The present disclosure generally relates to a refrigeration unit and, more specifically, to a guide feature that aligns a drain conduit with a water tray of a refrigeration unit.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigeration unit includes a water tray that includes at least one side wall that extends from a floor of the water tray to an upper rim of the water tray to define a cavity. A guide feature is coupled to the upper rim of the water tray and has a connection feature that is aligned with the cavity of the water tray. A drain conduit is coupled to the connection feature of the guide feature, such that water conveyed by the drain conduit is received within the water tray.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigeration unit includes a water tray. A guide feature is coupled to the water tray, such that the guide feature contacts a first side wall of the water tray and a second side wall of the water tray that is coupled to the first side wall at a corner. A drain conduit is coupled to the guide feature, such that water conveyed by the drain conduit is received within the water tray.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a guide feature for attachment to a water tray of a refrigeration unit includes a shelf configured to extend over an upper rim of at least one side wall of the water tray. A skirt is configured to extend downward from the shelf along an exterior surface of the at least one side wall opposite a cavity defined by the water tray. A connection feature is configured to be coupled with a drain conduit that conveys water to the water tray. The shelf is positioned between the connection feature and the skirt.
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.
In the drawings:
The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.
The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in apparatus components related to a refrigeration unit. Accordingly, the apparatus components 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 so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 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. 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.
As used herein the terms “the,” “a,” or “an,” mean “at least one,” and should not be limited to “only one” unless explicitly indicated to the contrary. Thus, for example, reference to “a component” includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.
Referring to
The refrigeration unit 10 includes a water tray 12. The water tray 12 includes at least one side wall 14 that extends from a floor 16 of the water tray 12 to an upper rim 18 of the water tray 12 to define a cavity 20. A guide feature 22 is coupled to the upper rim 18 of the water tray 12. The guide feature 22 includes a connection feature 24 that is aligned with the cavity 20 of the water tray 12. A drain conduit 26 is coupled to the connection feature 24 of the guide feature 22. Water conveyed by the drain conduit 26 is configured to be received within the water tray 12.
Referring now to
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In the embodiments illustrated in
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In various implementations, the guide feature 22 includes the connection feature 24. The connection feature 24 is configured to be coupled with the drain conduit 26. When the guide feature 22 is assembled to the water tray 12, the connection feature 24 is configured to be aligned with the cavity 20 of the water tray 12. In other words, the connection feature 24 is configured to be positioned relative to the water tray 12, such that water flowing out of the drain conduit 26 coupled to the connection feature 24 is directed into the cavity 20 of the water tray 12. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in
In some implementations, the connection feature 24 of the guide feature 22 is generally tubular and defines a hollow 58. In such examples, the drain conduit 26 may be coupled to the connection feature 24, such that water conveyed by the drain conduit 26 flows through the hollow 58 and into the water tray 12. As illustrated in
Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiment, the guide feature 22 includes a body 60 having an interior side 62 and an exterior side 64 opposite the interior side 62. The body 60 includes a shelf 66, a guide feature side wall 68, a platform 70, and a skirt 72. The shelf 66 extends between the guide feature side wall 68 and the skirt 72. The skirt 72 extends downward from the shelf 66 a first direction. The guide feature side wall 68 extends upward from the shelf 66 a second direction that is generally opposite the first direction. The platform 70 extends outward from an end of the guide feature side wall 68 that is distal from the shelf 66. In the illustrated embodiment, the exterior side 64 of the skirt 72 is generally parallel to the exterior side 64 of the guide feature side wall 68, and the exterior side 64 of the platform 70 is generally parallel to the exterior side 64 of the shelf 66. As illustrated in
In various embodiments, at least one tab 74 is coupled to the interior side 62 of the shelf 66 and extends downward therefrom. The tab 74 is in a spaced relationship with the skirt 72. In the embodiment illustrated in
In some implementations, the body 60 of the guide feature 22 include at least one guide retention feature 80. The at least one guide retention feature 80 may be positioned on at least one of the shelf 66 and the skirt 72 of the body 60. In the embodiment illustrated in
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In the embodiment illustrated in
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The guide feature side wall 68 extends upward from the shelf 66 to the platform 70. As illustrated in
In operation of an exemplary embodiment of the refrigeration unit 10, first and second evaporators are operated to assist in cooling the refrigeration and freezer compartments 28, 30. The first and second evaporators produce water condensate. The water from the first and second evaporators enters first and second drain pipes 32, 34, respectively. The first and second drain pipes 32, 34 convey the water to first and second inlets 40, 42 of the Y-shaped connector 36. Next, the water exits the outlet 44 of the Y-shaped connector 36 and is conveyed toward the water tray 12 via a consolidated drain pipe 38. The consolidated drain pipe 38 extends from the Y-shaped connector 36 into the generally tubular connection feature 24 of the guide feature 22 coupled to first and second side walls 54, 56 of the water tray 12. The connection feature 24 is positioned over the cavity 20 defined by the water tray 12 and defines a hollow 58. The water conveyed by the consolidated drain pipe 38 flows through the hollow 58 and into the cavity 20 of the water tray 12.
The refrigeration unit 10 of the present disclosure may provide a variety of advantages.
First, the guide feature 22 may assist in anchoring the drain conduit 26 in a position that ensures water conveyed by the drain conduit 26 is received within the water tray 12. Second, the Y-shaped connector 36 being positioned within the machine compartment 46 (instead of disposed within foam insulation, for example) allows the Y-shaped connector 36 and the drain conduit 26 coupled to the Y-shaped connector 36 to be conveniently accessed.
According to one aspect, a refrigeration unit includes a water tray that includes at least one side wall that extends from a floor of the water tray to an upper rim of the water tray to define a cavity. A guide feature is coupled to the upper rim of the water tray and has a connection feature that is aligned with the cavity of the water tray. A drain conduit is coupled to the connection feature of the guide feature, such that water conveyed by the drain conduit is received within the water tray.
According to another aspect, the connection feature is generally tubular and defines a hollow. The drain conduit is coupled to the connection feature, such that water conveyed by the drain conduit flows through the hollow and into the water tray.
According to another aspect, a portion of the drain conduit is received within the hollow defined by the connection feature.
According to another aspect, the at least one side wall of the water tray includes a first side wall and a second side wall coupled to the first side wall via a corner. The guide feature is coupled to the upper rim, such that the guide feature contacts the first side wall and the second side wall of the water tray.
According to another aspect, the guide feature includes a shelf that extends over the upper rim of the water tray and a skirt that extends downward from the shelf along an exterior surface of the at least one side wall opposite the cavity.
According to another aspect, the guide feature further includes a tab that extends downward from the shelf into the cavity of the guide feature, such that a portion of the at least one side wall is positioned between the skirt and the tab of the guide feature.
According to another aspect, the guide feature includes a guide retention feature and the water tray includes a tray retention feature configured to be engaged with the guide retention feature to maintain the guide feature in a coupled relationship with the water tray. The guide retention feature is positioned on at least one of the skirt and the shelf.
According to another aspect, the guide feature further includes a guide feature side wall that extends from the shelf to a platform positioned further than the shelf from the floor of the water tray. The connection feature is coupled to the platform.
According to another aspect, a refrigeration unit includes a water tray. A guide feature is coupled to the water tray, such that the guide feature contacts a first side wall of the water tray and a second side wall of the water tray that is coupled to the first side wall at a corner. A drain conduit is coupled to the guide feature, such that water conveyed by the drain conduit is received within the water tray.
According to another aspect, the first and second side walls of the water tray extends from a floor of the water tray to an upper rim. The guide feature is coupled to the upper rim.
According to another aspect, the guide feature is coupled to a portion of the upper rim that extends along at least a portion of the first side wall and a portion of the upper rim that extends along at least a portion of the second side wall.
According to another aspect, the first and second side walls of the water tray extends from a floor of the water tray to an upper rim. The guide feature includes a shelf that extends over the upper rim, a skirt that extends downward from the shelf along an exterior surface of at least one of the first and second side walls opposite a cavity of the water tray, and a tab that extends downward from the shelf into the cavity of the water tray, such that a portion of at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall is positioned between the skirt and the tab.
According to another aspect, the guide feature further includes a guide feature side wall that extends from the shelf to a platform positioned further than the shelf from the floor of the water tray and a connection feature coupled to the platform. The drain conduit is coupled to the connection feature.
According to another aspect, the connection feature is generally tubular and defines a hollow. The drain conduit is coupled to the connection feature, such that water conveyed by the drain conduit flows through the hollow and into the water tray.
According to another aspect, a portion of the drain conduit is received within the hollow defined by the connection feature.
According to another aspect, the guide feature includes a guide retention feature and the water tray includes a tray retention feature configured to be engaged with the guide retention feature to maintain the guide feature in a coupled relationship with the water tray. The guide retention feature is positioned on at least one of the skirt and the shelf.
According to another aspect, a guide feature for attachment to a water tray of a refrigeration unit includes a shelf configured to extend over an upper rim of at least one side wall of the water tray, a skirt configured to extend downward from the shelf along an exterior surface of the at least one side wall opposite a cavity defined by the water tray, and a connection feature configured to be coupled with a drain conduit that conveys water to the water tray. The shelf is positioned between the connection feature and the skirt.
According to another aspect, a tab extends downward from the shelf. The tab and the skirt are configured such that a portion of the at least one side wall is configured to be positioned between the tab and skirt.
According to another aspect, a guide feature side wall extends from the shelf to a platform. The connection feature is coupled to the platform.
According to yet another aspect, the connection feature is generally tubular and defines a hollow configured to receive a portion of the drain conduit.
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms: couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and/or any additional intermediate members. Such joining may include members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another (i.e., integrally coupled) or may refer to joining of two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature, or may be removable or releasable in nature, unless otherwise stated.
It is also 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 novel teachings and advantages 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 connectors or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. 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.