Ice Dispenser Chute With Crusher Bypass for Cube or Crushed Ice
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage and ice dispensers typically only offer cubed ice, failing to accommodate consumer preferences for crushed ice, which limits customer choice and satisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A self-serve beverage and ice dispenser with an ice bin, a duct, and an ice crusher driven by separate motors, allowing independent control of the auger and crusher for flexible ice dispensing, including the option to switch between cubed and crushed ice, with a bypass gate and a two-bladed paddle auger for efficient and jam-resistant operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an ice crusher is added to the dispenser, then crushed ice can be dispensed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ice crusher and bypass mechanisms into a single integrated assembly mounted on the discharge chute. The crusher housing, bypass opening, and gate mechanism are merged into one compact unit that occupies minimal space while providing both cubed and crushed ice dispensing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge chute assembly serves multiple functions: it guides ice flow, houses the crusher mechanism, provides a bypass for cubed ice, and controls the selection between ice types through a single gate mechanism. This multi-functional design adds crushed ice capability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a single motor drives both auger and crusher, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to independently control ice dispensing is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drive system into two independent motors: one motor drives the auger for ice transport, and a separate motor drives the crusher for ice size reduction. This segmentation allows independent control of each function, enabling flexible operation modes such as dispensing only cubed ice, only crushed ice, or a mixture.
Solution Approach 2:
The independent motor system enables dynamic control where the auger and crusher can operate at different speeds and can be independently activated or deactivated. The control system can adjust the rotation speeds of each motor to optimize performance for different ice types and dispensing rates.
3Volume of stationary object
If the bypass gate is positioned inside the crusher, then the structure is more compact, but switching between ice types becomes slower and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the bypass gate from the internal crusher mechanism and positions it on the external surface of the crusher housing. This external positioning allows the gate to be operated independently and more quickly, reducing the time required to switch between cubed and crushed ice dispensing modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass gate acts as an intermediary mechanism that controls ice flow direction without interfering with the crusher's internal operation. By positioning the gate externally on the housing, it provides a simple on/off control for the bypass opening that can be quickly actuated to switch ice types.
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage and ice dispenser that dispenses both beverages and cubed or crushed ice. Beverages are dispensed from dispensing heads. Cubed ice is stored in a bin. A duct leads from the bin. The duct has first and second outlet openings. A chute leads from the outlet openings. The chute has a single discharge opening from which ice from both duct outlet openings is discharged. An ice crusher is between a first outlet opening and the chute. A gate opens and blocks the flow path from the second opening into the chute. When cubed ice is desired, the gate is spaced from the second opening so that cubed ice is discharged from the duct and chute. When crushed ice is desired, the gate closes the second opening. Ice flows out of the first opening, is crushed by the ice crusher and discharged through the chute.