Icemaker assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Icemaker assemblies in refrigerators face blockages due to ice formation in water tubing, which hinders the water fill cycle and requires an effective solution to prevent ice accumulation and ensure uninterrupted operation.

Innovation Solution

The icemaker assembly incorporates a fill tube with solenoid valves and a controller to manage the water flow, using a hydrophobic coating and heating element to prevent ice formation, and an outlet tube to drain excess water, ensuring the icemaker assembly operates efficiently by independently controlling the solenoid valves for fill and drain sequences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If water is supplied to the icemaker assembly through the fill tube, then the ice tray can be filled with water to produce ice, but water remaining in the fill tube after the fill cycle freezes and causes blockage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater fill cycle efficiencyVSAvoidtubing blockage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the water control function into two separate solenoid valves: a first solenoid valve that controls water flow into the fill tube during the fill cycle, and a second solenoid valve that controls water flow to drain remaining water from the fill tube. This segmentation allows independent control of water supply and drainage operations, enabling the system to efficiently fill the ice tray while subsequently clearing the fill tube to prevent ice blockage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs a preliminary drainage action after the fill cycle by activating the second solenoid valve to drain remaining water from the fill tube before the freezing process begins. This preliminary action removes the water that would otherwise freeze and cause blockage, ensuring reliable operation for the next fill cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If a single solenoid valve is used to control water flow to the fill tube, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to independently control fill and drain sequences is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of solenoid valvesVSAvoidindependent valve control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The water control function is segmented into two independent solenoid valves positioned at different locations in the water supply line. The first solenoid valve is positioned to control water flow into the fill tube, while the second solenoid valve is positioned to control water flow to the drain. This segmentation enables the controller to independently activate each valve for specific operations (fill sequence or drain sequence) without interference, providing precise control over the water management process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the fill tube is positioned entirely within the housing, then the structure is simplified, but water draining capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefill tube configurationVSAvoidwater drainage efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fill tube is segmented into two portions: a first portion positioned within the housing that delivers water to the ice tray, and a second portion positioned outside the housing that enables effective drainage. This spatial segmentation allows the system to maintain a relatively simple internal structure while ensuring that the drainage portion extends outside the housing to facilitate complete water evacuation, preventing ice blockage in the drainage path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution effectively prevents ice formation in the fill tube, ensures unhindered water fill cycles, and reduces energy consumption by minimizing the need for heating, thereby maintaining the icemaker's functionality and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

A first solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube. A second solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolenoid: Solenoid

Implementation Method 2

using a hydrophobic coating and heating element to prevent ice formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic coating: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 3

using a hydrophobic coating and heating element to prevent ice formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11226146B2Icemaker assembly

Publication Date: 2022.01.18 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and a machine compartment positioned proximate the freezer compartment. An icemaker assembly is positioned within the freezer compartment. A fill tube extends from the machine compartment into the icemaker assembly. A first solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube. A second solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube, wherein the first and second solenoid valves are positioned within the machine compartment. A controller is configured to independently open and close the first and second solenoid valves.