APPLIANCE VENT

Abstract

A vent for a domestic appliance may comprise a through hole in an adjacent wall for increasing airflow to and/or from heat-generating or heat-dissipating components of a refrigerator or other type of appliance. An appliance vent may include a conduit installed through a wall, ceiling, floor, and/or cabinet to provide communication to an adjacent room or space, where warmer air may be ejected or from where cooler air may be drawn. An appliance vent may include vent louvers, acoustic baffles, or an adjustable shutter plate to adjust airflow through the vent. Sound dampening material may be placed within the through hole and/or conduit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a nonprovisional patent application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/118,077, filed Feb. 19, 2015, and titled “APPLIANCE VENT,” to which this application claims priority, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a vent for domestic appliances.

2. Description of Related Art

Domestic appliances are found in nearly all homes, many businesses, and are used nearly every day. Domestic appliances may generally include refrigerators, freezers, water coolers, and other large machines that carry out a particular task such as washing, heating, cooling, cooking and the like. Domestic appliances may be found in households and industrial or commercial settings.

Domestic appliances may have one or more heat-generating or heat-dissipating components. For example, refrigerators commonly have a compressor and condenser coils that generate and/or dissipate heat, which may be at the rear of the appliance. Other common domestic appliances comprise various components that likewise dissipate or vent heat. Typically, condenser coils or other heat-dissipating components are intended to undergo convective cooling by movement of ambient air around the rear of the appliance.

Some refrigerators or other domestic appliances are installed within cabinetry or other tight-fitting enclosures where the heat-generating or heat-dissipating components may not receive adequate ventilation due to restricted air-flow. As a result, those components and the appliances themselves may remain at temperatures higher than intended for efficient and/or safe operation of the appliance. Over time, such elevated temperatures may cause inefficient operation of the appliances, unnecessary and/or increased mechanical stress on various appliance components, and increased component failure rates.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, an appliance vent is disclosed. The appliance vent has a vent plate installed on a barrier adjacent to an appliance and a conduit passing through the barrier. The conduit provides communication from the appliance to the vent plate.

In another embodiment, a vent for an appliance is disclosed. The vent for an appliance has a hole passing through an enclosure and a conduit in the hole. The enclosure is at least partially housing the appliance.

In another embodiment, a method for providing ventilation to an appliance in an enclosure is disclosed. The method includes cutting a hole through the enclosure adjacent to the appliance and positioning a conduit in the hole to provide communication between the appliance and a space adjacent to the enclosure.

The present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description, and any preferred or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only so that this disclosure will be thorough, and fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cutaway view of an assembled domestic appliance vent installed within a wall according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cutaway exploded view of components of a domestic appliance vent according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates the front of a vent plate according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates the rear of a vent plate according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cutaway exploded diagram of components of a domestic appliance vent having a conduit tube according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary application of a domestic appliance vent according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary application of a domestic appliance with a toe kick vent and a vertical vent according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 depicts a vertical vent conduit according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 depicts a toe kick vent assembly according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 depicts a toe kick vent according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 depicts an air return vent according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 depicts an appliance ventilation kit according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13A depicts a shutter plate cover according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 13B depicts a shutter plate according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, reference is made to exemplary embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the concepts disclosed herein, and it is to be understood that modifications to the various disclosed embodiments may be made, and other embodiments may be utilized, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” “one example,” or “an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatus, components, and/or techniques for providing airflow to and/or from a domestic appliance. Commonly such appliances are installed within complete or partial enclosures including walls, cabinets, or other types of barriers. Embodiments of the present disclosure include ventilation conduit passing through such barriers through which to vent hot air and/or allow ingress of cooler air from outside the enclosure. In embodiments, the barriers may include walls, cabinets, ceiling, or other types of enclosures in which appliances are partially or fully housed. Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a domestic appliance vent 100 is adapted to ventilate a space for a consumer refrigerator. In embodiments, vent 100 comprises a conduit 110. In an embodiment, conduit 110 is adapted to pass through a wall 115 beside or behind the refrigerator. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the conduit 110 comprises a cylindrical tube segment. In other embodiments, conduit 110 comprises the cross sectional shape of an oval, a square, a rectangle, various other shapes, or various combinations thereof.

Embodiments of vent 100 comprise louvers 120. As depicted in FIG. 1, Louvers 120 are situated at both ends of conduit 110. In alternative embodiments, louvers 120 are at only one end of conduit 110. In other embodiments, louvers are located elsewhere within conduit 110.

Embodiments of vent 100 comprise vent plates 130, 135. Vent plates 130, 135 may secure vent 100 to walls 115 via typical fasteners such as screws, nails or other types of wall anchors. In an embodiment, vent plate 130 is installed on the side of wall 115 at a domestic appliance and vent plate 135 is installed on the side of wall 115 in an adjacent room. In the present disclosure, vent plate 130 may be referred to as the internal vent plate, and the side at which it is installed may be referred to as the internal side of vent 100. Conversely, vent plate 135 may be referred to as the external vent plate, and the side at which it is installed may be referred to as the external side. Thus, the internal vent is closest to the appliance.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, embodiments of vent 100 comprise an assembly of multiple component parts to allow for installation from either or both sides of wall 115. In the embodiment depicted, conduit 110 comprises a cylindrical segment. In embodiments, conduit 110 secures to vent plates 130, 135 by friction fit between an internal rim 112, 114 of each vent and an inward facing surface of conduit 110. Vent plates 130, 135 and conduit 110 may be installed by inserting conduit 110 into a hole of appropriate size in wall 115 then pushing each vent plate 130, 135 toward conduit 110 until adequately seated therein.

In other embodiments, conduit segments secure to each other by various other means, including, but not limited to, adhesive, snaps, magnetic attraction, tongue and groove connectors, hook and loop fasteners, pins and holes, traditional hardware fasteners, and the like.

In operation, vent 100 can be installed behind a refrigerator or other domestic appliance where increased air flow may lower ambient temperatures around heat-generating or heat-dissipating components. A hole can be cut through the wall behind the appliance, the hole having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of conduit 110. In embodiments, the hole is cut through the wall at a location near the floor, for example adjacent to the compressor and/or condenser coils of a refrigerator.

Referring to FIG. 5, one embodiment of a domestic appliance vent 500 comprises vent plates 510, 515 and tube conduit 520. Each vent plate 510, 515 can fit with tube conduit 520 by an interference fit. In this example embodiment, each vent plate 510, 515 component can be interchangeable with each other. Vent 500 may be installed by behind a refrigerator or other domestic appliance where venting may lower ambient temperatures around heat-generating or heat-dissipating components. Embodiments of the present disclosure can include an insert 530 placed within conduit 520. In embodiments, insert 530 is a sound absorbing and/or fire resistant component. In one embodiment, insert 530 is manufactured from recycled, tightly-woven cotton fiber having a cuboid shape having a width approximately equivalent to or slightly greater than the diameter of conduit 520. One embodiment of insert 530 has a thickness of approximately ¾ inch. In this embodiment, insert 530 may be wedged into place within conduit 520. In other embodiments, an insert has a cross sectional shape approximately equivalent to or slightly greater than the cross sectional shape of the conduit, and thus may provide a complete or near-complete closure of conduit 520. It is to be understood that the insert may allow airflow while providing a sound dampening effect within the conduit 520. The insert may be manufactured from various types of acoustical and/or fire-resistant materials. In other embodiments, baffles may be used in conjunction with or in place of insert 530.

To install appliance vent 500, a hole can be cut through the wall behind the appliance, the hole having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of tube conduit 520. In embodiments, the hole is cut through the wall at a location near the floor, for example adjacent to the compressor and/or condenser coils of a refrigerator. Tube conduit 520 may then be inserted into the hole. Insert 530 may be placed with conduit 520. Vent plates 510, 515 may be inserted into the hole and pressed against tube conduit 520, forming a friction fit between each vent plate 510, 515 and tube conduit 520, to complete installation.

In other embodiments, acoustic plates are longitudinally disposed within a conduit. Acoustic plates are lined with a sound dampening material that may attenuate sound from the appliance. In one embodiment, a fan is placed within the conduit or within or at a vent wall plate to increase airflow from the appliance. In other embodiments, air is drawn passively through a conduit.

Referring now to FIG. 6, installed vents for a refrigerator 600 are shown. Fridge includes an air intake 630, which may draw relatively cool air toward the heat exchanger 620. Embodiments of the present disclosure include horizontal vent 610 and/or vertical vent 640. Vents 610, 640 are adapted to draw relatively hot air away from heat-generating or heat-dissipating components of refrigerator 600. Vent 610 provides fluid communication from heat exchanger 620 to an adjacent room 650. Vent 640 comprises a conduit installed vertically within the wall behind the refrigerator 600 that is adapted to vent heat from the appliance to a space above cabinets 605. Other embodiments include a vertical vent adapted to vent heat to a roof vent, an attic vent, or other spaces above the refrigerator 600. In one embodiment, a vent conduit communicates with an air return of an HVAC system.

FIG. 7 depicts a ventilation system installed for refrigerator 700. As shown, cool air 710 may be drawn through toe kick vent 720 and conduit 730 toward a heat dissipating component 705 of refrigerator 700. In embodiments, a fan of refrigerator 700 pulls the cool air 710 through toe kick vent 720 and conduit 730. As the warmer air rises, cool air 710 continues to be drawn through toe kick vent 720 and conduit 730. Hot air may rise and pass through vertical conduit 740, exiting therefrom at 750 above cabinet 760. FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of vertical conduit 740. FIG. 9 depicts one embodiment of toe kick vent 720, conduit 730, and vent 725. FIG. 10 depicts a toe kick vent 720 installed on a toe kick strip 1000 below a kitchen cabinet. In some embodiments, a conduit can direct warm air from behind an appliance to a vent above the appliance. In other embodiments, ventilation assemblies can provider other types of venting. For example, FIG. 11 depicts an air return vent 1100 installed in a wall. In one embodiment, vent 1100 can be installed above an interior door to provide an air return to/from a room where the door may be closed.

In operation, embodiments of the present disclosure may increase airflow in and around a domestic appliance, thereby reducing operating temperatures, increasing component longevity, increasing efficiency, and allowing tighter enclosures around the appliance for improved visual design of kitchen cabinetry. Various combinations of the types of vents, vent plates, conduits, and installation locations may be utilized and fall under the scope of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 12, embodiments of the present disclosure include kits including various vents 1200, 1205, conduit 1210, 1214, 1218, fasteners 1220, and one or more sound-dampening inserts 1230. The length of conduit, the sizes of vent plates and inserts, and the types of fasteners may be customized for the intended installation parameters, such as wall thickness, height of cavity through which the conduit will pass, type and/or location of appliance, and other factors.

Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, in embodiments, an adjustable restriction shutter plate 1300 having a slidable relationship with a shutter plate cover 1310 may allow a person to select a desired level of ventilation air flow and optimal sound dampening. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 13A and 13B, shutter plate 1300 can clip behind shutter plate cover 1310 and slide vertically as a person moves lever 1320. Lever 1320 may be installed on the vent plate that is accessible to people; i.e., in an adjacent room behind the appliance. In one embodiment, the shutter plate 1300 is mechanically actuated and controlled by a microcontroller or similar computing device to automate optimization of airflow. In other embodiments, alternative assemblies may be used to restrict airflow and/or dampen noise as desired.

Although the present disclosure is described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, including embodiments that do not provide all of the benefits and features set forth herein, which are also within the scope of this disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An appliance vent comprising:

a vent plate installed on a barrier adjacent to an appliance and

a conduit passing through the barrier and providing communication from the appliance to the vent plate.

2. The appliance vent of claim 1, further comprising a sound-dampening insert within the conduit.

3. The appliance vent of claim 1, further comprising a filter within the appliance vent.

4. The appliance vent of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises a wall.

5. The appliance vent of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises a ceiling.

6. The appliance vent of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises a cabinet.

7. The appliance vent of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises a floor.

8. The appliance vent of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable shutter within the conduit.

9. A vent for an appliance comprising:

a hole passing through an enclosure that is at least partially housing the appliance and

a conduit in the hole.

10. The vent of claim 9, further comprising a vent plate in communication with the conduit.

11. The vent of claim 9, further comprising a sound-dampening insert within the conduit.

12. The vent of claim 9, further comprising an air filter within the vent.

13. The appliance vent of claim 9, wherein the enclosure comprises a wall.

14. The appliance vent of claim 9, wherein the enclosure comprises a ceiling.

15. The appliance vent of claim 9, wherein the enclosure comprises a cabinet.

16. The appliance vent of claim 9, wherein the enclosure comprises a floor.

17. The vent of claim 9, further comprising an adjustable shutter within the conduit.

18. A method for providing ventilation to an appliance in an enclosure, comprising:

cutting a hole through the enclosure adjacent to the appliance and

positioning a conduit in the hole to provide communication between the appliance and a space adjacent to the enclosure.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising installing a vent plate in the space adjacent to the enclosure at the hole.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising placing a sound-dampening insert within the conduit.