Ice Release Timing Control for Sensor-Fault Ice Makers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ice makers malfunction when the detection unit for determining the formation of ice reaches an intended level fails, leading to incorrect ice size production.
Innovation Solution
The ice making method involves setting a maximum and minimum ice making time, allowing ice to be released after a predetermined period if the detection unit malfunctions, ensuring consistent ice size production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a detection unit (sensor and gyration member) is used to detect ice formation level, then ice size precision is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to potential malfunctions from foreign objects
Solution Approach 1:
The controller pre-stores maximum and minimum ice making times before the ice making process begins. When the detection unit malfunctions or provides abnormal signals, the controller can automatically switch to using these pre-stored time values to control the ice making duration, ensuring the process can continue without interruption and maintaining ice size consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares backup time parameters (maximum and minimum ice making times) in advance to cushion against detection unit failures. This preparatory measure ensures that when the sensor or gyration member malfunctions due to foreign objects, the ice making process can still proceed reliably using the pre-stored time values, preventing complete system failure.
2Manufacturing precision
If the ice making process waits for detection unit confirmation, then ice size accuracy is improved, but production time increases due to potential detection failures
Solution Approach 1:
The ice making control system dynamically switches between two operational modes: normally using detection unit signals to determine ice formation completion, and alternatively using pre-stored maximum/minimum ice making times when detection unit malfunctions are detected. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain ice size accuracy while avoiding excessive delays caused by detection failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes the control parameter from relying solely on detection unit signals to using pre-stored time parameters (maximum and minimum ice making times) when detection malfunctions occur. This parameter change enables the system to proceed with ice making based on time-based control, preventing indefinite waiting and improving production efficiency while maintaining acceptable ice size accuracy.
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 approach ensures that ice is released when a detection unit failure occurs, allowing for the production of ice with an intended size, even if the detection unit fails to function correctly.
Implementation Method 1
electromagnetic waves transmitted from the electromagnetic wave transmission member S1
Implementation Method 2
electromagnetic waves transmitted from the electromagnetic wave transmission member S1, according to the gyration of the gyration member C, may be reflected by the electromagnetic wave reflective member Cb of the gyration member C and received by the electromagnetic wave reception member S2
Implementation Method 3
when a cold refrigerant flows in the dipping members D, ice I is formed on the dipping members D
Implementation Method 4
ice I is formed on the dipping members D
Implementation Method 5
when a hot refrigerant flows in the dipping members D, the ice I formed on the dipping members D is separated from the dipping members D
Implementation Method 6
the ice I formed on the dipping members D is separated from the dipping members D
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 3(d)~3(e)
AI summary
There is provided an ice making method capable of forming ice to an intended level although a sensing unit configured to sense whether or not a formation of ice has reached the intended level malfunctions. The ice making method includes: an ice making initiation step S100 of forming ice by an ice formation unit; an ice release time determining step S200 of determining a point in time at which ice is to be released in consideration of a signal from a detection unit for detecting whether the formation of ice has reached an intended level and an ice making lapse time which has lapsed after the formation of ice was initiated by the ice formation unit; and an ice releasing step S300 of releasing the formed ice when a point in time at which ice is to be released is determined in the ice releasing time determining step.