Auger Ice Maker Threaded Coupling to Limit Bearing Wear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Auger-style ice makers face challenges due to the large force applied by the rotating auger to the mold body, leading to significant wear on the bearing and debris contamination within the mold body.

Innovation Solution

The ice maker incorporates a threaded connection between the auger and the motor shaft, wound opposite the rotational direction of the auger, which limits the downward force applied to the mold body, using radial sleeve bearings to regulate motion and prevent contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the auger rotates and scrapes ice off the inner surface of the mold body, then ice nuggets are formed, but the auger applies a large force onto the mold body wall causing bearing wear and debris contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice nugget productionVSAvoidbearing wear and debris contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A threaded connection is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the motor shaft and the auger. This threaded connection acts as a mediator that transmits rotational motion while simultaneously limiting the axial force that the auger can apply to the mold body, thereby resolving the contradiction between effective ice scraping and preventing bearing wear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The threaded connection changes the mechanical parameter relationship between the motor shaft and auger. By using a threaded interface with specific pitch and direction, the system transforms pure rotational motion into controlled rotational motion with limited axial displacement, reducing the force applied to the mold body while maintaining ice scraping effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This design reduces wear on the bearing and minimizes debris contamination, enhancing the cleanliness and efficiency of ice production by limiting the auger's downward motion and maintaining a gap between the auger and the mold body.

Implementation Method 1

The auger is coupled to a shaft of the motor with a threaded connection such that the auger is rotatable with the motor along a rotational direction within the chamber of the casing. The threaded connection between the auger and the shaft of the motor is wound opposite the rotational direction of the auger.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThreaded connection: Screw

Data Source

PatentUS10228176B2Ice maker with a threaded connection between a motor shaft and an auger

Publication Date: 2019.03.12 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An ice maker includes a casing that defines a chamber. The casing extends between a top portion and a bottom portion. An extruder die is mounted to the casing at the top portion of the casing. A motor is positioned above the extruder die. An auger is disposed within the chamber of the casing. The auger is coupled to a shaft of the motor with a threaded connection such that the auger is rotatable with the motor along a rotational direction within the chamber of the casing. The threaded connection between the auger and the shaft of the motor is wound opposite the rotational direction of the auger. A related refrigerator appliance is also provided.