Inflatable Hollow Ice Mould for Compact Storage and Core Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hollow liquid-cooling ice making molding methods result in large, costly molds with fixed shapes, making storage and transport inconvenient and complicating the removal of mould cores, especially for complex-shaped ice blocks.
Innovation Solution
A hollow ice-making forming mould with an air-filled inner membrane and water-filled outer membrane, where the inner and outer membranes are connected to a base plate, allowing for a detachable design with a zipper and airtight chamber, enabling the formation of thin-walled ice blocks with a small volume and low manufacturing cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a fixed-shape metal or plastic mould core and mould cavity are used, then the ice block can be formed with a fixed shape, but the volume of the forming mould becomes quite large, making it inconvenient for storage and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible membranes instead of rigid fixed-shape moulds. The inner membrane can be inflated to various shapes and the outer membrane can be folded or rolled when not in use. This dynamic transformation allows the mould to adapt to different ice block shapes while maintaining a compact storage volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the mould components from rigid to flexible. By using inflatable inner membranes and foldable outer membranes, the mould volume parameter can be dynamically adjusted between a compact storage state and an expanded forming state, resolving the contradiction between fixed shape formation and compact storage.
2Shape
If a fixed-shape metal or plastic mould core is used, then the ice block can be formed with a fixed shape, but the manufacturing cost becomes pretty high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive rigid metal or plastic moulds with flexible membrane structures. These thin film membranes can be manufactured at lower cost using simpler processes, while still providing the necessary shape-forming capability when inflated and secured between the inner and outer membranes.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane components can be replaced or reused at lower cost compared to precision-machined metal moulds. The membranes are simpler to manufacture and replace, reducing the overall manufacturing cost of the forming system.
3Shape
If a fixed-shape mould core is used for complex-shaped ice blocks, then the ice block can be formed with complex shape, but the mould core becomes hardly removable, or even irremovable
Solution Approach 1:
The inner membrane can be deflated and removed easily after ice block formation, regardless of the complexity of the ice block shape. The flexible nature of the membrane allows it to be collapsed and extracted without the interlocking problems that plague rigid mould cores for complex shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The forming system is divided into separable components: the inner membrane, the ice block, and the outer membrane. This segmentation allows the inner membrane to be independently removed after forming, eliminating the removal difficulties associated with integrated fixed-shape mould cores.
4Shape
If the distance between the inner membrane and outer membrane is kept small, then thin-walled ice blocks can be produced, but the mould cavity volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membranes allow for precise control of the cavity thickness, enabling the production of thin-walled ice blocks when the membranes are positioned close together. The same flexible membranes can be expanded to create larger cavity volumes when thicker ice blocks are needed, providing adaptability.
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 mould maintains a small size for storage and transport, facilitates easy removal of the mould core, and reduces manufacturing costs, while allowing for the production of ice blocks with complex shapes through a simple and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
charging the air chamber that is formed by the inner membrane and the base plate through the air inlet located on the air filling and water injecting member, closing the air inlet when the inner member's shape is fixed, using the air charged inner membrane as the mould core of the forming mould
Implementation Method 2
injecting the to be molded cooling liquid into the mould cavity located between the inner membrane and the outer membrane through the liquid inlet on the air filling and water injecting member, until the shape of the outer membrane is fixed under the effect of liquid tension
Implementation Method 3
placing the liquid filled forming mould into a cooling environment
Data Source
AI summary
A hollow ice-making forming mold comprises an inner membrane (1) which is in a fixed shape after charging air and an outer membrane (2) which is in a fixed shape after liquid injection and is disposed outside the inner membrane (1); a base plate (3) is arranged at the bottom of the outer membrane (2); the bottoms of the inner and outer membranes are hermetically connected with the base plate (3) respectively, wherein an airtight air chamber (5) is formed between the inner membrane (1) and the base plate (3), and a cavity (6) for pouring cooling liquid is formed between the inner membrane (1) and the outer membrane (2); an air filling and water injecting member (4) is provided at the top of the inner membrane (1); a top part of the outer membrane (2) is connected with an upper part of the air filling and water injecting member (4) by a detachable way. A usage of the mold comprises charging the air chamber (5) through an air inlet (41), closing the air inlet (41), connecting the outer membrane (2) and the air filling and water injecting member (4), injecting the liquid into the cavity (6) through an injection hole (42), disposing the mold in a cooling environment, detaching the connection between the outer membrane (2) and air filling and water injecting member (4), discharging the air of the air chamber and obtaining the molded ice block.