Patent Application
20200377357
Residential refrigerators generally include both fresh food compartments and freezer compartments, with the former maintained at a temperature above freezing to store fresh foods and liquids, and the latter maintained at a temperature below freezing for longer-term storage of frozen foods. Various refrigerator designs have been used, including, for example, top mount refrigerators, which include a freezer compartment near the top of the refrigerator, either accessible via a separate external door from the external door for the fresh food compartment, or accessible via an internal door within the fresh food compartment; side-by-side refrigerators, which orient the freezer and fresh food compartments next to one another and extending generally along most of the height of the refrigerator; and bottom mount refrigerators, which orient the freezer compartment below the fresh food compartment and including sliding and/or hinged doors to provide access to the freezer and fresh food compartments.
Irrespective of the refrigerator design employed, many refrigerator designs also include an externally-accessible dispenser that is disposed at a convenient height on the front of the refrigerator, most often on the surface of one of the doors that provide access to one of the refrigerator compartments. Many dispensers are configured to dispense cooled water along with either cubed or crushed ice, although other dispensers may support other functions, such as dispensing hot water, sparkling water, coffee, etc.
With many dispenser designs, one or more container-actuated paddles are used to control dispensing. A common container-actuated paddle design extends downwardly from a mounting point disposed at a top end of the paddle and proximate the dispenser opening, and rotates about a horizontal axis such that a consumer can place cup, glass or other container underneath the dispenser opening and use the cup or glass itself to push the paddle rearwardly to activate the dispenser. In some instances, water and ice are dispensed from separate dispenser openings that are oriented side-by-side using separate paddles that are positioned below the respective openings so that a consumer can select between water and ice dispensing simply by placing the container under the appropriate opening and engaging the associated paddle. In other instances, however, the water and ice dispenser openings are oriented proximate to one another such that a single paddle may be used to dispense water or ice depending upon a particular mode selected by a user.
Mode selection may generally be performed using a number of different techniques, e.g., using a knob, a slider, a set of buttons, a touchscreen, etc., that may be selected in advance of actuating a paddle. Even when separate paddles are used, mode selection may still be required, e.g., to select between dispensing cubed or crushed ice.
Requiring additional mode selection in connection with dispensing from a refrigerator dispenser, however, complicates dispensing, as many consumers would generally prefer to interact with a dispenser simply by placing a container underneath the appropriate dispenser opening.
The herein-described embodiments address these and other problems associated with the art by providing a refrigerator that utilizes a dispenser control with a multi-function control paddle to perform multiple dispenser functions in response to different types of actuation of the control paddle. The control paddle may be positioned below one or more dispenser openings and pivotable in multiple directions about one or more axes such that placement of a container below the one or more dispenser openings and against different actuation regions of the control paddle will initiate different dispenser functions.
Therefore, consistent with one aspect of the invention, a refrigerator may include a cabinet including one or more food compartments and one or more doors closing the one or more food compartments, and a dispenser mounted to the cabinet to dispense a plurality of dispense products. The dispenser may include one or more dispenser openings configured to dispense the plurality of dispense products, and a dispenser control positioned below the one or more dispenser openings and actuatable by a container placed below the one or more dispenser openings, the dispenser control including a control paddle being pivotable in first and second directions about a generally vertical axis, where pivoting of the control paddle about the generally vertical axis in the first direction actuates the dispenser to dispense a first dispense product among the plurality of dispense products, and pivoting of the control paddle about the generally vertical axis in the second direction actuates the dispenser to dispense a second dispense product among the plurality of dispense products.
In some embodiments, the control paddle is further pivotable about a generally horizontal axis, and pivoting of the control paddle about the generally horizontal axis actuates the dispenser to dispense a third dispense product among the plurality of dispense products. Also, in some embodiments, the control paddle is pivotable in third and fourth directions about the generally horizontal axis, pivoting of the control paddle about the generally horizontal axis in the third direction actuates the dispenser to dispense the third dispense product, and pivoting of the control paddle about the generally horizontal axis in the fourth direction actuates a predetermined dispenser function. Further, in some embodiments, the predetermined dispenser function is a dispenser lock or dispenser unlock function.
In some embodiments, pivoting of the control paddle about the generally horizontal axis in combination with pivoting of the control paddle about the generally vertical axis in the first direction actuates the dispenser to concurrently dispense both the first and third dispense products. In addition, in some embodiments, pivoting of the control paddle about the generally horizontal axis in combination with pivoting of the control paddle about the generally vertical axis in the second direction actuates the dispenser to concurrently dispense both the second and third dispense products.
In some embodiments, the dispenser further includes an additional user control having a plurality of states, and pivoting of the control paddle about the generally vertical axis in the first direction actuates the dispenser to dispense the first dispense product further based upon a selected state of the additional user control. In addition, in some embodiments, the plurality of states of the additional user control includes an ice dispensing state and a water dispensing state, and pivoting of the control paddle about the generally vertical axis in the first direction when the additional user control is in the ice dispensing state actuates the dispenser to dispense cubed ice, pivoting of the control paddle about the generally vertical axis in the second direction when the additional user control is in the ice dispensing state actuates the dispenser to dispense crushed ice, and pivoting of the control paddle about the generally vertical axis in the first direction when the additional user control is in the water dispensing state actuates the dispenser to dispense water.
Moreover, in some embodiments, pivoting of the control paddle about the generally vertical axis in the second direction when the additional user control is in the water dispensing state actuates the dispenser to dispense water. In some embodiments, pivoting of the control paddle about the generally vertical axis in one of the first and second directions when the additional user control is in the water dispensing state actuates the dispenser to dispense cooled water, and pivoting of the control paddle about the generally vertical axis in the other of the first and second directions when the additional user control is in the water dispensing state actuates the dispenser to dispense a secondary beverage. Moreover, in some embodiments, the secondary beverage is hot water or sparkling water.
In some embodiments, the dispenser control includes a generally vertical hinge and first and second switches disposed on opposite sides of the generally vertical hinge, the first switch engaged in response to pivoting of the control paddle about the generally vertical axis in the first direction, and the second switch engaged in response to pivoting of the control paddle about the generally vertical axis in the second direction.
In addition, in some embodiments, the dispenser control includes a multi-axis sensor configured to sense pivoting of the control paddle about multiple axes. In some embodiments, the dispenser control is a variable dispenser control, and the dispenser is configured to vary a dispense rate in response to the dispenser control. Moreover, in some embodiments, each of the first and second dispense products is cooled water, cubed ice, crushed ice, hot water, sparkling water, a beverage or coffee.
Consistent with another aspect of the invention, a refrigerator may include a cabinet including one or more food compartments and one or more doors closing the one or more food compartments, and a dispenser mounted to the cabinet to dispense a plurality of dispense products. The dispenser may include one or more dispenser openings configured to dispense the plurality of dispense products, and a dispenser control positioned below the one or more dispenser openings and actuatable by a container placed below the one or more dispenser openings, the dispenser control including a control paddle being pivotable in a plurality of directions and about multiple axes to actuate the dispenser to perform three or more dispenser functions.
Also, in some embodiments, each of the three or more dispenser functions is a cooled water dispense function, a cubed ice dispense function, a crushed ice dispense function, a hot water dispense function, a sparkling water dispense function, a beverage dispense function, a coffee dispense function, a dispenser lock function, a dispenser unlock function, or a multiple dispense product dispense function.
Consistent with another aspect of the invention, a refrigerator dispenser may include one or more dispenser openings configured to dispense a plurality of dispense products, and a dispenser control positioned below the one or more dispenser openings and actuatable by a container placed below the one or more dispenser openings, the dispenser control including a control paddle being pivotable in a plurality of directions and about one or more axes to actuate the dispenser to perform two or more dispenser functions.
In some embodiments, each of the two or more dispenser functions is a cooled water dispense function, a cubed ice dispense function, a crushed ice dispense function, a hot water dispense function, a sparkling water dispense function, a beverage dispense function, a coffee dispense function, a dispenser lock function, a dispenser unlock function, or a multiple dispense product dispense function.
In addition, in some embodiments, the one or more axes includes a generally vertical axis and the plurality of directions includes first and second directions about the generally vertical axis, pivoting of the control paddle about the generally vertical axis in the first direction actuates the dispenser to dispense a first dispense product among the plurality of dispense products, and pivoting of the control paddle about the generally vertical axis in the second direction actuates the dispenser to dispense a second dispense product among the plurality of dispense products. Also, in some embodiments, the one or more axes further includes a generally horizontal axis, and pivoting of the control paddle about the generally horizontal axis actuates the dispenser to dispense a third dispense product among the plurality of dispense products.
Consistent with another aspect of the invention, a method of operating a refrigerator dispenser of a type including one or more dispenser openings configured to dispense a plurality of dispense products may include performing a first dispenser function among a plurality of dispenser functions in response to sensing actuation of a control paddle of the dispenser control positioned below the one or more dispenser openings in a first direction about one or more axes about which the control paddle is pivotable, and performing a second dispenser function among the plurality of dispenser functions in response to sensing actuation of the control paddle in a second direction about the one or more axes.
Moreover, in some embodiments, each of the plurality of dispenser functions is a cooled water dispense function, a cubed ice dispense function, a crushed ice dispense function, a hot water dispense function, a sparkling water dispense function, a beverage dispense function, a coffee dispense function, a dispenser lock function, a dispenser unlock function, or a multiple dispense product dispense function.
Further, in some embodiments, the one or more axes includes a generally vertical axis and the first and second directions are about the generally vertical axis, the first dispenser function actuates the dispenser to dispense a first dispense product among the plurality of dispense products, and the second dispenser function actuates the dispenser to dispense a second dispense product among the plurality of dispense products. Also, in some embodiments, the one or more axes further includes a generally horizontal axis, and the method further includes performing a third dispenser function among the plurality of dispenser functions in response to sensing actuation of the control paddle in a third direction about the generally horizontal axis.
These and other advantages and features, which characterize the invention, are set forth in the claims annexed hereto and forming a further part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, and of the advantages and objectives attained through its use, reference should be made to the Drawings, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is described example embodiments of the invention. This summary is merely provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description, and is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Turning now to the drawings, wherein like numbers denote like parts throughout the several views,
Fresh food compartment 14 is generally maintained at a temperature above freezing for storing fresh food such as produce, drinks, eggs, condiments, lunchmeat, cheese, etc. Various shelves, drawers, and/or sub-compartments may be provided within fresh food compartment 14 for organizing foods, and it will be appreciated that some refrigerator designs may incorporate multiple fresh food compartments and/or zones that are maintained at different temperatures and/or at different humidity levels to optimize environmental conditions for different types of foods. Freezer compartment 16 is generally maintained at a temperature below freezing for longer-term storage of frozen foods, and may also include various shelves, drawers, and/or sub-compartments for organizing foods therein.
Refrigerator 10 as illustrated in
Refrigerator 10 also includes a cabinet-mounted dispenser 26 for dispensing ice and/or water. Dispenser 26 may include one or more external user controls and/or displays, including, for example, a touch screen 28 and a multi-function dispenser control 30 consistent with some embodiments of the invention. In the illustrated embodiments, dispenser 26 is an ice and water dispenser capable of dispensing both ice and chilled water, while in other embodiments, dispenser 26 may be an ice only dispenser for dispensing only cubed and/or crushed ice. In still other embodiments, dispenser 26 may additionally dispense hot water, sparkling water, coffee, beverages, or other liquids, and may have variable and/or fast dispense capabilities. In some instances, ice and water may be dispensed from the same location, while in other instances separate locations may be provided in the dispenser for dispensing ice and water. In addition, while dispenser 26 is illustrated as being mounted on the cabinet 12, and thus separate from any door, in other embodiments dispenser 26 may be door-mounted, and as such, may be disposed on a fresh food or freezer door. In still other embodiments, dispenser 26 may be disposed within a compartment of a refrigerator, and accessible only after opening a door.
A refrigerator consistent with the invention also generally includes one or more controllers configured to control a refrigeration system as well as manage interaction with a user.
As shown in
Controller 40 may also be interfaced with various sensors 56 located to sense environmental conditions inside of and/or external to refrigerator 10, e.g., one or more temperature sensors, humidity sensors, etc. Such sensors may be internal or external to refrigerator 10, and may be coupled wirelessly to controller 40 in some embodiments. Sensors 56 may also include additional types of sensors such as door switches, switches that sense when a portion of an ice dispenser has been removed, and other status sensors, as will become more apparent below.
In some embodiments, controller 40 may also be coupled to one or more network interfaces 58, e.g., for interfacing with external devices via wired and/or wireless networks such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, cellular and other suitable networks, collectively represented in
In some embodiments, refrigerator 10 may be interfaced with one or more user devices 62 over network 60, e.g., computers, tablets, smart phones, wearable devices, etc., and through which refrigerator 10 may be controlled and/or refrigerator 10 may provide user feedback.
In some embodiments, controller 40 may operate under the control of an operating system and may execute or otherwise rely upon various computer software applications, components, programs, objects, modules, data structures, etc. In addition, controller 40 may also incorporate hardware logic to implement some or all of the functionality disclosed herein. Further, in some embodiments, the sequences of operations performed by controller 40 to implement the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented using program code including one or more instructions that are resident at various times in various memory and storage devices, and that, when read and executed by one or more hardware-based processors, perform the operations embodying desired functionality. Moreover, in some embodiments, such program code may be distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that the invention applies equally regardless of the particular type of computer readable media used to actually carry out the distribution, including, for example, non-transitory computer readable storage media. In addition, it will be appreciated that the various operations described herein may be combined, split, reordered, reversed, varied, omitted, parallelized and/or supplemented with other techniques known in the art, and therefore, the invention is not limited to the particular sequences of operations described herein.
Numerous variations and modifications to the refrigerator illustrated in
Refrigerator Dispenser Control with Multi-Function Control Paddle
In the embodiments discussed hereinafter, a refrigerator utilizes a dispenser control with a multi-function control paddle to perform multiple dispenser functions in response to different types of actuation of the control paddle. The control paddle may be positioned below one or more dispenser openings and pivotable in multiple directions about one or more axes such that placement of a container below the one or more dispenser openings and against different actuation regions of the control paddle will initiate different dispenser functions.
In this regard, a dispenser control consistent with some embodiments of the invention may include a control paddle that is pivotable about one or more axes and in multiple directions about the one or more axes, and that is actuatable by a container (e.g., a glass, a cup, a bowl, a pitcher, a cooler, etc.) pressed against a surface of the control paddle. Pivoting about an axis in a particular direction generally refers to a movement of the control paddle about an axis that causes some degree of rotation in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction about the axis. The amount of movement may vary in different embodiments, and in some embodiments may be practically imperceptible to a consumer, e.g., if a switch or sensor positioned to detect actuation of the control paddle has a relatively short throw. In other embodiments, however, a larger range of movement may be supported, and indeed, in some embodiments, a sufficient range of movement and/or range of input forces may be utilized to support a variable user input, e.g., to enable a variable dispense rate to be supported. In other embodiments, however, pivoting of the control paddle in a particular direction may result in a discrete (e.g., binary or on/off) user input.
As will become more apparent below, in some embodiments a dispenser control may include a single axis of rotation with multiple directions about that single axis of rotation defining multiple dispenser functions that may be actuated based upon the direction of pivoting about the single axis of rotation. In some embodiments, the axis may be generally vertical in orientation, whereby left and right actuation regions are defined on the control paddle, and a consumer may select different dispenser functions by pressing a container against either of the left and right actuation regions. In other embodiments, however, other axis orientations may be used, including horizontal or practically any other angle relative to a plane of the control paddle.
In other embodiments, however, a dispenser control may include multiple axes of rotation along with one or more directions about the multiple axes of rotation supporting multiple dispenser functions. In some embodiments, for example, a control paddle may be pivotable about a ball or universal joint to facilitate pivoting in multiple directions, and may support two, three or even more actuation regions on the control paddle to support multiple dispense functions with the same control paddle.
A dispenser function, in this regard, may refer to a function that dispenses a product using the dispenser. A dispenser, in this regard, may be considered to dispense multiple products, including, but not limited to, cooled water, cubed ice, crushed ice, hot water, sparkling water, coffee, another beverage (e.g., a beverage including water combined with an additive), or practically any other type of product capable of being dispensed by a refrigerator dispenser. A dispenser function may also, however, include a dispenser configuration function, e.g., to lock or unlock the dispenser (e.g., a child lock), to activate a light, to toggle or cycle between different dispenser settings, etc. In addition, in some embodiments, a dispenser function may also incorporate a combination of other dispenser functions (e.g., to concurrently dispense ice and water). Other dispenser functions may also be supported by a dispenser control in other embodiments, so the invention is not limited to the particular dispenser functions discussed herein.
In addition, as will become more apparent below, a dispenser consistent with the invention may also utilize one or more additional user controls, e.g., on a touchscreen, via additional buttons, sliders, knobs, etc., to support other dispenser functions and/or to configure various settings for the dispenser. In some embodiments, for example, an additional user control may be used to define a plurality of states that further control which dispenser function is actuated in response to actuation of a control panel. As one example, one or more additional user controls may be used to select between ice dispensing and water dispensing, such that when an ice dispensing mode is selected, a control paddle may be used to dispense cubed or crushed ice based upon a direction of actuation, while when a water dispensing mode is selected, the same control paddle may be used to dispense cooled water, or in some instances, to dispense either cooled water or a secondary beverage such as hot water, sparkling water, coffee, or another beverage. In some embodiments, for example, an additional user control for mode selection may include a slider, a hard or soft toggle button, a knob, a set of hard or soft buttons, or any other control or combinations of controls suitable for selecting from between a plurality of states.
Other variations and modifications will be discussed in greater detail below.
Now turning to
Dispenser control 30 is disposed below dispenser openings 66, 68 and includes a control paddle 70 that is rotatable about a generally vertical axis V and that has defined thereon first and second actuation regions 72, 74. Actuation region 72 is disposed on the left side of axis V, and depression of a container against control paddle 70 within region 72 causes a first dispenser function to be actuated. Similarly, actuation region 74 is disposed on the right side of axis V, and depression of a container against control paddle 70 within region 74 causes a second dispenser function to be actuated.
In this embodiment, dispenser 26 also includes a touchscreen user control 28, which in the illustrated embodiment may display mode selection soft buttons 76, 78 to select between ice and water dispensing modes. Upon user selection of button 76, an ice dispensing mode may be selected, and button 76 may be illuminated or otherwise displayed to indicate that the ice dispensing mode is selected. Similarly, upon user selection of button 78, a water dispensing mode may be selected, and button 78 may be illuminated or otherwise displayed to indicate that the water dispensing mode is selected.
In addition, in some embodiments, based upon the particular dispensing mode selected, a pair of indicators 80, 82 may be displayed to provide a user with instructions on the dispenser functions that will be actuated in response to actuation of control paddle 70 in the first and second actuation regions 72, 74. As illustrated in
In addition, as illustrated in
Now turning to
Furthermore, in this implementation, a control paddle 110 may be pivotable about a generally vertical axis V, and may include left and right actuation regions 112, 114. Unlike dispenser 26 of
As such, dispenser 140 supports dispensing cold or cooled water, cubed ice, and crushed ice without the need for selection of particular water or ice dispensing mode. If water dispensing is desired, a user places a container under water dispenser opening 146 and against water dispenser control 150 to initiate a water dispensing function and actuate water dispensing by dispenser 140. If dispensing of cubed ice is desired, a user places a container under ice dispenser opening 144 and against actuation region 154 of control paddle 152 to initiate a cubed ice dispensing function and actuate ice dispensing by dispenser 140 with an ice crusher deactivated. Likewise, if dispensing of crushed ice is desired, a user places a container under ice dispenser opening 144 and against actuation region 156 of control paddle 152 to initiate a crushed ice dispensing function and actuate ice dispensing by dispenser 140 with an ice crusher activated.
Now turning to
Further, as noted above, a multi-function dispenser control in some embodiments may support additional dispenser functions beyond dispensing. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, it may be desirable to define a lock/unlock actuation region 218 at a bottom end of control paddle 206 to support locking and unlocking dispenser functions that together implement a child lock, such that when the dispenser is in a locked mode dispensing is disabled. Actuation of the lock/unlock actuation region 218, for example, may toggle between locked and unlocked modes. In some instances it may also be desirable to require actuation of the control paddle 206 within the lock/unlock actuation region 218 for a predetermined amount of time in order to trigger the associated function and thereby minimize inadvertent toggling between modes. For example, a consumer may be required in some embodiments to depress the control paddle within the lock/unlock actuation region for at least 2 seconds to toggle between modes. It will be appreciated that other dispenser functions may also be associated with a predetermined time, and that other dispenser settings may be configured in a similar manner using an actuation region on a control paddle.
It will also be appreciated that some actuation regions may actuate multiple dispenser functions. For example, in some embodiments it may also be desirable to support additional actuation regions 220, 222 between actuation regions 212 and 216 and 214 and 216, respectively, to implement combined dispense functions. Actuation region 220, for example, may be used to perform a combined cubed ice and water dispense function that concurrently dispenses cubed ice and water, while actuation region 222 may be used to perform a combined crushed ice and water dispense function that concurrently dispenses crushed ice and water.
As is also illustrated in
Further, as illustrated in
In this design, the positions represented by the combination of switches 226 and 228 and the combination of switches 226 and 232 may not be associated with a function, or in the alternative, may be assigned to a neighboring actuation region, e.g., to effectively expand the size of any of actuation region 212, 214 or 218.
Now turning to
Specifically, dispenser control 300 may be mounted on the back surface of a dispenser such that the control paddle is accessible at a comfortable height. The control paddle is pivoted about a point, here a spherical surface, to provide up to 8 different functions corresponding to the individual microswitches 326-332 and pairs of microswitches 326-332 that are activated collectively in response to depression of the control paddle at one of its four corners (i.e., diagonally). In some embodiments, dampers may also be provided behind the control paddle for smoother operation, and moreover, crevices may be sealed in some embodiments to minimize exposure of electrical components to moisture or water. The assembly of pivot member 308, plunger member 312, threaded fastener 314, and spring 316 control the overall sensitivity of the control, with spring 316 providing the stiffness and plunger member 312 providing appropriate clearance between its actuating surface and each microswitch. In addition, in some embodiments, the entire assembly may be enclosed behind a membrane for seamless appearance and moisture/water protection.
Other sensors and/or mechanical couplings may be used to implement a multi-function dispenser control in other embodiments, including both variable sensors (i.e., sensors that can distinguish how far in one direction a control paddle has been actuated) and discrete sensors (i.e., sensors that can only signal whether a control paddle has been actuated in a particular direction or not).
It will be appreciated that various additional modifications may be made to the embodiments discussed herein, and that a number of the concepts disclosed herein may be used in combination with one another or may be used separately. Therefore, the invention lies in the claims hereinafter appended.
