Abstract: An appliance includes a linear hinge that couples a door to a cabinet. The linear hinge includes a bearing and an elongated shaft received within the bearing such that the elongated shaft is slidable along a translation axis. A distal end portion of the elongated shaft is rotatably connected to the door such that the door is rotatable about a rotation axis that extends through the distal end portion of the elongated shaft. A first linkage arm is rotatably connected to the bearing. A second linkage arm is rotatably connected to the elongated shaft and to the first linkage arm. The distal end portion of the elongated shaft is spaced from the bearing by a gap along the translation axis when the door is closed, and a sum of a length of the first linkage arm and a length of the second linkage arm is greater than the gap.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance including a drawer lifting assembly is provided herein. The drawer lifting assembly may generally employ a motor to rotate a first linkage. The first linkage may be connected to a second linkage so that rotation of the first linkage causes movement of the second linkage. Movement of the second linkage may be constrained by interaction of a guide post connected to the second linkage and a horizontal rail on support frame assembly. This constraint may permit generally linear movement and pivoting of the second linkage. A basket may be connect to an end of the second linkage, wherein pivoting of the second linkage raises the basket.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance including a drawer lifting assembly is provided herein. The drawer lifting assembly may generally employ a motor to rotate a first linkage. The first linkage may be connected to a second linkage so that rotation of the first linkage causes movement of the second linkage. Movement of the second linkage may be constrained by interaction of a guide post connected to the second linkage and a horizontal rail on support frame assembly. This constraint may permit generally linear movement and pivoting of the second linkage. A basket may be connect to an end of the second linkage, wherein pivoting of the second linkage raises the basket.

Abstract: A freezer appliance includes a cabinet defining a food storage chamber. A door is positioned on the cabinet and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The door is rotatably and releasably coupled to the cabinet by a hinge. The hinge includes a first hinge arm fixed to one of the door or the cabinet, a second hinge arm pivotably joined with the first hinge arm, and a carrier fixed to the other of the door or the cabinet. The second hinge arm is releasably received in the carrier, such that the door is detachable from the cabinet.

Abstract: An appliance includes a linear hinge assembly that couples a door to a cabinet. The linear hinge assembly includes a bearing assembly mounted to the cabinet and an elongated shaft received within the bearing assembly for sliding along a translation axis. A cam is mounted to the door and is rotatably coupled to a distal end portion of the elongated shaft such that such that the door is rotatable about a pivot axis that extends through the distal end portion of the elongated shaft. A timing cable extends from a fixed location on the cabinet to a fixed location on a cam profile such that the timing cable wraps around the cam when the door is moved toward a closed position and unwraps when the door is moved toward an open position.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet and a drawer slidably mounted within the cabinet. The drawer includes a drawer body and a door attached to the drawer body via a linkage such that the door is movable relative to the drawer body between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet and a drawer slidably mounted within the cabinet. The drawer includes a drawer body and a door attached to the drawer body via a hinge such that the door is rotatable relative to the drawer body between a closed position and an open position. The drawer also includes a latch configured to retain the door in the closed position when the latch is locked. The drawer is slidable between a retracted position where the door of the drawer is proximate the cabinet and an extended position where the door of the drawer is spaced apart from the cabinet. The latch is configured to automatically unlock when the drawer slides to the extended position which allows the door to rotate to the open position when the drawer is in the extended position.

Abstract: An appliance includes a linear hinge that couples a door to a cabinet. The linear hinge includes a bearing and an elongated shaft received within the bearing such that the elongated shaft is slidable along a translation axis. A distal end portion of the elongated shaft is rotatably connected to the door such that the door is rotatable about a rotation axis that extends through the distal end portion of the elongated shaft. A first linkage arm is rotatably connected to the bearing. A second linkage arm is rotatably connected to the elongated shaft and to the first linkage arm. The distal end portion of the elongated shaft is spaced from the bearing by a gap along the translation axis when the door is closed, and a sum of a length of the first linkage arm and a length of the second linkage arm is greater than the gap.

Abstract: An adjustable shelving assembly for a refrigerator appliance includes a braking rack fixed on a rear wall of a cabinet and a drive screw extending substantially parallel to the braking rack. A shelf is fixed to a clutch assembly that includes a half nut positioned around the drive screw and a brake pawl positioned adjacent the braking rack. An actuation mechanism is operably coupled to the half nut and the brake pawl for moving the clutch assembly between a first position where the half nut closes to engage the drive screw and the brake pawl is disengaged, and a second position where the half nut is open and the brake pawl engages the braking rack.

Abstract: An ice dispensing assembly is provided that can be mounted within an appliance, such as a refrigerator appliance. The ice dispensing assembly includes an ice dispenser crusher mechanism having features that facilitate dispensing and crushing of ice. The construction of dispenser crusher mechanism provides a horizontal axis motor coupling with a vertical axis agitator and crusher for dispensing and crushing ice.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet which defines a fresh food storage chamber and a frozen food storage chamber. The refrigerator appliance also includes a drawer slidably mounted within one of the fresh food storage chamber and the frozen food storage chamber. The drawer includes a drawer body defining an interior of the drawer and a door attached to the drawer body via a hinge such that the door is rotatable relative to the drawer body between a closed position where the door encloses the interior of the drawer and an open position to provide access to the interior of the drawer. The hinge includes a damper assembly configured to dampen rotation of the door from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: An ice dispensing assembly is provided that can be mounted within an appliance, such as a refrigerator appliance. The ice dispensing assembly includes an ice dispenser crusher mechanism having features that facilitate dispensing and crushing of ice. The construction of dispenser crusher mechanism provides a horizontal axis motor coupling with a vertical axis agitator and crusher for dispensing and crushing ice.

Abstract: An ice maker includes a casing that defines a chamber. The casing extends between a top portion and a bottom portion. An extruder die is mounted to the casing at the top portion of the casing. An auger is disposed within the chamber of the casing. A radial sleeve bearing engages the auger at the extruder die. A radial and thrust bearing engages the auger at the bottom portion of the casing. A related refrigerator appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A control system for delivering filtered liquid to a reservoir of a beverage machine. The liquid level within the reservoir is monitored, and when the liquid level is at or below a predetermined level, a valve opens to allow liquid to flow to the reservoir. Once the liquid level has reached or obtained a predetermined liquid fill level, the valve is closed.

Abstract: An adjustable shelving assembly for a refrigerator appliance includes a braking rack fixed on a rear wall of a cabinet and a drive screw extending substantially parallel to the braking rack. A shelf is fixed to a clutch assembly that includes a half nut positioned around the drive screw and a brake pawl positioned adjacent the braking rack. An actuation mechanism is operably coupled to the half nut and the brake pawl for moving the clutch assembly between a first position where the half nut closes to engage the drive screw and the brake pawl is disengaged, and a second position where the half nut is open and the brake pawl engages the braking rack.

Abstract: An ice maker includes a casing that defines a chamber. The casing extends between a top portion and a bottom portion. An extruder die is mounted to the casing at the top portion of the casing. A motor is positioned above the extruder die. An auger is disposed within the chamber of the casing. The auger is coupled to a shaft of the motor with a threaded connection such that the auger is rotatable with the motor along a rotational direction within the chamber of the casing. The threaded connection between the auger and the shaft of the motor is wound opposite the rotational direction of the auger. A related refrigerator appliance is also provided.

Abstract: An ice maker includes a casing that defines a chamber. The casing extends between a top portion and a bottom portion. An extruder die is mounted to the casing at the top portion of the casing. An auger is disposed within the chamber of the casing. A radial sleeve bearing engages the auger at the bottom portion of the casing. A radial and thrust bearing engages the auger at the extruder die. A related refrigerator appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A water switch assembly for a nugget ice making assembly is provided. The ice making assembly includes a hollow auger rotatably mounted within a reservoir and configured for extruding ice. The water switch assembly extends vertically through the center of the ice making auger and reservoir. The water switch assembly is in fluid communication with a water inlet and includes a float for measuring the water level. In this manner, the water switch assembly is configured to control the level of water within the reservoir.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a manifold having an inlet and outlet port. The filter assembly further includes a filter cartridge. The filter cartridge includes a casing and a filter casing disposed within the casing. The filter cartridge also includes a gear rack, and an inlet and outlet port. The filter assembly further includes an electric motor configured to move the filter cartridge along an axial direction by rotating a gear coupled to the electric motor such that the gear meshes with the gear rack. The filter cartridge is movable between a first position in which the filter cartridge and manifold are not in fluid communication, and a second position in which the filter cartridge and the manifold are in fluid communication. A refrigerator appliance having the filter assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A control system for delivering filtered liquid to a reservoir of a beverage machine. The liquid level within the reservoir is monitored, and when the liquid level is at or below a predetermined level, a valve opens to allow liquid to flow to the reservoir. Once the liquid level has reached or obtained a predetermined liquid fill level, the valve is closed.