ICE DISPENSER AIRFLOW SYSTEM

Abstract

An ice dispenser includes an ice chute, an ice maker chute plate, and a vent wall. The ice chute is mounted adjacent an ice dispenser window and is configured to receive ice when the ice is pushed through the ice dispenser window. The ice maker chute plate includes an ice chute aperture wall configured to receive and to dispense the ice from the ice chute. The ice chute is mounted to extend from the ice maker chute plate. The vent wall is mounted to the ice maker chute plate. The vent wall includes an aperture wall through which air from a cooling system is received onto the ice chute when the cooling system is operated.

Description

BACKGROUND

An ice chute may be used to transfer ice from an ice maker to an ice dispenser. When a freezer door opens, warm air flows into the freezer compartment. After the freezer door closes, the warm air contacts the cold surfaces prior to being evaporated and rapidly cools creating a vacuum in the freezer compartment. To equalize this vacuum, air is pulled through the ice chute into the ice maker assembly causing unwanted frost formation on the ice dispenser.

SUMMARY

In an example embodiment, an ice dispenser is provided. The ice dispenser includes, but is not limited to, an ice chute, an ice maker chute plate, and a vent wall. The ice chute is mounted adjacent an ice dispenser window and is configured to receive ice when the ice is pushed through the ice dispenser window. The ice maker chute plate includes an ice chute aperture wall configured to receive and to dispense the ice from the ice chute. The ice chute is mounted to extend from the ice maker chute plate. The vent wall is mounted to the ice maker chute plate. The vent wall includes an aperture wall through which air from a cooling system is received onto the ice chute when the cooling system is operated

In another example embodiment, an ice maker assembly is provided. The ice maker assembly includes, but is not limited to, an ice maker, an ice bin, an ice dispenser window, an auger, an ice chute, an ice maker chute plate, and a vent wall. The ice maker is configured to make ice. The ice bin is mounted to receive the ice from the ice maker. The ice dispenser window is mounted adjacent the ice bin. The auger is mounted within the ice bin and configured to push the ice through the ice dispenser window when the auger is operated. The ice chute is mounted adjacent the ice dispenser window and configured to receive ice when the ice is pushed through the ice dispenser window. The ice maker chute plate includes, but is not limited to, an ice chute aperture wall configured to receive and to dispense the ice from the ice chute. The ice chute is mounted to extend from the ice maker chute plate. The vent wall is mounted to the ice maker chute plate. The vent wall includes an aperture wall through which air from a cooling system is received onto the ice chute when the cooling system is operated.

In another example embodiment, a freezer is provided. The freezer includes, but is not limited to, a first plurality of walls, a door, a controller, a temperature sensor, a cooling system, a fan, and an ice maker assembly. The door is configured to provide access to an enclosed space defined by the first plurality of walls and the door. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature value of air in the enclosed space and to send the measured first temperature value to the controller.

The cooling system includes, but is not limited to, an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser. A refrigerant is circulated through the evaporator, the compressor, and the condenser to cool the air under control of the controller. The fan is configured to direct the cooled air into the enclosed space when turned on under control of the controller.

The ice maker assembly is mounted to at least one wall of the first plurality of walls and includes, but is not limited to, a second plurality of walls, an ice maker, an ice bin, an ice dispenser window, an auger, an ice chute, an ice maker chute plate, and a vent wall. The ice maker is configured to make ice under control of the controller. The ice bin is mounted to receive the ice from the ice maker. The ice dispenser window is mounted adjacent the ice bin. The auger is mounted within the ice bin and is configured to push the ice through the ice dispenser window when the auger is operated. The ice chute is mounted adjacent the ice dispenser window and is configured to receive ice when the ice is pushed through the ice dispenser window. The ice maker chute plate includes, but is not limited to, an ice chute aperture wall configured to receive and to dispense the ice from the ice chute. The ice chute is mounted to extend from the ice maker chute plate. The vent wall is mounted to the ice maker chute plate and includes, but is not limited to, an aperture wall through which air from the cooling system is received onto the ice chute when the cooling system is operated under control of the controller.

Other principal features of the disclosed subject matter will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following drawings, the detailed description, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the disclosed subject matter will hereafter be described referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1 depicts a left, front perspective view of a refrigerator in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 2 depicts a right, front perspective view of a cabinet of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 3 depicts a zoomed left, front perspective view of a top portion of the cabinet of FIG. 2 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 4 depicts a zoomed front perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 2 with a portion of a divider wall between a freezer compartment and a refrigerated compartment removed and a front cover of an ice maker assembly removed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 5 depicts a zoomed left, front perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 2 with the portion of the divider wall removed and the front cover of the ice maker assembly removed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 6 depicts a zoomed right, front perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 2 with the portion of the divider wall removed and the front cover of the ice maker assembly removed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 7 depicts a zoomed left, front perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 2 with the portion of the divider wall removed, the front cover of the ice maker assembly removed, and a connector ice chute removed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 8 depicts a zoomed left, front perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 2 with the portion of the divider wall removed and the front cover of the ice maker assembly removed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 9 depicts a right, front perspective view of an ice maker assembly in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 10 depicts a right, front perspective view of the ice maker assembly of FIG. 9 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 11 depicts a right, back perspective view of the ice maker assembly of FIG. 9 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 12 depicts a right, back perspective view of the ice maker assembly of FIG. 9 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 13 depicts a zoomed right, front perspective view of the ice maker assembly of FIG. 9 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 14 depicts a zoomed right, back perspective view of the ice maker assembly of FIG. 9 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 15 depicts a zoomed right, back perspective view of the ice maker assembly of FIG. 9 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 16 depicts a zoomed right, back perspective view of an ice maker assembly right sidewall of the ice maker assembly of FIG. 9 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 17 depicts a right, front perspective view of the ice maker assembly of FIG. 9 with the front cover and handle removed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 18 depicts a right, front perspective view of the ice maker assembly of FIG. 9 with the front cover and handle removed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 19 depicts a zoomed front perspective view of a front plate of the ice maker assembly of FIG. 9 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 20 depicts a block diagram of a refrigerator controller of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a left, front, perspective view of a refrigerator 100 is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Refrigerator 100 may include one or more compartments or cooling zones. Refrigerator 100 may include a freezer compartment door 102, a refrigerated compartment door 103, a right side wall 104, a back wall 106, a left side wall 108, a top wall 110, a bottom wall 112, and a divider wall 114. In the illustrative embodiment, freezer compartment door 102 is rotatably mounted to top wall 110 and bottom wall 112 adjacent left side wall 108 using two hinges, and refrigerated compartment door 103 is rotatably mounted to top wall 110 and bottom wall 112 adjacent right side wall 104 using another two hinges. In alternative embodiments, freezer compartment door 102 and/or refrigerated compartment door 103 may be rotatably mounted to different walls of refrigerator 100 using a fewer or a greater number of hinges.

Freezer compartment door 102 provides access to a freezer compartment defined by top wall 110, left side wall 108, bottom wall 112, back wall 106, divider wall 114, and freezer compartment door 102 when freezer compartment door 102 is in a closed position. Refrigerated compartment door 103 provides access to a refrigerated compartment defined by top wall 110, right side wall 104, bottom wall 112, back wall 106, divider wall 114, and refrigerated compartment door 103 when refrigerated compartment door 103 is in a closed position.

Use of directional terms, such as top, bottom, right, left, front, back, etc. are merely intended to facilitate reference to the various surfaces and elements of the described structures relative to the orientations shown in the drawings and are not intended to be limiting in any manner. For consistency, the components of refrigerator 100 are labeled such that freezer compartment door 102 and refrigerated compartment door 103 define a front of refrigerator 100.

Divider wall 114 separates the freezer compartment from the refrigerated compartment. In the illustrative embodiment, divider wall 114 extends vertically between top wall 110 and bottom wall 112. Of course, in alternative embodiments, divider wall 114 may extend horizontally to separate the two compartments with the freezer compartment either above or below the refrigerated compartment. Additionally, in alternative embodiments, the locations of the freezer compartment and the refrigerated compartment may be reversed. Further, refrigerator 100 may include a greater or a fewer number of compartments in various arrangements horizontally or vertically with respect to each other. A wall that separates a pair of compartments may or may not be insulated. For example, some of the compartments may be drawers accessed using a drawer door. The compartments may share a cooling system or parts of a cooling system or have a separate cooling system.

Though shown in the illustrative embodiment as forming a generally rectangular shaped enclosure, refrigerator 100 may form any shaped enclosure including other polygons as well as circular or elliptical enclosures. As a result, freezer compartment door 102, refrigerated compartment door 103, and the walls forming refrigerator 100 may have any shape including other polygons as well as circular or elliptical shapes.

Various storage devices may be housed within the enclosed space(s) of refrigerator 100. For example, zero or more door receptacles 118 may be mounted to either or both of freezer compartment door 102 and refrigerated compartment door 103 and zero or more drawers 120, shelves 122, or other receptacles may be mounted within the freezer compartment and the refrigerated compartment. An ice maker assembly 116 may be mounted within a freezer space to make and store ice. The freezer space may be within the freezer compartment or another space such as within freezer compartment door 102 and/or refrigerated compartment door 103 or even within the refrigerated space when insulated and provided with sufficiently cold air. A dispenser assembly 124 may be mounted within the freezer space and/or the refrigerated space to dispense the ice and/or a fluid such as water. In the illustrative embodiment, dispenser assembly 124 includes components mounted to ice maker assembly 116 to receive and dispense ice.

A temperature of one or more refrigerated compartments of refrigerator 100 may be maintained at an adequate temperature to preserve fresh food using a cooling system as understood by a person of skill in the art, and a temperature of one or more freezer compartments may be maintained at an adequate temperature to maintain food stored therein in a frozen state using a second cooling system as understood by a person of skill in the art.

Referring to FIG. 20, a block diagram of refrigerator controller 2000 is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Refrigerator controller 2000 may include an input interface 2002, an output interface 2004, a communication interface 2006, a non-transitory computer-readable medium 2008, a processor 2010, a control application 2012, and control data 2014. Fewer, different, and/or additional components may be incorporated into refrigerator controller 2000.

Input interface 2002 provides an interface for receiving information from a user or another device for entry into refrigerator controller 2000 as understood by those skilled in the art. Input interface 2002 may interface with various input technologies including, but not limited to, a first temperature sensor 2016, a first temperature control 2018, a second temperature sensor 2024, a second temperature control 2026, a first humidity sensor 2020, a first humidity control 2022, a second humidity sensor 2028, a second humidity control 2030, an ice dispense control 2031, etc. For example, each temperature sensor may produce a sensor signal value referred to as a measured temperature value representative of the temperature in an environment to which the temperature sensor is associated. As another example, each humidity sensor may produce a sensor signal value referred to as a measured humidity value representative of the humidity in an environment to which the humidity sensor is associated.

Refrigerator 100 may include various numbers of and types of sensors that measure quantities associated with an operating environment of refrigerator 100 and its various compartments. Example additional sensor types include a pressure sensor, a fluid flow rate sensor, a voltage sensor, a current sensor, a frequency sensor, an acoustic sensor, a light sensor, a motion sensor, that may be mounted to various components of refrigerator 100.

Input interface 2002 may further interface with various user input technologies including, but not limited to, a keyboard, a microphone 2046, a mouse, a display 2032, a track ball, a keypad, one or more buttons, one or more switches, one or more knobs, etc. to allow the user to enter information into refrigerator 100 or to make selections presented in a user interface displayed on display 2032. The same interface may support both input interface 2002 and output interface 2004. For example, display 2032 comprising a touch screen provides a mechanism for user input and for presentation of output to the user. For illustration, first temperature control 2018, second temperature control 2026, first humidity control 2022, second humidity control 2030, and/or ice dispense control 2031 may be provided in display 2032 as user interface elements that allow the user to define a temperature or humidity level for a respective area enclosed within refrigerator 100 or to request that ice be dispensed. The input interface technology further may be accessible by refrigerator controller 2000 through communication interface 2006.

Output interface 2004 provides an interface for outputting information for review by a user of refrigerator controller 2000 and/or for use by another application or device. For example, output interface 2004 may interface with various output technologies including, but not limited to first fan 2034, second fan 2038, first compressor 2036, second compressor 2040, display 2032, etc. Though not shown, a microphone and a speaker may be included in refrigerator 100 to provide voice control and output to the user. Refrigerator controller 2000 may have one or more output interfaces that use the same or a different output interface technology. The output interface technology further may be accessible by refrigerator controller 2000 through communication interface 2006.

Communication interface 2006 provides an interface for receiving and transmitting data between devices using various protocols, transmission technologies, and media as understood by those skilled in the art. Communication interface 2006 may support communication using various transmission media that may be wired and/or wireless. Refrigerator controller 2000 may have one or more communication interfaces that use the same or a different communication interface technology. For example, refrigerator controller 2000 may support communication using an Ethernet port, a Bluetooth antenna, a telephone jack, a USB port, etc. Data and messages may be transferred between refrigerator controller 2000 and an external control device 2048 using communication interface 2006. For illustration, external control device 2048 may be a smart phone that may send a temperature set value and/or a humidity set value to refrigerator controller 2000 through communication interface 2006 instead of using first temperature control 2018, second temperature control 2026, first humidity control 2022, second humidity control 2030, etc. The temperature set value and/or humidity set value may be specific values and/or may be indicators to increase or decrease a current set value and/or may indicate general levels such as high, medium, low, freezer, fresh food, crisper, etc.

Non-transitory computer-readable medium 2008 is an electronic holding place or storage for information so the information can be accessed by processor 2010 as understood by those skilled in the art. Computer-readable medium 2008 can include, but is not limited to, any type of random access memory (RAM), any type of read only memory (ROM), any type of flash memory, etc. such as magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips, . . . ), optical disks (e.g., compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), . . . ), smart cards, flash memory devices, etc. Refrigerator controller 2000 may have one or more computer-readable media that use the same or a different memory media technology. For example, computer-readable medium 2008 may include different types of computer-readable media that may be organized hierarchically to provide efficient access to the data stored therein as understood by a person of skill in the art. As an example, a cache may be implemented in a smaller, faster memory that stores copies of data from the most frequently/recently accessed main memory locations to reduce an access latency. Refrigerator controller 2000 also may have one or more drives that support the loading of a memory media such as a CD, DVD, an external hard drive, etc. One or more external hard drives further may be connected to refrigerator controller 2000 using communication interface 2006.

Processor 2010 executes instructions as understood by those skilled in the art. The instructions may be carried out by a special purpose computer, logic circuits, or hardware circuits. Processor 2010 may be implemented in hardware and/or firmware. Processor 2010 executes an instruction, meaning it performs/controls the operations called for by that instruction. The term “execution” is the process of running an application or the carrying out of the operation called for by an instruction. The instructions may be written using one or more programming language, scripting language, assembly language, etc. Processor 2010 operably couples with input interface 2002, with output interface 2004, with communication interface 2006, and with computer-readable medium 2008 to receive, to send, and to process information. Processor 2010 may retrieve a set of instructions from a permanent memory device and copy the instructions in an executable form to a temporary memory device that is generally some form of RAM. Refrigerator controller 2000 may include a plurality of processors that use the same or a different processing technology.

Control application 2012 performs operations associated with controlling the operation of refrigerator 100 to cool the various compartments to the selected temperature and/or humidity level using data stored in control data 2014, first temperature control 2018, second temperature control 2026, first humidity control 2022, second humidity control 2030, sensor measurements, first fan 2034, second fan 2038, first compressor 2036, second compressor 2040, etc. Control application 2012 may further perform operations associated with controlling the operation of ice maker assembly 116 and dispenser assembly 124. Ice dispense control 2031 may be one of various electrical, optical, electro-mechanical devices used to detect that a user is requesting the dispensation of ice into a container and to send a signal to processor 2010. For illustration, ice dispense control 2031 may be similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,814,762 titled INTEGRATED ICE DISPENSER SWITCH and issued Oct. 19, 2010, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Control application 2012 may perform other operations, for example, turning on or off one or more lights, turning on or off a dryer based on a humidity level, detecting a door open or close, etc. Control application 2012 may control a greater or a fewer number of cooling systems arranged to cool any number of compartments. Illustrative cooling system control operations are described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,317,123 titled SHARED EVAPORATOR SYSTEM and issued Jun. 11, 2019, and U.S. Pat. No. 11,022,329 titled HUMIDITY CONTROL SYSTEM and issued Jun. 1, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Illustrative ice dispense operations are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,291,382 titled CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A DOOR OF AN ICE DISPENSER CHUTE and issued Mar. 22, 2016, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The operations may be implemented using hardware, firmware, software, or any combination of these methods. Referring to the example embodiment of FIG. 20, control application 2012 is implemented in software (comprised of computer-readable and/or computer-executable instructions) stored in computer-readable medium 2008 and accessible by processor 2010 for execution of the instructions that embody the operations of control application 2012. Control application 2012 may be written using one or more programming languages, assembly languages, scripting languages, etc.

Refrigerator controller 2000 may control a flow of refrigerant through one or more cooling systems of refrigerator 100. Cooling system components, such as a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, a dryer, etc., may be mounted to various walls of refrigerator 100 either within the walls, on an exterior of the walls relative to refrigerator 100, and/or on an interior of the walls relative to refrigerator 100.

Each compartment may provide a freezer zone and/or a refrigerated zone that may be controlled by the user. For example, in the illustrative embodiment, the freezer compartment may be a freezer zone that is designed to operate at or below 32° Fahrenheit (° F.), for example, based on a selection using first temperature control 2018 and/or first humidity control 2022. The refrigerated compartment may be a refrigerated zone that is designed to operate between 34° F. and 42° F., for example, based on a selection using second temperature control 2026, and/or second humidity control 2030. In alternative embodiments, first temperature control 2018 and/or second temperature control 2026 may be set to any temperature or within any temperature range, and first humidity control 2022 and/or second humidity control 2030 may be set to any humidity level or within any range of humidity levels.

As understood by a person of skill in the art, a temperature control allows a user of refrigerator 100 to set a desired temperature value to maintain in one or more zones of refrigerator 100. The temperature control may be implemented using a dial, knob, touch display, switch, etc. to allow the user to increase or decrease the desired temperature value or to enter a specific desired temperature value. As understood by a person of skill in the art, a humidity control allows a user of the refrigerator 100 to set a desired humidity level or value to maintain in one or more zones of refrigerator 100. The humidity control may be implemented using a dial, knob, touch display, switch, etc. to allow the user to increase or decrease the desired humidity level or value or to enter a specific desired humidity value. In general, a temperature and/or humidity of the refrigerated zone is maintained at an adequate temperature and/or humidity to preserve fresh food and a temperature and/or humidity of the freezer zone is maintained at an adequate temperature and/or humidity to maintain food stored therein in a frozen state.

Each compartment of the plurality of compartments may include a plurality of walls, a compartment access structure such as a door or a drawer door configured to provide access to an enclosed space defined by the plurality of walls and the compartment access structure, and a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature value of air in the enclosed space or a portion of the enclosed space and to send the measured temperature value to refrigerator controller 2000, and a humidity sensor configured to measure a humidity value of air in the enclosed space or a portion of the enclosed space and to send the measured humidity value to refrigerator controller 2000. For example, first temperature sensor 2016 may measure a current temperature within the freezer compartment, and second temperature sensor 2024 may measure a current temperature within the refrigerated compartment. One or more compartments may include a plurality of temperature sensors to measure a temperature at various locations with the compartment. For example, a temperature sensor may measure a temperature adjacent a drawer and another temperature sensor may measure a temperature adjacent a shelf. For illustration, first temperature sensor 2016 and second temperature sensor 2024 may be thermistors electrically connected either by wire or wirelessly to refrigerator controller 2000 to provide the measured temperature periodically, continuously, when requested, etc.

Similarly, first humidity sensor 2020 may measure a current humidity within the freezer compartment and second humidity sensor 2028 may measure a current humidity within the refrigerated compartment. One or more compartments may include a plurality of humidity sensors to measure a humidity at various locations with the compartment. For example, a humidity sensor may measure a humidity adjacent a drawer and another humidity sensor may measure a humidity adjacent a shelf. For illustration, first humidity sensor 2020 and second humidity sensor 2028 may be hygrometers electrically connected either by wire or wirelessly to refrigerator controller 2000 to provide the measured humidity periodically, continuously, when requested, etc.

Refrigerator controller 2000 controls a flow of refrigerant through each cooling system of refrigerator 100 where a cooling system cools air provided to one or more of the plurality of compartments. Refrigerator 100 may include one or more cooling systems. For illustration, a cooling system may include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, a dryer, and/or an evaporator through which the refrigerant flows as well as various motors that control operation of the cooling system components as known to a person of skill in the art. An air circulation system that includes a fan, a cooled air duct, a return duct, and/or intake vents may be associated with each compartment to provide cooled air from the associated evaporator to the associated space and to return air from the associated space to the associated evaporator to maintain the air in the associated space at the temperature and/or humidity level selected using the associated temperature and/or humidity control. Two or more compartments of the plurality of compartments may share portions of a cooling system and an air circulation system and may be referred to as shared zones.

As understood by a person of skill in the art, the walls that form refrigerator 100 are insulated walls that include insulation to assist in maintenance of the desired temperature in the freezer and refrigerated compartments. Electrical wiring and various conduits may further be located in the insulated walls. For example, during a manufacturing process, a space between exterior walls of refrigerator 100 and an interior liner may be filled with an insulating foam material that provides insulation. Freezer compartment door 102 and refrigerated compartment door 103 further may include insulated walls.

In the illustrative embodiment, the freezer compartment is cooled by a first cooling system that includes a first evaporator (not shown), first compressor 2036, etc. through a first air circulation system (not shown) that includes first fan 2034. In the illustrative embodiment, the refrigerated compartment is cooled by a second cooling system that includes a second evaporator, second compressor 2040, second fan 2038, etc. The first cooling system and the second cooling system may include a plurality of fans and a plurality of cooled air ducts that direct air to dispense into each compartment at various locations. First compressor 2036 and second compressor 2040 may be variable speed compressors that can be controlled to operate at different speeds such as high, medium, or low. There may a greater or a fewer number of alternative compressor speeds.

Second fan 2038 and/or first fan 2034 may be variable speed fans that can be controlled to operate at different speeds such as high, medium, or low. There may a greater or a fewer number of alternative fan speeds. A type of fan for first fan 2034 and/or second fan 2038 may be selected based on a direction of desired air flow into the respective enclosed space and a size of the respective enclosed space. For example, first fan 2034 and second fan 2038 may be an axial flow fan, a centrifugal fan, a cross-flow fan, etc.

Air flows from within the respective compartment through vents into a respective return duct and an inlet side of the respective evaporator. In the illustrative embodiment, air flows upward through and around the first evaporator and the second evaporator and is cooled by refrigerant that flows through respective evaporator coils. Air may flow through and around the evaporator in other directions. The refrigerant is circulated through the respective evaporator coils, the respective compressors, respective condensers, respective expansion valves, etc. to cool each respective compartment. Operation of the respective fan directs air from the respective evaporator into the respective cooled air duct and into the respective compartment. The vents are generally formed in an interior liner wall. The cooled air duct(s) and return duct(s) are formed within one or more walls of refrigerator 100 such as within back wall 106 to circulate a desired amount of air to various locations within each compartment.

Referring to FIG. 2, a right, front perspective view of a cabinet 200 of refrigerator 100 is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, a zoomed left, front perspective view of a top portion of cabinet 200 is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Divider wall 114 includes a right sidewall 202 and a left sidewall 300. Divider wall 114 includes electrical wiring and various conduits mounted between right sidewall 202 and left sidewall 300.

Referring to FIG. 4, a zoomed front perspective view of cabinet 200 is shown with a front face of divider wall 114 removed and a front cover 900 (shown referring to FIG. 9) of ice maker assembly 116 removed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, a zoomed left, front perspective view of cabinet 200 is shown with the front face and left sidewall 300 of divider wall 114 removed and front cover 900 removed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Referring to FIG. 6, a zoomed right, front perspective view of cabinet 200 is shown with the front face, right sidewall 202, and left sidewall 300 of divider wall 114 removed and front cover 900 removed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, a zoomed left, front perspective view of cabinet 200 is shown with the front face, right sidewall 202, and left sidewall 300 of divider wall 114 removed, front cover 900 removed, and a connector ice chute 400 (shown referring to FIG. 4) removed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8, a zoomed left, front perspective view of cabinet 200 is shown with the front face and left sidewall 300 of divider wall 114 removed and front cover 900 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

In the illustrative embodiment, ice maker assembly 116 may be mounted within the freezer compartment to make and store ice and dispenser assembly 124 may be mounted in the freezer compartment and in the refrigerated compartment. Ice maker assembly 116 and dispenser assembly 124 may be mounted within refrigerator 100 in other locations in alternative embodiments.

In the illustrative embodiment, dispenser assembly 124 includes connector ice chute 400, a first dispenser aperture plate 402, an ice chute 404, an ice maker chute plate 500, a dispenser ice cap 504, ice cap motor 2044, and a second dispenser aperture plate 700. An illustrative dispenser assembly is described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,291,382 titled CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A DOOR OF AN ICE DISPENSER CHUTE and issued Mar. 22, 2016.

Connector ice chute 400 is mounted between ice chute 404 and dispenser ice cap 504 to provide a surface along which ice falls by gravity when pushed through an ice dispensing window 410 from an ice bin 408 under control of an auger 1702 (shown referring to FIG. 17). Ice cap motor 2044 is operated to open dispenser ice cap 504 to allow the ice to be dispensed from an aperture of dispenser assembly 124 mounted in the refrigerated compartment in the illustrative embodiment.

In the illustrative embodiment, ice maker chute plate 500 is mounted to left sidewall 300 of divider wall 114, and first dispenser aperture plate 402 is mounted to right sidewall 202 of divider wall 114. Second dispenser aperture plate 700 is mounted to first dispenser aperture plate 402. Connector ice chute 400 is mounted to second dispenser aperture plate 700 between left sidewall 300 and right sidewall 202 of divider wall 114 within divider wall 114. A right face of ice maker chute plate 500 abuts and seals against a left face of connector ice chute 400.

An ice maker chute aperture wall 502 is formed in ice maker chute plate 500 to define a first aperture through which the ice falls towards dispenser ice cap 504. A dispenser chute aperture wall 702 is formed in second dispenser aperture plate 700 to define a second aperture through which the ice falls towards dispenser ice cap 504. When closed, dispenser ice cap 504 seals against dispenser chute aperture wall 702 and blocks the flow of ice. When open, dispenser ice cap 504 allows the ice to fall through dispenser chute aperture wall 702. In the illustrative embodiment, dispenser ice cap 504 open towards an interior of the refrigerated compartment. After detection of an ice dispense request, ice from ice bin 408 is dispensed through dispenser chute aperture wall 702 through rotation of auger 1702 under control of auger motor 2042. Thus, in the illustrative embodiment, ice is dispensed from ice bin 408 of ice maker assembly 116 positioned in the freezer compartment through divider wall 114 and into and out of a portion of dispenser assembly 124 mounted in the refrigerated compartment.

A vent wall 406 is formed adjacent ice maker chute plate 500 and includes a plurality of apertures through which cooled, dry air can flow up ice chute 404 and down into connector ice chute 400 as described further below. The ice dispensing design may be simplified when the ice is not dispensed from dispenser assembly 124 mounted within the refrigerated compartment. For example, ice maker chute aperture wall 502 and dispenser chute aperture wall 702 may be the same aperture walls configured to dispense ice from within the freezer compartment, and connector ice chute 400 is not needed. As another alternative, dispenser assembly may be mounted to either freezer door 102 or refrigerator door 103 instead of divider wall 114.

Referring to FIG. 9, a right, front perspective view of ice maker assembly 116 is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Referring to FIG. 10, a right, front perspective view of ice maker assembly 116 is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Referring to FIG. 11, a right, back perspective view of ice maker assembly 116 is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Referring to FIG. 12, a right, back perspective view of ice maker assembly 116 is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Referring to FIG. 13, a zoomed right, front perspective view of ice maker assembly 116 is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Referring to FIG. 14, a zoomed right, back perspective view of ice maker assembly 116 is shown with a lower mounting plate 908 and an upper mounting plate 910 removed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Referring to FIG. 15, a zoomed right, back perspective view of ice maker assembly 116 is shown with lower mounting plate 908 and upper mounting plate 910 removed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

Ice maker assembly 116 may include a front bin cover 900, a cover handle 902, a front ice maker cover 904, an ice maker assembly right sidewall 906, a lower mounting plate 908, an upper mounting plate 910, an ice maker 912, an ice maker assembly back wall 914, an ice maker assembly top wall 918, an ice maker assembly bottom wall 920, and an ice maker assembly left sidewall 1100.

Ice from ice maker 912 is discharged into ice bin 408. Ice maker 912 may have a variety of forms as understood by a person of skill in the art. Ice pieces, or cubes, may be formed by ice maker 912 and delivered to ice bin 408 as understood by a person of skill in the art. For example, in the illustrative embodiment, ice maker 912 is mounted above ice bin 408 to drop ice into ice bin 408. The term ice cube is not intended to be indicative of the shape of the ice piece as the ice piece may be formed to have a variety of shapes including spheres, cylinders, multi-sided polygons, etc. all of which may be referenced generally as an ice cube. The size of the ice cube is further not intended to be limiting.

Front ice maker cover 904 and front bin cover 900 form a front wall of ice assembly 116. Front ice maker cover 904 is mounted across a front of ice maker 912. Front bin cover 900 is mounted below front ice maker cover 904 across a front of a remaining portion of ice maker assembly 116. Cover handle 902 is mounted to front bin cover 900 to simplify a removal of front bin cover 900 from ice maker assembly 116.

The front wall, ice maker assembly right sidewall 906, ice maker assembly left sidewall 1100, ice maker assembly back wall 914, ice maker assembly top wall 918, and ice maker assembly bottom wall 920 define exterior walls of ice maker assembly 116. In the illustrative embodiment, lower mounting plate 908 and upper mounting plate 910 mount to ice maker assembly right sidewall 906 to mount ice maker assembly 116 to left sidewall 300 of divider wall 114 using various fasteners. Again, ice maker assembly 116 may mount to other walls of refrigerator 100. Additionally, ice maker assembly 116 may be oriented in other directions within the freezer compartment.

In the illustrative embodiment, an intake aperture wall 916 and a diverter wall 1102 are formed in ice maker assembly back wall 914 though intake aperture wall 916 and diverter wall 1102 may be formed in other walls of ice maker assembly 116. Intake aperture wall 916 provides an aperture through which air from the first cooling system is received after cooling and drying by the first evaporator and the first dryer, if any. Diverter wall 1102 extends across a portion of the cooled air duct of the first cooling system to direct the air through the aperture formed by intake aperture wall 916 and left sidewall 300 of divider wall 114. In the illustrative embodiment, ice maker assembly 116 is mounted to abut left sidewall 300 of divider wall 114, an interior of back wall 106, and an interior of top wall 110. Lower mounting plate 908 and upper mounting plate 910, and ice maker chute plate 500 abut left sidewall 300 of divider wall 114.

Ice maker assembly right sidewall 906 may include a lower right sidewall 1300 and a bottom right sidewall 1400 that extend between intake aperture wall 916 and vent wall 406. Lower right sidewall 1300, bottom right sidewall 1400, a portion of ice maker assembly bottom wall 920, intake aperture wall 916, vent wall 406, lower mounting plate 908, and left sidewall 300 of divider wall 114 form an air cavity. Again, diverter wall 1102 directs air from a cooled air duct of the first cooling system formed within an interior of back wall 106. The air then flows along a face of lower right sidewall 1300, bottom right sidewall 1400, and the portion of ice maker assembly bottom wall 920 toward vent wall 406. Lower mounting plate 908 and lower right sidewall 1300 further form an air channel.

Lower right sidewall 1300 may include a lower air guide plate 1302, an upper air guide plate 1304, a light aperture wall 1402, a lower deflector wall 1404, and an upper deflector wall 1406. Light aperture wall 1402 is formed through lower right sidewall 1300 and shaped and sized to accommodate a light that shines into ice bin 408. Lower deflector wall 1404 and upper deflector wall 1406 extend outward from lower right sidewall 1300 into the air cavity below and above light aperture wall 1402. Lower deflector wall 1404 and upper deflector wall 1406 extend horizontally from front to back of ice maker assembly 116, in the illustrative embodiment, to direct the cooled, dry air horizontally toward vent wall 406.

Lower air guide plate 1302 and upper air guide plate 1304 extend outward from lower right sidewall 1300 into the air cavity below lower deflector wall 1404 and above upper deflector wall 1406, respectively. Various fastening elements such as nuts are formed in lower air guide plate 1302 and upper air guide plate 1304. The various fastening elements are used to mount lower mounting plate 908 to ice maker assembly 116 and to left sidewall 300 of divider wall 114. Lower air guide plate 1302 and upper air guide plate 1304 extend horizontally from front to back of ice maker assembly 116, in the illustrative embodiment, to direct the cooled, dry air horizontally toward vent wall 406. Lower air guide plate 1302, upper air guide plate 1304, lower deflector wall 1404, and upper deflector wall 1406 reduce a turbulence in the flow of the cooled, dry air toward vent wall 406.

In the illustrative embodiment, vent wall 406 is formed on a back side of ice maker chute plate 500 because the cooled, dry air is flowing from the back to the front where ice chute 404 is located. Vent wall 406 may include a vent aperture wall 1500 and a plurality of ribs 1502. Vent aperture wall 1500 generally extends vertically and horizontally across the air cavity so that the cooled, dry air can flow onto ice chute 404 and into connector ice chute 400. In the illustrative embodiment, the plurality of ribs 1502 extend horizontally across the air cavity to define a horizontal flow of the cooled, dry air. In alternative embodiments, vent wall 406 may include a greater or a fewer number of ribs including zero ribs. In alternative embodiments, the plurality of ribs 1502 may extend vertically across the air cavity. Referring to FIG. 14, dashed arrows show a general air flow direction through the air cavity.

Referring to FIG. 16, a zoomed right, back perspective view of ice maker assembly right sidewall 906 is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The left side of ice maker chute plate 500 may include an ice chute support wall 1600 and a lower vent deflector wall 1602. Ice chute support wall 1600 extends horizontally from front to back across ice maker chute aperture wall 502. A lower end of ice chute 404 is supported on a top surface of ice chute support wall 1600. Ice chute support wall 1600 extends outward from ice maker chute plate 500 toward ice chute 404 and has similar slope to that of ice chute 404.

Lower vent deflector wall 1602 extends horizontally from front to back across ice maker chute aperture wall 502 just below vent aperture wall 1500. Lower vent deflector wall 1602 extends outward from ice maker chute plate 500 toward ice maker assembly left sidewall 1100. Front bin cover 900 fits around ice maker chute plate 500. Dashed arrows show a general air flow direction after receipt of the cooled, dry air through vent aperture wall 1500. The cooled, dry air flows from front to back across ice maker chute plate 500, contacts front bin cover 900 and flows up ice chute 404 and down into connector ice chute 400. Dispenser ice cap 504 that seals against dispenser chute aperture wall 702 is intended to be closed when no ice is be dispensed to prevent air exchange between the freezer compartment and the refrigerated compartment.

Referring to FIG. 17, a right, front perspective view of ice maker assembly 116 is shown with front bin cover 900 and cover handle 902 removed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Referring to FIG. 18, a right, front perspective view of ice maker assembly 116 is shown with front bin cover 900 and cover handle 902 removed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. A front plate 1700 is mounted behind front bin cover 900. Ice chute 404 is mounted to and extends outward from front plate 1700 toward front bin cover 900. Ice chute 404 slopes downward from ice dispensing window 410 toward ice maker chute plate 500.

Auger 1702 mounts to an ice dispensing wheel 1704 that extends from an ice bin deflecting wall 1706 mounted behind ice dispensing window 410. Auger 1702 has a shaft that includes one or more flights. The one or more flights may be spiral or helical in shape and define at least one complete 360-degree flight. Auger 1702 may be mounted to an auger cap (not shown) mounted in an auger cap aperture 1604 (shown referring to FIG. 16) formed in back wall 914 and in a back wall of ice bin 408 (not shown) though other mounting methods may be used in alternative embodiments. The shaft of auger 1702 may be rotated by auger motor 2042 mounted to rotate the auger cap. Rotation of the one or more flights conveys ice stored in ice bin 408 on demand through ice dispensing wheel 1704 and ice dispensing window 410. Ice dispensing wheel 1704 may be mounted to auger 1702 to rotate with auger 1702. Ice dispensing wheel 1704 may include blades that rotate with auger 1702 to create crushed ice.

After being pushed through ice dispensing window 410, the ice drops onto ice chute 404. In the illustrative embodiment, ice chute 404 slopes downward toward a lower right corner of front plate 1700 to allow gravity to assist in the delivery of the ice cubes towards dispenser ice cap 504.

Referring to FIG. 19, a zoomed front perspective view of front plate 1700 is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Dashed arrows show a general air flow direction after receipt of the cooled, dry air through vent aperture wall 1500. The cooled, dry air contacts front bin cover 900 and flows up ice chute 404 and through ice dispensing window 410 and into ice bin 408. The cooled, dry air further flows around a front end 1900 of ice bin deflecting wall 1706 and into ice bin 408. The cooled, dry air removes frost that may form on ice maker assembly 116 and/or dispenser assembly 124.

Though described as including multiple portions mounted to each other, components described herein may be formed of a single continuous piece of material, for example, by molding, or may be formed of multiple distinct pieces mounted together, for example, attached to each other using various fasteners including adhesives, screws, rivets, etc.

The components of refrigerator 100 may be formed of one or more materials, such as metals, glass, and/or plastics having a sufficient strength and rigidity and aesthetic value to provide the illustrated and/or described function.

As used in this disclosure, the term “mount” is intended to define a structural connection between two or more elements and includes join, unite, connect, couple, associate, insert, hang, hold, affix, attach, fasten, bind, paste, secure, bolt, screw, rivet, solder, weld, glue, adhere, form over, layer, and other similar terms. The phrases “mounted on” and “mounted to” include any interior or exterior portion of the elements referenced. These phrases also encompass direct mounting (in which the referenced elements are in direct contact) and indirect mounting (in which the referenced elements are not in direct contact). Elements referenced as mounted to each other herein may further be integrally formed together, for example, using a molding process as understood by a person of skill in the art. As a result, elements described herein as being mounted to each other need not be discrete structural elements.

The word “illustrative” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Further, for the purposes of this disclosure and unless otherwise specified, “a” or “an” means “one or more”. Still further, using “and” or “or” in the detailed description is intended to include “and/or” unless specifically indicated otherwise.

The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments of the disclosed subject matter has been presented for purposes of illustration and of description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed subject matter to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosed subject matter. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the disclosed subject matter and as practical applications of the disclosed subject matter to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the disclosed subject matter in various embodiments and with various modifications as suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. An ice dispenser comprising:

an ice chute mounted adjacent an ice dispenser window and configured to receive ice when the ice is pushed through the ice dispenser window;

an ice maker chute plate, wherein the ice maker chute plate comprises an ice chute aperture wall configured to receive and to dispense the ice from the ice chute, wherein the ice chute is mounted to extend from the ice maker chute plate; and

a vent wall mounted to the ice maker chute plate, wherein the vent wall includes an aperture wall through which air from a cooling system is received onto the ice chute when the cooling system is operated.

2. The ice dispenser of claim 1, wherein the vent wall further includes a plurality of ribs mounted across the aperture wall.

3. The ice dispenser of claim 2, wherein the plurality of ribs extends across the aperture wall in a horizontal direction.

4. The ice dispenser of claim 1, wherein the aperture wall extends from an edge of the ice maker chute plate towards the ice chute.

5. The ice dispenser of claim 4, wherein the aperture wall extends perpendicularly from the edge of the ice maker chute plate.

6. The ice dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a diverter wall configured to direct the air from the cooling system toward an intake aperture wall.

7. The ice dispenser of claim 6, further comprising the intake aperture wall configured to receive the air directed by the diverter wall and to direct the received air toward the vent wall.

8. The ice dispenser of claim 1, further comprising an ice bin deflecting wall mounted above the ice dispenser window and configured to direct the air received through the vent wall through the ice dispenser window.

9. The ice dispenser of claim 8, wherein the ice bin deflecting wall is further configured to direct the air received through the vent wall above the ice bin deflecting wall.

10. The ice dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a dispenser ice cap mounted to the ice maker chute plate to block the ice from dispensing from the ice chute when closed and to dispense the ice when open.

11. The ice dispenser of claim 10, wherein the air from the cooling system is further received onto the dispenser ice cap when the cooling system is operated.

12. The ice dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a sidewall mounted to extend horizontally from the vent wall, wherein the sidewall includes an air guide wall configured to direct the air from the cooling system toward the vent wall.

13. The ice dispenser of claim 12, wherein the air guide wall extends away from an exterior surface of the sidewall and horizontally along at least a portion of the sidewall.

14. The ice dispenser of claim 13, further comprising a diverter wall configured to direct the air from the cooling system toward an intake aperture wall.

15. The ice dispenser of claim 14, further comprising the intake aperture wall configured to receive the air directed by the diverter wall and to direct the received air toward the air guide wall.

16. The ice dispenser of claim 15, wherein the aperture wall extends from an edge of the ice maker chute plate towards the ice chute.

17. The ice dispenser of claim 16, wherein the aperture wall extends perpendicularly from the edge of the ice maker chute plate.

18. An ice maker assembly comprising:

an ice maker configured to make ice;

an ice bin mounted to receive the ice from the ice maker;

an ice dispenser window mounted adjacent the ice bin;

an auger mounted within the ice bin and configured to push the ice through the ice dispenser window when the auger is operated;

an ice chute mounted adjacent the ice dispenser window and configured to receive ice when the ice is pushed through the ice dispenser window;

an ice maker chute plate, wherein the ice maker chute plate comprises an ice chute aperture wall configured to receive and to dispense the ice from the ice chute, wherein the ice chute is mounted to extend from the ice maker chute plate; and

a vent wall mounted to the ice maker chute plate, wherein the vent wall includes an aperture wall through which air from a cooling system is received onto the ice chute when the cooling system is operated.

19. A freezer comprising:

a first plurality of walls;

a door configured to provide access to an enclosed space defined by the first plurality of walls and the door;

a controller;

a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature value of air in the enclosed space and to send the measured first temperature value to the controller;

a cooling system comprising an evaporator; a compressor; and a condenser, wherein a refrigerant is circulated through the evaporator, the compressor, and the condenser to cool the air under control of the controller;

a fan configured to direct the cooled air into the enclosed space when turned on under control of the controller; and

an ice maker assembly mounted to at least one wall of the first plurality of walls, where the ice maker assembly comprises a second plurality of walls; an ice maker configured to make ice under control of the controller; an ice bin mounted to receive the ice from the ice maker; an ice dispenser window mounted adjacent the ice bin; an auger mounted within the ice bin and configured to push the ice through the ice dispenser window when the auger is operated; an ice chute mounted adjacent the ice dispenser window and configured to receive ice when the ice is pushed through the ice dispenser window; an ice maker chute plate, wherein the ice maker chute plate comprises an ice chute aperture wall configured to receive and to dispense the ice from the ice chute, wherein the ice chute is mounted to extend from the ice maker chute plate; and a vent wall mounted to the ice maker chute plate, wherein the vent wall includes an aperture wall through which air from the cooling system is received onto the ice chute when the cooling system is operated under control of the controller.

20. The freezer of claim 19, wherein the ice maker chute plate, the vent wall, an exterior surface of one of the second plurality of walls, and the at least one wall of the first plurality of walls form a cavity through which the air from the cooling system flows when the cooling system is operated under control of the controller.