Ice Making Appliance Using Pre-Formed Ice Flaking and Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice making devices, particularly standalone appliances, face challenges with size, material, and power requirements due to their reliance on refrigeration systems, and they often produce ice that is not optimized for texture, density, and size.
Innovation Solution
The system processes pre-formed ice into smaller flakes using a processor assembly and compresses them into target structures using a mechanical press, reducing device size and power consumption while achieving desired ice characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a standalone ice making appliance with refrigeration system is used, then ice production capability is improved, but device size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ice formation function from the complete refrigeration system, using only the essential cooling components needed for ice making while eliminating the full refrigeration cycle. This allows the device to produce ice without requiring a complete refrigeration system, thereby reducing power consumption and device size while maintaining ice production capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-cools water in an insulated container before freezing, utilizing ambient refrigeration from the surrounding environment rather than requiring active refrigeration during the entire ice making process. This preliminary cooling action reduces the energy required by the freezing mechanism
2Manufacturing precision
If pre-formed ice is processed into flakes and compressed, then ice texture and density are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ice making process is segmented into distinct stages: water freezing in a mold, ice ejection, ice flaking by blades, and compression by a piston. Each stage uses simple, dedicated components rather than a complex integrated system, allowing precise control over ice texture and density while keeping individual components straightforward
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary compression chamber where flaked ice is compacted into nugget ice. This intermediate step allows control over the final ice density and texture without requiring complex direct molding mechanisms, simplifying the overall device design while achieving precise manufacturing results
3Shape
If ice is compressed into target structure, then ice shape and density are improved, but material and device requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The freezing mold and compression chamber are combined into a single integrated unit. The mold serves dual purposes: forming the initial ice structure and containing the ice during subsequent flaking and compression. This merging eliminates the need for separate forming and compression devices, reducing overall device size and material requirements while achieving the desired ice shape and density
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 produces ice with improved texture and density, such as nugget ice, that is more efficiently used in blenders and beverages, and reduces the overall size and power requirements of the appliance.
Implementation Method 1
The ice making appliance can include a press to compress the ice flakes into a compact structure
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making appliance can process ice into output ice having a target structure. The ice making appliance includes a receiver to receive the ice, such as to receive preformed ice, a processor to process the ice into ice flakes, a vessel to receive the ice flakes, a press to compress the ice flakes into the output ice, and a motor to cause movement of the press to cause the compression of the ice flakes.