Ice supply device and ice making system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ice making systems struggle to adjust the salinity of sherbet ice to suit different types of saltwater fish, as they can only produce sherbet ice with a specific salinity by adding fresh water to the ice storage tank, limiting flexibility in refrigeration temperatures.

Innovation Solution

An ice supply device with an ice storage tank, a supply path, a water flow path for salt-free water, and a control unit that adjusts the flow rate to adjust the salinity of sherbet ice to a target value by joining the water flow path with the supply path, allowing for precise salinity control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fresh water is poured into the ice storage tank to adjust the salinity of sherbet ice, then the salinity can be adjusted to a specific value, but only a single specific salinity can be obtained which limits flexibility for different types of saltwater fish

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesalinity adjustment flexibilityVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the water supply system into multiple independent flow paths, each with its own control valve. This allows separate control of different water flows (fresh water and salt water) to achieve variable salinity combinations, transforming a single-function system into a multi-function system capable of producing sherbet ice with different salinities for different types of saltwater fish

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces dynamic control mechanisms (control valves) that allow the salinity of sherbet ice to be adjusted in real-time according to different requirements. By dynamically regulating the flow rates of fresh water and salt water, the system can produce sherbet ice with varying salinities, making it adaptable to different types of saltwater fish rather than being fixed at a single salinity level

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 the adjustment of sherbet ice salinity to suit various types of saltwater fish, improving the usability and efficiency of the ice making system by allowing for flexible refrigeration temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

a water flow path that joins the supply path and through which water substantially free of salt flows

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDilution:

Data Source

PatentEP4083542B1Ice supply device and ice making system
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4083542B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4083542B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4083542B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An ice supply device (C) includes an ice storage tank (T) that stores sherbet ice, a supply path (31) through which the sherbet ice is taken out of the ice storage tank (T), and a water flow path (80) that joins the supply path (31) and through which water flows.