Ice Dispenser Reverse Funnel Deflector to Prevent Ice Bridging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ice dispensers face issues with ice bridging, particularly with pellet or soft ice, which forms a semi-solid mass at the top of the ice bin, preventing the dispenser from functioning properly.

Innovation Solution

An ice dispenser with an internal ice deflector in a reverse funnel configuration, where the entrance is narrower than the exit, is used to prevent ice bridging by utilizing a pair of deflector side plates angled to direct ice flow effectively, and optionally incorporating an agitator and electro-mechanical deflector devices to manage ice distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an internal agitator is used to keep ice in a free flowing state, then ice clogging is prevented, but pellet or soft ice forms a bridge at the top of the ice bin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice flow reliabilityVSAvoidice bridging

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by using a reverse funnel configuration where the opening at the top of the ice bin is narrower than the opening at the bottom. This inverted geometry prevents ice from bridging by allowing ice to fall freely through the narrower top opening while maintaining adequate space at the bottom for ice accumulation and agitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent addresses the ice bridging problem by transitioning from a horizontal agitation approach to a vertical dimensional solution. The reverse funnel shape creates a vertical flow path that utilizes gravity and spatial arrangement in the vertical dimension to prevent ice from forming horizontal bridges across the bin opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If a reverse funnel configuration is used to prevent ice bridging, then ice can be dispensed continuously, but the ice bin structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice dispensing continuityVSAvoidice bin structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the ice bin structure with the deflector function into a single integrated reverse funnel component. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate deflector devices while maintaining the ice flow control function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while preserving continuous dispensing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the ice deflector entrance is narrower than the exit, then ice bridging is prevented, but the volume of ice that can be stored is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice flow reliabilityVSAvoidice bin capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the reverse funnel by carefully selecting the ratio between the top opening diameter and bottom opening diameter. This parameter optimization ensures that the top opening is sufficiently narrow to prevent bridging while the bottom opening remains large enough to maintain adequate storage capacity and facilitate ice flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10287115B2Ice dispenser with reduced ice bridging therein

Publication Date: 2019.05.14 THE COCA COLA CO

AI summary

The present application provides an ice dispenser for dispensing a volume of ice. The ice dispenser may include an ice bin and an ice deflector positioned about a top of the ice bin. The ice deflector may include a reverse funnel configuration such that an entrance to the ice deflector is narrower that an exit to the ice deflector so as to prevent the volume of ice from bridging therein in whole or in part.