ICE-MAKING SYSTEM, WHICH CONTROLS ICE HARDNESS

Abstract

An ice-making system that can produce ice pellets and can control the hardness of the ice pellets. For example, the ice-making system can include a housing defining an ice-making chamber. The housing can receive liquid. The ice-making system can further include a heat exchange system that can freeze the liquid in the housing to produce ice. The ice-making system can also include an extrusion head coupled with the housing. The extrusion head can include a plurality of openings that can receive the ice. Additionally, the ice-making system can include an auger positioned in a center of the housing. The auger can move the ice toward the extrusion head. The ice-making system can further include a heating element positioned proximate and external the extrusion head. A temperature of the heating element can be based on a preselected ice hardness level.

Claims

1. An ice-making system for a household appliance, comprising: a housing defining an ice-making chamber to receive liquid; an extrusion head coupled with the housing, the extrusion head comprising a plurality of openings configured to receive ice; and a heating element positioned proximate and external to the extrusion head to heat the extrusion head at a temperature that is based on a preselected ice hardness level.

2. The ice-making system of claim 1, further comprising: a heat exchange system configured to produce the ice from the liquid in the ice-making chamber; and an auger positioned in the housing and configured to move the ice toward the extrusion head.

3. The ice-making system of claim 2, further comprising a motor and gear box assembly configured to rotate the auger, wherein a component of the motor and gear box traverses the extrusion head and is coupled with the auger.

4. The ice-making system of claim 3, wherein the temperature is a first temperature and wherein the ice-making system further comprises a controller configured to, based on the preselected ice hardness level, transmit a first signal to a motor of the motor and gear box assembly to control a rotations per minute (RPM) of the auger, transmit a second signal to a liquid fill assembly to control a volume of liquid received by the housing, transmit a third signal to the heating element to control the first temperature at which the heating element heats the extrusion head, and transmit a fourth signal to the heat exchange system to control a second temperature of the housing.

5. The ice-making system of claim 1, further comprising an ice breaker coupled with a protrusion of the extrusion head, wherein the protrusion comprises a screw thread, and wherein the ice breaker is rotatable about the screw thread to adjust a position of the ice breaker relative to a surface of the extrusion head.

6. The ice-making system of claim 1, wherein the housing is a first housing, and wherein the ice-making system further comprises a second housing, wherein the first housing and the extrusion head are positioned within the second housing.

7. The ice-making system of claim 1, further comprising a tank and an inlet line, wherein the inlet line is coupled with an outlet of the tank and an inlet of the housing, and wherein the inlet line is configured to transfer the liquid from the tank to the housing.

8. The ice-making system of claim 1, wherein the heating element is a first heating element and the temperature is a first temperature, and wherein the system further comprises a second heating element configured to prevent a system failure associated with the ice-making system and to heat the housing at a second temperature that is based on the preselected ice hardness level.

9. A household appliance comprising: an ice storage compartment; an ice-making system, the ice-making system comprising: a housing defining an ice-making chamber to receive liquid; an extrusion head coupled with the housing, the extrusion head comprising a plurality of openings configured to receive ice; and a heating element configured to prevent a system failure associated with the ice-making system and to heat the housing at a temperature that is based on a preselected ice hardness level.

10. The household appliance of claim 9, wherein the ice-making system further comprises: a heat exchange system configured to produce the ice from the liquid in the ice-making chamber; and an auger positioned in the housing and configured to move the ice toward the extrusion head.

11. The household appliance of claim 10, wherein the ice-making system further comprises a motor and gear box assembly configured to rotate the auger, wherein a component of the motor and gear box traverses the extrusion head and is coupled with the auger.

12. The household appliance of claim 11, wherein the temperature is a first temperature, and wherein the ice-making system further comprises a controller configured to, based on the preselected ice hardness level, transmit a first signal to a motor of the motor and gear box assembly to control a rotations per minute (RPM) of the auger, transmit a second signal to a liquid fill assembly to control a volume of the liquid received by the housing, transmit a third signal to the heating element to control the first temperature at which the heating element heats the extrusion head, and transmit a fourth signal to a heat exchange system to control a second temperature of the housing.

13. The household appliance of claim 9, wherein heating element is a first heating element and the temperature is a first temperature, and wherein the ice-making system further comprises a second heating element positioned proximate and external to the extrusion head to heat the extrusion head at a second temperature that is based on the preselected ice hardness level.

14. The household appliance of claim 9, wherein the ice-making system further comprises an ice breaker coupled with a protrusion of the extrusion head, wherein the protrusion comprises a screw thread, and wherein the ice breaker is rotatable about the screw thread to adjust a position of the ice breaker relative to a surface of the extrusion head.

15. The household appliance of claim 9, wherein the housing is a first housing, and wherein the ice-making system further comprises a second housing, wherein the first housing and the extrusion head are positioned within the second housing.

16. The household appliance of claim 9, further comprising a tank and an inlet line, wherein the inlet line is coupled with an outlet of the tank and an inlet of the housing, and wherein the inlet line is configured to transfer the liquid from the tank to the housing.

17. The household appliance of claim 9, wherein the household appliance is a refrigerator.

18. A method for producing ice pellets based on a preselected ice hardness level, the method comprising: receiving, at a housing defining an ice-making chamber, liquid; producing ice from the liquid in the housing using a heat exchange system associated with the housing; heating an extrusion head coupled with the housing using a heating element positioned proximate and external to the extrusion head, wherein a temperature to which the extrusion head is heated by the heating element is based on the preselected ice hardness level; receiving the ice at a plurality of openings of the extrusion head, wherein the ice is moved to the plurality of openings by an auger positioned in the housing; and forming the ice pellets by movement of the ice through the plurality of openings of the heated extrusion head.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: rotating the auger using a component of a motor and gear box assembly configured to rotate the auger, wherein the component of the motor and gear box traverses the extrusion head and is coupled with the auger.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the temperature is a first temperature, and wherein the method further comprises: transmitting, by a controller and based on the preselected ice hardness level, a first signal to a motor of the motor and gear box assembly to control a rotations per minute (RPM) of the auger, a second signal to a liquid fill assembly to control a volume of the liquid received by the housing, a third signal to the heating element to control the first temperature at which the heating element heats the extrusion head, and a fourth signal to a heat exchange system to control a second temperature of the housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 depicts an example of a household appliance that can include an ice-making system according to some examples of the present disclosure.

[0007] FIG. 2 depicts another example of the household appliance that can include the ice-making system according to some examples of the present disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the household appliance that can include the ice-making system according to some examples of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 4 depicts an example of an ice-making system for controlling ice hardness according to some examples of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 5 depicts a side view of an ice-making system for controlling ice hardness according to some examples of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of an ice-making system for controlling ice hardness according to some examples of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 7 depicts a cross-sectional view of the ice-making system for controlling ice hardness according to some examples of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of an extrusion head for an ice-making system according to some examples of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of a tank for an ice-making system according to some examples of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 10 depicts a cross-sectional view of a tank for an ice-making system according to some examples of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of a housing for an ice-making system according to some examples of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of an auger for an ice-making system according to some examples of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 13 depicts a flow chart of a process for producing ice pellets based on a preselected ice hardness level according to some examples of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Certain aspects and examples of the present disclosure relate an ice-making system for controlling ice hardness. The ice-making system can be positioned in a refrigeration appliance, which may be an ice-making refrigeration appliance having an automatic ice maker. Some aspects relate to an ice-making system that includes a heating element. The heating element can be positioned around a circumference or within an extrusion head of the ice-making system. The heating element can heat the extrusion head. Adjusting a temperature of the heating element can affect a hardness of ice formed through openings in the extrusion head.

[0020] The ice-making system can further include an adjustable ice breaker for cutting ice formed through the openings in the extrusion head into ice pellets. For example, the ice breaker may be coupled with a screw thread protruding from the extrusion head. A height of the ice breaker with respect to the extrusion head can be adjusted by rotating the ice breaker to move it along the screw thread. As a result, a length of ice pellets produced by the ice-making system can be controlled. By controlling ice hardness and length, ice pellets can be produced based on user preferences. For example, small, chewable (e.g., soft) ice, large, chewable ice, or non-chewable (e.g., hard) ice can be produced by the ice-making system.

[0021] Some users may prefer ice that is significantly softer than a standard ice cube. It may be difficult to control ice hardness such that a single ice-making system can produce ice of varying hardness according to user preferences. In particular, the low temperatures of freezer compartments in refrigeration appliances can prevent production of chewable ice. Additionally, components of the ice-making systems may freeze and compress ice in a consistent manner, thereby preventing variability in ice hardness and size. To produce ice of varying size or hardness, the components of ice making systems may be interchangeable. But, interchangeable components can be difficult to use and there can be an increased risk of damage to the components during removal or placement. Additionally, to create the interchangeable components, additional manufacturing steps may be used and a complexity of manufacturing each component can be increased.

[0022] Embodiments of the present disclosure can solve one or more of the abovementioned problems via an ice-making system for controlling ice hardness. For example, the ice-making system can include a heating element positioned external and adjacent to an extrusion head. The heating element can heat the extrusion head, which can increase a temperature at which the ice is formed as it is pushed through and compressed at openings of the extrusion head. When the extrusion head is at a higher temperature, the ice-making system can produce softer ice than when the extrusion head is not heated or is kept at a lower temperature. Additionally, a motor can cause an auger within the ice-making system to rotate. An increase in auger rotation speed (e.g., auger rotations per minute (RPM)) can increase a hardness of ice produced by the ice-making system. A water fill system can also provide a particular water volume to the ice-making system. By increasing a volume of water in the ice-making system, ice hardness can be increased. A temperature of the ice-making system can also affect ice hardness. For example, maintaining the ice-making system at a higher temperature can result in the ice-making system producing softer ice. By adjusting extrusion head temperature, water volume, ice-making system temperature, and auger speed, an ice-making system can be provided that can produce ice of varying hardness without additional or interchangeable components.

[0023] Further, a motor and gear box assembly can be positioned next to or above a top side of the ice-making system, which can be outside of an area in which moisture from the ice-making system may leak (e.g., below an ice-making chamber). This positioning can decrease a risk of damage to the motor and gear box assembly, which in turn can increase an operational life of a motor or other components within the motor and gear box assembly.

[0024] Although pieces of ice produced by an ice-making system according to various aspects are referred to as ice pellets or ice cubes, this can refer to other shapes of ice beyond pellet or cuboid shapes. For example, ice pellets may be produced in cylindrical shapes, accordion shapes, button shapes, conical shapes, round dimple shapes, donut shapes, square shapes, pyramid shapes, bar shapes, or any other suitable shape.

[0025] Illustrative examples are given to introduce the reader to the general subject matter discussed herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed concepts. The following sections describe various additional features and examples with reference to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements, and directional descriptions are used to describe the illustrative aspects, but, like the illustrative aspects, should not be used to limit the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 1 depicts a household appliance 100 that can include an ice-making system according to some examples of the present disclosure. The household appliance 100 can be a freezer, a refrigerator, or a combination thereof. For example, the household appliance 100 can include a first compartment 102 defining a refrigeration space and a second compartment 104 defining a freezer space. The first compartment 102 and the second compartment 104 may be arranged in various orientations, such as the first compartment 102 positioned above the second compartment 104 as depicted in FIG. 1. In another example, the first compartment 102 may be positioned side by side or below the second compartment 104, or in any other suitable arrangement. The first compartment 102 or the second compartment 104 may include an ice-making system. Additionally, the household appliance can include an ice dispensing system, which may receive ice from the ice-making system and dispense the ice from the household appliance. For example, as depicted in FIG. 1, an ice dispensing system 108 can be integrated within a door 106 of the household appliance 100.

[0027] FIG. 2 depicts another example of the household appliance 100 that can include the ice-making system 202 according to some examples of the present disclosure. As shown, the ice-making system 202 can be positioned in the first compartment 102. In other examples, the ice-making system 202 can be positioned elsewhere in the first compartment 102 or in the second compartment 104. The household appliance 100 can include shelves 204a-f and drawers 206a-c, which may be used for storing items (e.g., food and beverages) in the household appliance 100.

[0028] FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the household appliance 100 that can include the ice-making system 202 according to some examples of the present disclosure. The ice-making system 202 can include at least a first housing 304, a motor and gear box assembly 308, and a tank 306. The motor and gear box assembly 308 can be positioned on a side or above the first housing 304 to minimize contact of the motor and gear box assembly 308 with excess liquid (e.g., water) from the first housing 304. In this way, a likelihood of damage to a motor 310 or other components of the motor and gear box assembly 308 can be minimized, enabling the motor 310 or other components to work more effectively and for a greater length of time.

[0029] The first housing 304 can include additional components of the ice-making system 202 such as a second housing defining an ice-making chamber, an extrusion head (e.g., extrusion head 800 depicted in FIG. 8), and an auger (e.g., auger 1200 depicted in FIG. 12). The additional components are described below with respect to FIGS. 5-12. Additionally, as illustrated, a backside of the door 106 can include an ice chute 312. The ice chute 312 can be part of the ice dispensing system 108 depicted in FIG. 1. The ice chute 312 can be an opening defined in the door 106 that can receive the ice produced by the ice-making system 202. The ice chute 312 may lead to an opening in a front side of the door 106 through which ice can be dispensed from the household appliance 100.

[0030] FIG. 4 depicts an example of the ice-making system 202 for controlling ice hardness according to some examples of the present disclosure. The ice-making system 202 can include at least a motor and gear box assembly 308 and a tank 306. The ice-making system 202 can also include a storage compartment 402. Ice pellets produced by components of the ice-making system 202 (e.g., by an auger, extrusion head, and ice breaker) can be stored in the storage compartment 402. The storage compartment 402 can have a temperature around 3 or 2 degrees Celsius. The temperature of the storage compartment 402 may be different from a temperature of a compartment (e.g., the first compartment 102) of the household appliance 100 in which the ice-making system 202 is positioned. For example, if the compartment of the household appliance 100 is a freezer compartment, the temperature of the storage compartment 402 can be greater than the temperature of the freezer compartment. In contrast, if the compartment of the household appliance 100 is a refrigeration compartment, the temperature of the storage compartment 402 can be less than the temperature of the refrigeration compartment.

[0031] FIG. 5 depicts a side view of an example of the ice-making system 500 for controlling ice hardness according to some examples of the present disclosure. The ice-making system 500 can correspond to the ice-making system 202 depicted in FIGS. 2-4. The ice-making system 500 can include a first housing 502 in which at least some of the components of the ice-making system 500 can be positioned. For example, the first housing 502 can include a second housing defining an ice-making chamber. Additionally, in some examples, an ice breaker 504, an extrusion head 506, an auger, a cooling tube 508, or a combination thereof can be at least partially positioned within the first housing 502.

[0032] A motor and gear box assembly 512 can be connected to one or more components within the first housing 502. For example, a motor 514 (e.g., a shaded pole motor or other suitable type of motor) of the motor and gear box assembly 512 can traverse the extrusion head 506 and be coupled with the auger. As a result of being coupled with the auger, the motor 514 can cause the auger to rotate. Rotation of the auger within the first housing 502 can generate ice shavings and can move the ice shavings towards and through openings in the extrusion head 506. As the ice shavings are pushed through the openings, the ice shavings can be compacted to produce ice cubes. The ice cubes can then be broken into pieces of ice (e.g., ice pellets) by the ice breaker 504. In some examples, a sweeping mechanism 528 can be coupled with the ice breaker and rotate about the ice breaker. In doing so, the sweeping mechanism 528 can push the pieces of ice into a storage compartment (e.g., storage compartment 402) associated with the ice-making system.

[0033] The ice-making system 500 can further include a liquid fill assembly 516, which can control a volume of liquid (e.g., water) entering the tank 510. The tank 510 can also be part of the ice-making system 500 and can store liquid to be used in ice production. The tank 510 can include a slot under a removable cap 518 and an outlet 520. The slot can provide an opening for inserting a descaling tablet or other suitable cleaning means into the tank 510. Additionally, to transport liquid from the tank 510 to the first housing 502, an inlet line 522 can be connected to the outlet 520 of the tank 510 to an inlet 524 of the first housing 502.

[0034] The ice-making system 500 can also include one or more (e.g., two) heat exchange systems in series, which can include at least the cooling tube 508 and an evaporator 526. The cooling tube 508 can work to freeze liquid in the ice-making system 500. For example, the cooling tube 508 can carry refrigerant to the first housing 502. As illustrated, the first housing 502 can include an inlet through which the cooling tube 508 can enter. Simultaneously, the cooling tube 508 can carry refrigerant to the evaporator 526. As a result of refrigerant passing through the cooling tube 508 which is in contact with the evaporator, the temperature of the first housing 502 and a storage compartment (e.g., storage compartment 402) can be below freezing.

[0035] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of an ice-making system 600 for controlling ice hardness according to some examples of the present disclosure. The ice-making system 600 can correspond to the ice-making system 202 depicted in FIGS. 2-4. The ice-making system 600 can include a first housing 610 in which at least some of the components of the ice-making system 600 can be positioned. For example, a second housing defining an ice-making chamber, an auger, and cooling tube 606 can be at least partially positioned within the first housing 610.

[0036] The ice-making system 600 can include a motor and gear box assembly 601, which can include a motor 604, a gear box 602, and a rod 620. The rod 620 can traverse an extrusion head 616 and can be coupled with an auger within the first housing 610. The motor 604 can rotate, and the rotation of the motor 604 can be translated to the rod 620 via one or more gears within the gear box 602. Due to the coupling of the rod 620 and auger, the rotation of the rod 620 can cause rotation of the auger. Rotation of the auger within the first housing 610 can generate ice shavings and can move the ice shavings towards and through openings in an extrusion head 616. As the ice shavings are pushed through the openings, the ice shavings can be compacted to produce ice cubes. The ice cubes can then be broken into pieces of ice (e.g., ice pellets) by an ice breaker 618.

[0037] Additionally, a tank 612 can be connected to the second housing defining the ice-making chamber within the first housing 610. For example, an outlet 622 of the tank 612 can be coupled with an inlet line 624. The inlet line 624 can further be coupled with a first inlet 626a of the first housing 610 and an inlet of the second housing. Examples of the second housing defining the ice-making chamber are shown and described below with respect to FIGS. 7 and 11. Liquid can be provided to the first housing defining the ice-making chamber from the tank 612 via the inlet line 624. The tank 612 can further include a slot with a removable cap 614. Upon removal of the cap 614, the slot can provide an opening for inserting a descaling tablet or other suitable cleaning means into the tank 612.

[0038] The ice-making system 600 can also include a heat exchange system with at least one cooling tube 606 and evaporator 608. The at least one cooling tube 606 and evaporator 608 can work together to freeze water in the ice-making chamber and cool the storage compartment. For example, the cooling tube 606 can carry refrigerant to the ice-making chamber within the first housing 610. As illustrated, the first housing 610 can include one or more inlets (e.g., a second inlet 626b and a third inlet 626c) through which the cooling tube can enter and come in contact with the ice-making chamber. The cooling of the refrigerant in the cooling tube 606 also facilitates the evaporator 608 cooling the ice storage compartment. As a result of cooling the refrigerant passing through the tubes, the temperature of the ice-making system 600 can be below freezing.

[0039] FIG. 7 depicts a cross-sectional view of an ice-making system 700 for controlling ice hardness according to some examples of the present disclosure. The ice-making system 700 can correspond to any of the ice-making systems shown and described above with respect to FIGS. 2-6. The ice-making system 700 can include a first housing 710 in which at least some of the components of the ice-making system 700 can be positioned. For example, a second housing 704 defining an ice-making chamber, an auger 707, a thermistor 719, a cooling tube 706, and one or more heaters 720a-b can be positioned within the first housing 710.

[0040] The cooling tube 706 can be coiled around the second housing 704 to create a cold environment within the second housing 704. As a result, liquid (e.g., water) in the first housing 704, which can be received via an inlet line (e.g., inlet line 624 depicted in FIG. 6), can freeze. The thermistor 719 can be used to measure and monitor a temperature of the second housing 704. The auger 707 can rotate within the second housing 704. As illustrated, the auger 707 can be a helical screw blade. The rotation of the auger 707 can break or scrape the frozen water in the second housing 704 to create ice shavings. The rotation of the auger 707 can further push the ice shavings upward to an extrusion head 716. In some examples, in contrast to the cooling tube 706, the heaters 720a-b can heat the second housing 704 to increase an ease at which the ice can be scraped or broken by the auger 707. In particular, the heaters 720a-b can improve an ease at which the auger 707 can scrape ice from an inner wall of the second housing 704. The heaters 720a-b can further prevent a system failure at the ice-making system 700 by preventing the ice-making system from freezing up.

[0041] The extrusion head 716 can include openings 730a-b through which the ice shavings can be pushed. The ice shavings can be pushed through the openings 730a-b due to the continuous generation of ice shavings and upward movement of the ice shavings facilitated by the auger 707 rotation. In being pushed through the openings 730a-b, the ice shavings can be compressed into ice cubes with a shape corresponding to a shape of the openings 730a-b. For example, if the openings 730a-b are circular, the ice cubes can be cylindrical.

[0042] Additionally, a heating element 714 can be positioned around a circumference of the extrusion head 716. The heating element 714 can heat the extrusion head 716, which can affect a hardness of the ice formed as it is pushed through the openings 730a-b. For example, an increased temperature of the extrusion head 716 caused by the heating element 714 can result in softer ice. The extrusion head 716 can further include a protrusion 708. The protrusion 708 can include a screw thread on which the ice breaker 718 can be coupled. The ice breaker 718 can break the compacted ice pushed through the openings 730a-b to produce pieces of ice (e.g., ice pellets) of a particular length.

[0043] After ice pellets are formed (e.g., broken by the ice breaker 718), an ice guide 724 can guide the ice pellets into a storage compartment, such as storage compartment 402 depicted in FIG. 4. Additionally, any excess water from the second housing 704 can be guided away from the storage compartment by a liquid guide 722. By guiding the excess water away from the compartment, ice pellets within the compartment can be less likely to stick together. Additionally, a risk of damage to the compartment, which can be caused by the excess water, can be reduced.

[0044] Additionally, to produce ice of varying hardness, various parameters associated with the ice-making system 700 can be controlled. The parameters which can affect ice hardness can include a temperature of the second housing 704, rotations per minute (RPM) of the auger 707, a temperature of the heating element 714 associated with the extrusion head 716, and a water volume within the second housing 704.

[0045] For example, a higher volume of liquid within the second housing 704 can result in the ice-making system 700 producing ice with greater hardness than a lower volume of water. Additionally, retaining the first housing 710, the second housing 704, or the heating element 714 at a colder temperature can be associated with the ice-making system 700 producing ice with greater hardness than warmer temperatures. A higher RPM of the auger 707 can also cause an increase in ice hardness with respect to a lower RPM. Thus, by adjusting housing temperature, heating element temperature, auger RPM, volume of liquid within the second housing 704, or a combination thereof the ice-making system 700 can produce ice of varying hardness.

[0046] In some examples, the ice-making system 700 can include a controller, which can receive a user selection of an ice hardness level. For example, a user interface of the household appliance 100 may include ice hardness level options (e.g., a first ice hardness level, a second ice hardness level, and a third ice hardness level). Then, based on the preselected ice hardness level, the controller can transmit a signal to a liquid fill assembly (e.g., liquid fill assembly 516 depicted in FIG. 5) to cause the liquid fill assembly to provide a particular amount of water to a tank, and therefore to the second housing 704 within the first housing 710. For example, the controller can cause the liquid fill assembly to provide a volume of water that is between fifty and one hundred percent of a total volume of an inside of the second housing 704. Additionally or alternatively, the controller can transmit a signal to the heat exchange system causing the heat exchange system to change a temperature of the ice-making system 700. For example, the temperature of the ice-making system 700 or of the first housing 710 or the second housing 704 in particular may be between negative ten and negative one degree Celsius. Additionally, in some examples, the controller can transmit a signal to the motor to change an RPM of the auger 707. For example, the auger RPM can be between five and nine. Additionally, as described above, a heating element 714 can be associated with the extrusion head 716. The controller can further transmit a signal to the heating element to control a temperature of the heating element and thereof of the extrusion head 716.

[0047] As a result of the controller transmitting one or more signals to the motor, the heat exchange system, the heating element, the liquid fill assembly, or a combination thereof, the ice-making system 700 can produce ice with a hardness corresponding to the preselected ice hardness level. The hardness can be a measure of a maximum force at which the ice breaks and can be expressed in Newtons (N). In some examples, a first ice hardness associated with the first ice hardness level can be below 30 N, a second ice hardness associated with the second hardness level can be between 30 N and 50 N, and a third ice hardness associated with the third hardness level can be greater than 50 N.

[0048] FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of an extrusion head 800 for an ice-making system according to some examples of the present disclosure. The extrusion head 800 can correspond to the extrusion head 506 depicted in FIG. 5, the extrusion head 616 depicted in FIG. 6, the extrusion head 716 depicted in FIG. 7, or a combination thereof. In an ice-making system (e.g., the ice-making systems depicted in FIGS. 2-7), ice shavings can be pushed out of a housing defining an ice-making chamber via openings 804a-g of the extrusion head 800. In doing so, the ice shavings can be compressed into ice pellets of a desired form. The extrusion head 800 can further include a protrusion 802 with a screw thread. An ice breaker can be coupled with the extrusion head 800 via the screw thread. Additionally, a heating element 806 can be positioned external and proximate to the extrusion head 800. The heating element 806 can correspond to the heating element 714 depicted in FIG. 7. The heating element 806 can heat the extrusion head 800, which can affect a hardness of the ice formed as it is pushed through the openings 804a-g.

[0049] FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of a tank 900 for an ice-making system according to some examples of the present disclosure. The tank 900 can correspond to the tank 306 depicted in FIGS. 3-5, the tank 510 depicted in FIG. 5, the tank 612 depicted in FIG. 6, or a combination thereof. The tank 900 can include a slot 902 through which a descaling tablet can be inserted into the tank 900. In some examples, the slot 902 can be covered by a removable cap such as cap 614 depicted in FIG. 6. Additionally, FIG. 10 depicts a cross-sectional view of the tank 900 for an ice-making system according to some examples of the present disclosure. The tank 900 can include a float switch 1002 for measuring a volume of liquid within the tank 900. The tank 900 can further include a heater 1004 for controlling a temperature of the tank 900 and a thermistor 1006 for measuring and monitoring the temperature of the tank 900.

[0050] FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of a housing 1100 defining an ice-making chamber for an ice-making system according to some examples of the present disclosure. The housing 1100 can correspond to the second housing 704 depicted in FIG. 7. As illustrated, a cooling tube 1106 can be coiled around the housing 1100 to create a cool environment to freeze liquid in the housing 1100. The cooling tube 1106 can correspond to the cooling tube 508 of FIG. 5, the cooling tube 606 of FIG. 6, the cooling tube 706 of FIG. 7, or a combination thereof.

[0051] FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of an auger 1200 for an ice-making system according to some examples of the present disclosure. The auger 1200 can be positioned in a center of the second housing 704 of FIG. 7. The auger 1200 can be a helical screw blade that can rotate to break and shave ice formed within an ice-making chamber. The rotation of the auger 1200 can further push ice shavings in an upward direction to facilitate production and ejection of ice pellets from an ice-making system.

[0052] FIG. 13 depicts a flow chart of a process 1300 for producing ice pellets based on a preselected ice hardness level according to some examples of the present disclosure. The process 1300 can be performed by an ice-making system, such as the ice-making system 202 depicted in FIGS. 2-4, the ice-making system 500 depicted in FIG. 5, the ice-making system 600 depicted in FIG. 6, or the ice-making system 700 depicted in FIG. 7. In other examples, the process 1300 can include more steps, fewer steps, different steps, or a different order of the steps depicted in FIG. 13. The steps of FIG. 13 are described below with reference to components discussed above in FIGS. 1-12.

[0053] At block 1302 the process 1300 can involve receiving, at a housing 704 defining an ice-making chamber, liquid. The liquid can be water or another suitable liquid. The liquid can be transferred to the housing 704 via an inlet line, which can connect to an outlet of a tank and an inlet of the housing 704. A volume of water transferred to the housing 704 may be controlled by a liquid fill assembly. For example, based on a preselected ice hardness level, a controller may transmit a signal to the liquid fill assembly to cause the liquid fill assembly to provide a particular volume of liquid to the tank. In a particular example, the particular ice hardness level can be a lowest or softest ice hardness level. For example, a hardness corresponding to the preselected ice hardness level can be around 20 N. In the particular example, the signal may cause the liquid fill assembly to provide a volume of liquid equal to 50% of a total volume of the housing 704 to the tank. As a result and due to the connection of the tank and housing 704 via the inlet line, the housing 704 can receive the volume of liquid.

[0054] At block 1304 the process 1300 can involve producing ice from the liquid in the housing 704 using a heat exchange system associated with the housing 704. The heat exchange system, which can include one or more cooling tubes 706 and an evaporator. A portion of the cooling tube 706 can run through the evaporator and another portion of the cooling tube can be in contact with the housing 704. The evaporator can facilitate cooling of the refrigerant in the cool tube 706. As a result, of cooling the refrigerant, the temperature of the housing 704 can be controlled. In some examples, based on the preselected ice hardness level, the controller can transmit a signal to the heat exchange system to control the temperature of the housing 704. In the particular example, the temperature of the housing 704 for the preselected ice hardness level can be around negative ten degrees Celsius.

[0055] At block 1306 the process 1300 can involve heating an extrusion head 716 coupled with the housing 704 using a heating element 714 positioned proximate and external to the extrusion head 716. A temperature to which the extrusion head 716 is heated by the heating element 714 can be based on the preselected ice hardness level. In some examples, based on the preselected ice hardness level, the controller can transmit a signal to the heating element 714 to control a temperature of heating element 714 and therefore the heating of the extrusion head 716. In some examples, the heating element 714 may have a cold setting associated with a low temperature (e.g., between 0 to 10 degrees Celsius) and a hot setting associated with a high temperature (e.g., a temperature greater than 10 degrees Celsius). In the particular example, the signal can cause the heating element to be on the hot setting.

[0056] At block 1308, the process 1300 can involve receiving the ice at a plurality of openings 730a-b of the extrusion head 716. The ice can be moved to the plurality of openings 730a-b by an auger 707 positioned in the housing 704. In some examples, the auger 707 can be rotated using a component (e.g., a motor or rod) of a motor and gear box assembly. The component of the motor and gear box assembly can traverse the extrusion head 716 and can be coupled with the auger 707. In some examples, the controller can transmit a signal to a motor of the motor and gear box assembly to control a rotations per minute (RPM) of the auger 707 based on the preselected ice hardness level. In the particular example, the signal can cause the auger to rotate at 5.4 RPM.

[0057] At block 1310, the process 1300 can involve forming the ice pellets by movement of the ice through the plurality of openings 730a-b of the extrusion head 716. Additionally, forming the ice cubes can include cutting the ice as it comes outward from the openings 730a-b using an ice breaker 718 coupled with a protrusion 708 of the extrusion head 716. The ice breaker 718 can be rotated about the protrusion 708 to adjust a position of the ice breaker 718 relative to a surface of the extrusion head 716. For example, for small ice, the ice breaker 718 can be rotated downward such that a position of the ice breaker 718 on the protrusion is closer to a top surface of the extrusion head 716.

[0058] The foregoing description of certain examples, including illustrated examples, has been presented only for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Numerous modifications, adaptations, and uses thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure.