ICE MAKING ASSEMBLY CLEAR ICE TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Abstract

A refrigerator appliance includes an ice making assembly. The ice maker is configured to generate ice. The refrigerator appliance includes a controller positioned within the cabinet. A method of operating the refrigerator appliance includes the controller receiving a size setting of a mold assembly within a freezer chamber, adjusting a temperature setpoint of the freezer chamber in response to the received size setting, where the temperature set point is based on the received size setting, and performing an ice making operation at the adjusted temperature setpoint. As a result, the ice making assembly produces clear ice at the received size setting of the mold assembly.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to ice making appliances, and more particularly to controlling the temperature of ice making appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ice makers, or ice making appliances, are commonly provided as stand-alone appliances, or may be incorporated within larger refrigerator appliances used to store food items in both commercial and residential applications. Typically, such ice making appliances are configured for the bulk production of ice where e.g., multiple pieces of ice are used to cool the same beverage or used to cool other food items.

Some consumers may prefer a particular size or shape of ice for certain beverages and may prefer another size or shape for other beverages. Typical ice makers, however, only produce one shape or size of ice cube. For example, conventional ice making assemblies only offer one style of ice cube. Moreover, ice formed by said conventional ice makers may be cloudy, which may be undesirable for consumers. In clear ice formation processes, dissolved solids typically found within water, e.g., tap water, are separated out and essentially pure water freezes to form the clear ice. The formation process may further include controlling the rate of freezing to reduce trapping dissolved solids within the forming ice.

Accordingly, a refrigerator appliance that obviates one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks would be beneficial. In particular, a method of operating a refrigerator appliance including an ice maker appliance that overcomes one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks would be beneficial and advantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In one example aspect of the present disclosure, a method of operating a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that includes a freezer chamber, a temperature sensor mounted within the freezer chamber, and an ice making assembly provided within the freezer chamber. The ice making assembly includes an ice maker defining a top side, a bottom side, a front side, and a back side. The ice maker is configured to generate ice, and the ice making assembly receives a mold assembly. The refrigerator appliance also includes a controller positioned within the cabinet. The method includes the controller receiving a size setting of the mold assembly within the freezer chamber, adjusting a temperature setpoint of the freezer chamber in response to the received size setting, where the temperature set point is based on the received size setting, and performing an ice making operation at the adjusted temperature setpoint. The ice making assembly produces clear ice at the received size setting of the mold assembly.

In another example aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet including a freezer chamber, and an ice making assembly provided within the freezing chamber. The ice making assembly includes an ice maker defining a top side, a bottom side, a front side, and a back side. The ice maker is configured to generate ice, and the ice making assembly receives a mold assembly. The refrigerator appliance also includes a controller positioned within the cabinet. The controller is configured to receive a size setting of the mold assembly within the freezer chamber, adjust a temperature setpoint of the freezer chamber in response to the received size setting, where the temperature set point is based on the received size setting, and perform an ice making operation at the adjusted temperature setpoint. As a result, the ice making assembly produces clear ice at the received size setting of the mold assembly.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A 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 figures.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a refrigerator appliance according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 provides a front view of the example refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1 with refrigerator and freezer doors in an open position.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of an ice making assembly according to example aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 provides a detail, sectional view of an icebox and an ice making assembly according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of the example ice making assembly of FIG. 4 with a mold assembly installed, according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of the example ice making assembly of FIG. 4 with a mold assembly removed, according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 7 provides a flow chart illustrating an example method of operating a refrigerator appliance according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the 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 various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with 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.

As used herein, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The phrase “in one embodiment,” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. The terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative flow direction with respect to fluid flow in a fluid pathway. For example, “upstream” refers to the flow direction from which the fluid flows, and “downstream” refers to the flow direction to which the fluid flows.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a refrigerator appliance 100 according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter. Refrigerator appliance 100 includes a cabinet or housing 102 that extends between a top 104 and a bottom 106 along a vertical direction V, between a first side 108 and a second side 110 along a lateral direction L, and between a front side 112 and a rear side 114 along a transverse direction T. Each of the vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular to one another.

Housing 102 defines chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. In particular, housing 102 defines fresh food chamber 122 positioned at or adjacent top 104 of housing 102 and a freezer chamber 124 arranged at or adjacent bottom 106 of housing 102. As such, refrigerator appliance 100 is generally referred to as a bottom mount refrigerator. It is recognized, however, that the benefits of the present disclosure apply to other types and styles of refrigerator appliances such as, e.g., a top mount refrigerator appliance or a side-by-side style refrigerator appliance. Consequently, the description set forth herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting in any aspect to any particular refrigerator chamber configuration.

Refrigerator doors 128 are rotatably hinged to an edge of housing 102 for selectively accessing fresh food chamber 122. Similarly, freezer doors 130 are rotatably hinged to an edge of housing 102 for selectively accessing freezer chamber 124. To prevent leakage of cool air, refrigerator doors 128, freezer doors 130, or housing 102 may define one or more sealing mechanisms (e.g., rubber gaskets, not shown) at the interface where the doors 128, 130 meet housing 102. Refrigerator doors 128 and freezer doors 130 are shown in the closed configuration in FIG. 1 and in the open configuration in FIG. 2. It should be appreciated that doors having a different style, position, or configuration are possible and within the scope of the present subject matter.

Refrigerator appliance 100 also includes a dispensing assembly 132 for dispensing liquid water or ice. Dispensing assembly 132 includes a dispenser 134 positioned on or mounted to an exterior portion of refrigerator appliance 100, e.g., on one of refrigerator doors 128. For example, dispensing assembly 132 may be positioned on any one or more of refrigerator doors 128 and/or freezer doors 130. Dispenser 134 includes a discharging outlet 136 for accessing ice and liquid water. An actuating mechanism 138, shown as a paddle, is mounted below discharging outlet 136 for operating dispenser 134. In alternative example embodiments, any suitable actuating mechanism may be used to operate dispenser 134. For example, dispenser 134 can include a sensor (such as an ultrasonic sensor) or a button rather than the paddle. A control panel 140 is provided for controlling the mode of operation. For example, control panel 140 includes a plurality of user inputs (not labeled), such as a water dispensing button and an ice-dispensing button, for selecting a desired mode of operation such as crushed or non-crushed ice.

Discharging outlet 136 and actuating mechanism 138 are an external part of dispenser 134 and are mounted in a dispenser recess 142. Dispenser recess 142 may be positioned at a predetermined elevation convenient for a user to access ice or water, e.g., the user may access ice without bending-over and without opening refrigerator doors 128. In the example embodiment, dispenser recess 142 is generally positioned at a level that approximates the chest level of a user.

Refrigerator appliance 100 further includes a controller 144. Operation of the refrigerator appliance 100 is regulated by controller 144 that is operatively coupled to or in operative communication with control panel 140. In one example embodiment, control panel 140 may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In another example embodiment, control panel 140 may include input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical, or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, touch pads, or touch screens. Control panel 140 may be in communication with controller 144 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. Control panel 140 provides selections for user manipulation of the operation of refrigerator appliance 100. In response to user manipulation of the control panel 140, controller 144 operates various components of refrigerator appliance 100. For example, controller 144 is operatively coupled or in communication with various components of a sealed system, as discussed below.

In general, controller 144 may also be in communication with a variety of sensors, such as, for example, freezer temperature sensor 300 or other example temperature sensors. Controller 144 may receive signals from these temperature sensors that correspond to the temperature of an atmosphere or air within their respective locations, e.g., freezer temperature sensor 300 may measure and indicate a freezer temperature within freezer chamber 124. Accordingly, controller 144 may generally control the freezer temperature within freezer chamber 124 based on the measured freezer temperature from freezer temperature sensor 300 or other factors, as will be explained below.

In some embodiments, controller 144 includes memory and one or more processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs, or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of refrigerator appliance 100. The memory can represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. The processor executes programming instructions stored in the memory. The memory can be a separate component from the processor or can be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 144 may be constructed without using a microprocessor (e.g., using a combination of discrete analog or digital logic circuitry; such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like; to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software).

FIG. 2 provides a front view of refrigerator appliance 100 with refrigerator doors 128 and freezer doors 130 shown in an open position. According to the illustrated embodiment, various storage components are mounted within fresh food chamber 122 and freezer chamber 124 to facilitate storage of food items therein as will be understood by those skilled in the art. In particular, the storage components include bins 146, drawers 148, and shelves 150 that are mounted within fresh food chamber 122 or freezer chamber 124. Bins 146, drawers 148, and shelves 150 are configured for receipt of food items (e.g., beverages or solid food items) and may assist with organizing such food items. As an example, drawers 148 can receive fresh food items (e.g., vegetables, fruits, or cheeses) and increase the useful life of such fresh food items.

As would be understood by one of skill in the art, refrigerator appliance 100 generally includes a sealed refrigeration system (not shown). In general, the sealed refrigeration system may be in thermal communication with housing 102 to remove heat from freezer chamber 124. The sealed refrigeration system may, for example, include components such as compressors, condensers, throttling devices, and evaporators. For example, an evaporator (not shown) may, for example, be in thermal communication with housing 102 in order to remove heat from within refrigerator appliance 100.

In general, the operation of the sealed system includes refrigerant exiting the evaporator as a fluid in the form of a superheated vapor or vapor mixture. Upon exiting the evaporator, the refrigerant enters a compressor (not shown) wherein the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant are increased such that the refrigerant becomes a superheated vapor. The superheated vapor from the compressor enters a condenser (not shown) wherein energy is transferred therefrom and condenses into a saturated liquid or liquid vapor mixture. This fluid exits the condenser and may travel through a throttling device (not shown) that is configured for regulating a flow rate of refrigerant therethrough. Upon exiting the throttling device, the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant drop at which time the refrigerant enters the evaporator and the cycle repeats itself. In certain example embodiments, the throttling device may be a capillary tube. Notably, in some embodiments, the sealed system may additionally include fans (not shown) for facilitating heat transfer to/from the condenser and the evaporator, such as transferring heat from freezer chamber 124.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example embodiment of an ice making assembly 200 as may be used in refrigerator appliance 100 or another appliance configuration (including a dedicated ice making appliance) as discussed above. In general, ice making assembly 200 may be one of two or more ice making assemblies within refrigerator appliance 100. For example, ice making assembly 200 may be located in lower freezer chamber 124 (as shown in FIG. 2). An ice bin 202 may generally be included for the collection of ice generated by ice maker 204. Additionally or alternatively, refrigerator appliance 100 may include more than one ice making assemblies, e.g., refrigerator appliance 100 may include another ice making assembly (not shown) positioned within fresh food chamber 122. The additional ice making assembly may be configured to operate independently from ice making assembly 200. In some example embodiments, a dispensing assembly may be mounted to freezer doors 130 and may be operably coupled to ice making assembly 200 for dispensing ice. In other example embodiments, a second ice making assembly (not shown) may be coupled to dispensing assembly 132.

For example, ice making assembly 200 may include an ice maker 204. In general, ice maker 204 may be defined between a top side 205, a bottom side 206, a front side 207, and a back side 208. In general, controller 144 may be in operable communication with ice maker 204, such that controller 144 may control the generation of ice from ice maker 204. Ice maker 204 may generally include components such as a mold body (e.g., resilient mold 260, FIG. 4) that defines a chamber or cavity (e.g., mold cavity 262, FIG. 4) in which liquid (e.g., water) may be supplied to form ice shapes (such as a crescent, sphere, block, cubed, etc.). It should be understood that the examples given herein and shown in the figures are not limiting, and that any suitably shaped ice mold may be implemented to form a wide variety of ice shapes. Additionally or alternatively, any suitable number of ice shape volumes may be implemented, and the disclosure is not limited to the examples given herein.

The current example embodiment of ice making assembly 200 includes an ice detection arm assembly 210. In general, ice detection arm assembly 210 may include one or more arms configured to detect a full ice level condition of ice bin 202. In particular, the present example embodiment illustrates ice detection arm assembly 210 with two (2) arms, first arm 214 and second arm 216. In general, first arm 214 may be rotatably coupled to bottom side 206 of ice maker 204. For example, first arm 214 may be hinged to bottom side 206 of ice maker 204 such that first arm 214 may rotate around a vertical axis VA, such as rotating first arm 214 in a plane defined by the lateral direction L and the transverse direction T. In general, first arm 214 may be in signal communication with controller 144. In particular, first arm 214 may rotate to engage a switch (not shown) connected to controller 144. For example, in response to first arm 214 being engaged/rotated, e.g., rotated by ice accumulating within ice bin 202, the switch may be engaged and controller 144 may pause the generation of ice in order to reduce the overflow of ice from ice bin 202.

In general, second arm 216 may be mounted to ice maker 204 via a mounting bracket 212. Mounting bracket 212 may be generally coupled to ice maker 204 at top side 205 of ice maker 204. In general, second arm 216 may be rotatably coupled to mounting bracket 212, and may be configured to rotate around a lateral axis LA, such as rotating second arm 216 in a plane defined by the vertical direction V and the transverse direction T. In general, second arm 216 may rotate by contacting ice accumulating within ice bin 202. As such, second arm 216 may rotate and engage with first arm 214, e.g., second arm 216 may engage a contact side 215 of first arm 214, thereby rotating first arm 214 as second arm 216 rotates around the lateral axis LA. Accordingly, second arm 216 may engage first arm 214, thereby engaging the switch to signal controller 144 to pause the generation of ice from ice maker 204.

It should be appreciated that ice making assembly 200 is described herein only for the purpose of explaining aspects of the present subject matter. Variations and modifications may be made to ice making assembly 200 while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter. For example, ice detection arm assembly 210 is provided by way of example only, and other example embodiments may omit ice detection arm assembly 210 while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure, e.g., ice making assembly 200 may have any other suitable configuration.

Referring generally to FIGS. 4-6, ice making assembly 200 includes a resilient mold 260 (FIG. 4) that defines a mold cavity 262 (FIG. 4). In general, resilient mold 260 is positioned below a water supply spout 250 for receiving a gravity-assisted flow of water from water supply spout 250. Resilient mold 260 may be constructed from any suitably resilient material that may be deformed to release the ice after formation. For example, according to the illustrated embodiment, resilient mold 260 is formed from silicone or another suitable hydrophobic, food-grade, and resilient material.

Additionally, ice making assembly 200 may include a mold support 220 which is configured to hold resilient mold 260 within ice making assembly 200 for freezing the water within mold cavities 262 to form one or more ice pieces. In some example embodiments, mold support 220 may generally be a heat exchanger, such as through conductive and/or convective heat transfer. For example, some embodiments may include mold support contacting resilient mold 260, whereby heat transfer from mold support 220 is via conduction. In additional or alternative example embodiments, mold support 220 may be positioned at least two millimeters (2 mm) apart from resilient mold 260. Specifically, according to the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, mold support 220 is formed from plastic and is positioned about two millimeters (2 mm) below a bottom (not labeled) of resilient mold 260. It should be appreciated that as used herein, terms of approximation, such as “approximately,” “substantially,” or “about,” refer to being within a ten percent margin of error.

According to the illustrated embodiment, resilient mold 260 defines five (5) mold cavities 262, each being shaped and oriented for forming a separate ice piece. In this regard, for example, water supply spout 250 is configured for refilling resilient mold 260 to a level above a divider wall (not shown) within resilient mold 260 such that the water overflows into mold cavities 262 evenly. According to still other embodiments, water supply spout 250 could have a dedicated discharge nozzle positioned over each mold cavity 262. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that according to alternative embodiments, ice making assembly 200 may be scaled to form any suitable number of ice pieces, e.g., by decreasing or increasing the number of mold cavities 262 defined by resilient mold 260. As such, it should be appreciated that according to alternative embodiments, ice making assembly 200 may be scaled to form any suitable volume of ice pieces, e.g., by decreasing or increasing the volume of mold cavities 262 defined by resilient mold 260.

Referring generally to FIG. 4, ice making assembly 200 may include a drive mechanism 276 which is operably coupled to lifter mechanism 240 to selectively raise lifter mechanism 240 to discharge the formed ice pieces during operation. Specifically, according to the illustrated embodiment, drive mechanism 276 includes a drive motor (not shown). As used herein, “motor” may refer to any suitable drive motor and/or transmission assembly for rotating a system component. For example, the motor may be a brushless DC electric motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable type or configuration of motor. Alternatively, for example, the motor may be an AC motor, an induction motor, a permanent magnet synchronous motor, or any other suitable type of AC motor. In addition, the motor may include any suitable transmission assemblies, clutch mechanisms, or other components. The motor may be mechanically coupled to a rotating cam 280. Lifter mechanism 240, or more specifically lifter arm 242, may ride against rotating cam 280 such that the profile of rotating cam 280 causes lifter mechanism 240 move between the lowered position and the raised position as the motor rotates rotating cam 280. In addition, according to an example embodiment, lifter mechanism 240 may include a roller 282 mounted to the lower end of lifter arm 242 for providing a low friction interface between lifter mechanism 240 and rotating cam 280.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a mold assembly 400, e.g., formed of at least resilient mold 260 and mold support 220 of ice making assembly 200, may be removably accommodated within a receiving chamber 350 of a housing 310 of ice making assembly 200. FIG. 5 illustrates mold assembly 400 fully inserted into receiving chamber 350 of ice making assembly 200, and FIG. 6 illustrates mold assembly 400 of ice making assembly 200 fully removed from receiving chamber 350. It should be appreciated that the lifter mechanism 240 may be connected to the housing 310 as opposed to mold assembly 400. For instance, the lifter arm 242, lifter projection 246, and roller axle 284 may be separated from the removable mold assembly 400 and provided within the receiving chamber 350. One or more grooves (not labeled) may be formed in the mold support 220 through which the lifter arm 242 passes when the mold assembly 400 is inserted into the receiving chamber 350 of ice making assembly 200.

According to one example embodiment, such as is described above, the resilient mold 260 may include one or more mold cavities 262. In general, the one or more mold cavities 262 may be predominantly square in shape and may have a flat bottom surface. It should be appreciated that any number of molds having any viable three-dimensional shaped mold cavities 262 may be provided. In this manner, a user may remove a first removable mold assembly 400 having a mold cavity 262 with a first shape and insert a second removable mold assembly 400 having a mold cavity 262 with a second shape. Thus, a different shape of ice may be produced according to a desire of the user. Additionally or alternatively, in this manner, a user may remove a first removable mold assembly 400 having a mold cavity 262 with a first volume of ice (e.g., a first ice piece size) and insert a second removable mold assembly 400 having a mold cavity 262 with a second volume of ice (e.g., a second ice piece size). Thus, a different volume (size) of ice may be produced according to the desire of the user.

Now that the construction of refrigerator appliance 100 and the configuration of controller 144 according to example embodiments have been presented, an example method 700 (FIG. 7) of operating a refrigerator appliance will be described. Referring now to FIG. 7, depicted are steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion. Those of ordinary skill in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will understand that the steps of any of the methods discussed herein can be adapted, rearranged, expanded, omitted, or modified in various ways without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Although the discussion below refers to the example method 700 of operating refrigerator appliance 100, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the example method 700 is applicable to the operation of any suitable refrigerator appliance, such as top mount refrigerators, bottom mount refrigerators, etc. In some example embodiments, the various method steps as disclosed herein may be performed by controller 144 or a separate, dedicated controller.

At (710), method 700 may generally include receiving, at the controller, a size setting of the mold assembly within the freezer chamber. In general, controller 144 may receive a command, such as a user input, indicative of a size setting of mold assembly 400 within freezer chamber 124. For example, as described above refrigerator appliance 100 includes control panel 140 operably coupled to controller 144, where receiving the size setting of mold assembly 400 may include receiving a user input at control panel 140, e.g., a command input by the user into control panel 140, of refrigerator appliance 100. In some additional or alternative example embodiments, controller 144 may be in signal communication with mold assembly 400, such that controller 144 may determine the size setting of mold assembly 400 automatically, such as without a user input at control panel 140.

For example, the size setting of mold assembly 400 may include one or more of a small size setting, a medium size setting, and a large size setting, as will be described below. One of skill in the art would appreciate the small size setting would be smaller than the medium size setting and the large size setting, the medium size setting would be larger than the small size setting but smaller than the large size setting, and the large size setting would be larger than the small size setting and the medium size setting. In particular, each of the respective size settings may correspond to a respective volume of mold cavity 262, such that receiving the size setting of mold assembly 400 includes receiving the size setting indicative of a specified volume of mold cavity 262 in mold assembly 400. For example, a user may input, such as via control panel 140, a numeric value for the ice volume, or may select one of a plurality of predefined volumes corresponding to a size setting, such as thirty milliliters (30 mL) for the small size setting, one hundred and ten milliliters (110 mL) for the medium size setting, or two hundred milliliters (200 mL) for the large size setting, as explained further below.

In particular, each size setting may define a specified volume of mold cavity 262, e.g., the small size setting may indicate a small volume, the medium size setting may indicate a medium volume, and the large size setting may indicate a large volume, etc. For example, the small size setting may indicate a small volume such as between fifteen milliliters (15 mL) and fifty milliliters (50 mL), such as between twenty milliliters (20 mL) and forty milliliters (40 mL), such as between twenty five milliliters (25 mL) and forty five milliliters (45 mL), the medium size setting may indicate a medium volume such as between fifty one milliliters (51 mL) and one hundred and nineteen milliliters (119 mL), such as between sixty milliliters (60 mL) and one hundred and ten milliliters (110 mL), such as between eighty five milliliters (80 mL) and one hundred milliliters (100 mL), and the large size setting may indicate a large volume such as between one hundred and twenty milliliters (120 mL) and four hundred milliliters (400 mL) , such as between one hundred and thirty milliliters (130 ml) and three hundred milliliters (300 ml), such as between one hundred and forty milliliters (140 mL) and two hundred milliliters (200 mL), where the large volume may be between two times (2x) and ten times (10x), such as between four times (4x) and nine times (9x), such as between six times (6x) and eight times (8x) larger than the small volume.

At (720), method 700 may generally include adjusting, by the controller, a temperature setpoint of the freezer chamber in response to the received size setting, where the temperature set point is based on the received size setting. In general, the temperature setpoint of freezer chamber 124 is understood to be the desired temperature being provided within freezer chamber 124, e.g., the sealed system, as described above, cools freezer chamber 124 to the temperature setpoint. Furthermore, method 700 may also include controller 144 recording an original temperature setpoint of freezer chamber 124. In particular, controller 144 may record the original temperature setpoint of freezer chamber 124 before adjusting the temperature setpoint of freezer chamber 124 in response to the received size setting. In general, the temperature setpoint of freezer chamber 124, such as the original temperature setpoint may be set by the user, e.g., between negative ten degrees Fahrenheit (-10° F.) and twenty five degrees Fahrenheit (25° F.), such as between negative five degrees Fahrenheit (-5° F.) and twenty degrees Fahrenheit (20° F.), such as between zero degrees Fahrenheit (0° F.) and fifteen degrees Fahrenheit (15° F.).

For example, adjusting the temperature setpoint of freezer chamber 124 in response to the received size setting may include adjusting the temperature setpoint based upon receiving one of the small size setting, the medium size setting, and the large size setting. In other words, the temperature setpoint is adjusted from the original temperature setpoint to a temperature setpoint corresponding to one of the small size setting, the medium size setting, and the large size setting, e.g., according to the size setting received by controller 144. For example, the small size setting may correspond to a temperature setpoint between negative ten degrees Fahrenheit (-10° F.) and zero degrees Fahrenheit (0° F.), the medium size setting may correspond to a temperature setpoint between one degrees Fahrenheit (1° F.) and eleven degrees Fahrenheit (11° F.), and the large size setting may correspond to a temperature setpoint between twelve degrees Fahrenheit (12° F.) and twenty degrees Fahrenheit (20° F.).

In general, the level or speed at which the sealed system operates generally corresponds to a freeze rate of ice (e.g., how quickly ice is formed) within mold assembly 400, e.g., as would be understood by one in the art, faster operation of the fan of the sealed system (e.g., or a fan of ice making assembly 200) may provide chilled air, e.g., cool or cold air, where “cool” or “cold” refers to air having a sufficiently low temperature to freeze water, to produce ice more quickly than slower operation of the fan. As such, the operating speed of the fan of the sealed system, as described above, may be adjusted according to the size setting, e.g., the small size setting and the medium size setting may include operating the fan at a medium level or speed, and the large size setting may include operating the fan at a low level or speed.

At (730), method 700 may generally include performing an ice making operation at the adjusted temperature setpoint, whereby the ice making assembly produces clear ice at the received size setting of the mold assembly. One of skill in the art would appreciate that “clear” ice may be substantially void of impurities, or at least contains less purities than ice produced by traditional ice making assemblies, such as at least about ninety percent (90%) free of impurities and inclusions. In other words, “clear” ice may not be perfectly clear. In general, the ice making operation includes filling mold cavities 262 of resilient mold 260 with water, freezing the water into ice pieces within mold cavities 262, and ejecting the ice from mold cavities 262, such as into ice bin 202. In example embodiments, the ice making operation may be performed at the adjusted temperature setpoint, thus tailoring the rate at which ice forms within mold assembly 400 to the received size setting. As such, by controlling the rate at which water freezes within mold cavities 262, method 700 may advantageously form clear ice. In particular, the production of clear ice is promoted by slowing the formation of the ice in the mold cavities 262. For example, reducing and controlling the cooling capacity of the sealed system and the ice making assembly 200 may slow the rate of ice formation and thus remove impurities from the ice.

In some example embodiments, method 700 may further include terminating the ice making operation, such as in response to controller 144 detecting that ice bin 202 is full. For example, as described above, in response to first arm 214 being engaged/rotated, e.g., rotated by ice accumulating within ice bin 202, the switch may be engaged and controller 144 may terminate the ice making operation in order to reduce or prevent the overflow of ice from ice bin 202. Additionally or alternatively, method 700 may include adjusting the temperature setpoint of the freezer chamber to the original temperature setpoint in response to terminating the ice making operation. In other words, in response to the termination of the ice making operation, which is performed at the adjusted temperature setpoint, controller 144 may revert the temperature setpoint back to the original temperature setpoint, such as before the ice making operation.

In yet some other example embodiments, a user may be storing temperature sensitive foods or items in the freezer chamber 124. As such, method 700 may include controller 144 receiving override command, e.g., via a user input at control panel 140, such as a user selecting a storage mode, whereby performing at least a portion of the ice making operation occurs at the original temperature setpoint of freezer chamber 124 instead of the temperature setpoint corresponding to the received size setting. For example, in response to receiving the override command, the ice making operation steps of filling mold cavities 262 with water and freezing the water into ice pieces within mold cavities 262 may occur at the temperature setpoint corresponding to the received size setting, and the ice making operation step of ejecting the ice from mold cavities 262 may occur at the original temperature setpoint. In an alternative example embodiment, in response to receiving the override command, each of the ice making operation steps may occur at the original temperature setpoint.

In additional or alterative example embodiments, ice making assembly 200 of refrigerator appliance 100 may include an ice maker temperature sensor 360 (FIG. 4), wherein method 700 may include measuring, by ice maker temperature sensor 360, a temperature of ice making assembly 200, such that adjusting the temperature of freezer chamber 124 to the temperature setpoint is based upon the measured temperature of ice making assembly 200, e.g., instead of the temperature of freezer chamber 124 measured by freezer temperature sensor 300. In this example embodiment, freezer temperature sensor 300 may be monitored by controller 144 to ensure the temperature of freezer chamber 124 does not elevate beyond a specified temperature, such as above twenty five degrees Fahrenheit (25° F.).

In one example ice making operation of refrigerator appliance 100, freezer chamber may be set at an original temperature setpoint of negative five degrees Fahrenheit (-5° F.). Controller 144 may then receive a size setting of mold assembly 400 indicating that the mold assembly 400 within freezer chamber 124 is the large size setting, e.g., indicating that mold cavities 262 of resilient mold 260 include a large volume of one hundred and twenty milliliters (120 ml). As such, controller 144 may adjust the temperature setpoint of freezer chamber 124 to twelve degrees Fahrenheit (12° F.) and may additionally adjust the operation of the evaporator and/or the fan of the sealed system to the low speed. Controller 144 may then perform the ice making operation, e.g., filling mold cavities 262 with water and forming ice, at the adjusted temperature setpoint to produce clear ice, wherein ice bin 202 may be filled with clear ice until the ice making operation is terminated and the temperature setpoint is returned to the original setpoint of negative five degrees Fahrenheit (-5° F.).

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of operating a refrigerator appliance, the refrigerator appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the refrigerator appliance comprising a cabinet comprising a freezer chamber, a temperature sensor mounted within the freezer chamber, an ice making assembly provided within the freezing chamber, the ice making assembly comprising an ice maker, the ice maker configured to generate ice, wherein the ice making assembly receives a mold assembly, and a controller positioned within the cabinet of the refrigerator appliance, the method comprising:

receiving, at the controller, a size setting of the mold assembly within freezer chamber;

adjusting, by the controller, a temperature setpoint of the freezer chamber in response to the received size setting, the temperature set point based on the received size setting; and

performing, by the controller, an ice making operation at the adjusted temperature setpoint, whereby the ice making assembly produces clear ice at the received size setting of the mold assembly.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the refrigerator appliance comprises a control panel operably coupled to the controller, wherein receiving the size setting of the mold assembly comprises receiving a user input at the control panel of the refrigerator appliance.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the size setting of the mold assembly comprises one of a small size setting, a medium size setting, and a large size setting, wherein adjusting the temperature setpoint of the freezer chamber in response to the received size setting comprises adjusting the temperature setpoint based upon receiving the one of the small size setting, the medium size setting, and the large size setting.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mold assembly comprises a resilient mold defining a mold cavity, wherein receiving the size setting of the mold assembly comprises receiving the size setting indicative of a volume of the mold cavity.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising recording, by the controller, an original temperature setpoint of the freezer chamber.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising terminating, by the controller, the ice making operation.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising adjusting, by the controller, the temperature setpoint of the freezer chamber to the original temperature setpoint in response to terminating the ice making operation.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising receiving, at the controller, an override command, whereby performing at least a portion of the ice making operation occurs at the original temperature setpoint of the freezer chamber instead of the temperature setpoint of the freezer chamber corresponding to the received size setting.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the ice making assembly of the refrigerator appliance comprises an ice maker temperature sensor, wherein the method further comprises measuring, by the ice maker temperature sensor, a temperature of the ice making assembly, wherein adjusting the temperature setpoint of the freezer chamber comprises adjusting the temperature of the freezer chamber to the temperature setpoint based upon the measured temperature of the ice making assembly.

10. A refrigerator appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the refrigerator appliance comprising:

a cabinet comprising a freezer chamber;

a temperature sensor mounted within the freezer chamber;

an ice making assembly provided within the freezing chamber, the ice making assembly comprising an ice maker, the ice maker configured to generate ice, wherein the ice making assembly receives a removable mold assembly; and

a controller positioned within the cabinet of the refrigerator appliance, the controller configured to: receive a size setting of the mold assembly within the freezer chamber; adjust a temperature setpoint of the freezer chamber in response to the received size setting, the temperature set point based on the received size setting; and perform an ice making operation at the adjusted temperature setpoint, whereby the ice making assembly produces clear ice at the received size setting of the mold assembly.

11. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10, wherein the refrigerator appliance comprises a control panel operably coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to receive the size setting via a user input at the control panel of the refrigerator appliance.

12. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10, wherein the size setting of the mold assembly comprises one of a small size setting, a medium size setting, and a large size setting, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the temperature setpoint based upon receiving the one of the small size setting, the medium size setting, and the large size setting.

13. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10, wherein the mold assembly comprises a resilient mold defining a mold cavity, wherein the controller is configured to receive the size setting indicative of a volume of the mold cavity.

14. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to record an original temperature setpoint of the freezer chamber.

15. The refrigerator appliance of claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to terminate the ice making operation.

16. The refrigerator appliance of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the temperature setpoint of the freezer chamber to the original temperature setpoint in response to terminating the ice making operation.

17. The refrigerator appliance of claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to receive an override command, whereby performing at least a portion of the ice making operation occurs at the original temperature setpoint of the freezer chamber instead of the temperature setpoint of the freezer chamber corresponding to the received size setting.

18. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10, wherein the ice making assembly comprises an ice maker temperature sensor, wherein the controller is further configured to measure, by the ice maker temperature sensor, a temperature of the ice making assembly, wherein adjusting the temperature setpoint of the freezer chamber comprises adjusting the temperature of the freezer chamber to the temperature setpoint based upon the measured temperature of the ice making assembly.