Patent Application
20190315617
The present subject matter relates generally to refrigerator appliances with water dispensers.
Refrigerator appliances generally include a cabinet that defines one or more chambers for the receipt of food items for storage. Certain refrigerator appliances also include features for dispensing ice and/or liquid water. To provide ice and/or liquid water, a dispenser is typically positioned on a door of the appliance. The user positions a container proximate the dispenser, and ice and/or liquid water are deposited into the container depending upon the user's selection. A paddle or other type switch may be provided whereby the user may make a selection.
Various components with refrigerator appliances can reduce the pressure of water flowing between a wall connection and the dispenser. For example, refrigerator appliances can include water filters, solenoid valves, pressure regulators, etc., and such components can generate a pressure drop that disadvantageously reduces the flow rate of water at the dispenser. Thus, filling a container at the dispenser may take an inconvenient amount of time.
Water filters are frequently the largest flow restrictor within refrigerator appliances and can generate a significant pressure drop. However, the contaminant reduction performance of a water filter is certified at a specific service flow rate, typically a half-gallon per minute for refrigerator water filters. Operation of refrigerator water filters at flowrates above the specific service flow rate is unacceptable as such actions will void contaminant reduction claims. A water filter can be recertified to a new flow rate but the performance of the water filter can be significantly reduced.
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 example embodiment, a refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber. A door is mounted to the cabinet such that the door provides selective access to the chilled chamber of the cabinet. The door defines a dispenser recess. A water supply system includes a supply conduit connectable to a pressurized water supply such that a flow of water is flowable through the supply conduit to an exit of the supply conduit positioned at the dispenser recess on the door. A flow restriction is coupled to the supply conduit. A dispensing valve is coupled to the supply conduit downstream of the flow restriction. A supply conduit branch extends from the supply conduit. The supply conduit branch is positioned downstream of the flow restriction and upstream of the dispensing valve. A water tank is connected to the supply conduit branch. The water tank is at least partially filled with air. The water tank is configured such that air within the water tank is compressed by water from the supply conduit when the dispensing valve is closed.
In a second example embodiment, a refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber. A water supply system includes a supply conduit connectable to a pressurized water supply such that a flow of water is flowable through the supply conduit to an exit of the supply conduit positioned at a dispenser. A water filter is coupled to the supply conduit. A dispensing valve is coupled to the supply conduit downstream of the water filter. A water tank is connected to the supply conduit downstream of the water filter and upstream of the dispensing valve. The water tank is at least partially filled with a compressible medium. The water tank is configured such that the compressible medium within the water tank is compressed by water from the supply conduit when the dispensing valve is closed.
In a third example embodiment, a water dispensing system includes a supply conduit connectable to a pressurized water supply such that a flow of water is flowable through the supply conduit to an exit of the supply conduit. A water filter is coupled to the supply conduit. A dispensing valve is coupled to the supply conduit downstream of the water filter. A water tank is connected to the supply conduit downstream of the water filter and upstream of the dispensing valve. The water tank is at least partially filled with a compressible medium. The water tank is configured such that the compressible medium within the water tank is compressed by water from the supply conduit when the dispensing valve is closed.
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 128 are rotatably hinged to an edge of housing 120 for selectively accessing fresh food chamber 122. In addition, a freezer door 130 is arranged below refrigerator doors 128 for selectively accessing freezer chamber 124. Freezer door 130 is coupled to a freezer drawer (not shown) slidably mounted within freezer chamber 124. Refrigerator doors 128 and freezer door 130 are shown in the closed configuration in
Refrigerator appliance 100 also includes a dispensing assembly 140 for dispensing liquid water and/or ice. Dispensing assembly 140 includes a dispenser 142 positioned on or mounted to an exterior portion of refrigerator appliance 100, e.g., on one of doors 120. Dispenser 142 includes a discharging outlet 144 for accessing ice and liquid water. An actuating mechanism 146, shown as a paddle, is mounted below discharging outlet 144 for operating dispenser 142. In alternative exemplary embodiments, any suitable actuating mechanism may be used to operate dispenser 142. For example, dispenser 142 can include a sensor (such as an ultrasonic sensor) or a button rather than the paddle. A user interface panel 148 is provided for controlling the mode of operation. For example, user interface panel 148 includes a plurality of user inputs (not labeled), 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.
Discharging outlet 144 and actuating mechanism 146 are an external part of dispenser 142 and are mounted in a dispenser recess 150. Dispenser recess 150 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 open doors 120. In the exemplary embodiment, dispenser recess 150 is positioned at a level that approximates the chest level of a user.
As may be seen in
Water dispensing system 200 can also include an isolation valve 220 and a dispensing valve 230. Isolation valve 220 and dispensing valve 230 are both coupled to supply conduit 210 and are operable to regulate the flow of water through supply conduit 210. For example, isolation valve 220 and dispensing valve 230 may be closed to stop the flow of water through supply conduit 210. Conversely, isolation valve 220 and dispensing valve 230 may be opened to permit the flow of water through supply conduit 210.
Isolation valve 220 may be positioned upstream of dispensing valve 230 on supply conduit 210. For example, isolation valve 220 may be positioned at or proximate inlet section 212 of supply conduit 210. Conversely, dispensing valve 230 may be positioned at or proximate outlet section 214 of supply conduit 210. Isolation valve 220 may be closed to terminate water flow through all components of water dispensing system 200 that are downstream of isolation valve 220. Thus, e.g., isolation valve 220 may be closed during servicing of water dispensing system 200, changing of a water filter, etc. to prevent spilling of water from the water dispensing system 200. 6. Isolation valve 220 may also protect components of water dispensing system 200 from pressure variations in the pressurized water supply when water dispensing system 200 is idle. Dispensing valve 230 may be opened to permit water flow to dispenser 142. Thus, dispensing valve 230 may be open and closed to regulate water flow to dispenser 142 and/or a container within dispenser recess 150.
Water dispensing system 200 further includes a controller 250. Controller 250 regulates operation of water dispensing system 200. Thus, controller 250 is in operative communication with various components of water dispensing system 200, such as isolation valve 220 and dispensing valve 230. In particular, controller 250 may selectively open and close isolation valve 220 and dispensing valve 230 in order to regulate fluid flow through supply conduit 210.
Controller 250 includes memory and one or more processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of water dispensing system 200. The memory can represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. The processor executes programming instructions stored in the memory. The memory can be a separate component from the processor or can be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 250 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.
Various components of water dispensing system 200 are coupled to supply conduit 210 such that water within supply conduit 210 flows through and/or into such components. For example, supply conduit 210 includes one or more flow restrictions 240 coupled to supply conduit 210. Flow restrictions 240 generate a pressure drop within the water flowing through supply conduit 210. Flow restrictions 240 may include one or more of a water filter, a solenoid valve, a flow control washer, etc. It will be understood that water filter may include a filter cartridge removably mounted to a manifold, and the filter cartridge may include a filter medium, such as a carbon filter block, a pleated cellulose filter, a ceramic filter, etc. Dispensing valve 230 is coupled to supply conduit 210 downstream of flow restrictions 240. Thus, e.g., flow restrictions 240 generate a pressure drop within the water flowing through supply conduit 210 to dispenser 142 when dispensing valve 230 is open.
As noted above, water dispensing system 200 includes features for dispensing water at an accelerated rate relative to water dispensing systems in known refrigerator appliances. In particular, water dispensing system 200 includes a water tank 250 connected to a supply conduit branch 252. In certain example embodiments, water tank 250 may be a cold water tank. Thus, water tank 250 may be positioned at or within fresh food chamber 122 such that water within water tank 250 is cooled to the temperature of fresh food chamber 122.
Supply conduit branch 252 extends from supply conduit 250 and is positioned downstream of flow restrictions 240 and upstream of dispensing valve 230. Thus, after passing through flow restrictions 240, water within supply conduit 210 may pass by water tank 250 and supply conduit branch 252 prior to flowing to dispenser 142 when dispensing valve 230 is open. As may be seen from the above, water tank 250 may not be connected on supply conduit 210 in series between flow restrictions 240 and dispensing valve 230. Rather, supply conduit branch 252 may split from supply conduit 210 between flow restrictions 240 and dispensing valve 230, and water tank 250 may form a dead end off of supply conduit 210.
Water from supply conduit 210 is flowable through supply conduit branch 252 into water tank 250. In particular, water tank 250 is at least partially filled with air, and the air within water tank 250 is compressible by the water from supply conduit 210 that flows into water tank 250 through supply conduit branch 252. Operation of water dispensing system 200, in particular water tank 250, is described in greater detail below in the context of
In
As shown in
When water dispensing system 100 is in the charged operating state, a user may request water at dispenser 142 with actuating mechanism 146. In response, controller 250 may open dispensing valve 230, e.g., and isolation valve 220. In such a manner, water dispensing system 200 may be shifted from the charged operating state in
Eventually the compressed air within in water tank 250 expands until the pressure of the air within water tank 250 is equal to the pressure of the water flowing through supply conduit 210 immediately downstream of flow restrictions 240. Thus, the charge of air within water tank 250 may be exhausted, and water dispensing system 200 shifts to the depleted acceleration dispense operating state in
In the depleted acceleration dispense operating state, water does not flow from water tank 250 into supply conduit 210 through supply conduit branch 252 due to the equalized pressure between the air in tank and the water within supply conduit 210. However, water continues to flow to dispenser 142 in the depleted acceleration dispense operating state. In particular, water from inlet section 212 of supply conduit 210 flows through flow restrictions 240 to dispenser 142 in the depleted acceleration dispense operating state. The pressure of the air in water tank 250 may be minimized in the depleted acceleration dispense operating state relative to the other operating states of water dispensing system 100.
As noted above, water tank 250 is positioned downstream of flow restrictions 240. Thus, the water from water tank 250 may flow to dispenser 142 without passing through flow restrictions 240 and without the pressure drop associated with flowing through flow restrictions 240 in the accelerated dispense operating state. Conversely, water from inlet section 212 of supply conduit 210 flows through flow restrictions 240 to dispenser 142 in the depleted acceleration dispense operating state. Since the flow resistance through supply conduit 210 between water tank 250 and outlet section 214 of supply conduit 210 is significantly less the flow resistance through flow restrictions 240, the dispense rate of water dispensing system 200 in the accelerated dispense operating state shown in
After dispensing water in the accelerated dispense operating state, water dispensing system 200 may shift to the charging operating state shown in
Eventually the pressure of water within supply conduit 210 stabilizes at the pressure of water at inlet section 212 of supply conduit 210, and water stops flowing into water tank 250 from supply conduit 210. Thus, water dispensing system 200 shifts from the charging operating state shown in
As noted above, the dispense rate of water dispensing system 200 in the accelerated dispense operating state shown in
Various constructions of water tank 250 are available to include compressible air within water tank 250. For example, water tank 250 may be a simple closed tank at least partially filled with air such that there is direct contact between the air and water within water tank 250. Water dispensing system 200 may include a compressor 260 in certain example embodiments. Compressor 260 is operable to flow compressed air into water tank 250. The air from compressor 260 may be particularly useful to replace air within water tank 250 that diffuses into the water within water tank 250 when there is direct contact between the air and water within water tank 250. In alternative example embodiments, water tank 250 may be a bladder tank or a diaphragm tank, e.g., such that there is no direct contact between the air and water within water tank 250. Compressor 260 may be useful to replace air that leaks from water tank 250 in such example embodiments.
Water tank 250 may include a one-way valve (not shown) at top of water tank 250 in certain example embodiments. The one-way valve can allow air to enter water tank 250 when if the amount of air had depleted due to absorption by water within water tank 250. A periodic maintenance routine may be utilized to drain water tank 250 and to allow air to reenter water tank 250 via the one-way valve.
In certain example embodiments, water tank 250 may be made of an elastic material, such as rubber or silicone. The elastic walls of water tank 250 allow expansion when water within water tank 250 is pressurized, e.g., during the charging operating state, while also allowing retraction when water within water tank 250 depressurizes, e.g., during the accelerated dispense operating state. When water tank 250 has elastic walls, water tank 250 need not include air within water tank 250.
It will be understood that an alternative compressible media may be used instead of air, e.g., carbon dioxide or some other gas. Thus, water tank 250 may be connected to a pressurized gas tank to charge water tank 250. As another example, a spring or some other elastic member may be charged by water within water tank 250 in the charged operating state instead of air.
As may be seen in
Water tank 250 may be sized for use within refrigerator appliance 100. For example, water tank 250 may be sized to contain no less than one liter and no more than two liters of water, e.g., in the charged operating state. Thus, water tank 250 may advantageously contain enough water to fill common drinking containers while not occupying excessive space within refrigerator appliance 100. Water supply system 200 may further include an aerator, screen or specially designed dispense nozzle 262 mounted to supply conduit 210 at outlet section 214 of supply conduit 210. Aerator 262 assists with softly flowing water into a container within dispenser recess 150 despite the increased flow rate associated with the accelerated dispense operating state.
Controller 250 may also operate isolation valve 220 to facilitate operation of water dispensing system 200 in the accelerated dispense operating state. For example, controller 250 may close isolation valve 220 after a specific time delay (e.g., five seconds) to terminate water flow through supply conduit 210 and avoid overfilling a container within dispenser recess 150. Isolation valve 220 may also be adjustable to positions between fully open and fully closed to allow adjustment of the flow rate at the exit of supply conduit 210 in the accelerated dispense operating state. For example, controller 250 may adjust isolation valve 220 to change (i.e., increase or decrease) the pressure of water within supply conduit 210 downstream of isolation valve 220 in the accelerated dispense operating state. A pressure sensor (not shown) may be utilized to improve control over the “charge” and the magnitude of the flow rate. In such a manner, controller 250 may use isolation valve 220 to adjust the flow rate at the exit of supply conduit 210 in the accelerated dispense operating state.
As may be seen in
Turning now to
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.
