Ice making module and electrical device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice making methods face issues such as mechanical wear, noise, irregular shapes, high cost, and space occupancy due to the need for multiple modules to produce different ice shapes, and inefficient energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
An ice making module with an ice making assembly, discharge channel, and cold source that allows for the production of small ice pieces which are then frozen into larger shapes using thermal field adjustments, reducing mechanical energy consumption and maintaining regular shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical structures are used to crush large ice blocks into small ice blocks, then both large and small ice blocks can be obtained, but blades may get stuck, noise becomes loud, and small ice blocks become irregular in shape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical crushing system with a thermal field-based ice making system. Instead of using blades to mechanically crush large ice blocks, the invention uses a cold source to directly freeze water into small ice blocks of regular shapes through controlled freezing in the ice making cavity, eliminating blade-related problems entirely
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the working parameters of the ice making system by adjusting the cold source output and freezing conditions to produce ice blocks of different sizes directly, rather than using a fixed large ice block size and mechanically reducing it. The control circuit adjusts freezing parameters to generate various规格的ice blocks as needed
2Adaptability or versatility
If two or more sets of ice making modules are configured to produce ice blocks with different shapes, then various shaped ice blocks can be obtained, but costs increase and space occupancy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal ice making module that can produce ice blocks of various shapes and sizes through software control and parameter adjustment. The single module contains a controllable cold source and ice making cavity that can be programmed to create different ice block specifications, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated modules for different ice types
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic controllability to the ice making module through a control circuit that can adjust freezing parameters, cold source output, and process timing in real-time. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same physical module to adapt and produce different ice block shapes and sizes by changing operational parameters rather than requiring physical reconfiguration
3Temperature
If a refrigerant circulation system is used for cooling, then cooling capacity can be provided, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the cold source function from the complete refrigerant circulation system. By using a dedicated Peltier element (thermoelectric cooler) as the cold source, the system eliminates the need for energy-intensive components like compressors, condensers, and expansion valves, achieving cooling through direct electrical-to-thermal energy conversion at the point of use
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 solution achieves efficient, low-noise production of ice pieces with different specifications by minimizing mechanical intervention and optimizing energy use, enhancing user experience and reducing apparatus wear and costs.
Implementation Method 1
the cold source is configured to supply cooling capacity to the freezing region, to allow the plurality of ice pieces with the first specification passing through the freezing region to be frozen to form an ice piece with a second specification
Implementation Method 2
the cold source includes a thermoelectric cooler connected to the control circuit, and the thermoelectric cooler is provided with a cold end configured to supply cooling capacity to the freezing region
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present application provide an ice making module and an electrical device. The ice making module includes an ice making assembly used for manufacturing and outputting a plurality of pieces of ice having a first specification; an ice outlet channel, one end of the ice outlet channel being in communication with the ice making assembly.; a freezing area, which is provided in the ice outlet channel; and a cooling source, which is used for providing cooling capacity to the freezing area. The channel used for receiving the pieces of ice has the first specification., The plurality of pieces of ice having the first specification pass through the freezing area are frozen to form pieces of ice having a second specification., The volume of the pieces of ice having the first specification is smaller than that of the pieces of ice having the second specification.