Rotating Evaporator Ice Block Release for Sanitary Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice machines are complex, prone to corrosion, not energy/cost effective, and require operator presence, leading to increased costs and unsanitary ice production.
Innovation Solution
An automatic ice machine with a rotating mechanism that uses a refrigerant to freeze and release ice blocks without manual handling, featuring a system that circulates antifreeze to freeze water, then rotates to release the ice blocks using a gearbox and external controller, allowing for 24-hour operation without an operator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual handling is used to release ice blocks, then the structure can be simple, but operator presence is required and sanitation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator body is made rotatable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change orientation between freezing position and release position. This dynamic capability enables automatic ice block harvesting by rotating the entire evaporator assembly 180 degrees, eliminating the need for complex manual extraction mechanisms while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the evaporator's own weight and the force of gravity to automatically release ice blocks when rotated to the inverted position. The ice blocks naturally detach and fall away without requiring additional actuators or complex release mechanisms, allowing the system to harvest ice automatically
2Reliability
If traditional ice machines are used, then ice can be produced, but they are prone to corrosion and require frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator body and associated components are constructed from stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant materials throughout the water-contact surfaces and structural elements. This composite material approach ensures long-term reliability and resistance to corrosion from continuous exposure to water and refrigerant cycles, reducing maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The heat transfer compartments utilize porous or finned structures that maximize surface area for efficient heat exchange while maintaining structural integrity. These designs promote uniform cooling and reduce stress concentration points that could lead to corrosion or fatigue failure
3Use of energy by moving object
If existing ice machines are used, then ice production is possible, but energy consumption is high and cost effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system efficiently utilizes the phase transition of water to ice and back to water for heat transfer. During freezing, latent heat is extracted; during the release cycle, the evaporator is rotated and warm air or water contacts the cold surfaces, causing rapid phase change and ice block detachment. This natural phase transition mechanism reduces the need for additional heating energy
Solution Approach 2:
The ice making process operates in periodic cycles: freezing phase where cold refrigerant circulates, then release phase where the evaporator is rotated and warmed. This periodic operation allows the system to accumulate cooling capacity during the freezing phase and utilize it during the brief release phase, improving overall energy efficiency compared to continuous operation
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 machine is energy-efficient, reduces production costs, and ensures sanitary ice production by automating the freezing and harvesting process, eliminating the need for manual handling and operator presence.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant composition, typically a refrigerant liquid of known type such as ammonia, Freon, or anti-freeze, is directed through an opening to freeze a liquid (typically, water into ice)
Implementation Method 2
refrigerant composition... is directed through an opening to freeze a liquid (typically, water into ice)
Implementation Method 3
a defrosting fluid (or anti-freeze) of room or elevated temperature... is subsequently directed through the inlet then into the heat transfer compartments... to enable the plurality of ice blocks to separate and release
Implementation Method 4
defrosting fluid... is subsequently directed through the inlet then into the heat transfer compartments... to enable the plurality of ice blocks to separate and release
Data Source
AI summary
An evaporator apparatus comprising at least one container configured to maintain liquid for freezing and a plurality of heat transfer compartments configured around the at least one container to allow for the flow of cold anti-freeze in order to freeze the liquid and warm anti-freeze in order to thaw frozen blocks of ice contained within the evaporator apparatus. A lever integrated into the body of the evaporator to allow for rotation of the evaporation in order to harvest the frozen blocks of ice. The evaporator further including, at least one inlet opening to allow for the inflow of anti-freeze into the plurality of heat transfer compartments and at least one outlet opening to allow for the discharge of anti-freeze from the evaporator apparatus.