Thermoelectric Ice Tray Cooling for Clear Ice Formation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ice making processes result in cloudy ice cubes due to trapped air, which affects taste and appearance, and existing methods for producing clear ice are costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

An ice making apparatus utilizing a thermoelectric device with a cold side coupled to the bottom of an ice tray and an air movement device to circulate air, transferring heat from the hot side to the top of the tray, creating a thermal gradient that allows trapped gases to escape, thereby producing clear ice without the need for a drain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional freezing process is used, then ice cubes are formed quickly, but trapped air makes the ice cloudy in appearance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice clarityVSAvoidfreezing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-cooling the ice tray bottom surface before water is added, and maintaining this cold surface throughout the freezing process. This preliminary cooling action prepares the surface to rapidly absorb heat from the water, enabling both clear ice formation and faster freezing by creating immediate thermal contact between the cold surface and water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating the cooling function at the bottom surface of the ice tray only, rather than cooling the entire ice maker chamber. The thermoelectric device creates a localized cold zone at the tray bottom, which directs freezing to occur from the bottom upward, allowing trapped air to escape while maintaining fast freezing speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If costly processing techniques are used to produce clear ice, then ice clarity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice clarityVSAvoidprocessing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by designing a system where the thermoelectric device serves dual functions: it cools the water to freeze it and simultaneously heats the air above the water to facilitate air circulation and bubble removal. The heat generated on the hot side of the thermoelectric device is reused to warm the air, eliminating the need for separate heating elements or complex drainage systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical drainage systems and agitation mechanisms with a thermoelectric-based thermal field control system. Instead of using mechanical means to remove air bubbles or drain water, the invention uses controlled thermal gradients created by the thermoelectric device to naturally guide air escape and achieve clear ice formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If thermoelectric device is used to cool bottom surface, then clear ice is produced, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice clarityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies discarding and recovering by capturing the waste heat generated on the hot side of the thermoelectric device and using it to warm the air in the ice maker chamber. This recovered heat facilitates air circulation and helps evaporate moisture from the ice surface, improving ice clarity without requiring additional energy input for heating or drying functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 apparatus effectively produces clear ice by directional solidification, ensuring trapped gases are released before solidification, resulting in clear ice cubes with improved taste and appearance without the need for costly processing techniques.

Implementation Method 1

a thermoelectric device having a cold side and a hot side, the cold side thermally coupled to a bottom portion of the ice tray

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

An air movement device is configured to circulate air within the interior volume such that the air transfers heat from the hot side of the thermoelectric device to an upper portion of the ice tray

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

creating a thermal gradient that allows trapped gases to escape, thereby producing clear ice

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 4

The heat pump is configured to expel heat away from the bottom surface and freeze water in the ice tray

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS10184708B2Use of thermoelectric elements for clear ice making, ice harvesting, and creating a temperature condition for clear ice making

Publication Date: 2019.01.22 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

An ice making apparatus for an appliance includes a housing that has an interior volume and an ice tray horizontally suspended across the interior volume that is configured to retain water. The ice making apparatus also includes a heat pump thermally coupled to a bottom surface of the ice tray. The heat pump is configured to freeze water in the ice tray and expel heat. A heat transfer device is configured to move heat expelled by the heat pump to an upper portion of the interior volume.