Integrated Ice Cube Tray Lid Preventing Ice Bridging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice cube trays with lids are complex to use, require separate handling of lids, do not seal water inside, and are not designed for individual compartment sealing, leading to issues with ice formation and removal.
Innovation Solution
A handheld ice cube producing unit with a lid that automatically seals individual ice cube compartments, allowing for easy filling and freezing without the need for manual alignment, and a mechanism for dispensing ice cubes one at a time using a spiral dispenser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lid is added to seal ice cube compartments, then water sealing is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates due to separate handling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is integrated with the tray to form a single unit, eliminating the need for separate handling. The lid is positioned at an angle relative to the tray base, allowing the entire assembly to be handled as one piece while maintaining effective sealing of the ice cube compartments.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid is made movable relative to the tray, allowing it to be positioned at different angles. This dynamic configuration enables the lid to transition between a sealed position (when flat against the compartments) and a tilted position for filling, combining sealing functionality with ease of operation.
2Reliability
If traditional lids are used, then sealing is provided, but individual compartment sealing is not achieved and ice bridging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into multiple sections corresponding to individual ice cube compartments. Each section can be pressed down independently to seal its respective compartment, ensuring that ice cubes are formed separately without bridging between adjacent compartments.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the lid have different functions: some portions seal individual compartments while other portions may remain open or have different sealing characteristics. This local differentiation allows effective sealing where needed while preventing ice bridging in divider areas.
3Reliability
If manual alignment is required for sealing, then sealing effectiveness is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is designed to automatically align with the tray and seal the compartments without requiring manual positioning. The angled configuration and integrated design allow the lid to self-align when placed on the tray, eliminating the need for user intervention in the alignment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid is pre-configured at a specific angle relative to the tray, so that when assembled, it automatically positions itself correctly for sealing. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for manual alignment during operation.
4Reliability
If ice cubes are removed manually from sealed compartments, then sealing is maintained, but productivity decreases due to complex removal processes
Solution Approach 1:
The lid can be dynamically opened or tilted while maintaining the sealed state of the ice cube compartments during freezing. When ice cubes need to be removed, the lid can be selectively opened or the entire unit can be tilted, allowing easy access to individual compartments without compromising the sealing that maintained during the freezing process.
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 provides a user-friendly, efficient method for producing and dispensing ice cubes, ensuring individual compartment sealing and easy ice removal without ice bridging, allowing for flexible positioning in the freezer and easy operation.
Implementation Method 1
a lid which is suitable for being mounted on the tray to seal water or other liquid inside said at least one ice cube compartment
Implementation Method 2
By ice cube producing unit is meant a unit into which water or other liquid can be filled after which it is placed in a freezer and the water or other liquid freezes
Data Source
AI summary
An ice cube producing unit comprising an ice cube tray having at least two ice cube compartments, a lid which is suitable for being mounted on the tray to seal water or other liquid inside said at least two ice cube compartments. Said ice cube producing unit further comprises a displacing arrangement connecting the tray and the lid and having two positions: a first position where the lid is held in a position where it abuts the ice cube tray to seal the contents of the at least two ice cube compartment inside the compartment and a second position where the lid is held in a position where it is separated from the tray so that ice cubes formed in the tray can leave the tray.