APPLIANCE WITH ICE TRAY AND MOUNT UNIT
20230266045 · 2023-08-24
Inventors
Cpc classification
F25C1/04
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D23/067
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25C5/22
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25C2400/10
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25C1/24
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
International classification
Abstract
An appliance including a cabinet, a mount unit, and an ice tray is provided. The cabinet forms a freezer chamber and the mount unit is positioned in the freezer chamber. The mount unit forms a channel configured to releasably receive the ice tray. The ice tray includes a lip corresponding to the channel at the mount unit. The mount unit includes a rotor configured to rotate along a central axis.
Claims
1. A refrigeration appliance, comprising: a cabinet forming a freezer chamber; a mount unit positioned in the freezer chamber, the mount unit forming a channel configured to releasably receive an ice tray, the ice tray comprising a lip corresponding to the channel at the mount unit, the mount unit comprising a rotor configured to rotate along a central axis.
2. The refrigeration appliance of claim 1, wherein the mount unit comprises a clip forming the channel.
3. The refrigeration appliance of claim 2, wherein the clip forms a notch corresponding to a bump at the lip of the ice tray, wherein the bump is configured to be received in the notch at the clip.
4. The refrigeration appliance of claim 1, the mount unit comprising a first mount unit fixed to the cabinet and a second mount unit releasably attached to the cabinet.
5. The refrigeration appliance of claim 4, wherein the cabinet forms a groove configured to receive the second mount unit.
6. The refrigeration appliance of claim 5, wherein the second mount unit comprises a mount member configured to be received at the groove formed at the cabinet.
7. The refrigeration appliance of claim 2, wherein the clip comprises a first member and a second member each extended along a lateral axis, wherein the channel is formed along the lateral axis between the first member and the second member.
8. The refrigeration appliance of claim 7, the clip forming a hinge point at which the first member and the second member are connected together.
9. The refrigeration appliance of claim 1, wherein the lip is extended along a lateral axis co-directional to an extension of the channel.
10. The refrigeration appliance of claim 9, wherein the central axis corresponds to a longitudinal axis of the ice tray when installed to the mount unit, the longitudinal axis perpendicular to the lateral axis.
11. A freezer appliance, comprising: a freezer cabinet forming a freezer chamber; a mount unit positioned in the freezer chamber, the mount unit forming a channel configured to releasably receive an ice tray, the ice tray comprising a lip corresponding to the channel at the mount unit, the mount unit comprising a rotor configured to rotate along a central axis.
12. The freezer appliance of claim 11, wherein the mount unit comprises a clip forming the channel.
13. The freezer appliance of claim 12, wherein the clip comprises a first member and a second member each extended along a lateral axis, wherein the channel is formed along the lateral axis between the first member and the second member, and wherein the clip comprises a hinge point at which the first member and the second member are connected together.
14. The freezer appliance of claim 13, wherein the clip comprises a fastener configured to connect the first member and second member together at an open end distal from the hinge point.
15. The freezer appliance of claim 12, wherein the clip forms a notch corresponding to a bump at the lip of the ice tray, wherein the bump is configured to be received in the notch at the clip.
16. The freezer appliance of claim 11, the mount unit comprising a first mount unit fixed to the freezer cabinet and a second mount unit releasably attached to the freezer cabinet.
17. The freezer appliance of claim 16, wherein the first mount unit comprises an actuation device configured to rotate the rotor and the ice tray when installed to the channel.
18. The freezer appliance of claim 16, wherein the freezer cabinet forms a groove configured to receive the second mount unit, and wherein the second mount unit comprises a mount member configured to be received at the groove formed at the freezer cabinet.
19. The freezer appliance of claim 11, wherein the lip is extended along a lateral axis co-directional to an extension of the channel.
20. The freezer appliance of claim 19, wherein the central axis corresponds to a longitudinal axis of the ice tray when installed to the mount unit, the longitudinal axis perpendicular to the lateral axis.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] 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.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] 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.
[0025] As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0026] Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “generally,” “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin (i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value). In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction (e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, such as, clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V).
[0027] Referring now to the figures,
[0028] Refrigerator doors 126, 128 are rotatably hinged to an edge of housing 120 for accessing refrigeration chamber 122. A freezer door 130 is arranged below refrigerator doors 126, 128 for accessing freezer chamber 124. In the exemplary embodiment, freezer door 130 is coupled to a freezer drawer (not shown) slidably mounted within freezer chamber 124.
[0029] Appliance 100 may include a dispensing assembly 110 for dispensing liquid water and ice. Dispensing assembly 110 includes a dispenser 114 positioned on an exterior portion of appliance 100. Dispenser 114 includes a discharging outlet 134 for accessing ice and liquid water. A user interface panel 136 is provided for controlling the mode of operation of the dispenser 114, such as for providing water, ice, or a type of type (e.g., crushed, non-crushed, cubed, clear, etc.).
[0030] Discharging outlet 134 is an external part of dispenser 114, and is mounted in a dispensing recess or recessed portion 138 defined in an outside surface of refrigerator door 126. Recessed portion 138 is positioned at a predetermined elevation convenient for a user to access ice or liquid water and enabling the user to access ice or liquid water without the need to bend-over and without the need to access freezer chamber 124. In the exemplary embodiment, recessed portion 138 is positioned at a level that approximates the chest level of a user. However, in other embodiments, the dispensing assembly 110 may be positioned within the appliance 100, such as within a chilled chamber thereof.
[0031] Operation of the appliance 100 is regulated by a control device or controller 300 that is operatively coupled to user interface panel 136, one or more sensors, or both. The controller 300 may include one or more processors 314 and one or more memory devices 316. The one or more memory devices 316 may be configured to store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors 314, causes the appliance 100 to perform operations such as provided below. The memory device(s) 316 may be configured to store data corresponding to one or more signals, functions, charts, tables, schedules, or determined values for operating a refrigeration or freezer device.
[0032] Controller 300 may include a memory device(e.g., non-transitive storage media) and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a cleaning cycle. The memory device 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 device may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 300 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog 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. Sensors at the appliance 100 may be in communication with controller 300 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. User interface panel 136 may be in communication (e.g., wired or wireless communication) with controller 300 via one or more suitable shared networks.
[0033] It should be appreciated that communications busses and secondary devices may correspond to any device that may be programmed to communicate controller 300 using one of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, or similar type of wireless communications technologies and networks while running a program that provides for user input.
[0034] Panel 136 provides selections for user manipulation of the operation of appliance 100 such as e.g., selections between whole or crushed ice, chilled liquid water, or other options. In response to user manipulation of the user interface panel 136, the controller 300 operates various components of the appliance 100. The controller 300 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout appliance 100. In the illustrated embodiment shown in
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[0036] The refrigerator appliance 100 may include a freezer appliance 150 in operable configuration with the dispensing assembly 110 (
[0037] Referring now to
[0038] Referring now to
[0039] The user may wash or replace the ice tray 220 as desired. The ice tray 220 may be replaced with another having different volumes, cross-sections, masses, or other geometries, or quantities, of compartments 224 at the ice tray 220, such as to allow for different corresponding geometries or quantities of ice to be produced.
[0040] In various embodiments, the mount unit 210 includes a clip 218 forming the channel 214. The clip 218 may be formed integrally with the rotor 216 (
[0041] Referring still to
[0042] In certain embodiments, the mount unit 210 may form a pivot point 103 corresponding to the central axis 101 extending through the mount unit 210. In particular embodiments, the pivot point 103 is formed at the clip 218. The notch 246, and correspondingly, the bump 226 at the ice tray 220, is at a first side or end relative to the pivot point 103, and the end wall 240 at a second side or end relative to the pivot point 103. Accordingly, the end wall 240 may be formed at a closed end distal to an open end through which the ice tray 220 is insertable into the channel 214. The notch 246 is formed proximate to the open end.
[0043] Referring now to
[0044] Referring back to
[0045] In a particular embodiment of the freezer appliance 150, a groove 156 is formed into the freezer cabinet 152 within the freezer chamber 154. The groove 156 is formed into a wall at the freezer cabinet 152 opposite of the first mount unit 211 and is configured to receive the second mount unit 212. In a still particular embodiment, the second mount unit 212 includes a mount member 208 corresponding to the groove 156 at the freezer cabinet 152. In various embodiments, the groove 156 may be formed substantially along the lateral axis 102. The mount member 208 may extend correspondingly along the lateral axis 102 as the groove 156.
[0046] In various embodiments, the first mount unit 211 is fixed to the freezer cabinet 152. The first mount unit 211 may include a motor or other actuation device 206 operably coupled to the rotor 216 to rotate relative to the central axis 101. When the ice tray 220 is installed onto the rotor 216, rotation of the rotor 216, such as by the actuation device 206, causes the ice tray 220 to dump or deposit ice or other contents from the ice tray 220. Certain embodiments of the actuation device 206 may be configured to rotate such that end wall 240 (
[0047] In still various embodiments, the second mount unit 212 is separable from and releasably attachable to the freezer cabinet 152. Referring now to
[0048] Referring now to
[0049] Embodiments of the freezer appliance 150 provided herein may facilitate allowing a user to remove or replace the ice tray 220. The user may remove the ice tray 220 for cleaning or removing ice stuck in one or more compartments 224. The user exchange or replace the ice tray 220 with another desired geometry of ice tray 220, or compartment 224 in particular. Various embodiments of the ice tray 220 may include a sensor, such as a temperature sensor, at or embedded in any desired location at the ice tray 220. The clip 218, the mount unit 210, or the lip 222 may include electrical or electronic interfaces configured to receive or send signals, such as signals corresponding to temperature at the ice tray 220, the freezer chamber 154, or other portions of the freezer appliance 150.
[0050] Embodiments of the actuation device 206 may be operably coupled to the controller 300 (
[0051] Further aspects of the invention are provided by one or more of the following embodiments: [0052] 1. A refrigeration appliance, including a cabinet forming a freezer chamber; a mount unit positioned in the freezer chamber, the mount unit forming a channel configured to releasably receive an ice tray, the ice tray including a lip corresponding to the channel at the mount unit, the mount unit including a rotor configured to rotate along a central axis. [0053] 2. The refrigeration appliance of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the mount unit includes a clip forming the channel. [0054] 3. The refrigeration appliance of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the clip forms a notch corresponding to a bump at the lip of the ice tray, wherein the bump is configured to be received in the notch at the clip. [0055] 4. The refrigeration appliance of any one or more clauses herein, the mount unit including a first mount unit fixed to the cabinet and a second mount unit releasably attached to the cabinet. [0056] 5. The refrigeration appliance of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the cabinet forms a groove configured to receive the second mount unit. [0057] 6. The refrigeration appliance of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the second mount unit includes a mount member configured to be received at the groove formed at the cabinet. [0058] 7. The refrigeration appliance of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the clip includes a first member and a second member each extended along a lateral axis, wherein the channel is formed along the lateral axis between the first member and the second member. [0059] 8. The refrigeration appliance of any one or more clauses herein, the clip forming a hinge point at which the first member and the second member are connected together. [0060] 9. The refrigeration appliance of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the lip is extended along a lateral axis co-directional to an extension of the channel. [0061] 10. The refrigeration appliance of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the central axis corresponds to a longitudinal axis of the ice tray when installed to the mount unit, the longitudinal axis perpendicular to the lateral axis. [0062] 11. A freezer appliance, including a freezer cabinet forming a freezer chamber; a mount unit positioned in the freezer chamber, the mount unit forming a channel configured to releasably receive an ice tray, the ice tray including a lip corresponding to the channel at the mount unit, the mount unit including a rotor configured to rotate along a central axis. [0063] 12. The freezer appliance of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the mount unit includes a clip forming the channel. [0064] 13. The freezer appliance of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the clip forms a notch corresponding to a bump at the lip of the ice tray, wherein the bump is configured to be received in the notch at the clip. [0065] 14. The freezer appliance of any one or more clauses herein, the mount unit including a first mount unit fixed to the freezer cabinet and a second mount unit releasably attached to the freezer cabinet. [0066] 15. The freezer appliance of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the first mount unit includes an actuation device configured to rotate the rotor and the ice tray when installed to the channel. [0067] 16. The freezer appliance of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the freezer cabinet forms a groove configured to receive the second mount unit, and wherein the second mount unit includes a mount member configured to be received at the groove formed at the freezer cabinet. [0068] 17. The freezer appliance of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the clip includes a first member and a second member each extended along a lateral axis, wherein the channel is formed along the lateral axis between the first member and the second member, and wherein the clip includes a hinge point at which the first member and the second member are connected together. [0069] 18. The freezer appliance of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the clip includes a fastener configured to connect the first member and second member together at an open end distal from the hinge point. [0070] 19. The freezer appliance of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the lip is extended along a lateral axis co-directional to an extension of the channel. [0071] 20. The freezer appliance of any one or more clauses herein, wherein the central axis corresponds to a longitudinal axis of the ice tray when installed to the mount unit, the longitudinal axis perpendicular to the lateral axis.
[0072] 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.