Space saving ice and beverage dispenser with accessible auger drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ice dispensing systems have a large footprint, are not effective with nugget ice, and require complex rotating agitators that increase the risk of bridging, limiting their efficiency and usability in compact spaces.
Innovation Solution
A reduced footprint ice and beverage dispensing system with a modular design featuring a helical wire auger and an inclined ice ramp, coupled with a baffle to support ice and reduce load on the auger, allowing for efficient dispensing of ice in various forms without bridging, and a cold plate assembly that maximizes cooling surface area while minimizing size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional rotating agitator is used to dispense ice, then ice can be moved through the bin, but the device complexity increases and the risk of bridging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex rotating agitator mechanism entirely and replaces it with a simple auger system that uses rotational motion to convey ice through a chute. This extraction of the problematic component directly reduces device complexity while maintaining ice dispensing functionality through the simpler auger design.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex multi-component agitator system, the patent inverts the approach by using a simple rotating auger that pushes ice along a controlled path. This inversion from complex agitation to simple conveyance reduces bridging risks while maintaining effectiveness.
2Quantity of substance
If a large footprint dispenser is used, then more ice storage capacity is available, but the area occupied increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the ice bin geometry to maximize vertical space utilization rather than spreading out horizontally. By designing a taller, more compact bin structure with efficient auger routing, the system achieves high ice storage capacity in a reduced footprint configuration.
3Ease of operation
If a complex rotating agitator is used, then ice can be agitated to prevent bridging, but the reliability decreases due to increased bridging risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex rotating agitator that created reliability issues with bridging, and replaces it with a straightforward auger system that provides consistent, controlled ice movement without the mechanical complexity that led to unreliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters from complex multi-directional agitation to simple unidirectional auger rotation, which provides more predictable and reliable ice conveyance. This parameter change eliminates the bridging issues associated with complex agitator motion patterns.
4Ease of repair
If the auger drive is made accessible for service, then ease of repair improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the auger drive assembly from the main dispenser body, allowing it to be accessed, removed, or serviced as a separate modular unit. This segmentation enables easy maintenance without requiring disassembly of the entire dispenser, achieving ease of repair without adding complex access mechanisms.
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
The system effectively dispenses ice with minimal bridging risks, reduces the overall width of the dispenser, and ensures sufficient cooling of beverages, even in compact spaces, while being easily serviceable and adaptable to different ice forms.
Implementation Method 1
a helical wire auger and an inclined ice ramp, coupled with a baffle to support ice and reduce load on the auger
Implementation Method 2
Rotation of the helical auger in a first direction causes ice to be driven upwardly along the inclined ice ramp
Implementation Method 3
a cold plate assembly that maximizes cooling surface area while minimizing size
Implementation Method 4
coupled with a baffle to support ice and reduce load on the auger
Data Source
AI summary
An ice dispensing system is provided. The system includes multiple sidewalls forming an ice bin cavity configured to store ice. The system further includes an auger drive assembly. The auger drive assembly includes a drive assembly that is coupled to one of the multiple sidewalls and has a motor configured to rotate a drive gear. The auger drive assembly further includes an auger assembly positioned within the ice bin cavity. The auger assembly includes a helical auger coupled to an auger gear. The drive gear is configured to mate with the auger gear to drive rotation of the helical auger and cause ice to be dispensed through an ice chute. The drive assembly is additionally configured to move relative to the auger assembly between a closed position and an opened position. The opened position permits removal of the auger assembly from the ice bin cavity.