| 摘要 |
An ice dispenser includes an ice storage bin with a drive shaft aperture and an ice dispensing aperture; an ice dispensing chute connected to the storage bin in proximity to the ice dispensing aperture; a paddlewheel inside the storage bin; and a drive mechanism, including a drive shaft passing through the drive shaft aperture, for rotation of the paddlewheel. The drive shaft is connected to the paddlewheel in such a fashion that the paddlewheel is prevented from disengaging from the drive shaft during normal operation of the ice dispensing apparatus, but the drive shaft can be disengaged from the paddlewheel in order to be able to remove the drive mechanism from the ice dispenser without accessing the ice storage bin. The paddlewheel may be molded plastic, and include a rigid coupler molded into the paddlewheel having first and second axial openings at opposite ends for receiving the drive shaft and the agitator shaft. The drive shaft and openings have surfaces configured to transmit torque from the drive shaft, through the coupler, to rotate the paddlewheel and the agitator. The drive shaft slides into the coupler to engage the paddlewheel during normal operation, so that the drive motor and gear assembly can be detached from the paddlewheel without accessing the ice storage bin. The coupler has a larger dimension in its central section than at its ends. The invention is also applicable to combined ice and beverage dispensers, having at least one beverage dispensing nozzle in addition to an ice dispensing chute.
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