Ice-making system, which controls ice hardness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice-making systems struggle to produce ice of varying hardness and size according to user preferences due to low temperatures in freezer compartments, leading to difficulty in controlling ice hardness and size variability, and the use of interchangeable components increases complexity and damage risk.
Innovation Solution
An ice-making system with a heating element positioned adjacent to the extrusion head, adjustable auger rotation speed, and controlled water volume to adjust ice hardness, along with a motor and gear box assembly positioned to minimize moisture exposure, allowing for production of ice pellets of varying hardness without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable components are used to adjust ice hardness and size, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to damage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes physical parameters (temperature via heating element, rotation speed via variable speed motor, water volume via controlled dispensing) of existing components to achieve varying ice hardness and size, eliminating the need for interchangeable components while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control through a variable speed motor that adjusts auger rotation speed and a heating element that adjusts extrusion head temperature, allowing continuous adjustment of ice properties without physical component changes
2Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable components are used to adjust ice hardness and size, then adaptability is improved, but reliability worsens due to increased damage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter adjustments (temperature, speed, volume) of permanent components instead of interchangeable parts, eliminating the mechanical wear and damage risks associated with frequent component installation and removal while maintaining full adaptability for ice hardness control
3Ease of manufacture
If heating element is positioned external to extrusion head, then ease of manufacture is improved, but heat transfer efficiency may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the extrusion head itself as an intermediary thermal conductor, where the heating element warms the head which then transfers heat to the ice during extrusion, achieving both ease of manufacture and effective heat transfer through the designed contact interface
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
The system effectively produces ice pellets of different hardness levels by controlling temperature, auger speed, and water volume, reducing component damage and manufacturing complexity while ensuring consistent ice production.
Implementation Method 1
The heating element can heat the extrusion head at a temperature that is based on a preselected ice hardness level
Implementation Method 2
producing ice from the liquid in the housing using a heat exchange system associated with the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An ice-making system that can produce ice pellets and can control the hardness of the ice pellets. For example, the ice-making system can include a housing defining an ice-making chamber. The housing can receive liquid. The ice-making system can further include a heat exchange system that can freeze the liquid in the housing to produce ice. The ice-making system can also include an extrusion head coupled with the housing. The extrusion head can include a plurality of openings that can receive the ice. Additionally, the ice-making system can include an auger positioned in a center of the housing. The auger can move the ice toward the extrusion head. The ice-making system can further include a heating element positioned proximate and external the extrusion head. A temperature of the heating element can be based on a preselected ice hardness level.