Single-Cord Electric Ice Press Using Heat Pipe for Rapid Reshaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice-shaping technologies are cumbersome, time-consuming, and inefficient, particularly for creating large or uniquely-shaped ice pieces, often requiring multiple power cords and significant amounts of solid metal, which can be dangerous and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
An electric ice press with a mold body comprising movable segments and a single power cord, utilizing heated guide rails, electrical resistance heating rods, or heat pipes to efficiently reshape large ice billets into desired profiles, ensuring rapid and even heating with minimal material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If passive ice presses with large solid metal pieces are used to reshape ice billets, then user skill requirements and dangers are reduced, but the process becomes extremely time-consuming and requires large amounts of solid metal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical system (relying on large metal mass and ambient heat) with an active electrical heating system. Electrical heating elements are integrated into the mold to actively supply heat to the ice billet, dramatically reducing the time required for ice reshaping while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the mold by incorporating electrical heating elements that can actively control and adjust the temperature of the mold. This allows the mold to reach optimal heating temperature quickly and maintain consistent heat supply, reducing the overall processing time while preserving the desired ice shape.
2Productivity
If electric heaters are used in ice presses, then heating efficiency is improved, but multiple power cords are required resulting in a cumbersome appliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple heating functions into a single integrated electrical system. Instead of requiring separate power cords for different heating zones, the mold incorporates multiple heating elements that are all powered through one power cord, simplifying the appliance design while maintaining high heating efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The single power cord system provides multi-functional heating capability, supplying power to multiple heating zones within the mold simultaneously. This universal power delivery system eliminates the need for multiple separate power connections while enabling comprehensive and efficient heating of the ice billet.
3Temperature
If passive presses rely on large metal mass for heat supply, then melting process can proceed, but the system requires large amounts of solid metal and extensive material usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical thermal mass approach (large amounts of solid metal) with an electrical heating system. Electrical heating elements provide the necessary thermal energy directly to the mold, eliminating the need for large quantities of metal while achieving and maintaining the required mold temperature for effective ice reshaping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the method of temperature control from passive thermal mass to active electrical heating. This allows the mold to reach and maintain optimal temperature with minimal material, as the electrical system can precisely control heat supply without requiring large thermal mass for heat retention.
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 electric ice press enables rapid and reliable production of large, uniquely-shaped ice pieces with a single power cord, reducing the time and effort required for reshaping and eliminating the need for extensive metal usage, while maintaining consistent temperature for efficient melting.
Implementation Method 1
A heated guide rail extends from the first mold segment toward the second mold segment along the axial direction and a sleeve is defined within the second mold segment for receiving the heated guide rail and placing the second mold segment in thermal communication with the heated guide rail.
Implementation Method 2
An electrical resistance heating rod extends from the first mold segment toward the second mold segment along the axial direction
Implementation Method 3
A heat pipe extends from the first mold segment toward the second mold segment along the axial direction
Data Source
AI summary
An electric ice press includes a mold body having a first mold segment and a second mold segment movable relative to each other. A heated guide rail extends between the first mold segment and the second mold segment to transfer heat from the first mold segment to the second mold segment. The heated guide rail may be a heat pipe for transferring heat generated by a base heater in the first mold segment or an electrical resistance heating rod for generating heat, either of which requires only a single power cord electrically coupled to only the first mold segment.