Disclosed is a self-aligning auger drive assembly. The assembly includes a hopper with an auger supported therein. A shaft is connected to and extends from the auger externally from the hopper. A coupling is associated with the shaft and is operatively associated with a biasing device which creates
Disclosed is a self-aligning auger drive assembly. The assembly includes a hopper with an auger supported therein. A shaft is connected to and extends from the auger externally from the hopper. A coupling is associated with the shaft and is operatively associated with a biasing device which creates an engaging force to promote engagement of the coupling with a motor assembly driver. A portion of the coupling defines a recess which receives at least a portion of the driver as the driver is rotated.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed is: 1. A hopper drive assembly for beverage makers, the hopper drive assembly comprising: a hopper; an auger mounted inside the hopper; a shaft connected to the auger, the shaft extending externally from the hopper; a coupling attached to the shaft; a driver releasably engaging the
What is claimed is: 1. A hopper drive assembly for beverage makers, the hopper drive assembly comprising: a hopper; an auger mounted inside the hopper; a shaft connected to the auger, the shaft extending externally from the hopper; a coupling attached to the shaft; a driver releasably engaging the coupling; a motor assembly in communication with the driver, the motor assembly controllably driving the driver; and a biasing device operatively associated with at least one of the coupling and the driver providing an engaging force to promote engagement of the coupling with the driver. 2. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a controller in communication with the motor assembly. 3. The assembly of claim 2, further comprising a sensor for sensing the condition of the hopper, the sensor being in communication with the controller. 4. The assembly of claim 3, further comprising the sensor being adapted to sense a presence of product in the hopper. 5. The assembly of claim 3, further comprising the sensor being adapted to sense a presence of the hopper. 6. The assembly of claim 1, the coupling further comprising a portion of the coupling defining a recess for receiving at least a portion of the driver. 7. The assembly of claim 6, the driver further comprising a generally elongated protrusion. 8. The assembly of claim 6, the recess further comprising a bow-tie shaped recess sized and dimensioned for cooperatively engaging the driver. 9. The assembly of claim 8 further comprising a beverage maker cabinet, the cabinet having a horizontal floor; and a wall extending generally vertically from a rear edge of the horizontal floor, the driver being positioned proximate the wall. 10. The assembly of claim 9, further comprising the shaft extending externally from the hopper at a height above the horizontal floor, and the driver being positioned relative to the vertical wall at a corresponding height for cooperative engagement with the coupling. 11. The assembly of claim 10, further comprising a controller in communication with the motor assembly and a sensor for sensing the condition of the hopper and in communication with the controller. 12. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising the sensor being mounted on the wall at a second height above the horizontal floor, the second height being greater than the height. 13. The assembly of claim 12, further comprising the sensor being positioned to sense a presence of product in the hopper, the controller controllably operating the motor assembly to permit a rotation of the driver in response to the sensor sensing the presence of product in the hopper. 14. The assembly of claim 12, further comprising the sensor being positioned to sense a presence of the hopper, the controller controllably operating the motor assembly to permit a rotation of the driver in response to the sensor sensing the presence of a hopper. 15. A method of driving an auger mounted inside of a hopper, the method comprising the steps of: providing an auger mounted inside the hopper; the auger having a shaft connected to the auger, the shaft extending externally from the hopper, a coupling attached to the shaft, and a biasing device operatively associated with at least one of the coupling and a driver; providing the driver, the driver releasably engaging the coupling, providing a motor assembly in communication with the driver, the motor assembly controllably driving the driver; positioning the hopper so that the coupling contacts the driver; having the biasing device provide an engaging force to promote engagement of the coupling with the driver; rotating the driver until the driver engages the coupling; and in response to the driver engaging with the coupling, rotating the shaft to drive the auger. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of: providing a sensor, the sensor being positioned to sense the presence of the hopper in proximity to the driver; providing a controller in communication with the sensor; in response to the sensor sensing the presence of the hopper, operating the motor assembly to permit rotation of the driver. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising controllably operating the motor assembly to rotate the driver to drive the auger. 18. The method of claim 15, the coupling further comprising a portion of the coupling defining a recess for receiving at least a portion of the driver, the method further comprising the step of, in response to the coupling not receiving the driver in the recess when the coupling contacts the driver, retracting the coupling. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising rotating the driver until the driver engages with the coupling by being received in the recess. 20. A method of driving an auger mounted inside of a hopper, the method comprising the steps of: providing the auger, the auger being mounted inside the hopper, a shaft connected to the auger, the shaft extending externally from the hopper, a coupling attached to the shaft, a biasing device operatively associated with at least one of the coupling and a driver, the coupling further comprising a portion of the coupling defining a recess; providing a beverage making cabinet, the cabinet having a horizontal floor, and a wall, the wall extending vertically from a rear edge of the floor, a motor assembly attached to the wall, the driver releasably engaging the coupling, the driver being attached to and rotatably operated by the motor assembly; sliding the hopper along the floor toward the rear edge until the coupling contacts the driver; in response to the coupling not receiving the driver in the recess when the hopper is slid into position, retracting the coupling; rotating the driver until the driver is aligned with and received in the recess; and further rotating the driver to drive the auger. 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising: providing a sensor along the wall, the sensor being positioned to sense a condition of the hopper; and rotating the driver in response to the sensor sensing a desired condition. 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the desired condition being proper positioning of the hopper. 23. The method of claim 21, further comprising the desired condition being a presence of product in the hopper.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (6)
Ficken Leonard A. (Manchester MO) Newkirk Franklin D. (Florissant MO), Additive overflow reduction system for an automatic vending machine.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.