Adjustable Ice Crusher Blade Layout for Variable Ice Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice-crushers are unable to efficiently process ice of varying thickness and consistency, and they often suffer from motor damage due to water seepage and mechanical stress, limiting their functionality and lifespan.
Innovation Solution
An ice-crusher design featuring a rotating disc with an adjustable cutting blade, elastic safety bearings, and a belt-driven motor with rev reduction, allowing for adjustable disc position and protection against water and mechanical stress, along with a collecting cup to prevent jamming and enhance safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional ice-crusher design with a fixed cutting blade is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot process ice of varying thickness and consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting blade is made adjustable relative to the rotating disc, allowing the user to change the position and angle of the blade to accommodate different ice thickness and consistency requirements. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the device to adapt to various processing needs without requiring multiple specialized tools.
2Reliability
If the motor is positioned close to the cutting unit for efficient power transmission, then the device is compact, but water seepage and mechanical stress damage the motor
Solution Approach 1:
A belt-driven transmission system is introduced as an intermediary between the motor and the rotating disc. This belt drive mechanism allows the motor to be positioned at a distance from the cutting unit, protecting it from water seepage and mechanical stress while still efficiently transmitting power to the cutting components.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If elastic safety bearings are used to protect against mechanical stress, then the motor life is extended, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Elastic safety bearings are installed in the cutting unit to absorb and cushion mechanical stresses before they can reach the motor. These bearings act as a protective barrier, extending motor life by preventing stress transmission while maintaining relatively simple construction.
4Reliability
If a collecting cup is added to prevent jamming, then the operational reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A removable collecting cup is added to the cutting unit to collect and contain the crushed ice, preventing it from causing jams in the mechanism. The cup can be easily removed and cleaned, improving operational reliability while adding minimal complexity to the overall device structure.
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
Enables the crushing of ice into different sizes and thicknesses effectively, protects the motor from damage, and reduces production and operational costs while maintaining compact size and safety.
Implementation Method 1
elastic safety bearings
Implementation Method 2
belt-driven motor with rev reduction
Data Source
AI summary
An ice-crusher (10) comprises a grinding hole (15) which includes a feeding collar (16) to which a lever (18) is hinged to push ice into the cutting area; the cutting unit includes a rotating disc (23) to which a cutting blade (25) is attached. The distance of the cutting blade (25) from the disc (23) can be set axially by the user and from outside the covering (13) of the ice-crusher (10) by means of a regulating key to break up ice into pieces of different thickness. Moreover, the manifold motor (34) of the device is positioned horizontally and is staggered relative to the shaft (26). Said motor (34) transmits motion to the shaft (26) by means of a belt (39) to leave room for inserting into the device (10) the key for regulating the thickness.