Ice Discharge Ratchet Assembly With Wave Washer Preload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coaxial ratchet mechanisms in ice machines experience instability in preload due to the coil spring not rotating with the mechanism, leading to potential deviations in rotation centers and unstable pressing forces.
Innovation Solution
A ratchet mechanism with a flat sleeve and an elastic member interposed between the sleeve and the ice discharge gear, ensuring the axis of the ice discharge gear remains aligned with the cam member, using a wave washer as the ratchet preloading spring to apply a uniform force and maintain concentricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coil spring is used to apply preload to the ratchet mechanism, then the ratchet mechanism can transmit power, but the coil spring does not rotate with the ratchet mechanism causing deviation between rotation centers and unstable pressing force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static coil spring to a dynamic wave washer that rotates together with the ratchet mechanism. This dynamic configuration ensures the elastic member maintains concentricity with the rotation center throughout operation, preventing deviation and ensuring stable pressing force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical form of the elastic member from a coil spring to a wave washer with specific geometric parameters (wave shape, thickness, material properties). These parameter changes enable the elastic member to both apply preload and rotate synchronously with the ratchet mechanism, resolving the concentricity issue.
2Productivity
If the ratchet mechanism is continuously used, then power transmission continues, but deviation is generated between the rotation center of the ratchet mechanism and the center of the coil spring
Solution Approach 1:
The wave washer is designed to rotate dynamically with the ratchet mechanism during continuous operation. This ensures that the elastic member's center remains aligned with the rotation center throughout continuous use, preventing cumulative deviation that would occur with a stationary coil spring.
Solution Approach 2:
The wave washer acts as an intermediary element between the ratchet mechanism and the preload application point. By being integrally connected and rotating with the ratchet mechanism, it mediates the force transmission while maintaining precise alignment, solving the cumulative alignment error problem in continuous operation.
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
This configuration stabilizes the torque transmission between the ice discharge gear and cam member, preventing axis deviation and ensuring consistent operation, reducing the risk of component breakage and enhancing the reliability of the ice discharge process.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member is interposed between the sleeve and the ice discharge gear
Data Source
AI summary
An ice machine includes an ice discharge gear to which an output of a motor is transmitted. The ice discharge gear is configured to rotate about a rotation axis, a cam member is disposed at a first axial side of the ice discharge gear and provided with a ratchet structure between the cam member and the ice discharge gear, and an ice discharge shaft is connected to the cam member in a facing relationship with the cam member and configured to scrape out ice pieces with ice discharge claw portions during rotation of the ice discharge shaft. A flat or substantially flat sleeve is disposed at a second axial side of the ice discharge gear so as to face the ice discharge gear across a gap, and an elastic member is interposed between the sleeve and the ice discharge gear.