Self-Demolding Ice Mold Using Freezing Expansion for Auto Ejection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic ice makers rely on energy-consuming electric heaters to release ice from molds, while manual ice makers require manual operation, both of which are inefficient and wasteful.
Innovation Solution
A self-demolding ice machine with a mold configured to utilize the volumetric expansion of freezing water to eject ice cubes through a compressible ejection apparatus, eliminating the need for heat and enabling automatic ice release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If electric heaters are used to facilitate ice release, then ice can be automatically released from the mold, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The ice mold utilizes the natural volumetric expansion of water during freezing to automatically eject the ice cube without requiring external energy input. The expanding ice directly pushes against the ejection apparatus, making the system self-powered and eliminating the need for electric heaters.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention exploits the phase transition of water to ice, which is accompanied by volumetric expansion. This expansion occurs naturally during freezing and is harnessed as the driving force for ice ejection, converting a physical property of the material being processed into the actuating mechanism.
2Use of energy by moving object
If manual ice makers are used, then energy consumption is reduced, but manual operation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically completes the ice-making and ejection cycle without human intervention. The volumetric expansion of freezing water triggers the ejection mechanism, and the ice cube is automatically released into the collection container, providing full automation with minimal energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejection apparatus is designed to be separate from the mold cavity, allowing the ice cube to be extracted and deposited into a collection container. This separation enables automatic transfer of the ice cube without requiring manual removal from the mold.
3Extent of automation
If compressible ejection elements are used, then ice cubes can be automatically ejected, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection apparatus utilizes a compressible element such as a spring or elastomeric material that can be compressed by the expanding ice and then rebound to eject the ice cube. This flexible component approach provides automatic ejection functionality with relatively simple construction.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a mechanism to push the ice out, the system allows the ice expansion to compress the ejection element, and the rebound of this compressed element provides the ejection force. This inverted approach uses the freezing process itself to store energy for ejection.
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 reduces energy consumption by leveraging the natural expansion of water to eject ice cubes automatically, enhancing efficiency and eliminating manual operation, thus providing a more sustainable and cost-effective ice production method.
Implementation Method 1
utilize the volumetric expansion of freezing water to eject ice cubes
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for making ice utilize self-demolding ice molds. Responsive to freezing of water in the mold into ice, an ejection apparatus is compressed. Via a force arising from the compression, the ejection apparatus ejects the ice from the mold. Ice machines may utilize multiple molds, and water filling a first mold may be utilized to at least partially melt ice in a second mold to facilitate ejection of the ice from the second mold.