Refrigerator with a water and ice dispenser having an improved ice chute air seal

Abstract

A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing agent to increase life of the seal.

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising: a fresh food compartment; an icemaker configured within the fresh food compartment, the icemaker having an insulated housing, the icemaker held at a lower air temperature than the fresh food compartment, the insulated housing having a planar bottom wall and an angled exterior wall, the angled exterior wall extending partially upward and away from a forward end of the planar bottom wall and at a first angle with respect to the planar bottom wall, the angled exterior wall defining a dispensing aperture extending through the insulated housing; a door with an inner liner and an outer door pan, the door configured to transition between an open position providing access to the fresh food compartment and a closed position blocking access to the fresh food compartment; a first portion of the inner liner (i) orientated at a second angle with respect the planar bottom wall and (ii) defining a liner aperture aligned with and disposed below the dispensing aperture; a chute having a first end disposed adjacent the liner aperture and a second end at an ice dispenser adjacent the outer door pan and accessible with the door in the closed position; and a seal disposed about the liner aperture and oriented at a third angle with respect to the planar bottom wall, that is substantially the same as the first angle, to allow at least ice and air to flow out of the icemaker, through the dispensing aperture, through the liner aperture, and to the chute.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the seal is configured to prevent air from the ice compartment from leaking into the fresh food compartment when the door is in the closed position.

3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the seal is attached to the inner liner.

4. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the seal comprises a compressible material.

5. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the seal comprises an additive to reduce friction between the seal and the icemaker.

6. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the additive comprises a polytetrafluoroethylene material.

7. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a storage shelf disposed on the inner liner of the door and located below the chute.

8. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the storage shelf is removable.

9. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a water dispenser with an outlet in the ice dispenser and a drip tray attached to the door beneath the water outlet.

10. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the drip tray is removable.

11. A refrigerator comprising: an ice compartment with a cover having a planar dispensing portion defining an ice delivery opening, the planar dispensing portion extending at a first angle partially upward with respect to a horizontal plane and along an exterior of the ice compartment; a door having an inner liner, the inner liner having an engagement surface configured to interact with the planar dispensing portion of the cover, the engagement surface orientated at a second angle with respect to the horizontal plane; a compressible seal positioned between the engagement surface and the planar dispensing portion and about the ice delivery opening, the seal oriented at a third angle with respect to the horizontal plane that is substantially the same as the first angle; an ice chute in the door in operable connection with the ice delivery opening for guiding ice received from the ice delivery opening, through the compressible seal to an ice receiving area on a front side of the door.

12. The refrigerator of claim 11, further comprising an ice dispenser attached to the door and engaging the ice chute, and terminating in an outlet for discharging ice into a container positioned in the ice receiving area beneath the outlet.

13. The refrigerator of claim 12, further comprising a food storage area on the inner liner directly behind the ice receiving area.

14. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the ice receiving area is accessible to a user when the door is in a closed position.

15. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the compressible seal is affixed to the inner liner and wherein the compressible seal is impregnated with a lubricant to reduce wear caused by wiping of the compressible seal during opening and closing of the door.

16. The refrigerator of claim 15, wherein the compressible seal comprises a rubber material and is configured to compress between the inner liner and the cover when the door is in a closed position.

17. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet; a door attached to the cabinet for movement between an open position and a closed position, the door including an inner door liner; an ice compartment within the cabinet, the ice compartment including an icemaker and a storage bin; the ice compartment having a cover with a dispensing portion having a planar surface that is sloped with respect to a horizontal plane such that the planar surface extends partially upward with respect to the horizontal plane along an exterior of the ice compartment, the cover defining an opening; and a compressible seal disposed on the inner door liner, disposed around an ice outlet chute, and oriented at a slope with respect to the horizontal plane such that the seal is substantially parallel with the planar surface of the dispensing portion, wherein the compressible seal is configured to interact with the planar surface to seal the ice outlet chute and prevent air from escaping the ice compartment.

18. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the ice outlet chute is disposed in the door and extends between the dispensing portion and a dispenser on a front portion of the door that is accessible to a user when the door is in a closed position to dispense ice from the storage bin to a user receptacle, and further comprising a food storage area on the inner door liner directly behind the dispensing area.

19. The refrigerator of claim 18, wherein the compressible seal is affixed to the door and is in a wiping relation to the planar surface of the ice compartment as the door is opened and closed.

20. The refrigerator of claim 19, wherein the compressible seal is impregnated with a lubricant to reduce wear due to wiping of the compressible seal during opening and closing of the door.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a refrigerator having a forward projecting dispenser with a drip pan included with the dispenser housing.

(2) FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the freezer door of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of a door using a forward projecting dispenser.

(4) FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 5 is a front view of a door with a forward projecting dispenser of the present invention with a drip pan independent and removable from the dispenser housing.

(6) FIG. 6 is a front view of the door of FIG. 5 with the drip pan removed.

(7) FIG. 7 is a front view of a door with a forward projecting dispenser without a dispenser cavity.

(8) FIG. 8 is a side view of the door of FIG. 7.

(9) FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

(10) FIG. 10 is a sectional side view of another embodiment of a dispenser in a refrigerator door.

(11) FIG. 11 is a perspective view looking upwardly from a front side of a dispenser up into the dispensing cavity and the ice chute.

(12) FIG. 12 is one embodiment of an ice chute actuator assembly.

(13) FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the actuator assembly of FIG. 12.

(14) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an inside of a refrigerator door showing an ice chute air seal.

(15) FIG. 14A is a side view of a refrigerator showing the ice chute air seal.

(16) FIG. 15 is a front view of a prior art ice and water dispenser.

(17) FIG. 16 is a side view of the prior art ice and water dispenser of FIG. 15.

(18) FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(19) The present invention will be described as it applies to its preferred embodiment. It is not intended that the present invention be limited to the preferred embodiment. It is intended that the invention cover all modifications and alternatives that may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

(20) With reference to FIG. 1, a conventional refrigerator 10 is shown, refrigerator 10 being of the side-by-side design, wherein refrigerator 10 has a refrigeration compartment sealed by a refrigerator door 12 and a freezer compartment sealed by a freezer door 14. One of the doors 12, 14 may be provided with a dispenser 16, generally including a housing 18 defining a dispensing area 22 for an ice chute 20 and water tube 34.

(21) Dispenser 16 may utilize ice and/or water selection buttons 28 and an actuator 29. The user may select water and/or the type of ice to be dispensed such as ice cubes or crushed ice using buttons 28. The user selects and dispenses ice and water by pressing actuator button 29 that actuates delivery of ice through the ice chute 20 and/or water through the water tube 34.

(22) It should be noted that the dispenser 16 could also be found in other types of refrigerators, other than those of side-by-side construction, and thus the dispenser of the present invention, as will hereinafter be described in greater detail, can similarly be used in both refrigerators of side-by-side design, as well as other designs.

(23) The refrigerator 10 has handles 26 extending outward. The dispenser 16 extends outward from the door 14. As shown in FIG. 2 the dispenser may extend approximately level with the handles 26. Alternatively, the dispenser may extend beyond the handle especially when no dispensing cavity 22 is provided for and as illustrated in FIG. 8.

(24) FIG. 2 illustrates the side of the ice and water dispenser 16. Dispenser housing 18 frames the control panel 24, the dispensing area 22, and a catch tray or drip pan 32. The control panel 24 and drip pan 32 extend forward the front panel 46 of the outer door panel.

(25) As seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the forward projecting dispenser 16 permits the ice chute 20 to be the only structure within an inner liner cavity 44. In contrast, the prior art as seen in FIGS. 10-12 require an inner liner cavity 44A to not only accommodate an ice chute but also the dispenser cavity. Accordingly, the forward projecting dispenser permits a space 40 to be available for a shelf 42. This extra space 40 is an 11-inch to 12-inch area below the ice chute 20.

(26) In general, the doors, 12, 14 include an outer door pan 30 and an inner liner 38. The outer door pan 30 is formed of sheet metal and includes a front panel portion 46. The door pan 30 can also be constructed of plastic or a combination of metal and plastic. The sheet metal is bent so as to form a top, bottom and opposing side wall portions 48. Typically, the piece of sheet metal is further bent to define a plurality of flange portions (not shown). The inner door liner 38 is thermal formed but could also be injection molded. In any event, inner door liner 38 includes a portion which defines the inner liner cavity. The inner liner 38 attaches to the outer door pan 30 typically at the plurality of flange portions. Insulation foam is then filled into the void defined by the outer door cavity 50 and the inner liner cavity 44.

(27) As seen in FIG. 4, the ice chute 20 extends through both the liner cavity 44 and the outer door cavity 50. Storage space is maximized by having the liner cavity 44 partially defined by an angled side 36 that follows the diagonally mounted ice chute 20. This is different than the prior art as seen in FIG. 12 which only has the ice chute 20 extending through the liner cavity 44.

(28) As further seen in FIG. 4, the forward projecting dispenser 16 permits a less deep ice dispenser cavity 22. As seen in FIGS. 4, 9, and 10 the dispenser cavity 22 may have an angled back side or sloped dispensing cavity 23 protruding into the outer door cavity portion of the outer door pan 30. A drip pan 32 may be placed on the front panel 46 by an attachment such as screws or may be magnetically attached so that it may be removed as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. The drip pan 32 may be removed whenever larger containers or oversized containers are desired to be filled.

(29) FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of an ice and water dispenser 16 with an angled backside or sloped dispensing cavity 23. The sloped dispensing cavity 23 is preferably projected no more than one inch from the door pan 30. While other depth of projections are also within the scope of the invention, deeper projections reduce storage space inside the refrigerator door. The back slope of the cavity 23 is angled upward and inward with respect to an inside of the refrigerator to minimize the space required by the dispensing cavity 22. This configuration maximizes space available inside of the fresh food or freezer compartment. Thus, the shallow dispensing cavity 23 allows for extra space 40 and therefore an extra shelf or storage bin 42 in the door.

(30) As seen in FIGS. 7-9, an alternate embodiment of the forward projecting dispenser 16 does not utilize a dispensing cavity 22. The dispenser 16 extends forward from the front panel 46 a distance beyond the handle 26 to accommodate large and oversized containers. Additionally, a depressible actuator 29A is provided that is pushed inwardly to actuate the dispensing of ice and/or water. The actuator 29A doubles as a drip pan 32 and catches excess water when it is released for return back into place under the water tube 34. The actuator 29A is removable for cleaning.

(31) The prior art, as seen in FIGS. 15-17, only shows the ice chute 20 in the inner liner 38 portion and specifically a liner cavity 44. The liner cavity is elongated to insulate the dispenser cavity 22B. The actuator 29B and related circuitry is at the rear of the cavity 22B. Also the drip pan 32B is within the cavity 22B. As seen most clearly in FIG. 16, the dispenser 16B is approximately flush with front panel 46 as opposed to forward projecting.

(32) The dispenser 16 includes a retractable ledge 33, as best seen in FIG. 10. The ledge 33 is movable between an extended position shown in FIG. 10 wherein the front edge is positioned outwardly from the front surface of the door 12 and a retracted position in FIG. 11 wherein the front edge is flush with the front surface of the door 12. The ledge 33 is configured as a tray drip pan 32 but does not have to be. The retracting ledge 33 can be temporarily extended from the shallow main dispenser area 22 to accommodate setting a glass, a pitcher, or other container during ice or water dispensing.

(33) The retracting ledge 33 can be designed to pull out, fold up, fold down, or even be removable. As seen in FIG. 10, the retracting ledge 33 slides in a groove 31. It is preferred that the retracting ledge 33 have a stop (not shown) which prevents the retracting ledge 33 from being easily removed from the dispensing cavity 22. The groove 31 additionally helps support the retracting ledge 33 when the ledge 33 is supporting a glass, pitcher, or other container during dispensing. The ledge 33 is most useful in dispensers having a shallow dispensing area 22, however, the ledge 33 can also be used in a dispenser 16 having a deeper dispensing area 22.

(34) As best seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, the dispenser 16 has a lighted dispenser target 60. The lighted dispenser target 60 is preferably a light pipe which gathers light from the cavity light, such as light emitting diodes 62, to provide a lighted ring, or similar device, as a target for a glass in the dispenser cavity 22. A portion of the light provided to the cavity 22 is captured by a portion of the lighted dispenser target 60 which directs the light around the opening for ice and water into the cavity 22. The lighted dispenser target 60 also helps to contain ice chips and spray from the user of the dispenser 16. Since the lighted dispenser target 60 is capturing light from the dispenser light source 62, it is preferred to be of a transparent or at least translucent material. The shape of the lighted target dispenser 60 is shown as a rounded arc. This shape works best for containing water spray and ice chips, however, any shape can be used. As best seen in FIG. 11, the lighted dispenser extends downwardly around or in front of target 60 and the water tube 34 and ice chute 20 so as to protect a user from water or ice spray.

(35) Prior art dispensers have used lighted actuator arms which provide a target for placement of a glass during use of the dispenser 16. However, a lighted actuator arm does nothing to help reduce water spray or ice chip splatter.

(36) As best seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, the dispenser 16 has a motorized ice chute door assembly 70. FIG. 12 is a perspective view from the back and side of the assembly 70. FIG. 13 is an exploded view from the top/front/side of the assembly 70. A low current draw motor 82 is used to move the ice chute door 21. The ice chute door 21 substantially closes off the ice chute 20 when not dispensing ice so as to reduce cold air loss from the ice making or storage compartment. The motor 82 opens the ice chute door 21 using a cam 88. A position switch 92 is provided to register the ice chute door 21 position as “open” or “closed”. An ice chute door hinge 74 and spring 76 biases the ice chute door 21 to a closed position with respect to the ice chute 20. The motorized ice chute door assembly 70 replaces the commonly used solenoid-opened-ice chute door.

(37) In the preferred operation, the user operates the motorized ice chute door assembly 70 by pressing a glass, pitcher, or other similar container against an actuator 78 or other switch type device. The actuator 78 is shown to be an arm in FIG. 10, but may alternately be a pad, button, or other mechanism. The actuator 78 can activate an ice or water dispenser, along with the opening of the ice chute door 21.

(38) In one embodiment, the actuator 78 applies pressure against an actuator switch 80. This requires little force from a user and thus is capable of allowing soft type containers, such as a Styrofoam cup, to be used with the dispenser 16. The actuator switch 80 closes an electrical circuit which powers the motor 82. The motor 82 rotates a motor gear 84 attached to the shaft of the motor 82. The motor gear 84, in turn, rotates a worm gear 86.

(39) The worm gear 86 mates with gears on a cam 88. The cam 88 thus rotates about a cam shaft 89 and is followed by a cam follower 90. The cam follower 90 follows the peaks and valleys on the cam 80 and is operatively connected to the ice chute door 21. The ice chute door 21 pivots along the hinge 74 with the cam follower 90 to open the ice chute 20. Other configurations or gear trains can be used so long as a motor drives them.

(40) It is preferred that the cam 88 be constructed so that as the cam follower 90 follows the peaks and valleys on the cam 88 so that the ice chute door 21 will open and close with the peaks and valleys of the cam 88. It is further preferred, but not necessary, that the cam 88 be constructed with a cam notch 91 such that the cam follower 90 locks into place so as to hold the ice chute door 21 open until the container is disengaged from the actuator arm 78, after which the ice chute door 21 automatically closes. It is preferred that the motorized ice chute door assembly 70 be constructed to enclose the motor 82 with a motor housing cover 94.

(41) As the ice chute door 21 opens, it comes in contact with the position switch 92, which instructs the motor 82 to stop turning when the door reaches the proper location. A delay is provided in the control system of the refrigerator 10 using an intelligent controller, which then permits the motor 82 to release force upon the motor shaft, which in turn, permits the ice chute door spring 76 to close the ice chute door 21.

(42) The motorized chute extension door assembly 70 has advantages over a standard solenoid which is used in many dispensers. Some of the benefits include reduced size, better control, permitting a spring biased chute door 21, lower power consumption, reduced electrical noise, and no door snap sound upon opening as with a solenoid. However, the primary benefit of a motorized ice chute door assembly 70 is reduced power consumption over a standard solenoid opened door at approximately 2 watts versus 20 watts.

(43) The motorized ice chute door assembly 70 contemplated by this invention, can use any number of gears and/or cams so long as a motor is used for opening the ice chute door 21.

(44) The dispenser 16 of the current invention has an ice chute air seal 100, as seen in FIGS. 14 and 14A. The seal 100 is preferred to be made of a flexible material compound including components such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride), TPV (thermoplastic vulcanizate), MPR (melt-processable rubber), TPU (thermoplastic urethane) or TPE (thermoplastic elastomer). Seal 100 can be made of any material providing compression and expansion properties in a form suitable for molding to a mating surface or extrusion in the alternate method of construction. The flexible material compound of which seal 100 is comprised may include additive such as Kemamide (stearyl erucamide) or PTFE (polytetraflouroethylene) to reduce the coefficient of friction and therefore improve wear resistance at the interface 100 of the seal and ice-box cover 106, or at the interface of the seal 100 and door liner 38 in an alternate method of construction.

(45) In the present invention, the seal 100 is comprised of a flexible material over-molded upon a rigid plate (not shown) having a wand type cross-section and attached to the inner door liner 38. The seal 100 may also be comprised of a flexible, extruded wand or multi-cavitied bellows profile and attached by means of a relatively rigid plate (not shown), or by other means to the inner door liner 38. Alternatively, the seal 100 may be attached to the ice compartment 106 cover. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the seal 100 is preferred to be attached to the door liner 38 by means of the rigid plate snapping to the top portion of the ice chute 102 with a friction fit. However, the seal 100 may also be attached directly to the inner door liner 38.

(46) The height of the seal 100 is sufficient to reduce the sensitivity of the overall design, with regard to the occurrence of an air leak at the breakable junction 104 between the dispenser 16 and an ice compartment 106 located inside the refrigerator 10, due to manufacturing variation.

(47) In another embodiment of the seal 100, springs (not shown) can supply a resistance force around pegs (not shown) which support a plate (not shown) inserted into the door liner 38. The pegs allow for the swiping motion incurred during opening and closing of the refrigerator door 12, without displacing the seal 100. The seal 100 can comprise multiple parts, or can be a single part that stays in place with a friction fit.

(48) The purpose of the seal 100 is to seal against air leakage at the breakable junction 104. The door 21 can be opened and closed to gain access to the fresh food compartment 12 or freezer compartment 14 inside the refrigerator 10. The ice compartment temperature is normally lower than the fresh food compartment temperature and at a higher pressure. The seal 100, located around a top portion of the ice chute 102, creates a seal between the ice compartment 106 and the ice chute 20 in order to prevent air from escaping the ice compartment and causing temperature fluctuations, moisture and/or frost buildup. The ice chute air seal 100 can be of any shape or size and is preferred to be replaceable. However, the seal 100 should seal the air gap between the ice chute 20 and the ice compartment 106.

(49) Based on the above, it should be readily recognized that the forward projecting dispenser 16 provides an arrangement for dispensing ice and water that enables the door 12 to include additional internal storage space, create the potential for filling oversized containers, reduce power consumption during ice dispensing, and reduce air leakage between the ice chute and the ice compartment more readily than the prior art. Although described with respect to the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be readily apparent that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. In general, the invention is only intended to be limited by the scope of the following claims.