Ice dispenser for dispensing cubed and crushed ice and related refrigeration appliance

Abstract

An ice dispensing assembly includes an ice bucket for containing ice cubes, with at least a first exit in the ice bucket for the ice cubes. An optional second exit may be provided in the ice bucket for crushed ice made from the ice cubes. One motor moves a rotatable member to move ice from the ice bucket through at least one of the exits. A second motor moves either a crush plate or counter rotating members to create crushed ice. The crushed ice may be dispensed though the first exit or the second exit. Related refrigeration appliances are disclosed.

1 . An ice dispensing assembly comprising:
 an ice bucket for containing ice cubes;   a first exit in the ice bucket for the ice cubes;   a second exit in the ice bucket for crushed ice made from the ice cubes;   a first motor for moving a rotatable member to move ice cubes from the ice bucket through the first exit; and   a second motor for moving two counter-rotating members to grind ice cubes from the ice bucket therebetween into crushed ice and to move the crushed ice through the second exit.   
     
     
         2 . The ice dispensing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first exit and the second exit are located laterally adjacent each other in a bottom portion of the ice bucket. 
     
     
         3 . The ice dispensing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a guide is provided proximate the counter rotating members for guiding ice cubes to and through the counter rotating members. 
     
     
         4 . The ice dispensing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable member is mounted non-concentrically with reference to a shaft driven by the first motor. 
     
     
         5 . An ice dispensing assembly comprising:
 an ice bucket for containing ice cubes;   an exit in the ice bucket for the ice cubes;   a first motor for moving a rotatable member to move ice cubes from the ice bucket through the exit; and   a second motor for moving a crush element toward or away from the rotatable member, the crush element cooperating with the rotatable member when moved toward the rotatable member to grind ice cubes from the ice bucket therebetween into crushed ice and to move the crushed ice through the exit, the crush element being spaced from the rotatable member when moved away so as to allow ice cubes to pass out of the exit without crushing via rotation of the rotatable member.   
     
     
         6 . The ice dispensing assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the second motor is a solenoid motor. 
     
     
         7 . The ice dispensing assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the crush element is a plate mounted on a ramp extending at an angle to the exit. 
     
     
         8 . The ice dispensing assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the plate has a first end that extends over a distal end of the ramp when moved toward the rotatable member. 
     
     
         9 . A refrigeration appliance with an ice dispenser comprising:
 a refrigerated cabinet and at least one door;   an ice bucket in one of the refrigerated cabinet or door for containing ice cubes;   a first exit in the ice bucket for the ice cubes;   a second exit in the ice bucket for crushed ice made from the ice cubes;   a first motor for moving a rotatable member to move ice cubes from the ice bucket through the first exit and through the door; and   a second motor for moving two counter-rotating members to grind ice cubes from the ice bucket therebetween into crushed ice and to move the crushed ice through the second exit and through the door.   
     
     
         10 . The refrigeration appliance of  claim 9 , wherein the first exit and the second exit are located laterally adjacent each other in a bottom portion of the ice bucket and over a conduit leading to an outlet in the door. 
     
     
         11 . The refrigeration appliance of  claim 9 , wherein a guide is provided proximate the counter rotating members for guiding ice cubes to and through the counter rotating members. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigeration appliance of  claim 9 , wherein the rotatable member is mounted non-concentrically with reference to a shaft driven by the first motor. 
     
     
         13 . The refrigeration appliance of  claim 9 , wherein an ice maker is mounted in the refrigeration appliance above the ice bucket for providing the ice cubes. 
     
     
         14 . A refrigeration appliance with an ice dispenser comprising:
 a refrigerated cabinet and at least one door;   an ice bucket in one of the refrigerated cabinet or the door for containing ice cubes;   an exit in the ice bucket for the ice cubes;   a first motor for moving a rotatable member to move ice cubes from the ice bucket through the exit and through the door; and   a second motor for moving a crush element toward or away from the rotatable member, the crush element cooperating with the rotatable member when moved toward the rotatable member to grind ice cubes from the ice bucket therebetween into crushed ice and to move the crushed ice through the exit and through the door, the crush element being spaced from the rotatable member when moved away so as to allow ice cubes to pass out of the exit and through the door without crushing via rotation of the rotatable member.   
     
     
         15 . The refrigeration appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the second motor is a solenoid motor. 
     
     
         16 . The refrigeration appliance of  claim 15 , wherein the crush element is a plate mounted on a ramp extending at an angle to the exit. 
     
     
         17 . The refrigeration appliance of  claim 15 , wherein the plate has a first end that extends over a distal end of the ramp when moved toward the rotatable member. 
     
     
         18 . The refrigeration appliance of  claim 15 , wherein an ice maker is mounted in the refrigeration appliance above the ice bucket for providing the ice cubes.