Stand-Alone Ice Maker with Gravity-Fed Side Tank Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Stand-alone ice makers are limited by impurities in tap water affecting ice quality and rely on costly pumps to filter water, and there is a need for cost-effective solutions.

Innovation Solution

A stand-alone ice making appliance with a supplemental water reservoir and a filter positioned within the auxiliary water reservoir, utilizing a centrifugal pump to circulate filtered water, eliminating the need for expensive diaphragm pumps by gravity-fed filtration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a filter is positioned within the auxiliary water reservoir using gravity-fed flow, then water filtration is achieved without requiring expensive pumps, but the system complexity increases due to the auxiliary reservoir configuration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost-effectivenessVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an auxiliary water reservoir as an intermediary component between the main water source and the ice maker. This auxiliary reservoir contains the filter and uses gravity-fed flow to push filtered water into the main water tank, eliminating the need for expensive pump-based filtration systems while maintaining effective water purification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If tap water is used directly in stand-alone ice makers, then the system remains simple and cost-effective, but ice quality deteriorates due to impurities in the water

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidice quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary filtration action by positioning the filter within the auxiliary water reservoir before water enters the main tank and reaches the ice maker. This preliminary purification removes impurities from tap water in advance, ensuring high-quality ice production while keeping the overall system relatively simple and cost-effective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 system provides high-quality nugget ice by filtering impurities from tap water effectively, reducing costs through reliable and affordable centrifugal pumps.

Implementation Method 1

A filter is disposed within the auxiliary water reservoir. The filter is configured such that water within the auxiliary water reservoir is gravity fed through the filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity-fed filtration: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

A filter may be positioned within the supplemental water reservoir, and the filter may be gravity fed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

A pump, such as a centrifugal pump, may flow water through the stand-alone ice making appliance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal pumping: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS12455104B2Stand-alone ice making appliance with a side tank filter

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A stand-alone ice making appliance, includes a casing. A water tank, an ice maker, and a pump are disposed within the casing. The pump is operable to circulate water from the water tank to the ice maker. An auxiliary water reservoir is disposed outside of the casing. The auxiliary water reservoir is in fluid communication with the water tank such that water within the auxiliary water reservoir is flowable to the water tank. A filter is disposed within the auxiliary water reservoir.