Patent Application
20250116452
The present subject matter relates generally to refrigerator appliances, and more particularly to access drawers for refrigerator appliances.
Refrigerator appliances generally include a cabinet that defines one or more chilled chambers for receipt of food articles for storage. Typically, one or more doors are rotatably hinged to the cabinet to permit selective access to food items stored in the chilled chamber. Further, refrigerator appliances commonly include ice making assemblies mounted within an icebox on one of the doors or in a freezer compartment. The ice is stored in a storage bin and is accessible from within the freezer chamber or may be discharged through a dispenser recess defined on a front of the refrigerator door. Craft ice has recently become a popular feature in household refrigerators. Craft ice can be any shape but is typically much larger than typical crescent cubes. For example, a craft icemaker may work by filling a rubber mold with water and allowing it to freeze. Certain conventional refrigerators include a dedicate icemaker for forming craft ice.
Consumers may frequently wish to access the interior chamber of a refrigerator or another chilled storage compartment without fully opening a door of the refrigerator. For example, an icemaker of a refrigerator appliance may store ice in a dedicated compartment on the door of the refrigerator. However, to access ice stored in this compartment, a user must typically fully open the door of the refrigerator, thereby complicating access to the ice, permitting cold air to escape the chilled chamber, and generally reducing the efficiency of appliance operation. In addition, the icemaker may be positioned low on the freezer door, such that a user is required to bend over to access ice collected in the ice bucket.
Accordingly, a refrigerator appliance with features for improved ice accessibility would be desirable. More particularly, a refrigerator that facilitates quick, easy, and energy efficient access to stored ice or other items stored in the chilled chamber ice would be particularly beneficial.
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 one exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining a chilled chamber, a door being rotatably mounted to the cabinet to provide selective access to the chilled chamber, the door defining an access opening passing through the door, and a drawer assembly mounted to the door. The drawer assembly includes a drawer frame slidably mounted to the door within the access opening and being movable between an open position and a closed position and a drawer front mounted to the drawer frame, the drawer front being configured to seal the access opening when the drawer frame is in the closed position.
In another exemplary embodiment, a drawer assembly mounted to a door of a refrigerator appliance is provided. The door defines an access opening passing through the door and the drawer assembly includes a drawer frame slidably mounted to the door within the access opening and being movable between an open position and a closed position and a drawer front mounted to the drawer frame, the drawer front being configured to seal the access opening when the drawer frame is in the closed 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.
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.
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.
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.
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”). The term “at least one of” in the context of, e.g., “at least one of A, B, and C” refers to only A, only B, only C, or any combination of A, B, and C. In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/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.
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 and/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, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” In addition, references to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “an embodiment” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, 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 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.
Housing 102 defines chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. In particular, housing 102 defines fresh food chamber 122 positioned at or adjacent second side 110 of housing 102 and a freezer chamber 124 arranged at or adjacent first side 108 of housing 102. As such, refrigerator appliance 100 is generally referred to as a side-by-side 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 bottom mount refrigerator appliance, or a single door refrigerator 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.
A refrigerator door 128 is rotatably hinged to an edge of housing 102 for selectively accessing fresh food chamber 122. In addition, a freezer door 130 is rotatably hinged to an edge of housing 102 for selectively accessing freezer chamber 124. Refrigerator door 128 and freezer door 130 are shown in the closed configuration in
Referring now generally to
Dispensing assembly 140 and its various components may be positioned at least in part within a dispenser recess 142 defined on freezer door 130. In this regard, dispenser recess 142 is defined on a front side 112 of refrigerator appliance 100 such that a user may operate dispensing assembly 140 without opening freezer door 130. In addition, dispenser recess 142 is positioned at a predetermined elevation convenient for a user to access ice and enabling the user to access ice without the need to bend-over. In the exemplary embodiment, dispenser recess 142 is positioned at a level that approximates the chest level of a user.
Dispensing assembly 140 includes an ice dispenser 144 including a discharging outlet 146 for discharging ice from dispensing assembly 140. An actuating mechanism 148, shown as a paddle, is mounted below discharging outlet 146 for operating ice or water dispenser 144. In alternative exemplary embodiments, any suitable actuating mechanism may be used to operate ice dispenser 144. For example, ice dispenser 144 can include a sensor (such as an ultrasonic sensor) or a button rather than the paddle. Discharging outlet 146 and actuating mechanism 148 are an external part of ice dispenser 144 and are mounted in dispenser recess 142.
A control panel 160 is provided for controlling the mode of operation. For example, control panel 160 includes one or more selector inputs 162, such as knobs, buttons, touchscreen interfaces, etc., 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. In addition, inputs 162 may be used to specify a fill volume or method of operating dispensing assembly 140. In this regard, inputs 162 may be in communication with a processing device or controller 164. Signals generated in controller 164 operate refrigerator appliance 100 and dispensing assembly 140 in response to selector inputs 162. Additionally, a display 166, such as an indicator light or a screen, may be provided on control panel 160. Display 166 may be in communication with controller 164, and may display information in response to signals from controller 164.
As used herein, “processing device” or “controller” may refer to one or more microprocessors or semiconductor devices and is not restricted necessarily to a single element. The processing device can be programmed to operate refrigerator appliance 100 and dispensing assembly 140. The processing device may include, or be associated with, one or more memory elements (e.g., non-transitory storage media). In some such embodiments, the memory elements include electrically erasable, programmable read only memory (EEPROM). Generally, the memory elements can store information accessible processing device, including instructions that can be executed by processing device. Optionally, the instructions can be software or any set of instructions and/or data that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations.
Referring now generally to
According to example embodiments, drawer assembly 200 may generally facilitate access to freezer chamber 124 through freezer door 130 while freezer door 130 remains in a closed position. In this regard, according to the illustrated embodiment, freezer door 130 defines an access opening 202 passing through freezer door 130. As best shown in
As illustrated, drawer assembly 200 generally includes a drawer frame 212 slidably mounted to freezer door 130 within access opening 202. Drawer frame 212 may be movable between an open position (see, e.g.,
According to an example embodiment where drawer assembly 200 is configured to provide access to ice 206, drawer assembly 200 may include an ice storage reservoir 210 that receives ice 206 formed by craft icemaker 204. Accordingly, when a user wishes to use ice 206, they may pull on a handle 216 of drawer assembly 200 to open drawer assembly 200 and directly access ice 206 for consumption.
Drawer assembly 200 may further include a drawer front 220 that is mounted to drawer frame 212, e.g., to seal access opening 202 when drawer frame 212 is in the closed position. In this regard, for example, freezer door 130 may generally define a seating recess 222 configured to receive the drawer front 220. As illustrated, seating recess 222 may be generally sized and positioned for containing drawer front 220 when drawer assembly 200 is closed. For example, seating recess 222 may be defined at least in part by an engagement surface 224 for engaging drawer front 220 in the closed position. According to an example embodiment, a front surface 226 of drawer front 220 sits flush with a front surface 228 of freezer door 130 when drawer frame 212 is in the closed position.
According to an example embodiment, refrigerator appliance 110 and/or drawer assembly 200 may include additional features to improve engagement of drawer assembly 200 in the closed position or to improve a seal formed between drawer assembly 200 and freezer door 130, e.g., to prevent cool air from escaping through access opening 202. For example, according to an example embodiment, drawer assembly 200 includes a sealing element 230 for engaging freezer door 130 in the closed position, e.g., through contact with engagement surface 224. For example, sealing element 230 may be a resilient gasket.
In addition, drawer assembly 200 may include a magnet 232 for urging drawer frame 212 toward the closed position. In this regard, magnet 232 may be embedded within a back surface of drawer front 220. When drawer frame 212 moves toward the closed position, magnet 232 may urge drawer front 220 into the closed position, e.g., via magnetic attraction with cabinet 102. According to an example embodiment, refrigerator appliance 100 further includes a ferromagnetic member or surface 234 positioned proximate engagement surface 224 of freezer door 130 for engaging magnet 232 to urge drawer frame 212 to the closed position. According to an example embodiment, sealing element 230 and magnet 232 are integrated into a single component and mounted to drawer front 220.
Notably, it may be desirable to view into drawer frame (e.g., into ice storage reservoir 210) while freezer door 130 and drawer assembly 200 are in the closed position. Accordingly, as shown for example in
As explained herein, aspects of the present subject matter are generally directed to a refrigerator door with a drawer built into the front panel that allows users to access food items or ice without opening the refrigerator door. For example, in a dual ice-on-door refrigerator, ice made by the primary icemaker may be easily accessible and the ice made by the secondary icemaker may be accessible from outside of the refrigerator using a drawer assembly as described herein. Specifically, in order to improve accessibility, a drawer may be built into the front panel of the freezer door. The drawer may have a handle and may be mounted to slide in a way that by pulling on the handle, the drawer is pulled forward to facilitate access to food items or ice stored in it. A magnetic gasket may hold the drawer closed when not in use and seals the air inside the freezer compartment.
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.
