Ice Making Unit With Switchable Air Duct for Dual-Mode Ice Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling devices require separate ice making units for fast and glass ice, occupying limited storage space, increasing costs, and limiting ice dispensing functionality due to compartment size constraints and inefficient cold air cycles.
Innovation Solution
A single ice making unit with a duct lid that can switch between positions to control air flow, allowing for both fast and glass ice production by directing cold air differently to achieve rapid heat transfer or gradient cooling, using an air barrier and additional ducts to manage air distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two separate ice making units are used for fast ice and glass ice, then both types of ice can be made, but the storage area is occupied and the cooling cabinet volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both fast ice making and glass ice making capabilities into a single ice making unit. The unit includes an ice making chamber with a freezing plate and a glass ice making chamber with a heating element, allowing both types of ice to be produced in one integrated device rather than requiring separate units, thus preserving cooling cabinet space.
Solution Approach 2:
The single ice making unit performs multiple functions by incorporating both fast ice making mechanisms (freezing plate with cold air circulation) and glass ice making mechanisms (heating element for controlled freezing). This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated units for each ice type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two separate ice making units are used for fast ice and glass ice, then both types of ice can be made, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both fast ice making and glass ice making capabilities into a single ice making unit. The unit includes an ice making chamber with a freezing plate and a glass ice making chamber with a heating element, allowing both types of ice to be produced in one integrated device rather than requiring separate units, thus preserving cooling cabinet space.
Solution Approach 2:
The single ice making unit performs multiple functions by incorporating both fast ice making mechanisms (freezing plate with cold air circulation) and glass ice making mechanisms (heating element for controlled freezing). This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated units for each ice type.
3Manufacturing precision
If a slow and controlled cold air cycle is performed for making glass ice pieces, then glass ice pieces can be made, but insufficient cold air is delivered to the ice storage unit and the glass ice pieces melt
Solution Approach 1:
The ice making unit is divided into separate chambers: an ice making chamber for fast ice with a freezing plate, and a glass ice making chamber with a heating element. The cold air circulation system is also segmented, with dedicated pathways for each chamber type, allowing independent control of cold air delivery to match the specific requirements of each ice making process.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the ice making unit have different thermal characteristics optimized for their specific function. The glass ice making chamber has a heating element and controlled cold air supply for gradual freezing, while the fast ice chamber has direct cold air circulation for rapid freezing. The ice storage unit receives sufficient cold air through dedicated ducts to maintain proper temperature.
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
Enables efficient production of both fast and glass ice pieces within a single unit, optimizing storage space and reducing costs while ensuring all ice is properly cooled for dispensing.
Implementation Method 1
an air blowing unit connected to a second end of the air duct for blowing the cold air
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of ice cells which are provided in the device body and which have an open surface and a cell body for converting water inside into ice
Implementation Method 3
an air barrier which does not allow the air passage between the open surfaces and the cell bodies
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an ice making unit (1) suitable for the cooling devices (S) comprising a device body (2); a plurality of ice cells (3) which are provided in the device body (2) and which have an open surface (3.1) and a cell body (3.2) for converting water inside into ice; an ice scraper (10) which transfers the ice pieces in the ice cells (3) to an ice storage unit (9); and an air duct (4) with a first end (4.1) connected to the device body (2) and a second end (4.2) connected to an air blowing unit (5) for blowing the cold air.