Shallow Ice Mold Design for Clear Ice Without Heater Dislodgement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice makers produce cloudy ice due to impurities and air pockets trapped within the ice cubes, and they often require heaters to dislodge ice cubes, which increases energy consumption and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The method involves an ice maker with a rotating ice mold and heat sinks, where the ice mold is filled with water in stages, rotated to facilitate even freezing from the bottom up, and cold air is directed to enhance heat transfer, allowing clear ice production without a heater for dislodging ice cubes by twisting the mold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional ice makers use heaters to dislodge ice cubes, then ice cubes can be released from the mold, but energy consumption increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater component is completely removed from the ice making system. Instead of using thermal energy to melt and release ice cubes, the patent employs a mechanical twisting motion of the ice mold to dislodge the cubes through friction reduction and mechanical force, thereby eliminating the need for heating elements and reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal field (heater) with a mechanical field (twisting motor). The motor-driven twisting motion mechanically separates the ice cubes from the mold through controlled deformation and friction reduction, substituting a mechanical system for what was previously a thermal system.
2Ease of operation
If conventional ice makers use heaters to dislodge ice cubes, then ice cubes can be released from the mold, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater component and its associated control systems are completely removed from the ice making system. The patent employs a mechanical twisting motion of the ice mold to dislodge the cubes through friction reduction and mechanical force, thereby eliminating the need for heating elements and reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal field (heater) with a mechanical field (twisting motor). The motor-driven twisting motion mechanically separates the ice cubes from the mold through controlled deformation and friction reduction, substituting a mechanical system for what was previously a thermal system.
3Quantity of substance
If ice mold cavities are deep, then ice cube volume increases, but freezing time increases and clarity decreases due to trapped impurities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the ice mold cavities by using a shallower depth configuration. This parameter change allows for faster heat transfer during freezing, reducing freezing time while maintaining adequate ice cube volume through optimized cavity dimensions and increased surface area for heat exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent compensates for reduced cavity depth by optimizing the lateral dimensions and surface area of the ice cube molds. By adjusting the dimensional distribution across different axes, the system maintains sufficient ice volume while achieving faster freezing rates through improved thermal contact with the cooling surface.
4Quantity of substance
If ice mold cavities are deep, then ice cube volume increases, but ice clarity decreases due to trapped air pockets and impurities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the ice mold cavities by using a shallower depth configuration. This parameter change allows for faster heat transfer during freezing, reducing freezing time while maintaining adequate ice cube volume through optimized cavity dimensions and increased surface area for heat exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent compensates for reduced cavity depth by optimizing the lateral dimensions and surface area of the ice cube molds. By adjusting the dimensional distribution across different axes, the system maintains sufficient ice volume while achieving faster freezing rates through improved thermal contact with the cooling surface.
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 approach results in clear ice production with increased efficiency and reduced energy consumption, as impurities are directed to the top and ice cubes are dislodged without the need for additional heating, improving ice production rates and clarity.
Implementation Method 1
freezing the water in the ice mold
Implementation Method 2
cold air is directed to enhance heat transfer
Implementation Method 3
impurities are directed to the top
Implementation Method 4
The ice mold includes a plurality of ice wells and is configured to release the ice cubes without the use of a heater and by twisting the ice mold
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An aspect of the present disclosure is generally directed to an ice making appliance that includes: an ice making compartment and an ice maker including an ice mold having a total water capacity. The ice mold includes a plurality of ice wells and is configured to release the ice cubes without the use of a heater and by twisting the ice mold. The ice wells are typically no more than about 12.2mm in depth from a top surface of the ice mold and have a volume of about 20 mL or less. The ice maker is capable of producing at least about 3.5 lbs. of ice or more in a 24 hour span.