Icemaker refrigerator provided therewith and ice making method

Abstract

An icemaker for a refrigerator is provided that includes a mold container which may be filled with water, an air space adjacent to a water level in the mold container, and an air humidifying device for increasing the level of humidity in the air above the water level. Water is administered to the mold container and is cooled and ice crystals form when a given crystallization temperature of the water of below zero degrees C is reached.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
   
   
       26 . An ice-maker comprising:
 a mold container configured to be filled with water and an air space adjacent to a surface of water in the mold container; and   an air humidifier, the air humidifier being operable to humidify air in the air space above the surface of water in the mold container to thereby bring the air to a predetermined moisture level.   
   
   
       27 . The ice-maker as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the air humidifier is an evaporator. 
   
   
       28 . The ice-maker as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the evaporator comprises a heatable water container. 
   
   
       29 . The ice-maker as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the heatable water container comprises a wall which is at least partially made from an electrically conductive plastic. 
   
   
       30 . The ice-maker as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the evaporator is configured to heat water contained therein to a maximum of 60° C. 
   
   
       31 . The ice-maker as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the evaporator comprises at least one air exit opening through which vapor generated can escape and thereafter be deflected toward the mold container. 
   
   
       32 . The ice-maker as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the evaporator has a water capacity of not more than 2 cm 3 . 
   
   
       33 . The ice-maker as claimed in  claim 26  and further comprising a control device for the temporary operation of the air humidifier during each ice making process. 
   
   
       34 . The ice-maker as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the control device is coupled to a timer in order to operate the air humidifier with a pre-determined delay after a filling of the mold container with water. 
   
   
       35 . The ice-maker as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the control device is coupled to a temperature sensor in order to operate the air humidifier once the temperature in the air space has dropped below a pre-determined temperature. 
   
   
       36 . The ice-maker as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the mold container and the air humidifier are connected to the same water supply line. 
   
   
       37 . The ice-maker as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the air humidifier is configured to deliver water to the mold container once a target fill level has been exceeded. 
   
   
       38 . The ice-maker as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the air humidifier is arranged in the water supply line upstream of the mold container. 
   
   
       39 . The ice-maker as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the mold container comprises a plurality of ice compartments that are not mutually connected. 
   
   
       40 . The ice-maker as claimed in  claim 26  and further comprising a blower for driving air circulation in the air space. 
   
   
       41 . The ice-maker as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein air guides are provided which deflect the air stream delivered by the blower at least partially over the surface of water in the mold container. 
   
   
       42 . A refrigeration appliance comprising:
 a housing; and   an ice-maker having a mold container configured to be filled with water and an air space adjacent to a surface of water in the mold container; and   an air humidifier, the air humidifier being operable to humidify air in the air space above the surface of water in the mold container to thereby bring the air to a predetermined moisture level.   
   
   
       43 . The refrigeration appliance as claimed in  claim 42  and further comprising a blower that drives air circulation between the air space and a refrigerant evaporator and thereby cools the air space. 
   
   
       44 . The refrigeration appliance as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein the air circulation is weaker over a water surface of the air humidifier than over the water surface of the mold container. 
   
   
       45 . A method for producing ice pieces, the method comprising:
 dosing water into a mold container;   filling an evaporator;   cooling the water; and   applying ice crystals to the water once a pre-determined inoculation temperature of the water below 0° C. is reached.   
   
   
       46 . The method as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the steps of dosing water into a mold container and filling an evaporator take place simultaneously and the steps of cooling the water and applying ice crystals to the water take place sequentially, beginning with the step of cooling the water. 
   
   
       47 . The method as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the steps of dosing water into a mold container, filling an evaporator, cooling the water, and applying ice crystals to the water take place sequentially, beginning with the step of dosing water into a mold container. 
   
   
       48 . The method as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein the ice crystals are obtained by evaporation of water and cooling the vapor obtained to below 0° C. 
   
   
       49 . The method as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein the inoculation temperature lies in the range of −2° C. to −7° C. 
   
   
       50 . The method as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein the evaporation of water takes place over a time span of 0.5 minutes to 2.5 minutes. 
   
   
       51 . The method as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein the evaporation of water takes place over a time span of 1 minute to 2 minutes.