REFRIGERATOR HAVING COMPARTMENT CAPABLE OF CONVERTING BETWEEN REFRIGERATION AND FREEZING TEMPERATURES
ABSTRACT A refrigerator comprising a refrigerator housing defining first, second, and third compartments separated by insulated walls, a refrigeration system supplying cold air to the first, second, and third compartments, first, second, and third sensors operative to detect temperature in a respective one of the first, second, and third compartments and control circuitry in electrical communication with the sensors, the control circuitry controlling flow of the cold air into each of the first, second, and third compartments so as to facilitate maintaining a respective desired temperature therein, where the desired temperature of each of the first, second, and third compartments is variable and may be set by a user independently with respect to each other.
The present application claims the benefit of the U.S. provisional application filed on Jan. 29, 2007 by Wuesthoff et al. for REFRIGERATOR HAVING COMPARTMENT CAPABLE OF CONVERTING BETWEEN REFRIGERATION AND FREEZING TEMPERATURES (Ser. No. 60/887,107), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to refrigerators. More particularly, the present invention relates to a refrigerator having a compartment capable of converting from a refrigeration area to a freezer area and back.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMost refrigerators for household use include at least one area for refrigerating items and at least one area for freezing items. Refrigeration areas typically operate within the range of temperatures from 34 to 44 degrees Fahrenheit, while freezer areas generally operate within the range of temperatures from 0 to 12 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on certain factors, such as overall refrigerator configuration and size, the refrigeration and freezer areas can be partitioned and arranged in a number of manners. For example, in one configuration, the refrigeration area may occupy a left portion of the refrigerator, while the freezer area may occupy a right portion, or vice versa. In an alternate configuration, the refrigeration area may occupy an upper portion of the refrigerator, while the freezer area may occupy a lower portion, or vice versa.
Additionally, doors or drawer fronts may be used to enclose and define the refrigeration and freezer areas. In one instance, one or more doors may enclose the refrigeration area, while one or more drawers may define the freezer area. The reverse may also be true.
Regardless of how the refrigeration and freezer areas are configured or what structures are used to enclose each area, the refrigeration area and the freezer area are established at the time the refrigerator is designed and fixed when it is manufactured. At that point, the purchaser of a household refrigerator is unable to change which area will be the refrigeration area and which area will be the freezer area. Likewise, the purchaser is unable to increase the size of either the refrigeration area or the freezer area depending on the purchaser's current needs. The purchaser is also unable to use a portion or all of the refrigeration area as a freezer area, or vice versa.
Typically, household refrigerators include a refrigeration system that includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator connected together by coils and tubes. Refrigerant flows throughout the refrigeration system via the coils and tubes. The refrigerant enters the compressor, where it is pressurized, the result of which is an increase in the temperature of the refrigerant. The refrigerant is transferred to the condenser, where it is condensed and cooled by flowing through a number of coils across which air passes. Energy in the form of heat is transferred from the refrigerant to the air and removed from the system. The refrigerant then enters the expansion device where it undergoes an abrupt reduction in pressure, the result of which is a decrease in the temperature of the refrigerant. The refrigerant then passes through coils typically adjacent to the areas to be cooled. Fans and/or other devices circulate the areas' air over the coils where heat energy is transferred from the circulated air to the refrigerant, which results in a decrease in temperature of the air in the enclosed area and an increase in temperature of the refrigerant. The refrigerant then passes to the compressor and begins the cycle again.
During normal usage, the refrigeration system described above continues to cycle through the refrigeration process in order to maintain the temperature within the various areas of the refrigerator at a desired level. When the actual temperature rises above the desired level in a certain area, the refrigeration system of some refrigerators continues to operate as normal in an attempt to lower the temperature of that area. Other refrigerators include a variable speed compressor in the refrigeration system, which allows the system to change the rate at which refrigerant passes through the refrigeration cycle. The faster the flow rate of the refrigerant, the greater the amount of refrigerant that flows through the system's coils during a specific period of time. This allows a greater amount of heat energy to be transferred from the air in the area to be cooled to the refrigerant, thereby decreasing the temperature of the air at a greater pace. When the desired temperature is established in the refrigerator's areas, the compressor returns to a normal speed. Under some conditions, it is desirable for the compressor to operate at a rate slower than normal.
Refrigerators typically use baffles to control the flow of cold air from the refrigeration system to the refrigerator's areas. Generally, each of the refrigerator's areas includes at least one port allowing cold air to pass into the area and at least one vent allowing circulated air to pass out of the area. Baffles connected to each port open and close the particular port to respectively allow or prevent cold air from entering the corresponding area. Controlling the flow of cold air in this manner allows the refrigeration system to maintain the temperature of each area at a relatively stable level.
Household refrigerators normally include controls and sensors to adjust and regulate the temperature of the refrigeration and freezer areas. Depending on the type of controls, the refrigerator's user can select a specific temperature, a temperature range, or a number indicative of a relative temperature, such as choosing the number “2” from a range of 1 to 5. Each selection, including the numeric range, correlates to a specific temperature or temperature range for that area of the refrigerator. As described above, when the temperature of one or more areas rises to a temperature that is greater than an established difference between the current temperature and the selected temperature for an that area, the refrigeration system continues to cycle in an attempt to cool that area. In other refrigerators, the refrigeration system increases the speed of the compressor to more rapidly chill the desired area.
The baffles described above control which areas receive the cold air by opening the ports corresponding to the areas for which the temperature should be lowered and by closing the ports corresponding to areas currently maintaining a suitable temperature. The baffles keep the open ports open until the temperature of the corresponding area has reached an acceptable level. If one area has reached a suitable temperature level but the temperature in other areas remains higher than acceptable, baffles close the corresponding ports that are associated with the areas that have reached a suitable temperature level. The refrigeration system's compressor continues to operate until all areas have reached a suitable temperature. In a refrigerator that includes a variable speed compressor, the refrigeration system is capable of operating at different rates depending on the difference between the desired temperature and the actual temperature in the various areas. In older refrigerators, when all areas have reached a suitable temperature, and, therefore, no additional sections need to be cooled, the refrigeration system deactivates. In other refrigerators employing variable speed compressors, the refrigeration system may decrease the speed of the compressor to a point where the refrigeration system is capable of maintaining the desired temperature in each of the refrigerator areas. The refrigeration system of yet other refrigerators may only be able to operate continuously at one speed in an attempt to maintain the desired temperature.
The refrigeration system described above is intended to maintain the refrigerator's interior at a temperature below the temperature of ambient air in the room where the refrigerator has been placed. Maintaining a set temperature is somewhat straightforward when the refrigeration and freezer areas are sealed and remain unopened. Depending on the refrigerator's construction, some heat energy may be exchanged between the air within the refrigerator's interior and the ambient air through the refrigerator's external housing. Due to modem refrigerator constructions, a large amount of heat energy will generally not be exchanged in this manner.
Conversely, an exchange of heat energy automatically takes place when the refrigerator is opened due to the difference in temperature between the ambient air and the air in the refrigerator's interior. Because heat energy travels from higher temperatures to lower temperatures, any air of a temperature lower than the ambient air will begin to increase in temperature. In this scenario, the temperature of the air inside the refrigerator begins to rapidly increase. Similarly, because the cold air within the refrigerator has a lower temperature, it is denser than that of the ambient air causing refrigerated air to leave the refrigerator while ambient air enters it. Given a sufficient amount of time, the temperature of the air within the refrigerator will increase to that of the ambient air. This also causes an increase in temperature of the items stored in the refrigerator.
The refrigeration system must operate continuously, or, in the case of a system including a variable speed compressor, must operate at a speed higher than normal in order to counteract the increase in temperature described above. If any part of the refrigerator's interior remains exposed, the air within the refrigerator will continue to absorb heat energy and its temperature will rise to the temperature of the ambient air. Continuous operation of the refrigeration system puts a strain on the system's components and reduces the components' useful life. Additionally, this continuous operation consumes an inefficient amount of energy. Thus, an unobstructed exchange of heat energy from the ambient air to the refrigerated air, as well as the introduction of ambient air into the interior of the refrigerator, causes the refrigeration system to operate inefficiently.
A user places items in the refrigeration and freezer areas of a refrigerator in order to keep the item's temperature below a particular level, generally to preserve the item. Refrigerators employ a range of structures to facilitate the placement and removal of various items by the user. For example, bottles of soda and wine create an inefficient use of space due to the necessary arrangement of shelves above the bottle to accommodate their height when placed vertically on a lower shelf. When placed horizontally on a shelf, bottles are able to roll and move around on the refrigerator's shelf. In order to efficiently store these bottles, some refrigerators include a support consisting of at least one semi-circular bracket that holds the bottle horizontally above a shelf. Such supports, however, create an inefficient use of space when not in use due to the space occupied and made unavailable by the support.
Likewise, bins attached to the interior of a refrigerator door facilitate access to items frequently used and removed from a refrigerator. The configuration and manner of attachment of these bins to the refrigerator door may vary. In some instances, such bins can be attached to different locations along the width and height of the door's interior. These bins generally occupy the entire space that exists horizontally between the inside of the closed refrigerator door and the adjacent refrigerator shelves making the size of the bin bulky and difficult to carry when removed from the door. The user must either remove each item from the bin that the user intends to use at the moment or must remove the entire bin, which may be awkward to carry and/or contain unwanted items. Additionally, refrigerators lack adequate support to efficiently store irregularly-shaped items, such as a pizza box.
Refrigerators include other structures to better preserve certain items, including dairy bins to preserve dairy products, such as butter. Generally, dairy bins are attached to the interior of a refrigerator door near the top portion of the door and include a partially cylindrical cover that rotates about its axis to provide access to the contents contained in the dairy bin. Due to the bin's location and arrangement, it can be difficult to remove the bin's contents.
Items required to be kept frozen, such as ice cream, are stored in the freezer areas of a refrigerator. The desired temperature in which to store some items, such as ice cream, however, can be lower than other items stored in the freezer. In these situations, the user commonly sets the temperature of the freezer at a particular level to maintain an ideal temperature for the majority of items in order to prevent freezer burn or other damaging effects to these items. This creates a tendency to cause other items that require lower temperatures, such as ice cream, to be softer than desired. As an illustration, ice cream may become softer than otherwise intended if stored at a higher temperature level desirable for storing other freezer items. Freezers lack an area directed to storing certain items whose ideal storage temperature is generally lower than the majority of other items stored in the freezer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention recognizes and addresses the foregoing considerations, and others, of prior art construction and methods.
In this regard, one aspect of the invention provides a refrigerator comprising a refrigerator housing defining first, second, and third compartments separated by insulated walls, a refrigeration system supplying cold air to the first, second, and third compartments, first, second, and third sensors operative to detect temperature in a respective one of the first, second, and third compartments, and control circuitry in electrical communication with the sensors, the control circuitry controlling flow of the cold air into each of the first, second, and third compartments so as to facilitate maintaining a respective desired temperature therein, where the desired temperature of each of the first, second, and third compartments is variable and may be set by a user independently with respect to each other.
According to another aspect, the present invention also provides a refrigeration apparatus comprising a refrigerator housing defining first, second, and third compartments in which food items are stored, a refrigeration system, a first aperture defined by the housing to provide fluid communication between the refrigeration system and the first compartment, a first mechanism being configured to vary the first aperture, a second aperture defined by the housing to provide fluid communication between the refrigeration system and the second compartment, a second mechanism being configured to vary the second aperture, control circuitry operatively connected to the first mechanism and the second mechanism, where the control circuitry directs the first mechanism to vary the first aperture and directs the second mechanism to vary the second aperture in order to facilitate maintaining the first compartment at a first desired temperature and the second compartment at a second desired temperature.
A further aspect of the present invention provides a refrigeration apparatus comprising a generally rectangular area defined by two side walls, a back wall, a top wall, a base, and a door and a device attached to an inside surface of the top wall for producing an air curtain, where the device expels air downward toward the base when the door is opened.
In another aspect, there is provided a rack suspended from an underside of a shelf for supporting at least one container, the rack comprising a back support attached to the underside of the shelf having a vertical support and a horizontal flange, the vertical support and the horizontal flange having at least one first curve, wherein the vertical support and the horizontal flange are constructed to receive a bottom of the container at the first curve and a front support attached to the underside at at least one connection point and having at least one second curve, the second curve opposite the first curve and constructed to receive a portion of the container, where the front support is adapted to pivot at the connection point such that the front support may be attached horizontally to the underside of the shelf and stored.
One aspect of the invention provides A bin attached to a refrigerator door for storing a plurality of items, the bin comprising a back portion attached to the refrigerator door and configured to store a first set of the items, the back portion comprising a support structure and a front portion configured to store a second set of the items, the front portion adapted to be maintained in position on the support structure but removable therefrom, where the front portion may be separated from the back portion by vertically lifting the hollow portion away from the support structure.
According to another aspect, the present invention also provides a dairy bin for a refrigerator comprising a first side support, a cover comprising a first cover end and a first plurality of gear teeth attached to the first cover end, wherein the first cover end is pivotally attached to the first side support such that the cover is able to rotate in a generally cylindrical manner, and a tray comprising a first tray end, the first tray end being slideable such that the tray is able to slide forward and backward in a generally horizontal manner, where the first tray end defines a first plurality of slots in which respective of said gear teeth are received.
A further aspect of the present invention provides a refrigeration apparatus comprising an ice maker and an ice bin located underneath the ice maker, where a portion of a top surface of the ice bin defines a ledge for supporting a container.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSA full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, in which:
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSReference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
Refrigeration area 34 also includes a variety of other structures, such as shelves 60, a variety of bins 62, an air curtain device 64, a bottle rack 66, a separable bin 68, and a dairy bin 70. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that a number of combinations and constructions of shelves, bins, racks, and trays may be employed without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In general, the construction of refrigerator shelves and removable bins should be understood in the art and are, therefore, not discussed in further detail except as they relate to aspects of the present invention. The construction and function of air curtain device 64, bottle rack 66, separable bin 68, and dairy bin 70 are described in more detail below with respect to
Referring now to
Refrigeration area 34 is in fluid communication with cooling area 78 of the refrigeration system via an aperture. In the presently-described embodiment, the aperture is shown as an air port 82 defined at a location near the top of vertical wall 30 to provide an air passage between cooling area 78 and refrigeration area 34. A damper 84 (
A ventilation channel 88 located at the rear of freezer area 32 extends vertically down the back corner formed by walls 16 and 20 through horizontal wall 28 into lower portion 26. Lower portion 26 is in fluid communication with cooling area 78 of the refrigeration system via an aperture defined between ventilation channel 88 and the lower portion. In the presently-described embodiment, the aperture is shown as a port 92 defined in the horizontal wall 28. An opening 90 at the top of ventilation channel 88 and port 92 provide an air passage between cooling area 78 and lower portion 26. A damper 94 connected in registry with port 92 is capable of opening and closing the port. A return vent 96 is defined in horizontal wall 28 near the left, front section of lower portion 26 and provides an air passage between the lower portion and cooling area 78.
Frozen food area 80 is in fluid communication with cooling area 78 of the refrigeration system via one or more apertures. In the presently-described embodiment, such apertures are shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In another embodiment, the control circuitry can instruct damper 84 to partially close port 82 in order to reduce the amount of cold air from cooling area 78 flowing into refrigeration area 34 based on the temperature information received from temperature sensor 50. The damper may then be instructed to close the port once the temperature in refrigeration area 34 has reached an acceptable level.
Similar to above and referring to
In another embodiment, the control circuitry can instruct dampers within rear covering 72 to partially close ports 98 and 100 in order to reduce the amount of cold air from cooling area 78 flowing into frozen food area 80 based on the temperature information received from temperature sensor 48. The dampers may then be instructed to close the ports once the temperature in the area has reached an acceptable level.
Referring again to
When the user has selected the desired temperature setting, the user presses lock button 112, which deactivates temperature adjust buttons 122 and 124 and sets the desired temperature setting at the control circuitry. At this point, if the temperature of lower portion 26 is greater than the selected temperature by an unacceptable amount, the control circuitry increases the speed of the refrigeration system or otherwise operates in a manner that reduces the temperature.
Now referring to
In another embodiment, the control circuitry can instruct damper 94 to partially close port 92 in order to reduce the amount of cold air from cooling area 78 flowing into lower portion 26 based on the temperature information received from the temperature sensor. The damper may then be instructed to close the port once the temperature in the lower portion has reached an acceptable level.
When the control circuitry determines that the temperature within refrigeration area 34, frozen food area 80, and lower portion 26, have all reached acceptable levels, the circuitry returns the speed of the refrigeration system of refrigerator 10 to normal. The temperature sensors, such as temperature sensors 48 and 50, continue to monitor and transmit the temperature level of each area to the control circuitry.
As described above, the refrigeration system of refrigerator 10 preferably includes a variable speed compressor 101 (
In another embodiment, temperature controls 44 allow the user to set the temperature for frozen food area 80 and refrigeration area 34 to any desired temperature or temperature range. For example, the user may desire refrigeration area 34 to operate as a freezer and accordingly uses temperature controls 44 to set the desired temperature to below freezing. The refrigeration system operates as described above in order to decrease the temperature of the air within refrigeration area 34 to the desired level, thereby converting the refrigeration area into a freezer.
Referring to
Referring to
In operation, a user pivots front support 158 down into its vertical position as shown in
Referring to
In operation, the user places items in container area 176. Other items frequently removed from refrigerator 10 by the user are placed in container area 182. Instead of removing items one-by-one from container area 182, the user vertically lifts outside surface 184 thereby separating removable front 174 from support tray 178. The user then carries removable front 174 to transport the items stored in container area 182 to a desired location. When finished with the items stored in container area 182, the user vertically replaces removable front 174 back down onto support tray 178.
Referring to
A user of refrigerator 10 can either vertically raise cover 188 or horizontally slide tray 200 forward to access the items stored in dairy bin 70. When cover 188 is raised, side 192 rotates in a counterclockwise motion so that gear teeth 198 engage recesses 204. As gear teeth 198 rotate counterclockwise with side 192, they push recesses 204 forward, thereby causing tray 200 to slide forward horizontally. Likewise, when tray 200 is slid horizontally forward, recesses 204 engage gear teeth 198. As tray 200 slides forward, recesses 204 pull gear teeth 198 causing side 192 to rotate counterclockwise about point 194. This rotation also causes cover 188 to raise.
When tray 200 is slid in the opposite direction, recesses 204 move backward with the tray. Because gear teeth 198 are engaged with recesses 204, this movement causes gear teeth 198, and thus side 192, to rotate in the clockwise direction. This lowers cover 188 onto tray 200 to close dairy bin 70. Likewise, if the user lowers cover 188, side 192 rotates clockwise causing gear teeth 198 to also rotate clockwise. As gear teeth 198 rotate, they pull recesses 204 back toward the inside surface of refrigerator door 38. Thus, it should be understood that a dairy bin capable of being opened by either moving tray 200 or cover 188 is disclosed.
As explained above with reference to
Depending on the size and configuration of refrigerator 10, some irregularly shaped items may be unable to adequately fit horizontally in frozen food area 80, such as frozen pizza boxes. Because of its spatial characteristics, space 212 is ideal for storing such items (as shown in phantom lines). Users avoid having to remove and rearrange the contents of such items to fit within a regular storage container in order to place the contents in frozen food area 80. Instead, such items can be placed on support 214, which is designed to act as a foundation for such items. The user may set the item on curved support 214 and push item toward the rear of frozen food area 80. The item can be easily removed when desired.
While one or more preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it should be understood that any and all equivalent realizations of the present invention are included within the scope and spirit thereof. The embodiments depicted are presented by way of example only and are not intended as limitations upon the present invention. Thus, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in this art that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments since modifications can be made. Therefore, it is contemplated that any and all such embodiments are included in the present invention as may fall within the scope and spirit thereof.
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising:
- a refrigerator housing defining first, second, and third compartments separated by insulated walls;
- a refrigeration system supplying cold air to the first, second, and third compartments;
- first, second, and third sensors operative to detect temperature in a respective one of the first, second, and third compartments; and
- control circuitry in electrical communication with the sensors, the control circuitry controlling flow of the cold air into each of the first, second, and third compartments so as to facilitate maintaining a respective desired temperature therein,
- wherein the desired temperature of each of the first, second, and third compartments is variable and may be set by a user independently with respect to each other.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1 further comprising at least one control panel in electrical communication with the control circuitry configured to accept input from the user representative of the desired temperature of the first, second, and third compartments.
3. The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein the first compartment includes a drawer having an insulated front to close the first compartment.
4. The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein the first compartment is located beneath the second and third compartments.
5. The refrigerator of claim 3 wherein the first compartment includes a drawer having an insulated front to close the first compartment.
6. The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein the refrigeration system includes at least one damper.
7. A refrigeration apparatus comprising:
- a refrigerator housing defining first, second, and third compartments in which food items are stored;
- a refrigeration system;
- a first aperture defined by the housing to provide fluid communication between the refrigeration system and the first compartment;
- a first mechanism being configured to vary the first aperture;
- a second aperture defined by the housing to provide fluid communication between the refrigeration system and the second compartment;
- a second mechanism being configured to vary the second aperture;
- control circuitry operatively connected to the first mechanism and the second mechanism;
- wherein the control circuitry directs the first mechanism to vary the first aperture and directs the second mechanism to vary the second aperture in order to facilitate maintaining the first compartment at a first desired temperature and the second compartment at a second desired temperature.
8. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:
- a cover separating the third compartment into a cooling area and a frozen food area, wherein a portion of the refrigeration system is located within the cooling area.
9. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 8 further comprising at least one vent defined by the cover to provide fluid communication between the cooling area and the frozen food area.
10. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a ventilation channel defined by the cover to provide fluid communication between the refrigeration system and the first compartment.
11. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first and second mechanisms are dampers.
12. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:
- a first sensor in electrical communication with the control circuitry and operative to measure a first actual temperature of the first compartment and provide a first signal representative of the first actual temperature to the control circuitry; and
- a second sensor in electrical communication with the control circuitry and operative to measure a second actual temperature of the second compartment and provide a second signal representative of the second actual temperature to the control circuitry.
13. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 12 wherein the control circuitry directs the first damper to vary the first aperture based on a first comparison of the first desired temperature and the first actual temperature and directs the second damper to vary the second aperture based on a second comparison of the second desired temperature and the second actual temperature.
14. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 13 further comprising:
- a control panel operatively connected to the control circuitry,
- wherein the control panel is configured to accept a first input representative of the first desired temperature and a second input representative of the second desired temperature.
15. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 7 wherein:
- the refrigeration system comprises a variable speed compressor, and
- the control circuitry varies a rate of the variable speed compressor in order to maintain the first compartment at the first desired temperature and the second compartment at the second desired temperature.
16. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 15 wherein the first and second mechanisms are dampers.
17. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 15 wherein:
- a first sensor in electrical communication with the control circuitry and operative to measure a first actual temperature of the first compartment and provide a first signal representative of the first actual temperature to the control circuitry; and
- a second sensor in electrical communication with the control circuitry and operative to measure a second actual temperature of the second compartment and provide a second signal representative of the second actual temperature to the control circuitry.
18. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 17 wherein the control circuitry varies a rate of the variable speed compressor based on a first comparison of the first desired temperature and the first actual temperature and based on a second comparison of the second desired temperature and the second actual temperature.
19. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 18 wherein the first and second mechanisms are dampers.
20. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 19 wherein the control circuitry varies a rate of the variable speed compressor based on a first comparison of the first desired temperature and the first actual temperature and based on a second comparison of the second desired temperature and the second actual temperature.
21. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 19 wherein the control circuitry directs the first damper to vary the first aperture based on a first comparison of the first desired temperature and the first actual temperature and directs the second damper to vary the second aperture based on a second comparison of the second desired temperature and the second actual temperature.
22. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 21 wherein the control circuitry varies the rate of the variable speed compressor based on the first comparison and based on the second comparison.
23. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 9 further comprising:
- a third mechanism being configured to vary the at least one vent,
- wherein the control circuitry directs the third mechanism to vary the at least one vent in order to facilitate maintaining the frozen food area at a frozen food desired temperature.
24. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 23 wherein the first, second, and third mechanisms are dampers.
25. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 24 further comprising:
- a first sensor in electrical communication with the control circuitry and operative to measure a first actual temperature of the first compartment and provide a first signal representative of the first actual temperature to the control circuitry; and
- a second sensor in electrical communication with the control circuitry and operative to measure a second actual temperature of the second compartment and provide a second signal representative of the second actual temperature to the control circuitry; and
- a third sensor in electrical communication with the control circuitry and operative to measure a frozen food actual temperature of the frozen food area and provide a third signal representative of the frozen food actual temperature to the control circuitry.
26. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 25 wherein the control circuitry directs the first damper to vary the first aperture based on a first comparison of the first desired temperature and the first actual temperature, directs the second damper to vary the second aperture based on a second comparison of the second desired temperature and the second actual temperature, and directs the third damper to vary the at least one vent based on a third comparison of the frozen food desired temperature and the frozen food actual temperature.
27. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 23 wherein:
- the refrigeration system comprises a variable speed compressor, and
- the control circuitry varies a rate of the variable speed compressor in order to facilitate maintaining the first compartment at the first desired temperature, the second compartment at the second desired temperature, and the frozen food area at the frozen food desired temperature.
28. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 27 wherein the first, second, and third mechanisms are dampers.
29. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 27 further comprising:
- a first sensor in electrical communication with the control circuitry and operative to measure a first actual temperature of the first compartment and provide a first signal representative of the first actual temperature to the control circuitry; and
- a second sensor in electrical communication with the control circuitry and operative to measure a second actual temperature of the second compartment and provide a second signal representative of the second actual temperature to the control circuitry; and
- a third sensor in electrical communication with the control circuitry and operative to measure a frozen food actual temperature of the frozen food area and provide a third signal representative of the frozen food actual temperature to the control circuitry.
30. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 29 wherein the control circuitry varies a rate of the variable speed compressor based on a first comparison of the first desired temperature and the first actual temperature, a second comparison of the second desired temperature and the second actual temperature, and a third comparison of the frozen food desired temperature and the frozen food actual temperature.
31. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 30 wherein the first, second, and third mechanisms are dampers.
32. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 31 wherein the control circuitry varies a rate of the variable speed compressor based on a first comparison of the first desired temperature and the first actual temperature, a second comparison of the second desired temperature and the second actual temperature, and a third comparison of the frozen food desired temperature and the frozen food actual temperature.
33. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 31 wherein the control circuitry directs the first damper to vary the first aperture based on a first comparison of the first desired temperature and the first actual temperature, directs the second damper to vary the second aperture based on a second comparison of the second desired temperature and the second actual temperature, and directs the third damper to vary the at least one vent based on a third comparison of the frozen food desired temperature and the frozen food actual temperature.
34. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 33 wherein the control circuitry varies the rate of the variable speed compressor based on the first comparison, the second comparison, and the third comparison.
35. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 34 further comprising:
- a control panel operatively connected to the control circuitry,
- wherein the control panel is configured to accept a first input representative of the first desired temperature, a second input representative of the second desired temperature, and a third input representative of the frozen food desired temperature.
36. A refrigeration apparatus comprising:
- a generally rectangular area defined by two side walls, a back wall, a top wall, a base, and a door; and
- a device attached to an inside surface of the top wall for producing an air curtain,
- wherein the device expels air downward toward the base when the door is opened.
37. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 36 further comprising a refrigeration system in fluid communication with the generally rectangular area.
38. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 36 further comprising a water filter attached to the air curtain device.
39. A rack suspended from an underside of a shelf for supporting at least one container, the rack comprising:
- a back support attached to the underside of the shelf having a vertical support and a horizontal flange, the vertical support and the horizontal flange having at least one first curve, wherein the vertical support and the horizontal flange are constructed to receive a bottom of the container at the first curve; and
- a front support attached to the underside at at least one connection point and having at least one second curve, the second curve opposite the first curve and constructed to receive a portion of the container,
- wherein the front support is adapted to pivot at the connection point such that the front support may be attached horizontally to the underside of the shelf and stored.
40. The rack of claim 39 wherein the front support is constructed from a wire.
41. The rack of claim 39 wherein the vertical support and the horizontal flange include a plurality of first curves, and the front support includes a plurality of second curves opposite the first curves, wherein each set of corresponding first and second curves is configured to receive the container.
42. A bin attached to a refrigerator door for storing a plurality of items, the bin comprising:
- a back portion attached to the refrigerator door and configured to store a first set of the items, the back portion comprising a support structure; and
- a front portion configured to store a second set of the items, the front portion adapted to be maintained in position on the support structure but removable therefrom,
- wherein the front portion may be separated from the back portion by vertically lifting the hollow portion away from the support structure.
43. A dairy bin for a refrigerator comprising:
- a first side support;
- a cover comprising a first cover end and a first plurality of gear teeth attached to the first cover end, wherein the first cover end is pivotally attached to the first side support such that the cover is able to rotate in a generally cylindrical manner; and
- a tray comprising a first tray end, the first tray end being slideable such that the tray is able to slide forward and backward in a generally horizontal manner, wherein the first tray end defines a first plurality of slots in which respective of said gear teeth are received.
44. The dairy bin of claim 43 wherein clockwise rotation of the cover relative to the first side support causes the first plurality of gear teeth to engage the first plurality of slots such that the tray horizontally slides left relative to the first side support.
45. The dairy bin of claim 43 wherein counterclockwise rotation of the cover in relation to the first side support causes the first plurality of gear teeth to retreat from the first plurality of slots such that the tray slides right relative to the first side support.
46. The dairy bin of claim 43 wherein movement of the tray in a direction to the right relative to the side support effects the first plurality of gear teeth to retreat from the first plurality of slots such that the cover rotates counterclockwise relative to the first side support.
47. The dairy bin of claim 43 wherein movement of the tray in a direction to the left relative to the side support effects the first plurality of gear teeth to engage the first plurality of slots such that the cover rotates clockwise relative to the first side support.
48. The dairy bin of claim 43 wherein the first side support is attached to an interior of a door of the refrigerator.
49. The dairy bin of claim 43 further comprising a second side support opposite the first side support, wherein the cover comprises a second cover end opposite the first cover end pivotally attached to the second side support such that the cover is able to rotate in a generally cylindrical manner, and the tray is slideable such that the tray is able to slide forward and backward in a generally horizontal manner.
50. The dairy bin of claim 49 wherein the second cover end comprises a second plurality of gear teeth, and the second tray end defines a second plurality of slots corresponding to the second plurality of gear teeth.
51. The dairy bin of claim 49 wherein the first and second supports are attached to an interior of a door of the refrigerator.
52. The dairy bin of claim 49 wherein the first and second supports are integral parts of a door of the refrigerator.
53. A refrigeration apparatus comprising:
- an ice maker; and
- an ice bin located underneath the ice maker,
- wherein a portion of a top surface of the ice bin defines a ledge for supporting a container.
54. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 53 further comprising:
- a freezer compartment containing the ice maker and ice bin;
- a refrigeration system comprising at least one port for supplying cold air to the freezer compartment, wherein the at least one port is proximate the ledge such that a temperature of the air above the ledge is lower than a temperature of the surrounding air.
55. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 53 further comprising a shelf located on the ledge.
56. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 55 wherein the shelf is removable.
57. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 56 wherein the shelf is L-shaped.
58. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 54 wherein a removable L-shaped shelf is located on the ledge.
59. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 54 wherein:
- the freezer compartment is defined by a plurality of walls;
- a first of the plurality of walls, a second of the plurality of walls, and the ice maker define a generally narrow space; and
- a curved support attached to the ice bin extends into the generally narrow space, wherein the curved support is configured to support a generally narrow container.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 29, 2008
Publication Date: Nov 6, 2008
Inventors: Edward P. Wuesthoff (San Antonio, TX), Dongning Wang (Qingdao)
Application Number: 12/022,024
International Classification: F25D 11/02 (20060101); F25B 1/00 (20060101); A47F 5/08 (20060101); A47B 96/00 (20060101); F25C 5/18 (20060101);