Patent Application
20170292780
The present subject matter relates generally to refrigerator appliances.
Refrigerator appliances include various components that assist with cooling a chamber and/or regulating cooling of the chamber. For example, a sealed system may compress refrigerant in order to chill an evaporator and generate chilled air within the chamber. As another example, a fan may circulate the chilled air within the chamber in order to facilitate uniform cooling of the chamber. While necessary for their important function, such components can be noisy while operating.
Recent refrigerator appliances have numerous cycles that generate distinct noises. During the various cycles, the refrigerator appliance can emit noises unfamiliar to consumers. In response to unfamiliar noises, consumers frequently contact customer service to inquire about the noises. Such service requests are frequently unnecessary because the refrigerator appliance is operating normally despite the unfamiliar noises.
Accordingly, a refrigerator appliance with features for informing a user regarding an operating status of the refrigerator appliance would be useful. In particular, a refrigerator appliance with features for informing a user regarding whether the refrigerator appliance is operating normally or malfunctioning would be useful.
The present subject matter provides a method for operating a refrigerator appliance. The method includes receiving a user inquiry signal at a controller of the refrigerator appliance in response to an inquiry input at a user interface of the refrigerator appliance, obtaining a status of at least one operable component of the refrigerator appliance with the controller of the refrigerator appliance, and sending the status of the at least one operable component of the refrigerator appliance from the controller of the refrigerator appliance to the user interface of the refrigerator appliance after the inquiry input at the user interface of the refrigerator appliance. A related refrigerator appliance is provided. Additional 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 a first exemplary embodiment, a method for operating a refrigerator appliance is provided. The method includes receiving a user inquiry signal at a controller of the refrigerator appliance in response to an inquiry input at a user interface of the refrigerator appliance and obtaining a status of at least one operable component of the refrigerator appliance with the controller of the refrigerator appliance. The at least one operable component of the refrigerator appliance is in operable communication with the controller of the refrigerator appliance. The method also includes sending the status of the at least one operable component of the refrigerator appliance from the controller of the refrigerator appliance to the user interface of the refrigerator appliance.
In a second exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber. A first user interface is mounted to the cabinet, and a second user interface is disposed remotely relative to the cabinet. A controller is in operative communication with the first and second user interfaces. The controller includes a processor and a memory storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include obtaining a status of at least one operable component of the refrigerator appliance in response to receiving a user inquiry signal from the first user interface or the second user interface and sending the status of the at least one operable component of the refrigerator appliance to at least one of the first user interface or the second user interface.
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.
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.
Refrigerator doors 126, 128 are rotatably hinged to an edge of housing 120 for accessing fresh food compartment 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.
Refrigerator appliance 100 includes a dispensing assembly 110 for dispensing water and/or ice. Dispensing assembly 110 includes a dispenser 114 positioned on an exterior portion of refrigerator appliance 100. Dispenser 114 includes a discharging outlet 134 for accessing ice and water. An activation member 132 is mounted below discharging outlet 134 for operating dispenser 114. In
Discharging outlet 134 and activation member 132 are an external part of dispenser 114, and are mounted in a 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 water and enabling the user to access ice 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.
In particular, insulated cavity 142 is constructed and arranged to operate at a temperature that facilitates producing and storing ice. More particularly, the insulated cavity contains an icemaker 174 (shown in
Alternatively, in another exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, insulated housing 142 and icemaker 174 can both be positioned directly on door 126. In still another exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, in a configuration where the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment are located side by side (as opposed to over and under as shown in
Controller 150 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout refrigerator appliance 100. For example, as shown in
Controller 150 is also in operative communication with an air handler or fan 172 and an icemaker 174. Thus, controller 150 may regulate operation of fan 172 and icemaker 174. In particular, controller 150 may selectively operate motors of fan 172 and icemaker 174 and/or a fill valve of icemaker 174.
Refrigerator appliance 100 also includes a first user interface 180, such as user interface panel 136 (
Refrigerator appliance 100 also includes a network interface 186 that couples refrigerator appliance 100, e.g., controller 150, to a network 184 such that refrigerator appliance 100 can transmit and receive information over network 184. Network 184 can be any wired or wireless network such as a WAN, LAN, and/or HAN. Network interface 186 can include any circuitry or components for communication over network 184. For example, controller 150 can use network interface 186 to communicate with a second user interface 182. Network interface 186 may include transmitters, receivers, ports, controllers, antennas, or other suitable components for interfacing with network 184.
Refrigerator appliance 100, e.g., controller 150, is in communication with second user interface 182 via network 184. Second user interface 182 can be any device configured to communicate over network 184 and allow a user to remotely generate and transmit command signals to controller 150. For example, second user interface 182 may be a computer, a smartphone, a tablet, etc. Second user interface 182 is in communication with controller 150 such that second user interface 182 and controller 150 may transmit signals and data therebetween. Second user interface 182 can also include a network interface, e.g., constructed in the same or similar manner to network interface 186, that allows second user interface 182 to initiate communications with refrigerator appliance 100 over network 184.
Controller 150 can be any device that includes one or more processors and a memory. As an example, in some embodiments, controller 150 may be a single board computer (SBC). For example, controller 150 can be a single System-On-Chip (SOC). However, any form of controller 150 may also be used to perform the present subject matter. The processor(s) can be any suitable processing device, such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, integrated circuit, or other suitable processing devices or combinations thereof. The memory can include any suitable storage media, including, but not limited to, non-transitory computer-readable media, RAM, ROM, hard drives, flash drives, accessible databases, or other memory devices. The memory can store information accessible by processor(s), including instructions that can be executed by processor(s) to perform aspects of the present disclosure.
As an example, controller 150 may also include a number of modules to provide functionality or otherwise perform particular operations. It will be appreciated that the term “module” refers to computer logic utilized to provide desired functionality. Thus, a module can be implemented in hardware, application specific circuits, firmware and/or software controlling a general purpose processor. In one embodiment, modules are program code files stored on the storage device, loaded into memory and executed by a processor or can be provided from computer program products, for example computer executable instructions, that are stored in a tangible computer-readable storage medium such as RAM, hard disk or optical or magnetic media.
Various components of refrigerator appliance 100 emit noise during operation. For example, compressor 170, fan 172 and/or icemaker 174 frequently generate noise while operating. In particular, compressor 170 can generate noise while compressing refrigerant within the sealed system of refrigerator appliance, fan 172 can generate noise while circulating air across an evaporator or condenser of the sealed system, and icemaker 174 can generate noise while filling with water or harvesting ice. As another example, refrigerator appliance 100 may include a damper (not shown) that makes noise when shifting open or closed. The damper may be positioned between refrigerator chamber 122 and freezer chamber 124 to regulate air flow between refrigerator chamber 122 and freezer chamber 124.
The user of refrigerator appliance 100 may be unfamiliar with the noises generated during operation of refrigerator appliance 100. For example, during a pre-chill portion of a defrost operating cycle, such as the defrost operating cycles described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,597 of Zenter et al. and/or U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0123690 of Hanley et al., both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety, controller 150 may operate compressor 170 and/or fan 172 at high speeds for an extended period of time at a beginning of the defrost cycle to cool the chilled chambers of refrigerator appliance 100 below a certain threshold and thereby provide a buffer that prevents overheating of the chilled chambers during the defrost cycle. When the user of refrigerator appliance 100 hears compressor 170 and/or fan 172 operating at such high speeds for relatively long periods of time, he or she may assume that refrigerator appliance 100 is malfunctioning and schedule a service call despite refrigerator appliance 100 operating normally. As another example, controller 150 may open a valve of icemaker 174, such as the valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,895,767 of Hu and/or U.S. Pat. No. 8,857,198 of Styn et al., both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety, in order to fill icemaker 174 with liquid water for freezing to ice. When the user of refrigerator appliance 100 hears the valve of icemaker 174 opening or water flowing into icemaker 174, he or she may assume that refrigerator appliance 100 is malfunctioning and schedule a service call despite refrigerator appliance 100 operating normally. As yet another example, controller 150 may activate a rake or other ice harvester of icemaker 174 when the ice within icemaker 174 is fully formed. When the user of refrigerator appliance 100 hears the rake or other ice harvester of icemaker 174 in operation, he or she may assume that refrigerator appliance 100 is malfunctioning and schedule a service call despite refrigerator appliance 100 operating normally.
As discussed in greater detail below, refrigerator appliance 100 includes features for providing information to a user of refrigerator appliance 100 regarding the performance and/or operating status of refrigerator appliance 100. By apprising the user of the performance and/or operating status of refrigerator appliance 100, user satisfaction with refrigerator appliance 100 can be improved. In particular, service calls regarding refrigerator appliance 100 can be reduced by informing the user of the performance and/or operating status of refrigerator appliance 100. The features of refrigerator appliance 100 that communicate the performance and/or operating status of refrigerator appliance 100 are discussed in greater detail below.
When the user of refrigerator appliance 100 hears an unfamiliar or perplexing noise for refrigerator appliance 100 (or would otherwise like to know the status of the refrigerator appliance 100), the user utilizes first user interface 180 and/or second user interface 182 to generate a user inquiry signal. As an example, the user may actuate buttons or other inputs on first user interface 180 and/or second user interface 182 to generate the user inquiry signal. Controller 150 receives the user inquiry signal after the user engages first user interface 180 and/or second user interface 182.
After receiving the user inquiry signal, controller 150 obtains a status of at least one operable component of refrigerator appliance 100, where the at least one operable component of refrigerator appliance 100 is in operable communication with controller 150, e.g., such that controller 150 may selectively activate and deactivate each operable component. The operable components may include compressor 170, fan 172 and/or icemaker 174. The operable components may also include a damper or a valve. Controller 150 then sends the status of the at least one operable component to first user interface 180 and/or second user interface 182.
After receiving the status of the at least one operable component at first user interface 180 and/or second user interface 182, the status of the at least one operable component may be presented to the user of refrigerator appliance 100 on first user interface 180 and/or second user interface 182. Thus, the user may be informed of the current status of various operable components of refrigerator appliance 100, and the user may thereby know the source of the unfamiliar or perplexing noise emanating from refrigerator appliance 100, e.g., without having to schedule a service call.
To allow the user to know or determine the source of the unfamiliar or perplexing noise emanating from refrigerator appliance 100, the status of the at least one operable component may include an activation state, e.g., whether the operable component is on or off, for at least one of compressor 170, fan 172 or icemaker 174. Thus, controller 150 may determine whether compressor 170, fan 172 or icemaker 174 are active and operating in response to the user inquiry signal, and controller 150 may then send the current activation state of compressor 170, fan 172 or icemaker 174 to first user interface 180 and/or second user interface 182 where the user can see which of the components is active and/or operating. In certain exemplary embodiments, controller 150 may transmit the activation state for all of compressor 170, fan 172 or icemaker 174 to first user interface 180 and/or second user interface 182.
After receiving the user inquiry signal, controller 150 may also determine the current operating mode of refrigerator appliance 100 and send the current operating mode of refrigerator appliance 100 to first user interface 180 and/or second user interface 182. For example, refrigerator appliance 100 may include various operating modes including but not limited to, a chilled chamber cooling mode, a defrost mode, an icemaker fill mode, an icemaker harvest mode, an idle mode, an ice making mode or an ice maintenance mode. In the chilled chamber cooling mode, controller 150 activates compressor 170 such that the sealed system of refrigerator appliance 100 cools the chilled chambers to a set temperature. In the defrost mode, controller 150 activates a heating element adjacent the evaporator of the sealed system and/or directs relatively hot refrigerant through the evaporator in order to remove ice buildup from the evaporator. In the icemaker fill mode, controller 150 opens the valve of icemaker 174 such that liquid water flows into a mold body or auger housing of icemaker 174. In the icemaker harvest mode, controller 150 activates a heating element and/or a motor of icemaker 174 to remove ice from icemaker 174. In the idle mode, controller 150 deactivates all operable components of refrigerator appliance 100.
After receiving the current operating mode of refrigerator appliance 100 at first user interface 180 and/or second user interface 182, the current operating mode of refrigerator appliance 100 is presented to the user of refrigerator appliance 100 on first user interface 180 and/or second user interface 182. Thus, the user may be informed of the current operating mode of refrigerator appliance 100, and the user may thereby know the source of the unfamiliar or perplexing noise emanating from refrigerator appliance 100, e.g., without having to schedule a service call.
As discussed above, the user of refrigerator appliance 100 may be presented with the status of the at least one operable component and/or the current operating mode of refrigerator appliance 100 from controller 150 in response to the user inquiry signal and thereby determine why refrigerator appliance 100 is operating in a certain manner. In addition, the user may modify operation of refrigerator appliance 100. For example, the user may utilize first user interface 180 and/or second user interface 182 to generate a user termination signal. As an example, the user may actuate buttons or other inputs on first user interface 180 and/or second user interface 182 to generate the user termination signal. Controller 150 receives the user termination signal after the user engages first user interface 180 and/or second user interface 182.
After receiving the user termination signal, controller 150 may modify operation of refrigerator appliance 100. In particular, controller 150 terminates the current operating mode of refrigerator appliance 100 in response to receiving the user termination signal. Thus, controller 150 may deactivate compressor 170, fan 172 and/or icemaker 174 after receiving the user termination signal in order to terminate the current operating mode of refrigerator appliance 100. As a particular example, controller 150 may shift refrigerator appliance from the chilled chamber cooling mode, the defrost mode, the icemaker fill mode or the icemaker harvest mode to the idle mode in response to receiving the user termination signal. In such a manner, the user may adjust operation of refrigerator appliance 100 to stop the unfamiliar or perplexing noise emanating from refrigerator appliance 100.
If refrigerator appliance 100 is malfunctioning, controller 150 may generate an error, fault or function code corresponding to the particular malfunctioning (or potentially malfunctioning) component or system of refrigerator appliance 100. The error, fault or function codes can assist a service technician with quickly diagnosing issues within refrigerator appliance 100. Controller 150 may transmit or send the error, fault or function code to first user interface 180 and/or second user interface 182. Thus, the user may know of any active error, fault or function code for refrigerator appliance 100, e.g., and give the error, fault or function code to a service technician prior to the service technician travelling to service the refrigerator appliance 100. Similarly, controller 150 may transmit the status of the at least one operable component and/or the current operating mode of refrigerator appliance 100 to the service technician, e.g., to a computer and/or server of the service technician. Thus, the service technician may have greater knowledge of the operation of refrigerator appliance 100 prior to the service technician travelling to service the refrigerator appliance 100.
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.
