Ice Auger Reaming Blade Latch Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice augers leave a sharp edge at the bottom of the hole, which can break fishing lines and injure or lose fish, and require manual reaming devices that are cumbersome to operate and store.
Innovation Solution
An ice auger equipped with a spring biased latch assembly for easy engagement and disengagement of a reaming blade, allowing for smoothing and flaring of the hole edge while the auger is in operation, without needing to turn off the motor or reposition the auger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional ice auger is used to drill through ice, then the hole is created efficiently, but the bottom edge remains sharp and can break fishing lines or injure fish
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ice auger drilling function with the ice hole reaming function into a single integrated device. The reaming blade is mounted on the auger shaft, allowing both drilling and reaming operations to be performed sequentially without removing the device from the hole. This merging eliminates the need to carry separate reaming equipment and ensures the harmful sharp edge is always addressed after drilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The reaming blade is positioned to automatically engage and ream the hole bottom edge immediately after the auger drills through the ice. This preliminary action occurs without interruption to the drilling operation, and the sharp edge is removed before the fishing line is even attached, preventing line breakage and fish injury from the outset.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate hand-rotated reaming device is used to smooth the hole edge, then the sharp edge is removed, but the device is cumbersome to operate and requires additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The reaming blade, support arms, and control mechanism are all integrated onto the auger shaft assembly. The support arms fold against the shaft during transport, and the blade is mounted to rotate with the shaft. This integration eliminates the need for separate reaming equipment, reducing device complexity while maintaining the sharp edge removal function.
Solution Approach 2:
The auger shaft serves multiple functions: it drives the helical blade for drilling, supports the reaming blade for edge smoothing, and provides a mounting structure for the control mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized equipment, allowing one device to perform both drilling and reaming operations.
3Ease of operation
If a reaming blade is integrated with the auger, then the device is easier to carry and operate, but the blade must be manually extended and retracted during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The reaming blade is mounted on pivotable support arms that can rotate between a retracted position (folded against the shaft for compact storage) and an extended position (protruding for reaming operation). This dynamic configuration allows the blade to be easily deployed and stowed without complex mechanical extensions, maintaining ease of operation while enabling the reaming function.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arms are designed to be quickly pivoted into and out of the operational position during periodic transitions between drilling and reaming modes. This periodic deployment allows the operator to switch between functions rapidly without complex mechanical extensions, maintaining simplicity while enabling blade extension when needed.
4Ease of operation
If the auger is stopped to engage the reaming blade, then the blade can be properly positioned, but the operation time increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The support arms are pre-positioned and spring-biased to automatically engage the reaming blade into the correct operational position immediately after the auger drills through the ice. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need to stop the auger for manual blade adjustment, maintaining operational accuracy while minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-biased support arms automatically perform the blade engagement and positioning function without requiring operator intervention or auger shutdown. The mechanism self-activates based on the drilling motion, ensuring proper blade positioning while maintaining continuous operation and minimizing time loss.
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 quick and efficient smoothing of the hole edge and flaring of the lower portion, preventing line breakage and fish injury, while being easy to use and store, and allowing for one-handed operation.
Implementation Method 1
spring biased latch assembly for easy engagement and disengagement of a reaming blade
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
An ice auger (20) has a rotatable rod (52) adjacent and parallel to the central shaft (21) supported at the bottom in a cylindrical receptacle (56). A vertical ice reaming blade (51) is attached to the rod (52) above the receptacle (56) and a retaining loop (57) affixed to the shaft (21) and positioned above the ice reaming blade (51) prevents the rod (52) from rising out of the receptacle (56). A right angled handle (53) at the top of the rod (52) extends outward above and in the same plane as the ice reaming blade (51). A spring biased latch assembly (55) disposed near the top of the shaft (21) engages the handle (53) with the ice reaming blade (51) in rest position. Releasing the latch (55) frees the rod (52) to rotate 180° and move the ice reaming blade (51) to use position extending outward beyond the standard auger members to ream the bottom of the ice hole (37). Vertical support posts (61, 62) stabilize the system and prevent wobble. One post (61) functions as a stop and back support for the ice reaming blade (51) during use.