Refrigerator Ice Dispenser Crusher With Horizontal Motor Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice dispenser and crusher assemblies in refrigerators consume significant space, complicate user access, and are prone to motor wetting due to their vertical motor coupling and spring-loaded lever mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An ice dispensing assembly with a horizontal axis motor coupling and vertical axis agitator and crusher, where the drive motor is positioned above the ice bucket, eliminating the need for a spring-loaded lever mechanism and reducing the risk of motor wetting, and incorporating a drum assembly with rotating and non-rotating blades for ice dispensing and crushing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vertical motor coupling with spring-loaded lever mechanism is used, then the ice dispenser can operate, but the device complexity increases and the motor is prone to wetting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring-loaded lever mechanism entirely by repositioning the motor to a horizontal orientation above the ice bucket. This extraction of the problematic component eliminates both the complexity and the reliability issues associated with the vertical coupling system.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of positioning the motor vertically below the ice bucket opening (conventional approach), the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning the motor horizontally above the opening. This inversion eliminates the need for complex coupling mechanisms and protects the motor from water exposure.
2Device complexity
If the motor is positioned below the ice bucket opening, then the vertical coupling is simplified, but the motor becomes wet when ice melts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the motor from the vulnerable position below the ice bucket opening and relocates it to a safe horizontal position above the opening, eliminating exposure to melted ice while maintaining coupling functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a horizontal shaft and gear system as an intermediary mechanism that transmits power from the horizontally positioned motor to the vertical agitator and crusher components, allowing the motor to remain in a protected position while still driving the ice dispensing mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If the ice dispenser and crusher mechanisms are included, then ice can be dispensed and crushed, but significant space is consumed in the freezer or fresh food compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ice dispensing mechanism and the ice crusher mechanism into a single integrated assembly. The horizontal motor, vertical shaft, agitator, and crusher blades are combined in one compact unit that performs both functions, reducing the total space required compared to separate mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical shaft serves multiple functions: it acts as both the agitator that moves ice toward the dispensing opening and the crusher mechanism that breaks ice into smaller pieces. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby saving space.
Data Source
AI summary
An ice dispensing assembly is provided that can be mounted within an appliance, such as a refrigerator appliance. The ice dispensing assembly includes an ice dispenser crusher mechanism having features that facilitate dispensing and crushing of ice. The construction of dispenser crusher mechanism provides a horizontal axis motor coupling with a vertical axis agitator and crusher for dispensing and crushing ice.