Ice Imaging for Control of Automatic Icemakers

Team 7 is sponsored by Whirlpool Corporation to find a new and innovative way to detect ice level in a freezer bin. Current level-sensing implementations require custom technology for each ice maker, which makes it difficult to adapt to changes in the ice maker's shape, size, and design. Therefore, a requirement for this project is that it be universal so it can be implemented across Whirlpool's line of ice maker configurations with minimal changes. Whirlpool decided that using imaging technology is the way they wanted to meet that goal because of the potential that it offers in the detection of other properties such as ice quality. In addition, our solution allows for ice-level detection flexibility instead of detection of only a discrete level, allowing the customer to choose how much ice is to be produced. Team 7 is aiding Whirlpool in the task of creating a technology that is inexpensive, portable, and expandable, and will benefit the customer by providing a superior and innovative solution at minimal cost.