Refrigerator Ice Bank Control for Adaptive Ice Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with icemakers face challenges in maintaining optimal ice storage based on user usage patterns and ensuring ice freshness, as the ice bank can become jammed and ice may not be disposed of efficiently when not used for a long time.
Innovation Solution
A controller-adjusted system that sets reference values for ice determination and uses a discharge device with an ice bank heater and drain hose to melt and dispose of excess ice, while displaying recommendations for ice disposal based on usage patterns, ensuring optimal ice storage and freshness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the icemaker continuously produces ice until the ice bank is full, then the ice bank becomes full of ice, but ice becomes jammed in the ice bank
Solution Approach 1:
The controller monitors ice usage patterns by detecting the weight of ice in the ice bank over time periods. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically adjusts the full ice determination reference value to prevent overfilling and jamming while maintaining optimal ice storage levels according to actual usage rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static full ice determination method to a dynamic one where the reference value changes based on detected usage patterns. The controller adapts the reference value over time periods, allowing the ice production threshold to be flexible rather than fixed, thereby preventing jamming while optimizing storage.
2Quantity of substance
If ice is stored in the ice bank for a long time, then the ice bank maintains storage capacity, but ice freshness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors ice usage patterns and detects when ice remains in the ice bank for extended periods. Based on this feedback, the system determines when to initiate discharge operations to remove stale ice, thereby maintaining freshness while preserving storage capacity for new ice production.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively discharges ice before it becomes completely stale by monitoring usage patterns and predicting when ice may become outdated. This preliminary discharge action prevents freshness deterioration while maintaining optimal storage capacity for fresh ice.
3Reliability
If the ice bank is frequently discharged to maintain freshness, then ice freshness is maintained, but storage capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The controller discharges only the necessary amount of ice based on detected usage patterns, rather than frequently discharging the entire ice bank. This partial discharge approach maintains freshness by removing stale ice while preserving sufficient storage capacity for ongoing ice production and user needs.
4Quantity of substance
If the full ice determination reference value is set high, then ice storage capacity is maximized, but ice jamming risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the full ice determination reference value based on real-time usage pattern detection. When usage is high, the reference value increases to maximize storage capacity. When usage is low, the reference value decreases to prevent jamming, creating an adaptive threshold that balances both objectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller uses feedback from ice weight detection and usage pattern analysis to continuously optimize the reference value. This feedback mechanism ensures the reference value is always appropriate for current usage conditions, preventing jamming while maintaining maximum feasible storage capacity.
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 system effectively manages ice storage by adjusting production and disposal according to usage patterns, preventing jamming and maintaining fresh ice, and alerts users to dispose of unused ice, thus optimizing ice availability and storage space.
Implementation Method 1
a discharge device to melt the ice in the ice bank so as to discharge the ice outward
Implementation Method 2
a hot line, through which refrigerant passes, a hot line valve to adjust the refrigerant supplied to the hot line
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a refrigerator including an icemaker, an ice bank that is configured to store ice released from the icemaker, a weight sensor configured to measure a weight of the ice bank, and a controller configured to determine, based on weight measurements measured by the weight sensor, a variation in amount of ice stored in the ice bank during a set time period, and adjust an ice determination reference value based on the determined variation in the amount of ice stored in the ice bank during the set time period. The refrigerator is capable of maintaining the optimum storage amount of ice based on the ice usage pattern of the user and minimizing power consumption.