Patent Application
20160025399
The present subject matter relates generally to refrigerator appliances, and more particularly to drain assemblies for draining melt water from ice maker assemblies of refrigerator appliances.
Refrigerator appliances generally include a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber for receipt of food items for storage. In particular, the cabinet can define a fresh food chamber and a freezer chamber. The fresh food chamber can be maintained at a temperature greater than the freezing point of water. Conversely, the freezer chamber can be maintained at a temperature equal to or less than the freezing point of water.
Certain refrigerator appliances also include an ice maker for producing ice. The ice maker can be positioned within the appliances' freezer chamber and direct ice into an ice bucket where it can be stored within the freezer chamber. Such refrigerator appliances can also include a dispensing system for assisting a user with accessing ice produced by the refrigerator appliances' ice maker. Storing ice within a refrigerator appliance's freezer chamber can have certain drawbacks. In particular, certain refrigerator appliances maintain their freezer chambers at temperatures well below the freezing point of water. Ice stored in such conditions can become cloudy and/or hard relative to ice stored at warmer temperatures. Consumers can find such cloudy and/or hard ice undesirable.
As such, a current trend that is increasing in popularity is the desire for “nugget”, or chewable, ice. Such ice is typically stored at a relatively higher than normal temperature such as above 32 degrees Fahrenheit in some cases. For example, such ice may be formed and stored generally within the fresh food chamber, such as in an ice box defined in the door for accessing the fresh food chamber. However, nugget ice has disadvantages. For example, such ice when stored in a container will melt. The melt water may cause the ice to stick together and lead to other undesirable results.
Accordingly, improved refrigerator appliances are desired in the art. In particular, refrigerator appliances which provide improved drainage for melt water would be advantageous.
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 accordance with one embodiment, a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining a fresh food chamber and a freezer chamber, and a door rotatably hinged to the cabinet for accessing the fresh food chamber, the door comprising an inner surface and an outer surface and rotatable between an open position and a closed position. The door further defines an ice box. The refrigerator appliance further includes an ice maker disposed within the ice box, and a container defining a storage volume for receipt of ice produced by the ice maker. The refrigerator appliance further includes a drain assembly for draining melt water from the container. The drain assembly includes a male connector mounted to the door for flowing melt water therethrough, and a first duct providing fluid communication between the container and the male connector. The drain assembly further includes a female connector mounted within the fresh food chamber for flowing melt water therethrough from the male connector, and a second duct providing fluid communication from the female connector.
In accordance with another embodiment, a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining a fresh food chamber and a freezer chamber, and a door rotatably hinged to the cabinet for accessing the fresh food chamber, the door comprising an inner surface and an outer surface and rotatable between an open position and a closed position. The door further defines an ice box. The refrigerator appliance further includes an ice maker disposed within the ice box, and a container defining a storage volume for receipt of ice produced by the ice maker, the container removably positioned within the ice box. The refrigerator appliance further includes an evaporator pan, and a drain assembly for draining melt water from the container. The drain assembly includes a check valve mounted to the door for flowing melt water therethrough, and a first duct providing fluid communication between the container and the check valve. The drain assembly further includes a receiver cup mounted within the fresh food chamber for flowing melt water therethrough from the check valve, and a second duct providing fluid communication between the receiver cup and the evaporator pan. The check valve allows the flow of melt water therethrough when the door is in the closed position and prevents the flow of melt water therethrough when the door is in the open 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.
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 appliance 100 includes a cabinet or housing 110 that extends between a top portion 101 and a bottom portion 102 along a vertical direction V. Cabinet 110 defines chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. In particular, cabinet 110 defines fresh food chamber 122 positioned at or adjacent top portion 101 of cabinet 110 and a freezer chamber 124 arranged at or adjacent bottom portion 102 of cabinet 110. Fresh food chamber 122 is thus in these embodiments disposed above freezer chamber 124 along the vertical direction V. As such, refrigerator appliance 100 is generally referred to as a bottom mount refrigerator appliance. 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 or a side-by-side style 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.
In exemplary embodiments as illustrated, cabinet 110 includes a first sidewall 112 and a second sidewall (not shown), which are generally spaced apart along a horizontal direction H. Further, cabinet 110 may include a rear wall 116, which may be generally spaced apart from refrigerator door(s) 128 and freezer door(s) 130 of the refrigerator appliance 100 generally along a transverse direction T. The vertical, horizontal and transverse directions V, H, T may each be perpendicular to each other. Sidewalls 112 and rear wall 116 of cabinet 110 may define the fresh food chamber 122 and freezer chamber 124.
One or more refrigerator doors 128 are rotatably mounted or hinged to an edge of cabinet 110 for selectively accessing fresh food chamber 122. Each door 128 may include an inner surface 132 and an outer surface 134, between which the door 128 is generally defined. In addition, one or more freezer doors 130 are 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. As discussed above, refrigerator doors 128 and freezer door 130 are shown in the closed position in
Turning now to
As may be seen in
Ice maker 210 also includes an ice chute 212. Ice chute 212 directs ice produced by ice maker 210, e.g., into a storage volume 222 of container 220. Storage volume 222 is defined by container 220 and is configured for receipt of ice produced by ice maker 210. As may be seen in
Container 220 is removably positioned or mounted within fresh food chamber 122 of housing 120 when door 128 is closed. In particular, container 220 can be removably positioned on or mounted to refrigerator door 128 within ice box 205. As an example, a user can grasp a handle 236 (
Container 220 extends between a top portion 226 and a bottom portion 228 along the vertical direction V. Ice from ice maker 210 can enter storage volume 222 of container 220 at top portion 226 of container 220 and rest within storage volume 222 of container 220 at bottom portion 228 of container 220. In particular, container 220 includes a bottom wall 232 positioned at bottom portion 228 of container 220. Ice within storage volume 222 of container 220 can rest on bottom wall 232. Container 220 also includes a sidewall 230 connected to bottom wall 232 and extending along the vertical direction V, e.g., between top and bottom portions 226 and 228 of container 220.
Because container 220 is positioned or stored within fresh food chamber 122, ice within storage volume 222 of container 220 may be maintained or stored at a temperature greater than the melting point of water or greater than about thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, ice within storage volume 222 of container 220 melts over time. Such melting generates melt water run off within storage volume 222 of container 220. Accordingly, the present disclosure is further directed to features for directing such melt water out of storage volume 222 of container 220 as discussed in greater detail below.
In some embodiments, as illustrated in
Container 220 may also include a screen 250 positioned within storage volume 222 of container 220. Screen 250 can be mounted to bottom wall 232 of container 220, e.g., above valve 240 and opening 224 along the vertical direction V. Screen 250 defines a plurality of holes 252 that permit a flow of melt water therethrough. However, holes 252 are sized to hinder ice within storage volume 222 of container 220 from passing therethrough. Thus, screen 250 can support ice thereon while permitting melt water runoff to pass through holes 252 to opening 224 and out of storage volume 222 of container 220. In such a manner, screen 250 can hinder ice from clogging or obstructing opening 224 and/or valve 240.
Valve 240 includes a stem 242 mounted to container 220, e.g., to screen 250. Stem 242 can be a rod or other linear component that extends along the vertical direction V. A seal 244 is mounted to stem 242. Seal 244 can be constructed of any suitable material, such as an elastomeric material. Valve 240 also includes a biasing mechanism or spring 246. Spring 246 extends between container 220, e.g., screen 250 of container 220, and seal 244. Spring 246 urges seal 244, e.g., downwardly along the vertical direction V, against container 220 at opening 224 of container 220. In particular, spring 246 urges seal 244 into opening 224 of container 220 in order to clog or obstruct opening 224 and hinder the flow of melt water out of storage volume 222 of container 220 through opening 224.
As discussed above, valve 240 is configured for regulating the flow of melt water out storage volume 222 of container 220. In particular, valve 240 allows the flow of melt water out of storage volume 222 of container 220 through opening 224 when container 220 is positioned within ice box 205. Conversely, valve 240 prevents the flow of melt water out of storage volume 222 of container 220 through opening 224 when container 220 is removed ice box 205. Thus, valve 240 is configured for selective adjustment between an open position in which valve 240 allows the flow of melt water out storage volume 222 of container 220 and a closed position in which valve 240 prevents the flow of melt water out of storage volume 222 of container 220.
As may be seen in
From the position shown in
In such a manner, valve 240 can assist within regulating the flow of melt water through opening 224. In particular, valve 240 can permit runoff from melted ice to exit storage volume 222 of container 220 when container 220 is positioned on door 128, and valve 240 can obstruct opening 224 and hinder such runoff from spilling or leaking when container 220 is removed from door 128.
Refrigerator appliance 100 also includes a reservoir 260. Reservoir 260 is disposed below container 220 along the vertical direction V. In particular, support legs 234 of container 220 can rest within reservoir 260 when container 220 is positioned on refrigerator door 128. Reservoir 260 receives the flow of melt water from storage volume 222 of container 220, e.g., when valve 240 is in the open position and container 220 is mounted to refrigerator door 128.
It should be noted that a refrigerator appliance 100 and ice-making assembly 200 need not include a valve 240, etc. as disclosed herein. Any suitable components for facilitating the flow of melt water from container 220 into reservoir 260 or otherwise into a drain assembly as discussed herein are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. It should further be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the above described ice-making assembly 200 embodiments. Any suitable ice-making assembly 200, include assemblies 200 which include components for dispensing ice through a door 128 of the appliance 100 and/or an assemblies 200 which include non-removable containers 220, are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, such as in the embodiments illustrated in
As illustrated, the male connector 302 may be mounted to a door 128. Further, the female connector 304 may be mounted within the fresh food chamber 306. Melt water may, when allowed to by the male connector 302, flow through the male connector, from the male connector to the female connector, and through the female connector.
In exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in
In other embodiments, as illustrated in
Notably, in embodiments as illustrated in
It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the above described embodiments, and rather that any suitable male and female connectors, which interact to allow the flow of melt water therethrough at least when an associated door 128 is in a closed position, are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
As discussed, a first duct 306 may provide fluid communication between the container 220 and the male connector 302. For example, melt water may be allowed to flow from the container 220, such as through valve 240 and/or through reservoir 260. This melt water may flow into the first duct 306. For example, as shown, first duct 306 may be connected at one end to the reservoir 260. The melt water may flow through the first duct 306 into the male connector 302. As illustrated, first duct 306 or a portion thereof may be disposed within the door 128 (such as between the inner surface 132 and the outer surface 134). A substantial portion of the first duct 306 may, for example, be disposed within the door 128. The first duct 306 may extend generally along the vertical direction V between the container 220 and the male connector 302. A portion of the first duct 306 further may further be in communication with the male connector 302. For example, in the embodiments as illustrated in
First duct 306 may in exemplary embodiments include one or more tube sections 330. Further, suitable fittings 332 may connect the tube sections 330 as required. Additionally, it should be noted that, in exemplary embodiments, a first conduit 334 may be disposed within the door 128 (such as between the inner surface 132 and the outer surface 134). The first conduit 334 may, for example, be defined or positioned in place within the door 128 by foam included in the door, and thus be “foamed in place” within the door 128. Portions of the first duct 306 may advantageously extend through the first conduit 334, and the first duct 306 may be movable within the first conduit 334.
As discussed, second duct 308 may provide fluid communication from the female connector 304, such as between the female connector 304 and an exhaust location. The exhaust location in exemplary embodiments may be the evaporator pan 280, which may for example be located below the cabinet 110 or within the cabinet 110 proximate the bottom 102 of the refrigerator appliance 100. Accordingly, melt water received by the female connector 304 may flow from the female connector 304 to and through the second duct 308, and from the second duct 308 to an exhaust location such as the evaporator pan 280.
As will be understood by those skilled in the art, evaporator pan 280 can also receive liquid runoff from an evaporator (not shown) of refrigerator appliance 100, e.g., during a defrost cycle of refrigerator appliance 100. However, in alternative exemplary embodiments, evaporator pan 280 can be a separate component such that the melt water and the evaporator of refrigerator appliance 100 are directed to separate pans. Further, in other alternative embodiments, the exhaust location need not be the evaporator pan 280, and rather may for example, be a drain of a plumbing system (not shown), e.g., within a residence housing refrigerator appliance 100, such that melt water is directed into the plumbing system rather than evaporating within evaporator pan 280 of refrigerator appliance 100.
As discussed, female connector 304 may be mounted within the fresh food chamber 122. In exemplary embodiments as illustrated in
Second duct 308 may in exemplary embodiments include one or more tube sections 350. Further, suitable fittings 352 may connect the tube sections 350 as required. Additionally, it should be noted that, in exemplary embodiments, a second conduit 354 may be disposed within the fresh food chamber 122, such as at least partially within the shelf interior 344. Portions of the second duct 308 may advantageously extend through the second conduit 354, and the second duct 308 may be movable within the second conduit 354.
The present disclosure advantageously provides improved drainage for melt water within refrigerator appliances 100. The present drain assembly 300, for example, advantageously provides improved routing for melt water from an ice-maker assembly 200. Further, the present drain assembly 300 can easily and efficiently be retrofitted to existing refrigerator appliances 100 may simply replacing or modifying a door 128 of the refrigerator appliance 100, modifying a shelf 340 or other suitable mounting location within fresh food chamber 122, and adding one hole through cabinet 110 for downstream routing of the drain assembly 300. Still further, the present drain assembly 300 is advantageously a passive drain assembly, with no pumps or other active components required to facilitate the flow of melt water therethrough.
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.
