Ice Bucket Agitator with Non-Parallel Auger Axes to Prevent Clumping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ice cubes in refrigerator ice buckets tend to clump due to sweating and refreezing, making it difficult to dispense them effectively.
Innovation Solution
An ice bucket with an auger and agitator mechanism, where the auger rotates about a first shaft axis and the agitator rotates about a second non-parallel shaft axis, featuring an axially beveled surface and radially extending tines to prevent clumping by continuously agitating the ice cubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If ice cubes are stored in an ice bucket during refrigerating cycles, then ice production and storage are achieved, but the ice cubes sweat and refreeze into clumps, making dispensing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic agitation mechanism consisting of an auger and agitator that actively moves ice cubes within the bucket. The auger rotates about a first shaft axis while the agitator rotates about a second non-parallel shaft axis, creating continuous movement that prevents ice cubes from settling and clumping together during storage, thereby maintaining dispensing ease throughout the storage period
Solution Approach 2:
The agitation mechanism operates periodically to prevent clumping. The auger and agitator are driven to rotate at specific intervals, creating periodic agitation that disrupts the formation of ice cube clumps caused by sweating and refreezing cycles, thus maintaining ice cube separability for easy dispensing
2Reliability
If the auger and agitator rotate about non-parallel shaft axes, then effective agitation to prevent clumping is achieved, but the mechanical complexity of the mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested configuration where the agitator is positioned within the auger assembly. The agitator shaft is rotatably mounted within the auger housing, and the agitator components are nested within the auger's rotational space. This nesting allows two rotation axes to coexist in a compact arrangement, reducing overall mechanism complexity while maintaining the non-parallel axis configuration needed for effective agitation
Solution Approach 2:
The auger and agitator mechanisms are combined into a single integrated assembly that operates together. Both components share common mounting structures, drive mechanisms, and housing elements. This merging reduces the number of separate mechanisms needed, simplifying the overall device complexity while achieving reliable ice cube agitation through the coordinated action of both components
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
The agitation mechanism effectively prevents ice cubes from clumping, ensuring they remain separate and easy to dispense by regularly stirring them within the bucket.
Implementation Method 1
The agitator may include a projection extending radially from an agitator shaft and engaged with the axially beveled surface. The agitator may further include a plurality of tines extending radially from the agitator shaft, opposite the projection.
Data Source
AI summary
An ice bucket for a refrigerator appliance, includes a bucket body; an auger provided inside the bucket and including an auger shaft rotatable about a first shaft axis and a collet at a first end of the auger shaft and including an axially beveled surface formed circumferentially around the auger shaft; and an agitator provided in the bucket in mechanical communication with the auger, the agitator including an agitator shaft rotatable about a second shaft axis non-parallel to the first shaft axis, a plurality of first tines extending radially from the agitator shaft within the bucket body to engage ice therein, and a projection that extends perpendicularly from the agitator shaft opposite the plurality of tines. The projection engages with the axially beveled surface to oscillate the agitator.