Refrigerator and ice-making assembly for making and holding clear ice billets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator appliances struggle to efficiently produce clear ice billets while maintaining a compact design and ensuring easy access and cleaning of components.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a conductive ice mold, a water dispenser, and a guide ramp within a refrigerator appliance's icebox compartment, allowing for the formation and harvesting of clear ice billets in a compact and accessible manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a dedicated clear ice-making appliance is used, then clear ice billets can be produced, but the appliance becomes bulky and unfeasible for incorporation into a commercial refrigerator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the clear ice-making assembly with the commercial refrigerator by integrating the ice mold, water dispenser, and guide ramp into the existing refrigerator structure. The ice mold is positioned within the refrigerator compartment, and the guide ramp is integrated into the refrigerator's interior, allowing the ice-making function to be merged with the food storage function in a single appliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerator appliance is designed to serve multiple functions: food storage and clear ice billet production. The ice-making assembly uses the refrigerator's existing cooling system and power supply, while the guide ramp serves dual purposes of ice billet extraction and storage. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate dedicated ice-making appliance.
2Device complexity
If the ice maker is mounted within the same chamber as food items, then space is saved, but undesirable flavors may be imparted to the ice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ice-making function into a separate, dedicated compartment or area within the refrigerator. The ice mold is positioned in a location that is physically separated from the food storage areas, and the guide ramp is designed to allow ice billets to be harvested without contacting food items. This spatial separation prevents flavor contamination while maintaining integration within the same appliance.
3Ease of operation
If water storage area is made accessible for regular cleaning, then maintenance is improved, but the design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The water storage system is segmented into modular components that can be easily accessed and removed for cleaning. The ice mold is designed as a separate, removable component, and the water dispenser is positioned to allow easy access to the water reservoir. This segmentation enables regular maintenance without requiring disassembly of the entire refrigerator structure.
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 enables the reliable and efficient production of clear ice billets, preventing cloudiness and ensuring consistent quality, while maintaining a compact appliance design that allows for easy cleaning and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive ice mold mounted within the IB compartment and defining a mold cavity therein
Implementation Method 2
such liquid water can freeze within the ice maker to form ice cubes
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, a liner, a conductive ice mold, a water dispenser, and a guide ramp. The conductive ice mold may be mounted within the IB compartment. The conductive ice mold may define a mold cavity. The water dispenser may be positioned below the conductive ice mold to direct an ice-building spray of water to the mold cavity. The guide ramp may be positioned below the conductive ice mold to receive an ice billet therefrom. The guide ramp may extend from a first end to a second end and comprising an upper segment and a lower segment to support the ice billet thereon. The upper segment may extend along a first pitch angle relative to a lateral direction and the lower segment extending along a second pitch angle relative to the lateral direction. The second pitch angle may be different from the first pitch angle.