Water circulation for ice maker in water dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
In drainless water dispensers with ice makers, stagnant water leads to mineral buildup, potentially causing system failure due to the lack of circulation in the ice maker.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a reservoir tank, dispense pump, ice making valve, melt pump, and controller to circulate water through the ice maker, allowing for selective fluid communication and periodic drainage to prevent mineral buildup by recycling melt water and periodically draining the ice maker.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the ice maker is fed by a reservoir tank with no connection to the pump or ice tank other than to deliver finished ice, then the system can operate as a drainless unit, but water ends up sitting stagnant in the ice maker causing mineral buildup and potential system failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ice maker into the water circulation loop by connecting it between the reservoir tank and the pump inlet. This integration allows the ice maker to receive water from the reservoir and return meltwater to the circulation system, combining the ice-making function with the water recycling function to eliminate stagnant water while maintaining drainless operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes continuous water circulation through the ice maker by positioning it in the circulation loop. Water continuously flows from the reservoir tank through the ice maker and back to the pump, ensuring that water never sits stagnant in the ice maker, thereby preventing mineral buildup while maintaining uninterrupted ice production.
2Reliability
If water is circulated through the ice maker continuously, then mineral buildup is prevented, but additional components and control mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the ice maker multi-functional by giving it dual roles: (1) producing ice from water supplied by the reservoir tank, and (2) serving as a water circulation component that returns meltwater to the pump inlet. This eliminates the need for separate circulation pumps or valves specifically for preventing mineral buildup, as the ice maker itself performs the circulation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice maker serves itself by using its own meltwater output as the circulation medium. The meltwater naturally returns to the reservoir tank and is重新pumped through the ice maker, creating a self-sustaining circulation loop that prevents mineral buildup without requiring external intervention or additional active components.
3Reliability
If the ice making valve is left open continuously to allow water circulation, then water flows through the ice maker, but water may be wasted when ice is not being made
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the ice making valve dynamic by controlling its opening and closing based on ice-making status. The valve opens to allow water circulation when ice is being made and closes when ice production is complete or paused, adapting the water flow to the actual operational needs of the ice maker and preventing unnecessary water waste while maintaining circulation during active operation.
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
Prevents mineral buildup in the ice maker by continuously circulating and recycling water, reducing the risk of system failure and maintaining efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
activate the dispense pump to move water from the reservoir tank toward the spigot
Implementation Method 2
activate the melt pump to move water from the melt tray toward the reservoir
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator and an auger to form and move ice
Data Source
AI summary
A water-dispensing device includes a reservoir tank, a dispense pump, one or more dispense valves, a spigot in selective fluid communication with the reservoir tank via at least the dispense pump and the dispense valves, an ice maker, an ice making, and an ice tank. The ice tank includes a melt tray in fluid communication with the ice maker. A melt pump is connected between the melt tray and the reservoir tank. A controller is configured to, upon receiving a signal to perform a water dispensing operation: (a) open one of the one or more dispense valves, (b) activate the dispense pump to move water from the reservoir tank toward the spigot, (c) if the ice making valve is not open, open the ice making valve, and (d) activate the melt pump to move water from the melt tray toward the reservoir.