Rotatable Ice Tray Ejection Using Local Heating and Adhesion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional icemakers have complex configurations requiring a heater, ejector, and overfill detection mechanism, leading to high production costs, limited ice production capacity, and excessive energy consumption due to full heating of the ice tray before ice ejection, which results in water splashing and ice sticking issues.
Innovation Solution
An icemaker with a rotatable ice tray and a separation device, such as a heater, that applies energy to reduce the adhesive force between ice and the tray, allowing efficient ice ejection using the ice's weight and rotational force, eliminating the need for a large overfill detection mechanism and minimizing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a heater is mounted on the lower surface of the ice tray to heat the ice tray for ice ejection, then the ice can be melted enough to be ejected smoothly, but too much energy is consumed and water may splash together with ice
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is positioned at specific locations (front and rear ends of the lower surface) rather than covering the entire lower surface, concentrating heating energy only where needed for ice separation and ejection, thus reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective ice release
Solution Approach 2:
The heater operates briefly before ice ejection to pre-melt the ice tray surface, creating sufficient lubrication for smooth ejection without requiring continuous or excessive heating, thereby reducing energy consumption while ensuring operational effectiveness
2Extent of automation
If the conventional icemaker includes an over fill detection mechanism and ejector operation device, then ice ejection can be controlled, but the configuration becomes complicated and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector operation device is integrated with the water supply control mechanism, combining multiple functions into a single control system that manages both water supply timing and ejector operation, thereby simplifying the overall configuration while maintaining automated control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The control device performs multiple functions including water supply control, ejector operation control, and ice making cycle management, allowing a single device to handle various control tasks that would otherwise require separate mechanisms, thus reducing system complexity
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the over fill detection mechanism is made rotational to detect ice bank fill level, then detection can be performed, but large space is required near the ice tray
Solution Approach 1:
The over fill detection mechanism transitions from a rotational design requiring horizontal space to a vertical linear movement design, utilizing the vertical dimension for detection motion, thereby significantly reducing the horizontal space requirement near the ice tray while maintaining detection functionality
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 enables the production of a large quantity of ice in a short time while minimizing water splashing and ice sticking, reducing energy usage and simplifying the icemaker's structure, thus enhancing efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a separation device which separates the ice from the ice tray... such as a heater, that applies energy to reduce the adhesive force between ice and the tray
Data Source
AI summary
An icemaker and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. An object of the present invention is to provide an icemaker and a method for controlling the same, which has an improved structure to make a lot of ice in a short time. an icemaker includes an ice tray rotatable with at least one column of ice making chambers formed therein to make ice; an ejector rotatably provided in each ice making chamber to eject the ice formed in the ice making chamber; an operation device which rotates the ice tray; and a separation device which separates the ice from the ice tray. The separation device may be a heater which heats the ice. Preferably, the heater is operated until adhesive force which acts between the ice and the ice tray is smaller than pushing force in which the ejector pushes the ice.