by the refrigerant tube. Thus, an ice piece is generated.