FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure relates generally to ice makers and, more particularly, to a portable and environmentally friendly ice maker configured to deliver ice on-demand.
BACKGROUND
Numerous problems exist with refrigerators having built-in ice makers for producing ice. For example, a user may request ice (e.g., by pressing a button on the inside or outside of the refrigerator) and the refrigerator may only dispense 1 or 2 ice cubes to the user's drinking receptacle. The user may then request additional ice cubes (e.g., by again pressing the button), and this time the refrigerator may deliver 15-20 ice cubes, some of which end up in the user's drinking receptacle and the rest of which end up on the floor. Additionally, these built-in ice makers typically need 45-60 minutes to make a bank of 5-6 ice cubes, which are then stored in, and ultimately delivered from, ice bucket in the refrigerator. However, because many of these known refrigerators periodically run a heater in the freezer compartment to melt any frost build up, the ice cubes stored in the ice bucket will (slightly) melt and then refreeze, causing some or all of the ice cubes in the ice bucket to conjoin with one another, thereby forming large blocks of ice in the ice bucket. These large blocks of ice tend to clog up the ice maker (preventing additional ice cubes from being formed) and often cannot be delivered to the user's receptacle.
Problems also exist with other known ice makers, e.g., counter-top ice makers designed to be located on a user's kitchen counter. First, known counter-top ice makers typically need to be connected to a water line and a source of electricity, severely limiting portability. Second, counter-top ice makers typically need approximately 7-10 minutes to make several, very small ice cubes. Those ice cubes are then stored in an ice bucket, wherein the ice cubes can easily conjoin with another, thereby problematically forming large blocks of ice just as described above. Moreover, it is necessary to retrieve ice from the ice bucket, using, for example, a scoop, a spoon, a small shovel, or the user's hand.
SUMMARY
In accordance with a first exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a portable ice maker configured to deliver ice on demand is provided. The ice maker includes a housing, a reservoir disposed in the housing and adapted to receive water, a freezing chamber disposed in the housing and adapted to be filled with liquid coolant, a reconditioning unit configured to maintain the coolant in liquid form, one or more receptacles disposed in the freezing chamber such that at least a portion of each of the receptacles is surrounded by and in thermal contact with the liquid coolant, a pump disposed in the housing and configured to drive the water from the reservoir to the receptacles, and a control panel disposed on the housing and including a button. The liquid coolant is configured to convert the water in the receptacles into ice, and responsive to actuation of the button, the ice is delivered to an ice dispensing area in the housing.
In accordance with a second exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a portable ice maker configured to deliver ice on demand is provided. The ice maker includes a housing, an ice dispensing area formed in the housing, a reservoir disposed in the housing and adapted to receive water, a freezing chamber disposed in the housing and adapted to be filled with coolant in liquid form, a reconditioning unit coupled to the freezing chamber and configured to maintain the coolant in liquid form, a plurality of cylinders disposed in the freezing chamber such that at least a portion of each of the cylinders is surrounded by and in thermal contact with the coolant in liquid form, and a pump disposed in the housing and configured to drive a pre-determined amount of the water from the reservoir to the plurality of cylinders in the freezing chamber, and a control panel disposed on the housing, the control panel including a button configured to activate the ice maker. Each of the plurality of cylinders has a bottom portion disposed in the freezing chamber and an upper portion disposed outside of the freezing chamber. The coolant in liquid form is configured to convert the water in the plurality of cylinders into ice, and responsive to actuation of the button, the ice is delivered to the ice dispensing area.
In accordance with a third exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a portable ice maker configured to deliver ice on demand is provided. The ice maker includes a housing, an ice dispensing area formed in the housing, a reservoir disposed in the housing and adapted to receive water, a freezing chamber disposed in the housing and adapted to be filled with coolant in liquid form, a reconditioning unit coupled to the freezing chamber and configured to maintain the coolant in liquid form, a plurality of receptacles disposed in the freezing chamber such that at least a portion of each of the receptacles is surrounded by and in thermal contact with the coolant in liquid form, a pump disposed in the housing and configured to drive a pre-determined amount of the water from the reservoir to the plurality of receptacles in the freezing chamber, a delivery chute arranged between and connecting a bottom portion of the freezing chamber and the ice dispensing area, and a control panel disposed on the housing, the control panel including a button configured to activate the ice maker. The coolant in liquid form is configured to convert the water in the plurality of receptacles into ice, and responsive to actuation of the button, the ice is delivered to the ice dispensing area via the delivery chute.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features of this disclosure which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present disclosure may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the several figures, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of a portable ice maker constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the portable ice maker of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the portable ice maker of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a top view of the portable ice maker of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a left side view of the portable ice maker of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a right side view of the portable ice maker of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6, but with a right side of a housing of the portable ice maker of FIG. 1 removed;
FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 5, but with a left side of the housing of the portable ice maker of FIG. 1 removed;
FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 2, but with a front of the housing of the portable ice maker of FIG. 1 removed;
FIG. 10 illustrates a freezing chamber of the portable ice maker of FIG. 1;
FIG. 11A is an exploded view of the freezing chamber of FIG. 10;
FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of one of the receptacles utilized in the freezing chamber of FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 illustrates the components of a reconditioning unit of the portable ice maker of FIG. 1;
FIG. 13 illustrates the inputs to the freezing chamber of FIGS. 10 and 11A; and
FIG. 14 illustrates an underside of the freezing chamber of FIGS. 10 and 11A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure is generally directed to an ice maker that does not suffer from the problems discussed above in connection with known ice makers and reduces water and energy usage (and user frustration). The disclosed ice maker includes a water reservoir, such that the ice maker does not need to be connected to an external source of water (e.g., a water line), and includes a rechargeable battery, such that the ice maker does not need to be connected to an external power source. In turn, the disclosed ice maker is completely portable and, at the very least, is significantly more portable than known portable ice makers. The disclosed ice maker can, for example, be used outside of the kitchen (e.g., while camping, in the backyard, in the car). The disclosed ice maker preferably utilizes a coolant such as liquid nitrogen (which has a very low temperature) that quickly and efficiently converts water from the water reservoir into ice. Thus, the disclosed ice maker is configured to deliver a batch of ice (albeit smaller ice) from the ice maker to a user's drinking receptacle essentially on-demand (e.g., in less than 1 minute, and, more preferably, in less than 30 or 45 seconds, particularly when liquid nitrogen is utilized), unlike known ice makers (which can, for example, take up to an hour). Importantly, the ice maker disclosed is configured to deliver the batch of ice directly to the user's drinking receptacle at the push of a button, such that the ice is delivered in a controlled manner. In other words, the ice maker does not utilize an ice bucket, thereby preventing ice from conjoining and avoiding the clogging problem experienced with known ice makers, as discussed above. The ice maker also obviates the need for a scoop or other means for retrieving ice from the ice maker and delivering the ice to the user's drinking receptacle.
FIGS. 1-14 illustrate one example of a portable ice maker 100 that is constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, the portable ice maker 100 generally includes a housing 104, an ice dispensing area 108, a reservoir 112, a freezing chamber 116, a reconditioning unit 120, a control panel 124, and a rechargeable battery 126 (e.g., a 12V rechargeable battery). In other examples, however, the portable ice maker 100 can include additional, fewer, and/or different components.
Because the ice maker 100 is designed to be completely portable, the housing 104 generally has a small and efficient profile. In this example, the housing 104 has a height HH equal to 14.5 inches (37 cm), a depth DH equal to 14.5 inches, and a width WH equal to 6⅔ inches. In other examples, however, the height HH, the depth DH, or the width WH of the housing 104 can vary as needed. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the housing 104 is defined by a front panel 128, a rear panel 132 opposite the front panel 128, a top panel 136, a bottom panel (not visible, but opposite the top panel 136), a left side panel 140, and a right side panel 144 opposite the left side panel 140. In this example, the front panel 128 includes the control panel 124, though in other examples, the control panel 124 can be positioned elsewhere (e.g., on the top panel 136). As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the control panel 124 includes an ice button 148 configured to activate the ice maker 100 (to produce ice on-demand) as well as plurality of indicators 152 (e.g., LED lights) configured to allow a user of the ice maker 100 to easily identify the status of the ice maker 100. For example, the plurality of indicators can indicate to the user that the portable ice maker 100 is on or off, is connected to an external power source, or needs additional water. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the portable ice maker 100 also includes a dispensing area 156 formed in the front panel 128 of the housing 104. The dispensing area 156 is generally sized to receive a drinking receptacle (e.g., a glass or a cup) such that the portable ice maker 100 can deliver ice directly to the drinking receptacle, obviating the need for an ice bucket or a scoop for the ice bucket. In this example, the dispensing area 156 is a cutout in the housing 104 and has a height HD of 14 cm, a weight WD of 12 cm, and a depth DD of 12 cm. Optionally, the control panel 124 may also include a liquid button configured to cause the ice maker 100 to dispense a liquid (e.g., juice, water, etc.) directly into the drinking receptacle. Moreover, the portable ice maker 100 also includes a handle 159 that is configured to allow the user to carry the ice maker 100 and to move the ice maker 100 between different locations. Further, while not illustrated herein, the portable ice maker 100 may optionally include a plurality of feet (e.g., 4 feet) disposed on the bottom panel in order to help support the portable ice maker 100.
As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the rear panel 132 includes an on/off switch 160 configured to turn the ice maker 100 on or off, as well as a plurality of different water and electrical ports. The rear panel 132 includes a first water port 164 that is configured to be connected to an external source of water (e.g., a water line) when the ice maker 100 is temporarily or permanently positioned near that external source of water. In this example, the first water port 164 has a radius of 1 cm. When the rear panel 132 includes the first water port 164 and the first water port 164 is fluidly connected to the external source of water, water from the external source is directed into the reservoir 112. The rear panel 132 also optionally includes a USB port 168. The USB port 168 allows the user to recharge the rechargeable battery 126 as needed. The USB port 168 also allows a user of the ice maker 100 to, for example, utilize the ice maker 100 to power a consumer electronic device (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet) connected thereto via the USB port 168. The rear panel 132 also includes an electrical port 172 that is configured to connect to an external power source (e.g., a 110V or 220 V power source) for use in recharging the rechargeable battery 126 or powering the ice maker 100 when the ice maker 100 temporarily or permanently positioned near that external power source. The rear panel 132 further includes an electrical switch 176 that allows the user to toggle between 110V and 220V, depending upon the external power source.
As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the top panel 136 includes a second water port 180. The second water port 180 is generally configured to receive water manually provided to the ice maker 100 by the user (e.g., using a drinking receptacle or a faucet). Thus, the second water port 180 is larger (and generally easier to access) than the first water port 164. In this example, the second water port 180 has a diameter of 6 cm. While not illustrated herein, it will be appreciated that the portable ice maker 100 also includes means for removably covering the second water port 180. The means can, for example, take the form of a stopper (e.g., a rubber stopper), a cover, a cap, or the like. The means can be fixedly attached to the top panel 136 or can be independent of the top panel 136. In either case, the means can cover the second water port 180 in order to prevent ingress or egress via the second water port 180, or can be removed from the second water port 180, thereby exposing the second water port 180 and allowing the user to provide water via the second water port 180. As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the left side panel 140 includes an air intake port 184 that allows air to flow into the portable ice maker 100. The left side panel 140 also optionally includes a first product logo 188.
Meanwhile, as best illustrated in FIG. 6, the right side panel 144 includes a cooling fan 192 that helps to cool the inside of the housing 104. The right side panel 144 also optionally includes a second product logo 196. In this example, the second product logo 196 is identical to the first product logo 188, though that need not be the case. Moreover, it will also be appreciated that at least in this example, the right side panel 144 is removable, thereby permitting access to the interior of the housing 104 and facilitating maintenance or replacement of the components of the portable ice maker 100 as needed. In other examples, however, the left side panel 140 can alternatively or additionally be removable.
When the right side panel 144 is removed, the internal components of the portable ice maker 100 are generally arranged in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7. As illustrated in FIG. 7 and in FIG. 8, which depicts the internal components when the portable ice maker 100 is viewed from the left side, the ice dispensing area 156 is formed in the lower, front portion of the housing 104, the reservoir 112 is disposed in the upper, front portion of the housing 104 (at a position above the dispensing area 156 and immediately adjacent the second water port 180), the freezing chamber 116 is disposed in the upper, middle and rear portions of the housing 104 (at a position immediately adjacent the reservoir 112), and both the reconditioning unit 120 and the rechargeable battery 126 are disposed in the lower, rear portion of the housing 104 beneath the freezing chamber 116. While only partially depicted in FIG. 7 (and the remaining FIGS.), it will also be appreciated that the freezing chamber 116 is fluidly coupled to the reservoir 112 via tubing (e.g., copper tubing), the reconditioning unit 120 is also fluidly coupled to the freezing chamber 116 via tubing 198 (e.g., copper tubing), and the freezing chamber 116 is coupled to the dispensing area 156 via a delivery chute 200 that extends between a bottom portion of the freezing chamber 116 and a top portion of the dispensing area 156. As such, the delivery chute 200 extends downward, at an angle, from the bottom portion of the freezing chamber 116 to the top portion of the dispensing area 156. In this example, the delivery chute 200 has a length LC equal to 21 cm and has a bottom end 202 that is disposed within the dispensing area 156.
In this example, the reservoir 112 is a rectangular tank configured to receive and hold water provided via the first water port 164 and/or the second water port 180. The rectangular tank is preferably sized to hold enough water to make approximately three-hundred ice cubes. It will be appreciated that any type of water can be used, though for best results, filtered and distilled water are preferred (as filtered and distilled water will freeze faster). In other examples, however, the tank can have a different shape and/or size. For example, the tank can be smaller or larger in order to make more or fewer ice cubes without having to refill the reservoir 112. In some examples, e.g., when the ice maker 100 includes the liquid button discussed above, the reservoir 112 can be segmented or divided into two sub-reservoirs, one for holding water (to make ice) and one for holding the liquid to be dispensed when the liquid button is actuated.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11A, the freezing chamber 116 is a sealed chamber defined within a box 204 that includes a top portion 204A and a bottom portion 204B coupled (e.g., welded) to the top portion 204A. In this example, the box 204 has a depth DB of 19 cm, a width WB of 10 cm, and a height HB of 5 cm. The box 204 is preferably manufactured using steel and is filled with a non-polluting coolant that is in liquid form. The non-polluting coolant preferably takes the form of nitrogen, as liquid nitrogen has a very cold temperature and is environmentally friendly (unlike coolants like Freon, nitrogen does not harm the Earth's atmosphere). However, the non-polluting coolant may instead take the form of another refrigerant such as R600a or a Freon derivative. In any event, should the non-polluting coolant somehow escape the portable ice maker 100 and into the environment, the coolant will not contribute to global warming or ozone depletion.
The ice maker 100 also generally includes one or more receptacles for receiving water to be frozen from the reservoir 112. The one or more receptacles are generally disposed in the freezing chamber 116 such that at least a portion of each of the receptacles is surrounded by and in thermal contact with the liquid coolant. As also best illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11A, the ice maker 100 in this example includes eight receptacles, each taking the form of a cylinder 208 and divided into two rows of four, eight first apertures 212 formed in the top portion 204A, and eight second apertures 216 formed in the bottom portion 204B. In this example, each cylinder 208 has a height HR equal to 5.6 cm. Each cylinder 208 has a top portion 208A that extends through a respective first aperture 212 formed in the top portion 204A such that the top portion 208A of each cylinder 208 is disposed outside of the box 204 (and, thus, the freezing chamber 116). On the other hand, each cylinder 208 has a bottom portion 208B that is disposed in the box 204 and has an open, bottom end 208C seated in a respective second aperture 216 formed in the bottom portion 204B of the box 204. In turn, and as discussed in greater detail below, when the portable ice maker 100 is in operation, the liquid coolant can quickly freeze any water disposed in the bottom portion 204B of each of the cylinders 208. As best illustrated in FIG. 11B, each cylinder 208 is tapered or flared such that the bottom portion 208B has a larger diameter than the top portion 208A. In one example, the bottom portion 208B has an inner diameter IDB of 2 cm and the top portion 208A has an inner diameter IDT of 1.5 cm. In any event, it will be appreciated that the tapered shape of each cylinder 208 helps to facilitate ejection of ice from the cylinders 208.
The reconditioning unit 120 is coupled to the freezing chamber 116 and is generally configured to maintain the coolant in the freezing chamber 116 in liquid form so that the coolant can freeze water in the receptacles, even when the ice maker 100 is not in use. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the reconditioning unit 120 includes a compressor 220, a condenser 224, and, optionally, a dryer 228. The compressor 220 is coupled to the freezing chamber 116 via an output port 232 formed in the bottom portion 204B of the box 204, such that the compressor 220 is configured to pressurize the coolant leaving the freezing chamber 116 (which will have increased in temperature due to indirect contact with the water from the reservoir 112). The condenser 224 is coupled to and downstream of the compressor 220 such that the condenser 224 cools the coolant after it is pressurized by the compressor 220. The condenser 224 will preferably cool the coolant (nitrogen in this case) to a temperature of −196 degrees Centigrade (or −321 degrees Fahrenheit). When the reconditioning unit 120 includes the dryer 228, as is the case here, the liquid coolant will then pass from the condenser 224 to the (optional) dryer 228. The dryer 228 in turn removes unwanted material such as dirt from the coolant. The dryer 228 is coupled to the freezing chamber 116 via an input port 236 formed in the bottom portion 204B of the box 204, such that the liquid nitrogen passes from the dryer 228 back to the freezing chamber 116. When, however, the reconditioning unit 120 does not include the dryer 228, the liquid coolant will pass from the condenser 224 to the freezing chamber 204 via a similar input port.
As illustrated in FIG. 13, the portable ice maker 100 also includes a pressure relief valve 240, one or more flapper valves 244, and one or more motors 248 (e.g., stepper motor) for controlling the one or more flapper valves 244 via one or more bars 252. The pressure relief valve 240 is formed in the bottom portion 204B of the box 204. Should the compressor 220 fail, in which case the nitrogen in the freezer chamber 116 would become too warm (and change from a liquid to a gas), the compressor 220 is configured to vent nitrogen gas out of the freezer chamber 116 in order to prevent damage to the freezer chamber 116 (and the portable ice maker 100 more generally). The one or more flapper valves 244 are generally configured to selectively seal the one or more receptacles of the ice maker 100. In other words, the number of flapper valves 244 utilized in the ice maker 100 generally corresponds to the number of receptacles utilized in the ice maker. Thus, in this example, the portable ice maker 100 includes eight flapper valves 244 arranged in two rows of four, even though only one aperture 216 and one flapper valve 244 is illustrated in FIG. 13, two motors 248 for controlling the eight flapper valves 244, one motor 248 for each of the rows of four, and two bars 252 connecting one of the motors 248 with one of the rows of flapper valves 244. Each of the flapper valves 244 is movable between a closed position and an open position responsive to movement of a respective bar 252 rotated by one of the motors 248. In the closed position, each flapper valve 244 engages an underside 252 of the freezing chamber 116 and covers a respective second aperture 216 formed in the bottom portion 204B of the box 204, thereby sealing the receptacles. Conversely, in the open position, each flapper valve 244 is spaced from the underside 252 of the freezing chamber 116, thereby exposing the respective second aperture and coupling the receptacles with the delivery chute 200.
As illustrated in FIG. 14, the portable ice maker 100 also includes a water pump 260. The water pump 260 is disposed in the housing 104 and configured to drive a pre-determined amount of water from the reservoir 112 to the one or more receptacles in the freezing chamber 116 via one or more water lines 261. Preferably, the pre-determined amount of water corresponds to a water level equivalent to approximately 40-50% of a length of each of the cylinders 208, though the exact water level can vary. In this example, the water pump 260 is disposed in the reservoir 112 and drives the pre-determined amount of water from the reservoir 112 to the eight cylinders 208 in the freezing chamber 116 via four water lines 261. In other examples, however, the water pump 260 can be disposed outside of the reservoir 112 and/or the water pump 260 can be fluidly coupled to the freezing chamber 116 via a different number of water lines. Optionally, the portable ice maker 100 can also include an air pump 264 fluidly connected to the cylinders 208 via one or more air lines 263. In this example, the air pump 264 is fluidly connected to the top portions 208A of the cylinders 208 via four air lines 263. In other examples, however, the air pump 264 can be connected to the cylinders 208 in a different manner. In any event, when the portable ice maker 100 includes the air pump 264, the air pump 264 is configured to supply compressed air via the one or more air lines 263, which in turn helps to empty out the cylinders 208 by pushing ice from the cylinders 208 down the delivery chute 200.
Additionally, while not illustrated herein, the portable ice maker 100 also includes a controller and one or more sensors communicatively connected to the controller 300 to provide feedback to the controller. The controller takes the form of a programmable logic controller that is communicatively connected (via a wired or wireless connection) to the reconditioning unit 120, the control panel 124, the motors, the water pump 260, and the air pump 264 (if included) to control operation of the portable ice maker 100. Meanwhile, the one or more sensors may include one or more pressure sensors, one or more temperature sensors, one or more water level sensors, and/or other sensors positioned inside and/or outside of the housing 104. For example, each of the cylinders 208 may be equipped with a water level sensor configured to inform the controller when that cylinder 208 has been filled with the pre-determined amount of water. As another example, the portable ice maker 100 may be equipped with a sensor for detecting the charge level of the rechargeable battery 126.
When the portable ice maker 100 is on and the user requests ice from the portable ice maker 100 by actuating the ice button 148 on the control panel 124, the portable ice maker 100 delivers a batch of ice directly to the dispensing area 156 in a matter of 30-60 seconds. First, the controller causes the water pump 260 to drive the pre-determined amount of water from the reservoir 112 to the eight cylinders 208 in the freezing chamber 116, thereby at least partially filling each of the cylinders 208. The liquid coolant in the freezer chamber 116 rapidly freezes the pre-determined amount of water in the eight cylinders 208 without actually directly contacting the water in the eight cylinders 208 (as the water is fluidly isolated from the liquid coolant via the cylinders 208). Once the liquid coolant in the freezing chamber 116 completely converts the water in the eight cylinders 208 into ice (in this case, a batch of eight ice cubes), the controller rotates the bars 252 via the motors 248 such that the flapper valves 244 move from the closed position to the open position. With the flapper valves 244 in the open position, the ice in the eight cylinders 208 falls or drops out of the cylinders 208 (helped by the tapered shape of the cylinders 208) and the freezer chamber 116 and into the delivery chute 200 positioned immediately adjacent the underside 240 of the freezer chamber 116. The delivery chute 200 subsequently directs the batch of ice into the dispensing area 156 for direct delivery to the user's drinking receptacle positioned therein.
It will be appreciated that the portable ice maker 100 can be used to produce additional batches of ice using the same steps discussed in the preceding paragraph, so long as the reservoir 112 includes sufficient water. For example, the portable ice maker 100 can, upon request, be used to produce three total batches of ice (24 ice cubes), all within a matter of minutes. It will also be appreciated that the portable ice maker 100 uses very little power in operation, such that the ice maker 100 can be unplugged and carried to and utilized in one or more other locations using power from the rechargeable battery 126.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.
Patent Application
20230139820
