Temperature regulating features for a refrigerator icebox
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Solution Overview
Problem
Door-mounted icemakers in refrigerators typically produce poor-quality ice due to being maintained at too low a temperature, leading to poor harvest reliability and consumer dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator appliance with a door-mounted craft icemaker that includes a heat source, such as an induction coil or resistive heater, mounted to the cabinet and thermally coupled to the icemaker, allowing for temperature regulation to produce high-quality craft ice.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the door-mounted icemaker is positioned within the freezer compartment, then the icemaker is maintained at a low temperature, but this results in poor ice quality, poor harvest reliability, and consumer dissatisfaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the thermal management system into two independent parts: a first heat transfer system for the standard icebox and a second heat transfer system for the craft icebox. This segmentation allows each icebox to be controlled at its optimal temperature independently, resolving the contradiction between low temperature maintenance and reliable ice harvesting for craft ice.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different thermal conditions to different locations: the standard icebox remains at typical freezer temperatures while the craft icebox is maintained at elevated temperatures (above 20°F). This local differentiation of thermal properties allows each zone to optimize its ice-making function without compromising the other.
2Temperature
If the door-mounted icemaker is positioned within the freezer compartment, then the icemaker is maintained at a low temperature, but this results in poor ice quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the thermal management system into two independent parts: a first heat transfer system for the standard icebox and a second heat transfer system for the craft icebox. This segmentation allows each icebox to be controlled at its optimal temperature independently, resolving the contradiction between low temperature maintenance and reliable ice harvesting for craft ice.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different thermal conditions to different locations: the standard icebox remains at typical freezer temperatures while the craft icebox is maintained at elevated temperatures (above 20°F). This local differentiation of thermal properties allows each zone to optimize its ice-making function without compromising the other.
3Temperature
If a heat source is mounted to the cabinet and thermally coupled to the icemaker, then the icemaker temperature can be elevated, but wiring through the door hinge becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat transfer mechanism from electrical wiring dependencies by utilizing the door's movement itself to control thermal coupling. The heat source remains mounted to the cabinet, and thermal coupling occurs automatically when the door is closed, eliminating the need for wiring through the door hinge while maintaining temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the door's own movement to control the thermal coupling between the heat source and the craft icebox. When the door closes, the heat source automatically thermally couples with the icebox; when the door opens, the coupling is broken. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates complex wiring requirements.
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
Maintains the icemaker at an elevated temperature to produce high-quality craft ice, improving ice quality and reliability, and eliminating the need for costly wiring through the door hinge.
Implementation Method 1
the oscillating magnetic field generated by the induction coil 210 induces eddy currents in a conductive material
Implementation Method 2
induces eddy currents in a conductive material, which generates heat
Implementation Method 3
a heat source, such as an induction coil or resistive heater, mounted to the cabinet and thermally coupled to the icemaker
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining a chilled chamber, a heat source mounted to the cabinet, and a door being rotatably mounted to the cabinet to provide selective access to the chilled chamber, the door at least defining an icebox and an access port, the access port being aligned with the heat source when the door is in a closed position.