Patent Application
20190017742
A door ajar detection feature helps ensure a door is kept in a closed position in an apparatus where an open door could result in the degradation or loss of contents within the apparatus, such as a refrigerator. In a refrigerator, for example, a closed door helps ensure that food is preserved and energy is conserved. When a door is ajar, the comingling of warmer air into the cooled interior can raise the interior temperature. Temperatures higher than about 44 degrees can result in rapid food spoilage as well as additional energy expenditure to re-cool the interior. In some cases, however, a door may be left only slightly ajar such that the door may appear closed and a door ajar detection feature will not register the door as being open.
According to one aspect of the disclosure, a door ajar detection system for a refrigerator is provided. The door ajar detection system comprises a first magnet disposed on a refrigerator door and a second magnet disposed on a portion of the refrigerator opposite to the refrigerator door when the refrigerator door is in a closed position. Further, a north pole of the second magnet faces a north pole of the first magnet when the refrigerator door is in the closed position. The door ajar detection system also comprises a latch assembly configured to engage the refrigerator door and the portion of the refrigerator opposite to the refrigerator door. The latch assembly is configured to maintain the refrigerator door in the closed position when engaged. The door ajar detection system also includes a door ajar detection assembly coupled to the refrigerator door, where the door ajar detection assembly is configured to detect when the refrigerator door is in an open position. Additionally, control circuitry is coupled to the door ajar detection assembly, and the control circuitry is configured to activate a warning signal upon detection of the refrigerator door in the open position.
In a second aspect of the disclosure, a door ajar detection system comprises a first magnet disposed on a door and a second magnet disposed on an opposing surface, where the opposing surface is opposite from and contacts the door when the door is in a closed position. Further, a north pole of the first magnet aligns with a north pole of the second magnet when the door is in a closed position. The door ajar detection system also includes a latch assembly configured to engage the door and the opposing surface, where the latch assembly is configured to maintain the door in the closed position when engaged. Additionally, the system includes a door ajar detection assembly coupled to the door, where the door ajar detection assembly is configured to detect when the door is in an open position with respect to the opposing surface. In addition, control circuitry is coupled to the door ajar detection assembly, where the control circuitry is configured to activate a warning signal upon detection of the door in the open position.
In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a refrigerator includes a cabinet having at least one opening for access to an inner portion of the cabinet, a door for accessing the inner portion of the cabinet, and a door ajar detection system. The door ajar detection system comprises a first magnet disposed on the door and a second magnet disposed on a portion of the refrigerator opposite to the door when the door is in a closed position. A north pole of the second magnet faces a north pole of the first magnet when the door is in the closed position. The door ajar detection system further includes a latch assembly configured to engage the door and the portion of the refrigerator opposite to the door, such that the latch assembly maintains the door in the closed position when engaged. The door ajar detection system also includes a door ajar detection assembly coupled to the door, where the door ajar detection assembly is configured to detect when the refrigerator door is in an open position. Additionally, the system includes control circuitry coupled to the door ajar detection assembly, where the control circuitry is configured to activate a warning signal upon detection of the door in the open position.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, there are shown in the drawings, certain embodiment(s) which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. Drawings are not necessary to scale. Certain features of the disclosure may be exaggerated in scale or shown in schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
The present disclosure provides a door ajar detection system. As described herein the door ajar detection system may be configured to provide a warning signal when a door is left ajar, and to also prevent a false door closed indication. In some cases, a door ajar detection assembly may be coupled to control circuitry to provide a warning signal when a door has been left ajar longer than a predetermined time period. The door jar detection system may also include provisions to prevent a false door closed indication. According to embodiments described herein the disclosed door ajar detection system may be incorporated into a number of different types of cabinets, appliances, or the like. In some cases, the disclosed door ajar detection system may be incorporated into a refrigerator to detect and provide warning that a refrigerator door has been left open. In at least one case, a door ajar detection system may be incorporated into an inner and outer door assembly in a door-within-door style refrigerator.
In at least one case, referring to
The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components and method steps related to a door ajar detection system. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in
The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. For example, an element proceeded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
As shown in the illustrated embodiment, outer door 30 may be configured such that an operator can access select portions of the interior cavity 14. For example, refrigerator 10 may be configured such that the opening of outer door 30, independently of an inner door 50, allows for selective access to one or more inner door storage areas 54, or to a shelf or drawer within interior cavity 14. Selective access to only portions of refrigerator 10 via the opening of only outer door 30 can also serve to minimize the escape of cooled air and allow more efficient operation of the refrigerator. Alternatively, when an operator wants to access the entire interior cavity 14, left side door 16 may be opened, and/or inner door 50 and outer door 30 may be opened together. Accordingly, in operation, outer door 30 and associated inner door 50 may be opened together, at the same time, or independently.
Again, it will be understood that refrigerator 10 and the embodiment of
According to aspects described herein, refrigerator 10 may include provisions to detect and provide a warning when a refrigerator door, such as inner door 50 or outer door 30 (and collectively, door assembly 18), left side door 16, or freezer drawer 20 is left ajar. Such provisions may help to prevent the loss of cooled air from interior cavities 14, as well as the excess expenditure of energy. In some cases, refrigerator 10 may include a system to detect and alert an operator that one or more doors has been left in an open position for longer than a pre-determined period of time. In at least one case, a door ajar detection system, including the components shown and described in
Outer door 30 and inner door 50, including outer frame 33 and outer frame 53, respectively, may be configured as would be contemplated by a person in the art. For example, outer door 30 and inner door 50 may include multiple parts coupled together, including molded parts or elements, such as molded plastic materials, metal materials, or may include other configurations altogether. It will be understood that the illustrated embodiment is only one possible configuration of many embodiments, and a skilled artisan will readily recognize the many different configurations that fall in the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
It will be understood, however, that the magnets may be configured in a variety of was as would be contemplated in the art. Further, those skilled in the art will understand that the various configurations and locations of inner door magnet 58 and outer door magnet 38 described herein and shown in the figures are by no means limiting to the present disclosure and are only exemplary of one embodiment.
As described above, aspects of the disclosure incorporate a door ajar detection assembly to provide an indication when a door has been left in an open position. In some cases, the door ajar detection assembly may include a proximity switch designed to activate when a door is left ajar. In at least one case, a door ajar detection system may include a magnetic reed switch in communication with a control system to provide a door ajar indication. However, in other cases, other types of switches or mechanical means may be used to indicate a door ajar status, as would be contemplated in the art.
In operation, when outer door latch assembly portion 36 is engaged with inner door latch assembly portion 56, door ajar detection assembly 70 may operate to provide a door closed indication to controller 74. However, when outer door 30 is in an open position with respect to inner door 50, door ajar detection assembly 70 will operate to provide a door open indication to controller 74.
As described above, in at least some embodiments, refrigerator 10 may include control circuitry coupled to and configured to communicate with and control various components and systems of refrigerator 10. For example,
Controller 74 may be configured as would be understood in the art, and at the very least includes a processor 76 and memory 78. Processor 76 may be configured to run various control algorithms and routines present in memory 78, such as door ajar logic routine 80. However, it will be understood and appreciated that controller 74 may include various other analog or digital circuitries that would be known in the art, and the depiction in
Controller 74 may be coupled to a variety of sensors and systems within refrigerator 10. In at least one embodiment, refrigerator 10 includes at least one door ajar detection assembly 70, as described above. As noted, however,
Controller 74 may be configured to receive inputs from the various sensors and systems to make decisions and control aspects or various components of refrigerator 10. In one aspect, controller 74 may receive an indication that an outer door 30 is in an open position with respect to inner door 50, as well as various parameters associated with the door ajar indication, such as an amount of time outer door 30 has been ajar. Such inputs may inform various control routines, such as door ajar logic routine 80, as described in more detail below. The various inputs may also facilitate control of components, such as the actuation of warning signal 72.
Referring to
The pre-determined time period (i.e., the time that the door may remain in an open position before warning signal 72 is activated) may be set by one of skill in the art. In some cases, the pre-determined time period may be set between about 1-3 minutes, i.e. about the time it takes for an operator to peruse the items within refrigerator 10 and move one or more items out of or into refrigerator 10, or the amount of time it would take for a temperature in interior cavity 14 to degrade. In at least one case, the predetermined time period may be set at 120 seconds. In other words, if controller 74 determines that outer door 30 has been ajar for 120 seconds, controller 74 may proceed to step 86 and activate a warning signal. In other cases, the pre-determined time period may be set at 180 seconds. In still other cases, the pre-determined time period may be set longer or shorter based on other considerations that would be contemplated by a skilled artisan.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes, and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
