Modular bucket and door architecture to deliver three ice functions

An ice manipulation module comprising:

• a housing adapted for alternative connection with and removal from a module-receiving cavity;
• a first ice modification member and a second ice modification member, wherein each of the first and second ice modification members are disposed inside and attached to a base of the housing, wherein each of the first and second ice modification members are in a fixed position with respect to the housing, and wherein the first ice modification member is an ice shaving blade and wherein the second ice manipulation member is an ice crushing blade;
• a motor operably connected with the ice manipulation module and including an output shaft extending into the ice manipulation module;
• and
• an impeller connected with the output shaft proximate to the ice modification member, the impeller being operable between a first ice manipulating condition defined by a first directional rotation of the impeller, and a second ice manipulating condition defined by a second directional rotation of the impeller, wherein the first ice manipulating condition includes at least one of dispensing, crushing and shaving, and wherein the second ice manipulating condition includes at least one other of dispensing, crushing and shaving, and wherein the impeller includes an outwardly extending curved portion that rotates to perform the first and second ice manipulating conditions, and wherein when the first and second ice manipulating conditions are crushing and shaving, the outwardly extending curved portion is further operable to at least partially perform a dispensing function.

A method of making an appliance comprising:

• forming a module-receiving area adapted to engagably receive at least one of a plurality of ice manipulation modules selected from the group consisting of a crushed-cubed module, a shaved-cubed module, and a crushed-shaved module, wherein each one of the plurality of ice manipulation modules includes a base and at least one ice modification member attached to the base of the respective ice manipulation module, wherein each at least one ice modification member is stationary with respect to the respective ice manipulation module;
• providing a motor having an output shaft, adapted for rotation in a first direction and adapted for rotation in a second direction;
• connecting an impeller to the output shaft, the impeller having a single outwardly extending curved portion;
• and
• extending the impeller proximate the module-receiving area, wherein rotation of the output shaft in the first direction causes the single outwardly extending curved portion to perform a first ice manipulating condition and wherein rotation of the output shaft in the second direction causes the single outwardly extending curved portion to perform a second ice manipulating condition, wherein the first ice manipulating condition includes at least one of dispensing, crushing and shaving, and wherein the second ice manipulating condition includes at least one other of dispensing, crushing and shaving, and wherein when the first and second ice manipulating conditions are crushing and shaving, rotation of the single outwardly curved portion in at least one of the first and second directions further performs a dispensing function.