Stand-alone ice making appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stand-alone ice makers lack transparency and accessibility for ice storage, making it difficult to determine the amount of ice available and to remove ice, especially when it melts, due to condensation and insulation issues, and they can become heavy and cumbersome when full.
Innovation Solution
A stand-alone ice making appliance with a transparent insulated container that can be removed and positioned in various ways, including tilting, and a selective sealing system with a plug for the drain aperture to manage melted ice, allowing easy access and reuse of water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a removable bucket is used for ice storage, then ice can be easily removed, but the system becomes heavy and difficult to remove when filled with ice
Solution Approach 1:
The ice storage system is divided into two separate components: a stationary insulated housing that remains fixed to the appliance, and a removable tray that holds the ice. This segmentation allows the heavy insulated structure to stay fixed while only the lighter tray needs to be removed for ice access, resolving the contradiction between ease of removal and weight.
2Temperature
If insulation is added to maintain ice temperature, then ice storage efficiency improves, but visibility of ice quantity deteriorates due to condensation and insulation barriers
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is provided with a transparent window in its sidewall, creating a localized transparent viewing area. This allows users to see the ice quantity through the insulated wall without compromising the overall insulation integrity. The window provides visual information while the rest of the housing maintains thermal insulation to keep ice cold.
3Temperature
If a stationary insulated housing is used, then ice storage efficiency improves, but accessibility and visibility of ice quantity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a fixed insulated housing and a removable tray. The housing provides stationary insulation for temperature maintenance, while the tray can be easily removed from the housing to access ice. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing the insulated structure to remain fixed while enabling easy ice retrieval through tray removal.
4Adaptability or versatility
If stand-alone ice maker is used, then independence from refrigerator system is achieved, but ice production capacity and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ice maker is designed with a universal water connection system that can accept water from multiple sources including direct plumbing connections or portable water containers. This multi-functionality allows the stand-alone ice maker to operate independently from refrigerator systems while maintaining ice production capability through alternative water supply methods.
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 appliance provides clear visibility of ice storage, easy access to ice, and efficient handling of melted ice, maintaining nugget ice at ambient temperatures above freezing, ensuring convenient and cost-effective operation.
Implementation Method 1
The container may include an insulated sidewall positioned across the primary opening and at least partially defining a storage volume to receive ice from the ice maker
Implementation Method 2
The pump may be in fluid communication with the storage volume of the water tank to actively flow water therefrom
Implementation Method 3
The ice maker may in fluid communication with the storage volume of the water tank to receive water therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
A stand-alone ice making appliance is provided. The stand-alone ice making appliance may include an outer casing, a water tank, a pump, an ice maker, and a container. The outer casing may define an internal cavity that includes a primary opening. The water tank may define a storage volume to receive water. The pump may be in fluid communication with the storage volume of the water tank to actively flow water therefrom. The ice maker may in fluid communication with the storage volume of the water tank to receive water therefrom. The container may be disposed within the internal cavity. The container may include an insulated sidewall positioned across the primary opening and at least partially defining a storage volume to receive ice from the ice maker.