Abstract: A stand-alone ice making appliance includes an upper reservoir fluidly coupled to a lower reservoir via a first valve. An ice maker is disposed within the casing. A pump is disposed within the casing and is operable to flow water from the lower reservoir to upper reservoir and the ice maker. A controller is positioned in the casing. A method of operating the stand-alone ice making appliance includes opening the first valve between the upper reservoir and the lower reservoir. The method also includes draining the liquid from the upper reservoir to the lower reservoir and closing the first valve between the upper reservoir and the lower reservoir. The method further includes operating a descale or cleaning operation of the stand-alone ice making appliance.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining a chilled chamber, a door rotatably mounted to the cabinet and rotatable between a closed position enclosing the chilled chamber and an open position providing access to the chilled chamber, and an ice making assembly mounted to the door of the refrigerator appliance. The ice making assembly includes an icemaker frame mounted to the door, an ice tray rotatably mounted to the icemaker frame and defining a plurality of mold cavities for receiving water that is formed into ice, a drive motor operably coupled to the ice tray to rotate the ice tray and harvest the ice formed within the plurality of mold cavities, and a resilient splash shield positioned between the icemaker frame and the ice tray to prevent splashing from the plurality of mold cavities.

Abstract: A twist ice tray assembly for a refrigerator appliance may include a first ice tray in downstream fluid communication with a fill tube of the refrigerator appliance. The first ice tray may include a first tray surface, a first mold body, and an overflow spout. The first mold body may extend downward from the first tray surface to define a first plurality of compartments for receiving liquid water from the fill tube. The overflow spout may extend outward from the first tray surface. The overflow spout may define an overflow channel in downstream fluid communication with the first plurality of compartments. The twist ice tray assembly may include a second ice tray. The second ice tray may include a second tray surface and a second mold body. The second mold body may extend downward from the second tray surface. The second mold body may define a second plurality of compartments.

Abstract: A stand-alone ice making appliance includes an upper reservoir fluidly coupled to a lower reservoir via a first valve. An ice maker is disposed within the casing. A pump is disposed within the casing and is operable to flow water from the lower reservoir to upper reservoir and the ice maker. A controller is positioned in the casing. A method of operating the stand-alone ice making appliance includes opening the first valve between the upper reservoir and the lower reservoir. The method also includes draining the liquid from the upper reservoir to the lower reservoir and closing the first valve between the upper reservoir and the lower reservoir. The method further includes operating a descale or cleaning operation of the stand-alone ice making appliance.

Abstract: A cooking appliance may define a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The cooking appliance may include a heating element. The cooking appliance may further include a control valve assembly associated with the heating element. The control valve assembly may include a valve shaft. The valve shaft may include a cylindrical arm defining a first end and a second end. The cylindrical arm may include a tang extended from the first end. The control valve assembly may further include a valve cap. The valve cap may include a circumferential shelf therewithin. The circumferential shelf may include a first pedestal and a second pedestal that together define a wedge slot for receiving the tang. The first pedestal may include an angled pedestal wall.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a liner positioned within a cabinet, the liner having an inner liner surface that defines a chilled chamber and an aperture that passes through the liner. A light assembly is mounted to the liner and includes a light source positioned within a light housing in the insulated space between the liner and the cabinet. A lens is mounted to the light housing and is positioned within the aperture, the lens defining an outer lens surface that sits flush with the inner liner surface and an inner lens surface defining a plurality of refractive grooves.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a liner positioned within a cabinet, the liner having an inner liner surface that defines a chilled chamber and an aperture that passes through the liner. A light assembly is mounted to the liner and includes a light source positioned within a light housing in the insulated space between the liner and the cabinet. A lens is mounted to the light housing and is positioned within the aperture, the lens defining an outer lens surface that sits flush with the inner liner surface and an inner lens surface defining a plurality of refractive grooves.

Abstract: A damped closure assembly for a microwave oven includes a catch element mounted to a cabinet of the microwave oven. A striker defined on a door of the microwave oven engages the catch element which is rotatable between an open position and a closed position. A spring mechanism and a damping element are operably coupled to the catch element to slowly urge the catch element and the door toward the closed position to prevent slamming, loud noises, and potential wear on one or more components of the microwave oven when the door is closed.

Abstract: An oven appliance includes a cabinet having a chamber defined therein. The chamber is accessible through an opening. The oven appliance also includes a first door having a first side and a second side. The first side of the first door is rotatably mounted to one side of the cabinet proximate the opening. A second door includes a first side and a second side. The first side of the second door is rotatably connected to the second side of the first door by a hinge comprising a pivot. The first door and the second door are movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively sealingly enclose the chamber. The first door and the second door define a gap therebetween in the closed position.

Abstract: A damped closure assembly for a microwave oven includes a catch element mounted to a cabinet of the microwave oven. A striker defined on a door of the microwave oven engages the catch element which is rotatable between an open position and a closed position. A spring mechanism and a damping element are operably coupled to the catch element to slowly urge the catch element and the door toward the closed position to prevent slamming, loud noises, and potential wear on one or more components of the microwave oven when the door is closed.

Abstract: An oven appliance includes a cabinet having a chamber defined therein. The chamber is accessible through an opening. The oven appliance also includes a first door having a first side and a second side. The first side of the first door is rotatably mounted to one side of the cabinet proximate the opening. A second door includes a first side and a second side. The first side of the second door is rotatably connected to the second side of the first door by a hinge comprising a pivot. The first door and the second door are movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively sealingly enclose the chamber. The first door and the second door define a gap therebetween in the closed position.

Abstract: A control panel for an appliance includes a tactile switch positioned on a PCB. An elastic spacer sheet is positioned over the PCB, and the tactile switch is disposed within an opening of the elastic spacer sheet. A rigid backer plate is positioned over the elastic spacer sheet, and a plastic film is positioned on the rigid backer plate. A related method for forming a control panel for an appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A control panel for an appliance includes a tactile switch positioned on a PCB. An elastic spacer sheet is positioned over the PCB, and the tactile switch is disposed within an opening of the elastic spacer sheet. A rigid backer plate is positioned over the elastic spacer sheet, and a plastic film is positioned on the rigid backer plate. A related method for forming a control panel for an appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub mounted within the cabinet, and a basket rotationally mounted within the tub for relative rotation therewith. A suspension assembly supports the tub within the cabinet. A variable speed motor is included for rotating the basket about a rotation axis, and an inverter is operatively coupled to the motor. A controller is operatively coupled to the inverter and the motor and is configured to control the motor based on a drag torque on the basket.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus includes an inner shaft rotatably driven about a longitudinal axis of rotation, an outer shaft concentric with the inner shaft for selective rotation about the longitudinal axis, a coupling element movable between a first position engaging the inner shaft to the outer shaft for rotation therewith, and a second position disengaging the inner shaft from the outer shaft for relative rotation therebetween, and an actuating element connected to the coupling element and operable to move the coupling element between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a washing machine in a rinse cycle is provided for a washing machine including a rotatable basket and a fresh water spraying device. The method comprises rotating the basket at a first rate of rotation, spraying water into the basket while the basket is rotating at the first rate, and rotating the basket at a second rate of rotation, the second rate of rotation greater than the first rate of rotation.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus includes an inner shaft rotatably driven about a longitudinal axis of rotation, an outer shaft concentric with the inner shaft for selective rotation about the longitudinal axis, a coupling element movable between a first position engaging the inner shaft to the outer shaft for rotation therewith, and a second position disengaging the inner shaft from the outer shaft for relative rotation therebetween, and an actuating element connected to the coupling element and operable to move the coupling element between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a washing machine in a rinse cycle is provided for a washing machine including a rotatable basket and a fresh water spraying device. The method comprises rotating the basket at a first rate of rotation, spraying water into the basket while the basket is rotating at the first rate, and rotating the basket at a second rate of rotation, the second rate of rotation greater than the first rate of rotation.