Patent Application
20070256442
One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a refrigerator ice dispenser. More particularly, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to an ice chute door of a refrigerator ice dispenser.
Consumer ice dispensers that dispense through a freezer compartment door of a refrigerator typically have an ice chute door that prevents or restricts warm moist air from entering the refrigerated compartment. The door is usually held in its sealing position by a bias spring. When either crushed or cubed ice is requested by the user, the door is fully opened by several different mechanisms initiated by pressure from a receptacle, usually a drinking glass. Known door opening mechanisms include cams and electromechanical solenoids. When the glass is sufficiently full the user removes the pressure from the mechanisms and the door is closed by the spring at a rate determined by a mechanical dashpot.
A limiting factor on many current ice chute doors that rely on a mechanical mechanism to open the door is that the user has to overcome the force of the return bias spring that typically holds the door closed. The return spring has to be weak enough for the user to be able to easily open the door. However, a weak return spring means that its sealing force of the door is marginal, which introduces an undesirable moisture path and increases the costs to operate the refrigerator.
Based on the foregoing, there is a need for an improved ice chute door that provides a better sealing force while being easy for a user to open.
One embodiment of the present invention is an ice dispenser that includes an ice chute door. The dispenser further includes a shaft coupled to the door, a motor coupled to the shaft, and a biasing device, such as a spring, coupled to the door. The motor rotates the shaft to open the door. To close the door, the motor is de-energized after a predetermined time period, and the biasing device then closes the door with a strong sealing force.
One embodiment of the present invention is an ice dispenser door that is opened by a motor and closed, after a predetermined time delay, by a spring or other closure means. The use of a motor allows the spring or other means to apply greater force on the closed door.
Ice chute door 40 is mechanically attached to shaft 34 via bracket 44. A pre-loaded torsion return spring 45 along a spring shaft 42 presses on door 40 at spring arm 46 to bias door 40 in the closed position. As shown in
In operation, voltage is supplied to motor 32 through the switch which is activated by actuation arm 22 when a user presses on lever 17. Once voltage is supplied, motor 32 turns slowly to rotate shaft 34, which causes ice chute door 40 to open. Once actuation arm 22 is released, motor 32 remains energized for a pre-determined period of time. In one embodiment, the period of time is eight seconds. When the time delay has timed out, motor 32 de-energizes and return spring 45 slowly overcomes the minimal internal resistance of de-energized motor 32 and closes ice chute door 40. The pre-determined delay allows all of the ice to exit through the chute and prevents ice from getting trapped behind door 40.
As disclosed, embodiments of the present invention use a motor to open the ice chute door, and after a pre-determined time delay, use a spring or other means to slowly close the door. The spring or other means can apply a heavier force than in prior art ice dispensers, thus creating a greater sealing force.
Several embodiments of the present invention are specifically illustrated and/or described herein. However, it will be appreciated that modifications and variations of the present invention are covered by the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention.
