Ice Machine Riser Structure for Access and Manual Ice Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice machine adapters do not provide adequate space for repair, cleaning, or manual loading of ice without requiring the removal of the ice machine, limiting accessibility and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A riser apparatus with a housing and sidewalls that elevate the ice machine relative to the drink dispenser, featuring a door and removable cover to facilitate access to internal components, allowing for repair, cleaning, and manual loading without removing the ice machine, and is constructed from materials like stainless steel for durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ice machine is directly coupled to the drink dispenser, then the coupling is secure and compact, but adequate space for repair, cleaning, and manual loading of ice cannot be provided without removing the ice machine
Solution Approach 1:
A riser apparatus is introduced as an intermediary component between the ice machine and drink dispenser. The riser includes a body with a receiving chamber that can receive the ice machine, and it provides side openings for access to the ice machine without requiring removal. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by enabling maintenance access while maintaining secure coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The riser apparatus introduces a vertical dimension by elevating the ice machine above the drink dispenser. The side openings are positioned on the riser body at different heights and angles, providing multi-dimensional access paths to the ice machine. This dimensional approach allows maintenance access without requiring horizontal disassembly or removal of the ice machine.
2Ease of operation
If the ice machine is elevated to provide maintenance space, then accessibility is improved, but the coupling stability and secure mounting may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is segmented into multiple independent coupling points: a first coupling at the top of the riser for the ice machine, and a second coupling at the bottom of the riser for the drink dispenser. Additional lateral couplings are provided on the riser body. This segmentation allows each coupling point to independently contribute to stability while the riser maintains the elevated position for maintenance access.
Solution Approach 2:
The riser apparatus incorporates adjustable and removable coupling mechanisms that can adapt to different ice machine and dispenser configurations. The couplings can be easily assembled and disassembled while maintaining secure connection during operation, providing both stability and flexibility for the elevated mounting arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure includes ice machine riser apparatuses and methods of using the same. Some of the present riser apparatuses include a housing that defines an interior channel and has a first end defining a first opening and configured to be coupled to an ice machine, a second end defining a second opening and configured to be coupled to a drink dispenser, and sidewall(s) extending between the first end and the second end and defining at least a third opening, and in some riser apparatuses a fourth opening, in direct communication with the interior channel, a door configured to selectively cover the third opening, and a removable cover configured to cover at least a portion of the fourth opening. Some riser apparatuses elevate an ice machine relative to a drink dispenser. Some riser apparatuses include a third opening disposed at a non-parallel angle relative to the first opening.