Transparent ice manufacturing system and method for manufacturing transparent ice by using the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transparent ice manufacturing systems are inefficient, requiring complex processes and high energy consumption, leading to increased manufacturing time and material waste, as they produce opaque ice first and then convert it into transparent ice by carving, crushing, and forming, which results in unnecessary parts being discarded.
Innovation Solution
A transparent ice manufacturing system that includes a reservoir tank, a mold with a cavity for forming ice directly into the desired shape, and a fluid circulation system for continuous freezing and bubble removal, reducing the need for post-processing steps and minimizing material waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional transparent ice manufacturing system freezes large capacity water at once to produce opaque ice, then large capacity ice is obtained, but manufacturing time increases and energy consumption increases due to complex post-processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by pre-cooling the mold before filling water, and by designing the mold with specific thermal characteristics that enable direct transparent ice formation. The mold is cooled to a predetermined temperature before water is introduced, and the cooling part is activated during freezing to maintain optimal temperature gradients, eliminating the need for subsequent carving and forming operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes key parameters including mold temperature (cooled to specific ranges), cooling rate (controlled through cooling part), and water filling conditions (filled after mold cooling). These parameter changes enable direct formation of transparent ice with desired shape, avoiding opaque ice formation that requires post-processing.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional system uses carving, crushing, and forming to convert opaque ice to transparent ice, then transparent ice pieces are obtained, but raw materials are wasted due to discarded unnecessary parts
Solution Approach 1:
The mold is designed with the final desired shape of transparent ice and is pre-cooled before water filling. The cooling part is activated during the freezing process to maintain temperature gradients that promote transparent ice formation from the start, eliminating the need for subsequent carving and forming operations that would waste material.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the mold and cooling part to automatically form transparent ice with the desired shape directly during the freezing process. The controlled cooling conditions and mold design work together to produce ready-to-use transparent ice pieces without requiring additional post-processing steps.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional system freezes water containing impurities and air, then opaque ice is formed, but transparent ice cannot be obtained without complex processing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameters during freezing by pre-cooling the mold and activating the cooling part during the process. These parameter changes create optimal conditions for transparent ice formation, allowing the system to produce high-quality transparent ice even from water containing some impurities and air, while maintaining process simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold is pre-cooled to a predetermined temperature before water is filled, and the cooling part is activated during the freezing process. This preliminary cooling action creates the necessary temperature gradients that promote transparent ice formation, simplifying the overall process compared to conventional methods that require multiple post-processing steps.
4Shape
If conventional system uses multiple post-processing steps to form transparent ice shapes, then desired shapes are achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mold is designed with various cavity shapes and is pre-cooled before water filling. The cooling part is activated during freezing to maintain optimal temperature gradients, enabling direct formation of transparent ice in various desired shapes without requiring subsequent carving, crushing, or forming operations, thus reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold serves multiple functions: it contains the water, provides the final shape through its cavity design, and works with the cooling part to control the freezing process for transparent ice formation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate post-processing equipment and operations, reducing overall energy consumption.
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
This system simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces energy consumption, and enhances efficiency by directly forming transparent ice in the desired shape, thereby shortening production time and conserving raw materials.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling part that cools one area of the mold to manufacture ice while freezing the liquid from the one area to an opposite area of the mold
Implementation Method 2
a fluid circulation part provided between the reservoir tank and the mold, and that circulates the liquid between the reservoir tank and the cavity while the liquid is frozen in the cavity
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a transparent ice manufacturing system including a reservoir tank, in which a liquid is stored, a mold having a cavity, in which the liquid supplied from the reservoir tank is filled to form ice, a cooling part that cools one area of the mold to manufacture ice while freezing the liquid from the one area to an opposite area of the mold, and a fluid circulation part provided between the reservoir tank and the mold, and that circulates the liquid between the reservoir tank and the cavity while the liquid is frozen in the cavity.