Abstract: A refrigeration appliance including a partition that defines a through passage between an upper compartment and a lower compartment. A temperature control system is positioned in the upper compartment and includes an air passage. A lower inlet opening extends through a front surface of the vertical partition to the air passage. A damper assembly includes a door that is moveable between a first position and a second position. When the door is in the first position the door fluidly isolates the through passage in the partition from the upper compartment while allowing the lower inlet opening in the vertical partition to fluidly communicate with the air passage in the vertical partition. When the door is in the second position the door fluidly isolates the lower inlet opening from the air passage while allowing the through passage to fluidly communicate with the upper compartment.

Abstract: A temperature control system for a refrigerator. The temperature control system is positioned in a refrigerated compartment and fluidly communicates with a cooling fan. The temperature control system includes a vertical partition having a front surface and a rear surface. The rear surface faces a rear wall of the refrigerated compartment and the front surface faces an open end of the refrigerated compartment. An air passage is formed in the vertical partition extending from a lower portion of the vertical partition to an upper portion of the vertical partition. A heater assembly is disposed between the front surface and the rear surface of the vertical partition proximate the air passage wherein air conveyed along the air passage is heated by the heater assembly when the heater assembly is energized.

Abstract: A water circuit assembly for a refrigerator that delivers water from a source to a first destination and a second destination spaced apart from the first destination. The water circuit assembly includes an inlet valve positioned outside a compartment of the refrigerator and a water filter assembly positioned adjacent a top wall and a first side wall of a liner that defines the compartment. The water circuit further includes a bracket secured to a rear wall of the liner, a water tank supported by the bracket along the rear wall of the liner, and a diverter valve attached to the bracket and fluidly connected to the inlet valve to thereby divert the flow of water from the inlet valve to a selected one of the first destination or the second destination.

Abstract: A multipurpose drawer assembly in a refrigeration appliance that can be accommodated in a first position in which the open storage area is oriented upwards, or a second position in which a bottle rack is oriented upwards, the second position being inverted relative to the first position. The first position accommodates food items therein. The second position accommodates at least one bottle. The at least one drawer include first and second side walls, a rear wall, and a bottom wall that together define an open storage area therein. The bottom wall includes a first surface defining a base of the storage area and second surface opposite of the first surface and exterior of the storage area. The bottle rack is positioned on the second surface of the bottom wall.

Abstract: A cover is provided for a storage bin of a refrigerator. The cover includes a panel and a communication portion. The panel has an upper surface for storing food items thereon that is substantially planar and substantially horizontal. Moreover, the panel separates an upper space located above the panel from a lower space located below the panel. The communication portion is configured to provide fluid communication between the upper and lower spaces. In particular, the communication portion includes an upward-facing recessed surface, one or more side wall portions that extend above and at least partially bound the recessed surface, and a plurality of apertures that extend through the recessed surface and provide fluid communication between the upper space and lower space. The recessed surface and the one or more side wall portions collectively define a recess. Optionally, a wine rack is provided.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a compartment for storing food items in a refrigerated environment, and having a door for selectively closing the compartment. The door includes a front panel, a rear panel, and an endcap assembly disposed therebetween at a vertical end thereof. The endcap assembly defines a handle for allowing grip of the door to thereby selectively open and close the door. The endcap assembly includes a plurality of discrete, spaced-apart snap elements along a generally front portion thereof for clamping a distal end of the front panel at a generally vertical extent of the front panel. The endcap assembly and front panel are configured to be maintained aside one another rather than extending therethrough, with the endcap assembly further configured to provide an elastic clamping force to the distal end of the front panel.

Abstract: A cover is provided for a storage bin of a refrigerator. The cover includes a panel and a communication portion. The panel has an upper surface for storing food items thereon that is substantially planar and substantially horizontal. Moreover, the panel separates an upper space located above the panel from a lower space located below the panel. The communication portion is configured to provide fluid communication between the upper and lower spaces. In particular, the communication portion includes an upward-facing recessed surface, one or more side wall portions that extend above and at least partially bound the recessed surface, and a plurality of apertures that extend through the recessed surface and provide fluid communication between the upper space and lower space. The recessed surface and the one or more side wall portions collectively define a recess. Optionally, a wine rack is provided.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a liner having a rear wall that is contoured to define a first vertical recess therein. A partition divides the compartment into an upper and a lower compartment and includes a first protrusion disposed in the first vertical recess in the liner. A first opening extends through the first protrusion and is aligned with the first vertical recess in the liner. A temperature control system is positioned in the upper compartment and includes a vertical partition. At least one lower opening extends through a front surface of the vertical partition and fluidly communicates with an upper end of the first vertical recess in the liner and the first opening extending through the partition. An evaporator fan is disposed in the lower compartment.

Abstract: A household appliance, such as a refrigerator, has a body with a cooled compartment, a door that restricts and grants access to said cooled compartment, a foot assembly connected to the body, and an electrical connector support for supporting electronic components of the household appliance. The foot assembly includes at least one of an anti-tip foot to support the appliance and/or a wheel to facilitate moving the appliance. The electrical connector support includes a frame base portion connected to the foot assembly, a door sensor support attached to the frame base portion, and a door sensor configured to sense if the door is at an open or a closed position relative to the body. At least one component of the door sensor is attached to the door sensor support.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance including a compartment for storing food items. A partition divides the compartment into a first and a second compartments. The first compartment is disposed horizontally adjacent the second compartment and has a user-selectable target freezer temperature. An evaporator is disposed in the first compartment. An evaporator fan is disposed in the first compartment for conveying cooling air from the evaporator to the first and the second compartments. A temperature control module positioned in the second compartment. The temperature control module includes a body having front and rear surfaces. An air passage is formed in the body and extends between a side inlet opening of the body to at least one outlet opening on the front surface of the body. A heater assembly is disposed between the front and the rear surfaces of the body for heating air in the air passage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the defrost cycles of evaporators associated with the compartments of a refrigerator. Defrost heaters associated with each evaporator are turned on and run until either a predetermined maximum defrost temperature is reached for the compartments or until a predetermined maximum run time is reached for each defrost heater. A controller determines a defrost interval based on running times of the freezer defrost heater and the ice maker defrost heater so that the duration of the defrost interval is inversely related to the duration of the running time of the freezer defrost heater and the ice maker defrost heater. The controller also reduces the defrost interval for every second a door of the compartments remains open, compares the reduced defrost interval with the defrost length, and selects the shorter one as the new defrost interval.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining a first compartment and a second compartment, a primary ice maker mounted within the first compartment, and an auxiliary ice maker removably mounted within the second compartment for selectively adjusting an ice making capacity of the appliance. The appliance further includes a dispenser for dispensing water and ice pieces made by the primary ice maker.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance including a partition that defines a through passage between an upper compartment and a lower compartment. A temperature control system is positioned in the upper compartment and includes an air passage. A lower inlet opening extends through a front surface of the vertical partition to the air passage. A damper assembly includes a door that is moveable between a first position and a second position. When the door is in the first position the door fluidly isolates the through passage in the partition from the upper compartment while allowing the lower inlet opening in the vertical partition to fluidly communicate with the air passage in the vertical partition. When the door is in the second position the door fluidly isolates the lower inlet opening from the air passage while allowing the through passage to fluidly communicate with the upper compartment.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance including a partition that defines a through passage between an upper compartment and a lower compartment. A temperature control system is positioned in the upper compartment and includes an air passage. A lower inlet opening extends through a front surface of the vertical partition to the air passage. A damper assembly includes a door that is moveable between a first position and a second position. When the door is in the first position the door fluidly isolates the through passage in the partition from the upper compartment while allowing the lower inlet opening in the vertical partition to fluidly communicate with the air passage in the vertical partition. When the door is in the second position the door fluidly isolates the lower inlet opening from the air passage while allowing the through passage to fluidly communicate with the upper compartment.

Abstract: A temperature control system for a refrigerator. The temperature control system is positioned in a refrigerated compartment and fluidly communicates with a cooling fan. The temperature control system includes a vertical partition having a front surface and a rear surface. The rear surface faces a rear wall of the refrigerated compartment and the front surface faces an open end of the refrigerated compartment. An air passage is formed in the vertical partition extending from a lower portion of the vertical partition to an upper portion of the vertical partition. A heater assembly is disposed between the front surface and the rear surface of the vertical partition proximate the air passage wherein air conveyed along the air passage is heated by the heater assembly when the heater assembly is energized.

Abstract: A water circuit assembly for a refrigerator that delivers water from a source to a first destination and a second destination spaced apart from the first destination. The water circuit assembly includes an inlet valve positioned outside a compartment of the refrigerator and a water filter assembly positioned adjacent a top wall and a first side wall of a liner that defines the compartment. The water circuit further includes a bracket secured to a rear wall of the liner, a water tank supported by the bracket along the rear wall of the liner, and a diverter valve attached to the bracket and fluidly connected to the inlet valve to thereby divert the flow of water from the inlet valve to a selected one of the first destination or the second destination.

Abstract: A door warmer for a refrigerator includes a liner defining a compartment. The liner includes a front face circumscribing the compartment, a flange extending outwards from the front face, and a recessed pocket formed into the flange. An inner retention lug is positioned adjacent to, and extends a first distance over, the recessed pocket. An outer retention lug is positioned adjacent to, and extends a second distance over, the recessed pocket and located on a side of the recessed pocket opposite from the inner retention lug. A heat pipe is disposed within the recessed pocket and secured therein by the inner and outer retention lugs. In another embodiment, the refrigerator includes a basket having a storage space therein, and a divider disposed within the storage space. The divider is selectively moveable upon a pair of carriages.

Abstract: An adjustable shelf for a refrigerator includes a first and a second shelf portion being slidably moveable between extended and retracted positions. A frame includes a main track that guides the second shelf portion. An auxiliary external track is disposed on an extended lower edge of the frame, following the main track. A hook member is attached to and protrudes downwards from the second shelf portion, the hook member engaging with and sliding along the auxiliary external track to minimize lateral movement of a front end of the second shelf portion as the second shelf portion is slidably moved. In another embodiment, a freezer drawer assembly comprises first and second storage baskets. The second storage basket comprises front roller members that are seated on the first storage unit and are guided along a primary track by parallel, opposing track sidewalls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the defrost cycles of evaporators associated with the compartments of a refrigerator. Defrost heaters associated with each evaporator are turned on and run until either a predetermined maximum defrost temperature is reached for the compartments or until a predetermined maximum run time is reached for each defrost heater. A controller determines a defrost interval based on running times of the freezer defrost heater and the ice maker defrost heater so that the duration of the defrost interval is inversely related to the duration of the running time of the freezer defrost heater and the ice maker defrost heater. The controller also reduces the defrost interval for every second a door of the compartments remains open, compares the reduced defrost interval with the defrost length, and selects the shorter one as the new defrost interval.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a liner having a rear wall that is contoured to define a first vertical recess therein. A partition divides the compartment into an upper and a lower compartment and includes a first protrusion disposed in the first vertical recess in the liner. A first opening extends through the first protrusion and is aligned with the first vertical recess in the liner. A temperature control system is positioned in the upper compartment and includes a vertical partition. At least one lower opening extends through a front surface of the vertical partition and fluidly communicates with an upper end of the first vertical recess in the liner and the first opening extending through the partition. An evaporator fan is disposed in the lower compartment.