Spherical ice maker

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ice-sphere-making systems are complex, costly, and inefficient in separating ice balls from molds due to their intricate transmission structures and difficulty in mold separation.

Innovation Solution

A spherical ice maker with a simplified structure comprising a water measuring device and driver bracket, utilizing a driver to combine and separate hemispherical molds, an evaporator connected to a refrigeration system, and an ice ejector pin to automate ice ejection, leveraging thermal energy and temperature differences for mold separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a complex transmission structure including driving gears, drive shafts, driven shafts, gears and splines is used to combine and separate molds, then the mold combination and separation function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemold combination and separationVSAvoidtransmission structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex transmission structure (gears, shafts, splines) from the system, replacing it with a simple driver that directly combines and separates the hemispherical molds through rotational movement, achieving the same function with minimal components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical transmission system with a direct thermal field approach, where the driver rotates the molds and thermal energy from the refrigeration system automatically facilitates ice ball release, eliminating the need for complex mechanical ejection mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemold combination and separationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes numerous expensive components (gears, shafts, splines) from the design, retaining only the essential driver and mold structures, which significantly reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining full functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs simple, easily manufactured components that can be produced at low cost, prioritizing functional adequacy over durability of individual parts, thereby reducing overall system manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If the traditional ice-sphere-making system is used, then ice balls can be produced, but it is not easy to separate the ice balls from the mold after the ice making is completed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice ball productionVSAvoidice ball separation from mold

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical ejection systems with a thermal field-based separation mechanism, where temperature differences created by the refrigeration system cause the ice balls to naturally release from the mold surfaces, simplifying the separation operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the thermal parameters (temperature) of the mold and ice ball interface during the ice-making cycle, creating conditions that facilitate easy separation without requiring additional mechanical ejection mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides a simple, cost-effective, and automated process for producing spherical ice with efficient mold separation and ejection, utilizing thermal energy and temperature differences.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing thermal energy and temperature differences for mold separation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

evaporator is mounted between the evaporator lower bracket and the evaporator lower cover and is sleeved on an outer wall of the lower hemispherical mold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFreezing: Freezing

Implementation Method 3

utilizing thermal energy and temperature differences for mold separation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature difference: Temperature Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS12372287B2Spherical ice maker

Publication Date: 2025.07.29 ZHANG CHAOMIAO

AI summary

A spheric ice maker, relating to the technical field of ice making equipment, includes a water measuring device and a driver bracket, in which a driver bracket includes an evaporator lower bracket, an evaporator, an evaporator lower cover, an evaporator front cover, and an evaporator bracket. The evaporator lower bracket and the evaporator lower cover are connected to each other to form an integrity with a closed cavity, the evaporator lower cover has an accommodating tank communicated with the closed cavity, and a lower hemispherical mold with an opening end protruding outwards from the evaporator lower cover is housed in the accommodating tank, which lower hemispherical mold is seal fitted to the evaporator lower cover, and the evaporator is mounted between the evaporator lower bracket and the evaporator lower cover and is sleeved on an outer wall of the lower hemispherical mold.