Patent Publication Number: US-10775088-B2

Title: Ice making assembly coupling

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter relates generally to ice making assemblies, such as ice making assemblies including ice makers configured to produce nugget ice, and ice dispensing systems for such ice making assemblies. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Certain refrigerator appliances include an ice making assembly. To produce ice, liquid water is directed to an ice maker of the ice making assembly and frozen. A variety of ice types can be produced depending upon the particular ice maker used. For example, certain ice makers include a mold body for receiving liquid water. An auger within the mold body can rotate and scrape ice off an inner surface of the mold body to form ice nuggets. Such ice makers are generally referred to as nugget style ice makers. Certain consumers prefer nugget style ice makers and their associated ice nuggets. 
     Ice nuggets are generally stored in an ice bucket at temperatures above the freezing temperature of liquid water to maintain a texture of the ice nuggets. An agitator is often provided in the ice bucket and a dispenser motor is provided to rotate the agitator. The agitator may be rotated within the ice bucket to urge ice nuggets from the ice bucket to a dispenser. When stored at temperatures above freezing, ice nuggets can melt and liquid water from melted ice nuggets can collect within the ice bucket. The liquid water can negatively affect performance of the refrigerator appliance and can be difficult to remove. In particular, liquid water can damage or negatively affect performance of electrical components, such as motors. Thus, many ice making assemblies position the dispenser motor above the ice bucket to avoid liquid water reaching the dispenser motor from the ice bucket. 
     When the dispenser motor is positioned above the ice bucket, the agitator is typically connected to the dispenser motor by interengaging gears. During operation, the agitator may be subject to significant torque, e.g., when ice nuggets become lodged in the ice bucket, particularly in corners and when partially melted nuggets clump together. In such instances, the interengaging gears may slip, producing undesirable audible effects and reduced performance of the ice dispensing system. 
     Accordingly, an ice dispensing system with a robust and disengagable connection between the dispenser motor and the agitator would be useful. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter includes an ice making assembly. Components of the ice making assembly may be interconnected via a coupling comprising a fork and a socket. The coupling may transfer torque when the fork and the socket are engaged. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In a first exemplary embodiment, an ice making assembly is provided. The ice making assembly includes an ice maker configured to form ice pieces within the ice maker. The ice maker includes an ice chute to direct the ice pieces from the ice maker. The ice making assembly also includes an ice bucket defining a storage volume. The ice bucket includes an opening in communication with the ice chute to receive ice pieces into the storage volume. An agitator is rotatably mounted within the storage volume of the ice bucket. A dispenser motor is operatively coupled to a drive shaft. A socket is connected to a first end of the agitator. A fork is positioned on the drive shaft and the fork is selectively engagable with the socket. The fork transfers torque from the drive shaft to the agitator via the socket when the fork engages the socket. A lever is configured to move the fork relative to the drive shaft from an engaged position to a disengaged position. The fork clears the socket in the disengaged position such that the ice bucket may be removed from the ice making assembly when the fork is in the disengaged position. 
     In a second exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a housing that defines a chilled chamber. An ice making assembly is disposed within the housing. The ice making assembly includes an ice maker configured to form ice pieces within the ice maker. The ice making assembly includes an ice chute to direct the ice pieces from the ice maker. The ice making assembly also includes an ice bucket defining a storage volume. The ice bucket includes an opening in communication with the ice chute to receive ice pieces into the storage volume. An agitator is rotatably mounted within the storage volume of the ice bucket. A dispenser motor is operatively coupled to a drive shaft. A socket is connected to a first end of the agitator. A fork is positioned on the drive shaft and the fork is selectively engagable with the socket. The fork transfers torque from the drive shaft to the agitator via the socket when the fork engages the socket. A lever is configured to move the fork relative to the drive shaft from an engaged position to a disengaged position. The fork clears the socket in the disengaged position such that the ice bucket may be removed from the ice making assembly when the fork is in the disengaged position. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures. 
         FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of a refrigerator appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 2  provides a perspective view of a door of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  provides an elevation view of the door of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of  FIG. 2  with an access door of the door shown in an open position. 
         FIG. 4  provides an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the door of  FIG. 3  with a fork and a socket in an engaged position. 
         FIG. 5  provides an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the door of  FIG. 3  with a fork and a socket in a disengaged position. 
         FIG. 6  provides a partially sectioned perspective view of an exemplary ice making assembly coupling according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 7  provides a side section view of an exemplary ice making assembly coupling according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 8  provides a top section view of an exemplary ice making assembly coupling according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 9  provides a perspective view of an exemplary ice bucket according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 10  provides a sectioned view of the ice bucket of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  provides a cross-section view of an exemplary fork according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 12  provides a perspective view of an exemplary fork according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 13  provides a perspective view of an exemplary socket according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
       FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of a refrigerator appliance  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Refrigerator appliance  100  includes a cabinet or housing  120  that extends between a top  101  and a bottom  102  along a vertical direction V, between a left side  104  and a right side  106  along the lateral direction L, and between a front  108  and a rear  110  along the transverse direction T. Housing  120  defines chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. In particular, housing  120  defines fresh food chamber  122  positioned at or adjacent top  101  of housing  120  and a freezer chamber  124  arranged at or adjacent bottom  102  of housing  120 . As such, refrigerator appliance  100  is generally referred to as a bottom mount refrigerator. It is recognized, however, that the benefits of the present disclosure apply to other types and styles of refrigerator appliances such as, e.g., a top mount refrigerator appliance, a side-by-side style refrigerator appliance or a standalone ice-maker appliance. Consequently, the description set forth herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting in any aspect to any particular refrigerator chamber configuration. 
     Refrigerator doors  128  are rotatably hinged to an edge of housing  120  for selectively accessing fresh food chamber  122 . In addition, a freezer door  130  is arranged below refrigerator doors  128  for selectively accessing freezer chamber  124 . Freezer door  130  is coupled to a freezer drawer (not shown) slidably mounted within freezer chamber  124 . Refrigerator doors  128  and freezer door  130  are shown in the closed configuration in  FIG. 1 . 
     Refrigerator appliance  100  also includes a dispensing assembly  140  for dispensing liquid water and/or ice. Dispensing assembly  140  includes a dispenser  142  positioned on or mounted to an exterior portion of refrigerator appliance  100 , e.g., on one of doors  120 . Dispenser  142  includes a discharging outlet  144  for accessing ice and liquid water. An actuating mechanism  146 , shown as a paddle, is mounted below discharging outlet  144  for operating dispenser  142 . In alternative exemplary embodiments, any suitable actuating mechanism may be used to operate dispenser  142 . For example, dispenser  142  can include a sensor (such as an ultrasonic sensor) or a button rather than the paddle. A user interface panel  148  is provided for controlling the mode of operation. For example, user interface panel  148  includes a plurality of user inputs (not labeled), such as a water dispensing button and an ice-dispensing button, for selecting a desired mode of operation such as crushed or non-crushed ice. 
     Discharging outlet  144  and actuating mechanism  146  are an external part of dispenser  142  and are mounted in a dispenser recess  150 . Dispenser recess  150  is positioned at a predetermined elevation convenient for a user to access ice or water and enabling the user to access ice without the need to bend-over and without the need to open doors  120 . In the exemplary embodiment, dispenser recess  150  is positioned at a level that approximates the chest level of a user. 
       FIG. 2  provides a perspective view of a door of refrigerator doors  128 . Refrigerator appliance  100  includes a sub-compartment  162  defined on refrigerator door  128 . Sub-compartment  162  may be referred to as an “icebox.” Sub-compartment  162  extends into fresh food chamber  122  when refrigerator door  128  is in the closed position. As discussed in greater detail below, an ice making assembly  158  including an ice maker  160  and an ice storage bin or ice bucket  164  ( FIG. 3 ) may be positioned or disposed within sub-compartment  162 . The ice maker  160  may be configured to form ice pieces, e.g., ice nuggets as described below, within the ice maker  160 . The ice maker  160  may be in communication with the ice bucket  164  such that ice pieces, e.g., nuggets, formed in the ice maker  160  may be transferred to and stored in the ice bucket  164 . Thus, ice is supplied to dispenser recess  150  ( FIG. 1 ) from the ice bucket  164  in sub-compartment  162  on a back side of refrigerator door  128 . Chilled air from a sealed system (not shown) of refrigerator appliance  100  may be directed into components within sub-compartment  162 , e.g., ice maker  160  and/or ice bucket  164 . In certain exemplary embodiments, a temperature of air within sub-compartment  162  may correspond to a temperature of air within fresh food chamber  122 , such that ice within ice bucket  164  melts over time. 
     An access door  166  is hinged to refrigerator door  128 . Access door  166  permits selective access to sub-compartment  162 . Any manner of suitable latch  168  is configured with sub-compartment  162  to maintain access door  166  in a closed position. As an example, latch  168  may be actuated by a consumer in order to open access door  166  for providing access into sub-compartment  162 . Access door  166  can also assist with insulating sub-compartment  162 , e.g., by thermally isolating or insulating sub-compartment  162  from fresh food chamber  122 . 
       FIG. 3  provides an elevation view of refrigerator door  128  with access door  166  shown in an open position. As may be seen in  FIG. 3 , ice making assembly  158  is positioned or disposed within sub-compartment  162 . As mentioned above, ice maker  160  may be configured to form ice nuggets therein. Accordingly, in the illustrated example, ice maker  160  includes a casing  170 . An auger  172  is rotatably mounted in a mold body within casing  170  (shown partially cutout to reveal auger  172 ). In particular, an ice maker motor  174  is mounted to casing  170  and is in mechanical communication with (e.g., coupled to) auger  172 . Ice maker motor  174  is configured for selectively rotating auger  172  in the mold body within casing  170 . During rotation of auger  172  within the mold body, auger  172  scrapes or removes ice off an inner surface of the mold body within casing  170  and directs such ice to an extruder  175 . At extruder  175 , ice nuggets are formed from ice within casing  170 . The extruder  175  may be in communication with an ice chute  184  to direct ice nuggets formed in the extruder  175  from the extruder  175  to an ice bucket  164 . The ice bucket  164  is positioned below ice chute  184  and receives the ice nuggets from extruder  175  via the ice chute  184 . 
     From ice bucket  164 , the ice nuggets can enter dispensing assembly  140  and be accessed by a user as discussed above. In such a manner, ice making assembly  158  can produce or generate ice nuggets and supply the same to the dispensing assembly  140 . For example, an agitator  192  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 10 ) may be disposed within the ice bucket  164  for urging ice nuggets from the ice bucket  164  to the dispensing outlet  144 . A dispenser motor  182  may be in mechanical communication with, e.g., operatively coupled to, the dispenser agitator  192  such that the dispenser motor  182  can drive the dispenser agitator  192  to promote movement of ice nuggets from the ice bucket  164  to the dispensing outlet  144 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , ice making assembly  158  also includes a fan  176 . Fan  176  is configured for directing a flow of chilled air towards casing  170 . As an example, fan  176  can direct chilled air from an evaporator of a sealed system through a duct to casing  170 . Thus, casing  170  can be cooled with chilled air from fan  176  such that ice maker  160  is air cooled in order to form ice therein. Ice maker  160  also includes a heater  180 , such as an electric resistance heating element, mounted to casing  170 . Heater  180  is configured for selectively heating casing  170 , e.g., when ice prevents or hinders rotation of auger  172  within casing  170 . 
     Operation of ice making assembly  158  is controlled by a processing device or controller  600 , e.g., that may be operatively coupled to control panel  148  for user manipulation to select features and operations of ice making assembly  158 . Controller  600  can operate various components of ice making assembly  158  to execute selected system cycles and features. For example, controller  600  is in operative communication with the dispenser motor  182 , ice maker motor  174 , fan  176  and heater  180 . Thus, controller  600  can selectively activate and operate dispenser motor  182 , ice maker motor  174 , fan  176  and heater  180 . 
     Controller  600  may include a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of ice making assembly  158 . The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller  600  may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software. Motor  174 , fan  176  and heater  180  may be in communication with controller  600  via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. 
     Ice maker  160  also includes a temperature sensor  178 . Temperature sensor  178  is configured for measuring a temperature of casing  170  and/or liquids, such as liquid water, within casing  170 . Temperature sensor  178  can be any suitable device for measuring the temperature of casing  170  and/or liquids therein. For example, temperature sensor  178  may be a thermistor or a thermocouple. Controller  600  can receive a signal, such as a voltage or a current, from temperature sensor  178  that corresponds to the temperature of the temperature of casing  170  and/or liquids therein. In such a manner, the temperature of casing  170  and/or liquids therein can be monitored and/or recorded with controller  600 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  provide enlarged perspective views of a portion of the sub-compartment  162  of  FIG. 3  and components therein. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the dispenser motor  182  may be operatively coupled to a drive shaft  183 , e.g., via a gearbox  186 . As mentioned above, dispenser motor  182  may be operatively coupled to the agitator  192 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the dispenser motor  182  may be operatively coupled to the agitator  192  by a socket  300  connected to a first end  402  ( FIG. 10 ) of the agitator  192  and a fork  200  positioned on the drive shaft  183 . The fork  200  may be selectively engagable with and disengagable from the socket  300 . When the fork  200  engages the socket  300 , e.g., when the fork  200  and the socket  300  are in the engaged position illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the fork  200  may transfer torque from the drive shaft  183  to the agitator  192  via the socket  300 . Thus, dispenser motor  182  can selectively rotate agitator  192  within ice bucket  164  when the fork  200  and the socket  300  are engaged. Rotation of agitator  192  within ice bucket  164  can assist with dispensing or removing ice nuggets from the ice bucket  164  as discussed in greater detail below. When the fork  200  disengages from the socket  300 , e.g., when the fork  200  and the socket  300  are in the disengaged position illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the fork  200  clears the socket  300  such that the ice bucket  164  may be removed from the sub-compartment  162 . A handle  188  may be integrally formed in the ice bucket  164 . For example, the handle  188  may be a recessed handle or pocket handle, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . A user may grip the recessed handle  188  to assist in removing the ice bucket  164  from the sub-compartment  162  when the fork  200  and the socket  300  are in the disengaged position. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , ice bucket  164  defines an opening  190 , e.g., at a top portion of the ice bucket  164 . When the ice bucket  164  is positioned within the sub-compartment  162 , the opening  190  may be positioned below the ice chute  184  and in communication with the ice chute  184  to receive ice nuggets from the ice chute  184  into the ice bucket  164 . Ice bucket  164  includes a side wall  163  and a top wall  161 , a storage volume  165  (as may be seen, e.g., in  FIGS. 7 and 10 ) is defined within the ice bucket  164  between side wall  163  and top wall  161 . Opening  190  may be defined in top wall  161  and positioned (and configured) for receiving ice nuggets, e.g., from casing  170  and/or extruder  175  via ice chute  184  such that ice nuggets from ice making assembly  158  enter storage volume  165  at opening  190 . The agitator  192  may be rotatably mounted within the ice bucket  164 , e.g., within the storage volume  165  of the ice bucket  164 . 
     As shown, for example, in  FIG. 6 , the fork  200  may include a plurality of tines  210  and one or more slots  212  defined between adjacent tines  210  of the plurality of tines  210 . For example, the fork  200  may include three tines  210  and three slots  212  defined between adjacent tines  210  (see also  FIGS. 11 and 12 ). Also shown in  FIG. 6 , the socket  300  may include one or more ribs  302 . The ribs  302  of the socket  300  may correspond to the slots  212  of the fork  200 . For example, the ribs  302  of the socket  300  may have a corresponding shape and size to the shape and size of the slots  212  of the fork  200 . Such corresponding shapes and sizes may permit the ribs  302  to be received within the slots  212  with sufficient overlap between each rib  302  and the tines  210  defining the slot  212  into which the respective rib  302  is received to provide a robust connection between the fork  200  and the socket  300 . For example, the connection may be sufficiently robust to transfer torque from the dispenser motor  182  to the agitator  192  via the fork  200  and the socket  300 . Further, the ribs  302  of the socket  300  may correspond in number to the slots  212  of the fork  200 . For example, in embodiments where the fork  200  comprises three tines  210  with three slots  212  defined between the tines  210 , the socket  300  may include three ribs  302  corresponding to the three slots  212 .  FIG. 6  illustrates the fork  200  and the socket  300  in the engaged position, e.g., where the ribs  302  of the socket  300  are received within the slots  212  of the fork  200  when the fork  200  engages the socket  300 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the drive shaft  183  may include or define a longitudinal axis  185  and an axial direction A defined by the longitudinal axis  185 . For example, the axial direction A may be substantially parallel to, e.g., within ten degrees in any direction of, the vertical direction V. The fork  200  may be movable relative to the drive shaft  183  along the axial direction A. For example, the fork  200  may be movable along the axial direction A between the engaged position ( FIG. 4 ) and the disengaged position ( FIG. 5 ). In some embodiments, a lever  202  may be provided. The lever  202  may be configured to move the fork  200  relative to the drive shaft  183  along the axial direction A from the engaged position to the disengaged position. Also as shown, e.g., in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a spring  208  may be provided. The spring  208  may be configured to bias the fork  200  into engagement with the socket  300 . For example, the spring  208  may bias the fork  200  towards or into the engaged position. As illustrated for example in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the spring  208  may be a helical spring encircling the drive shaft  183 . In some embodiments, the lever  202  and the spring  208  may selectively move the fork  200  between the engaged position and the disengaged position. For example, the lever  202  may be rotatable between a first position ( FIG. 4 ) and a second position ( FIG. 5 ), and the lever  202  may engage the fork  200  to move the fork  200  from the engaged position to the disengaged position when the lever  202  rotates from the first position to the second position, e.g., when a user rotates or lifts the lever  202  in order to remove the ice bucket  164  from the sub-compartment  162 , e.g., to access ice nuggets stored in the ice bucket  164 . The spring  208  may be compressed when the fork  200  moves from the engaged position to the disengaged position, such that the spring  208  returns the fork  200  downward along the longitudinal axis  185  of the drive shaft  183 , e.g., to the engaged position, when the lever  202  is released. 
     The fork  200  may be in the engaged position without the fork  200  and the socket  300  being engaged, for example, when the ice bucket  164  and the socket  300  are removed from the sub-compartment  162 , the spring  208  will return the fork  200  to the engaged position, but the fork  200  will not engage the socket  300  when the socket  300  is not present within the sub-compartment  162 . The fork  200  may include a chamfered portion  214  ( FIG. 12 ) and the socket  300  may include a chamfered portion  304  ( FIG. 13 ). The respective chamfered portions  214  and  304  may be configured such that, when the ice bucket  164  is replaced within the sub-compartment  162 , the chamfered portion  304  of the socket  300  will interface with the chamfered portion  214  of the fork  200 . The interface will act as a ramp pushing the fork  200  upward along the axial direction A as the ice bucket  164  and attached socket  300  are inserted into the sub-compartment  164  until the ice bucket  164  is fully installed, at which point the socket  300  and the fork  200  will be aligned such that the spring  208  may bias the fork  200  into engagement with the socket  300 . 
     As may be seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the fork  200  comprises a neck  218  and a flange  220 .  FIG. 11  provides a cross-section view of the fork  200 . As may be seen in  FIG. 11 , the neck  218  comprises a first outer diameter  222  and the flange  220  comprises a second outer diameter  224  greater than the first outer diameter  222  of the neck  218 .  FIG. 8  provides a top down section view of the exemplary coupling, with the section taken through the neck  218  of the fork  200 . As may be seen in  FIG. 8 , the coupling may include a yoke  204  partially encircling the neck  218  of the fork  200 . As noted in  FIG. 8 , the yoke  204  may comprise a minimum opening size or inner diameter  206 . The inner diameter  206  of the yoke  204  may be greater than the first outer diameter  222  of the neck  218  of the fork  200  and less than the second outer diameter  224  of the flange  220  of the fork  200 . As shown in  FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 8 , the yoke  204  may be connected to the lever  202  such that the yoke  204  engages the flange  220  of the fork  200  to move the fork  200  along to the drive shaft  183  relative to the socket  300  from the engaged position to the disengaged position when the lever  202  rotates from the first position to the second position. 
       FIG. 9  provides a perspective view of an exemplary ice bucket according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the socket  300  may be received within a recess in the top wall  161  of the ice bucket  164 . As mentioned above, the ice bucket  164  may include an integral handle  188 , e.g., a recessed handle, formed in or near a top portion of the ice bucket  164  to assist a user in removing the ice bucket  164  from the sub-compartment  162  when the fork  200  and the socket  300  are disengaged. As shown in  FIG. 9 , a second handle  189  may be integrally formed in the ice bucket  164  at or near a bottom portion of the ice bucket  164 , e.g., opposite of the recessed handle  188  along the vertical direction V. Similar to handle  188 , the second handle  189  may also be integrally formed in the ice bucket  164 , such as a pocket handle or recessed handle. 
     As may be seen in  FIG. 10 , ice bucket  164  includes a sweep  500  positioned in a bottom portion of the ice bucket  164 , e.g., below storage volume  165 . Sweep  500  has sweep arms  502 . An ice outlet  194  is positioned below storage volume  165 , e.g., along the vertical direction V. Sweep  500  is positioned in or proximate to ice outlet  194 . Sweep  500  is fixed or coupled to agitator  192 , e.g., at a second end  404  of agitator  192 . Thus, sweep  500  rotates when agitator  192  rotates within storage volume  165 . The ice bucket  164  also includes a bottom opening  193 . Bottom opening  193  is sized to permit ice nuggets from storage volume  165  to enter ice outlet  194 . Thus, gravity can urge ice nuggets above opening  193  out of storage volume  165  into ice outlet  194  via bottom opening  193 . Rotation of agitator  192  can assist with moving ice nuggets within storage volume  165  over bottom opening  193  such that ice nuggets move from storage volume  165  into dispensing ice outlet  194 . 
     Ice outlet  194  is sized for directing ice nuggets out of ice bucket  164 . For example, ice outlet  194  may be positioned in communication with, e.g., over, dispensing outlet  144  to direct ice nuggets from ice bucket  164  to dispensing outlet  144 . For example, rotation of sweep  500  can move ice nuggets from bottom opening  193  to ice outlet  194 . Thus, sweep arms  502  of sweep  500  can move ice nuggets from bottom opening  193  to ice outlet  194  during rotation of agitator  192  and sweep  500 . In such a manner, ice nuggets can be dispensed from storage volume  165  without crushing the ice nuggets. 
     As may be seen in  FIG. 10 , agitator  192  extends between a first end  402  and the second end  404 . First and second ends  402  and  404  of agitator  192  are spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the vertical direction V when the ice bucket  164  is installed in the sub-compartment  162 . First end  402  of agitator  192  may be rotatably mounted to top wall  161  of ice bucket  164 , and second end  404  of agitator  192  may be rotatably mounted to a bottom wall of ice bucket  164 . 
     As also may be seen in  FIG. 10 , agitator  192  includes a central post  400  with a plurality of projections  406  mounted thereto. Projections  406  are, e.g., uniformly, dispersed or distributed between first and second ends  402  and  404  of agitator  192 . Thus, projections  406  are spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the vertical direction. Each of the projections  406  includes a distal end portion  408  that may be positioned adjacent or proximate sidewall  163  of ice bucket  200 . Thus, projections  406  may extend, e.g., radially, from central post  400  towards sidewall  163 . Projections  406  can assist with breaking up clumps of ice nuggets in storage volume  165  during rotation of agitator  192  in storage volume  165 . In particular, distal end portions  408  of projections  406  can pass close to sidewall  163  and hinder accumulation or collection of ice nuggets at sidewall  163 . 
       FIG. 11  provides a cross-section view of fork  200 . As noted above, fork  200  includes a neck  218  and a flange  220 . Fork  200  may also include a cylindrical or disc-shaped base portion  216 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the neck  218  and tines  210  may each extend from the base portion  216 , with the neck  218  and the tines  210  extending in opposite directions. Moreover, the flange  220  may be formed at a distal end of the neck  218 , e.g., spaced apart from the base  216  of the fork  200 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the fork  200  may be generally annular. For example, each tine  210  of the fork  200  may be arcuate in form, thus each tine  210  may generally form a segment of a hollow cylinder and the chamfered portions  214  of each tine  210  may generally form segments of a frustoconical shape. For example, each of the chamfered portions  214  may taper inwardly, e.g., towards a center or central axis of the fork  200 . 
       FIG. 13  provides a perspective view of an exemplary socket  300 . As shown, the socket  300  includes a generally cylindrical main body  306  with chamfered portion  304  defining a frustoconical surface at one end of the cylindrical main body  306 . The cylindrical main body  306  of the socket  300  is hollow, forming a recess  308 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the ribs  302  may be provided within the recess  308 . For example, the ribs  302  may extend radially inward within the recess  308 . Also shown in  FIG. 13  is a lumen or aperture  310  formed in a bottom portion of main body  306 . The first end  402  ( FIG. 10 ) of the agitator  192  may be received within the aperture  310  when the socket  300  is connected to the agitator  192 . 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.