US20260016216A1

US20260016216A1 - Refrigerator appliance and water valve mounting system

Info

Publication number: US20260016216A1
Application number: US18/770,129
Authority: US
Inventors: Luiz Afranio Alves Ferreira; Fabio Clever Hasselmann; Humberto Muñiz González; Luan Olescowc
Original assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Current assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Priority date: 2024-07-11
Filing date: 2024-07-11
Publication date: 2026-01-15

Abstract

A refrigerator includes a cabinet, a water system, and a bracket. The cabinet defines a machine compartment. The water system is configured to receive water from a supply source. The water system has a valve configured to control water flow through the water system. The bracket is secured to the cabinet within the machine compartment. The bracket includes first, second, and third planar sections. The first planar section is pivotably secured to the second planar section via a first hinge. The second planar section is pivotably secured to the third planar section via a second hinge. The first, second, and third planar sections are oriented along the hinges such that the first, second, and third planar sections form an enclosure. The valve is secured to the bracket within the enclosure.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an appliance such as a refrigerator.

BACKGROUND

Refrigerator appliances may include systems that require a water supply. Such systems may be configured to produce ice cubes or to deliver water to a user via a dispensing device.

SUMMARY

A refrigerator includes a cabinet, a water system, and a bracket. The cabinet defines a machine compartment. The water system is configured to receive water from a supply source. The water system has a valve configured to control water flow through the water system. The bracket is secured to the cabinet within the machine compartment. The bracket includes first, second, and third planar sections. The first planar section is pivotably secured to the second planar section via a first hinge. The second planar section is pivotably secured to the third planar section via a second hinge. The first, second, and third planar sections are oriented along the hinges such that the first, second, and third planar sections form an enclosure. The valve is secured to the bracket within the enclosure.
A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet, at least one conduit, a valve, and a bracket. The at least one conduit is secured to the cabinet and is configured to transport water toward a dispenser or an ice maker. The valve is configured to control water flow through the at least one conduit. The bracket is operable to secure the valve to the cabinet. The bracket includes a plurality of sections. Adjacent sections of the plurality of sections are secured to each other via pivots. The plurality sections are orientated along the pivots such that the plurality of sections forms a cage. The valve is secured to the bracket within the cage.
A refrigerator water valve mounting bracket includes a plurality of sections and hinges. The hinges pivotably secure edges of adjacent sections of the plurality of sections to each other. The plurality of sections is operable to transition about the hinges between first positions, where each of the plurality of sections are planar relative to each other, and second positions, where the plurality of sections forms an enclosure that is operable to receive a valve and secure the valve to a refrigerator appliance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevated front view of a French-Door Bottom Mount type refrigerator appliance;

FIG. 2A is an elevated front view of a French-Door Bottom Mount type refrigerator with the refrigerator compartment doors open;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an aspect of an access door for the ice maker;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the interior of one door of the refrigerator compartment with the ice maker and ice container installed;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the refrigerator appliance;

FIG. 5 is perspective view of a water valve and a corresponding water valve mounting bracket as attached to a cabinet of the refrigerator appliance;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of the water valve mounting bracket illustrating the installation of the water valve mounting bracket and the water valve mounting bracket positioned in a partially opened arrangement;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the water valve mounting bracket illustrating the water valve mounting bracket positioned in a fully open arrangement;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a first type of the water valve as secured to the water valve mounting bracket and the water valve mounting bracket positioned in a closed arrangement; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second type of the water valve as secured to the water valve mounting bracket and the water valve mounting bracket positioned in the closed arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations.
Referring to FIG. 1 , reference numeral 10 generally designates a refrigerator with an automatic ice maker 20. As described below, an automatic ice maker is an ice maker either as a stand-alone appliance, or within another appliance such as a refrigerator, wherein the ice making process is typically induced, carried out, stopped, and the ice is harvested with substantially no user input.
FIG. 1 generally shows a refrigerator 10 of the French-Door Bottom Mount type, but it is understood that this disclosure could apply to any type of refrigerator, such as a side-by-side, two-door bottom mount, or a top-mount type. As shown in FIGS. 1-2B, the refrigerator 10 may have a housing or cabinet 11 defining a first refrigerated space, a first internal storage chamber, first internal cavity, or fresh food compartment 12 configured to refrigerate and not freeze consumables or foodstuffs within the fresh food compartment 12. The cabinet 11 may also define a second refrigerated space, a second internal storage chamber, second internal cavity, or a freezer compartment 14 configured to freeze consumables or foodstuffs within the freezer compartment 14 during normal use. The cabinet 11 includes walls 13 that define the fresh food compartment 12 and the freezer compartment 14. The walls 13 may include both exterior panels and interior panels. The interior panels may form an inner liner. An insulating material, such as an insulating foam, may be disposed between the exterior panels and the interior panels. The refrigerator 10 may have one or more doors 16, 18 that provide selective access to the interior volume of the refrigerator 10 where consumables may be stored. As shown, the fresh food compartment doors are designated 16, and the freezer door is designated 18. It may also be shown that the fresh food compartment 12 may only have one door 16.
It is generally known that the freezer compartment 14 is typically kept at a temperature below the freezing point of water, and the fresh food compartment 12 is typically kept at a temperature above the freezing point of water and generally below a temperature of from about 35° F. to about 50° F., more typically below about 38° F. As shown in FIGS. 2A-3 , an ice maker 20 may be located on a door 16 to the refrigerated fresh food compartment 12. The ice maker 20 may defined as an assembly of a bracket, a motor, an ice tray, a bail arm connected to the motor 24, at least one wire harness and at least one thermistor. The door 16 may include ice maker 20 and ice bin access door 46 hingedly connected to one of the doors 16 for the refrigerator 10 along the side proximate the hinge for the door 16 of the refrigerator 10 carrying the ice maker 20, i.e. the vertical edge closest to the cabinet. The hinge may be a single or multiple hinge(s) and may be spaced along the entire edge, substantially the entire edge, or more frequently two hinges may be used with one close to the top edge of the access door 46 and one close to the bottom edge of the access door 46.
Significantly, due at least in part to the access door 46 and the design and size of the ice maker 20, the access door 46 has a peripheral edge liner that extends outward from the surface of the access door 46 and defines a dike wall. The dike walls extend from at least the two vertical sides, more typically all four sides and define a door bin receiving volume along the surface of the access door 46. The access door 46 is selectively operable between an open position, in which the ice maker 20 and the ice storage container or bin 54 are accessible, and a closed position, in which the ice maker 20 and the ice storage bin 54 are not accessible. The access door 46 may also include door bins 48 that are able to hold smaller food items. The door bins 48 may also be located on or removably mounted to the access door 46 and at least partially spaced within the door bin receiving volume of the access door 46. While not typically the case, the ice maker 20 may also be located exterior the fresh food compartment 12, such as on top of the refrigerator cabinet, in a mullion between the fresh food compartment 12 and the freezer compartment 14, in a mullion between two fresh food compartments 12, or anywhere else an automatic, motor driven ice maker 20 may be located.
The refrigerator 10 may also have a duct or duct system (not shown) with an inlet in the freezer compartment 14 and an outlet in the fresh food compartment 12. The duct may be situated such that the length of the duct necessary to direct air from the freezer compartment 14 to the fresh food compartment 12 is minimized, reducing the amount of heat gained in the travel between the inlet and the outlet. The duct outlet located in fresh food compartment 12 may be positioned at a location near the ice maker 20. The refrigerator 10 may also have one or more fans, but typically has a single fan (not shown) located in the freezer compartment 14 to force air from the freezer compartment 14 to the fresh food compartment 12. The colder air from the freezer compartment 14 is needed in the ice maker 20 because air below the freezing point of water is needed to freeze the water that enters the ice maker 20 to freeze into ice cubes. In the embodiment shown, the ice maker 20 is located in the fresh food compartment 12, which typically holds air above the freezing point of water.
In various embodiments, where the ice maker 20 is located in a compartment or location other than in the freezer compartment 12, a fan is needed to force the air to the ice maker 20. In other embodiments, the fan or fans may be located either in the freezer compartment 14, the fresh food compartment 12, or in another location where the fan is able force air through the duct. The ice maker 20 is often positioned within a door of the refrigerator 10 to allow for delivery of ice through the door 16 in a dispensing area 17 on the exterior of the refrigerator 10, typically at a location on the exterior below the level of the ice storage bin 54 to allow gravity to force the ice down an ice dispensing chute into the refrigerator door 16. The chute extends from the bin to the dispensing area 17 and ice is typically pushed into the chute using an electrical power-driven auger. Ice is dispensed from the ice storage bin 54 to the user of the refrigerator 10.
The refrigerator 10 may also have a water inlet that is fastened to and in fluid communication with a household water supply of potable water. Typically, the household water supply connects to a municipal water source or a well. The water inlet may be fluidly engaged with one or more of a water filter, a water reservoir, and a refrigerator water supply line. The refrigerator water supply line may include one or more nozzles and one or more valves. The refrigerator water supply line may supply water to one or more water outlets; typically one outlet for water is in the dispensing area and another to an ice tray. The refrigerator 10 may also have a control board or controller that sends electrical signals to the one or more valves when prompted by a user that water is desired or if an ice making cycle is required.
FIG. 3 shows a closer view of a door 16 with the access door 46 in hidden lines to show the ice maker 20. The door 16 may have an inner liner 50 that is secured to an outer panel 51. The door liner 50 is disposed on an internal side of the outer panel 51 and defines an ice maker receiving space 52 in which the ice maker 20 and an ice storage bin 54 of the ice maker assembly are disposed. The ice maker receiving space 52 may be referred to a cavity or receptacle that is defined by the inner liner 50 and is configured to receive the ice storage bin 54. The ice storage bin 54 may be removably positioned within the ice maker receiving space 52 (i.e., the ice storage bin 54 may be inserted into or removed from the ice maker receiving space 52). The ice maker 20 may be located at an upper portion of the ice maker receiving space 52. The ice bin 54 may be located below the ice maker 20 such that as ice is harvested, the ice maker 20 uses gravity to transfer the ice from the ice maker 20 to the ice storage bin 54. The ice storage bin 54 may comprise an ice bin base 56 and one or more ice bin walls 58 that extends upwardly from the perimeter of the ice bin base 56.
The ice maker 20 may include an on/off switch 60. The on/off switch 60 may be located on the ice maker 20 in a location that is accessible to a user without removing the ice maker 20 from the door 16 or the refrigerator 10. The ice bin wall 58 may be configured such that when the ice storage bin 54 is placed in the door 16, the on/off switch 60 is inaccessible to the user, and when the ice storage bin 54 is removed from the door 16, the on/off switch 60 is accessible to a user. The ice storage bin wall 58 may be made of a clear plastic material such as a copolyester so that a user can see the on/off switch 60 even while inaccessible when the ice bin 54 is in place. However, the front portion of the ice bin wall 58 typically extends to cover the on/off switch 60 when in the installed position to prevent inadvertent actuation of the on/off switch 60. The front portion of the ice bin wall 58 also typically extends upward to form a lip that extends around at least a portion of the ice maker 20 to further retain ice.
The ice maker 20, the door 16 (or more specifically, the portions of the door 16 that define the ice maker receiving space 52), and the ice storage bin 54 may collectively be referred to as an ice maker assembly. The door 16 (or more specifically, the portions of the door 16 that define the ice maker receiving space 52) and the ice storage bin 54 may collectively be referred to as an ice bin assembly.
Referring now to FIG. 4 , the refrigerator 10 includes a water system 126 and a control system 128 for controlling the water system 126. The water system 126 delivers or directs water from a water source 127 (e.g., a domestic water supply) to the dispenser 120 which may be located in dispensing area 17. The water system 126 also delivers or directs water from the water source 127 to the ice maker 20. The control system 128 may be operable to control the various components of the water system 126 so that the dispenser 120 dispenses cold water, hot water, or ice. The control system 128 is also operable to control the water system 126 during a pre-programmed descaling cycle or other pre-programmed cycle.
The water system 126 includes a number of components for conditioning water to be discharged through the dispenser 120. In particular, the water system may have a heating assembly 130, a cold water reservoir 132, and include ice maker 20. The heating assembly 130 includes a flow-through heating element 131 and a thermal fuse 129 configured to cut power to the flow-through heating element 131 when the flow-through heating element 131 reaches a predetermined temperature. The heating assembly 130 may be positioned between the water filter port 122 and the dispenser 120 along a hot water line 135. The cold water reservoir 132 accumulates and cools water in the refrigerator 10 prior to the water being discharged through the dispenser 120 or supplied to the ice maker 20. The cold water reservoir 132 is positioned between the water filter port 122 and the dispenser 120 along a cold water line 137. The ice maker 20 receives cold water from the cold water reservoir 132 and generates ice that is discharged through the dispenser 120 via an ice line 139.
One exemplary flow-through heating element 131 is a Ferro Flow Through Heater (FTH). The flow-through heating element 131 may positioned in the refrigerator door 16 below the dispenser 120 and outside a refrigerator insulation layer. The flow-through heating element 131 is illustratively oriented in a flat orientation so that water flows in a substantially horizontal direction through the flow-through heating element 131. In some embodiments, the flow-through heating element 131 may be a thermoblock element, a microwave element, or another suitable type of heating element. Additionally, the heating element may be positioned in another location in the door 16 or the refrigerator 10 and may be placed in a number of orientations relative thereto. In alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the flow-through heating element 131 may be replaced or augmented by a batch heating system including a heating element and a hot water reservoir.
All the water (liquid or ice) dispensed by the refrigerator 10 may pass through the water filter port 122. The water system 126 may include a main valve 136 coupled to the water source 127 and the water filter port 122 may be coupled to the main valve 136 via a water inlet line 141. The hot water line 135 and the cold water line 137 may extend from the water filter port 122 directing water through the rest of the water system 126. The main valve 136 may be manually opened or closed to selectively allow water from the water source 127 to enter the water system 126 of the refrigerator 10. Stated in other terms, the water system 126 is configured to receive water from the water source 127.
The water filter port 122 may be configured to receive a water filter cartridge 140 or a descaling cartridge 124. The water filter cartridge 140 is illustratively consumable and discarded after use. The water filter cartridge 140 includes an inlet 142, an outlet 144, and a filter media 146 as is known in the art. In other embodiments, the water filter cartridge 140, or portions thereof, may be reusable. The descaling cartridge 124 is illustratively consumable and is charged to supply enough descaling agent 154 for one descaling cycle. In other embodiments, the descaling cartridge 124 may be refillable and/or reusable.
The descaling cartridge 124 may include an inlet 148, an outlet 150, and a descaling packet 152 containing descaling agent 154. The inlet 148 may be open to the water lines of the refrigerator 10. The descaling packet 152 may be coupled to the outlet 150 and may be squeezed by water flowing into the descaling cartridge 124 so that the descaling agent 154 is dispensed through the outlet 150 into the water lines. Water ceases to flow into the descaling cartridge 124 when the descaling cartridge 124 is full of water and the descaling packet 152 is emptied. The descaling agent 154 may then be advanced through the water system 126 and reacts with the scale built up in the water system 126 so that the scale can be flushed out of the water system 126 when the reacted descaling agent 154 is discharged through the dispenser 120. In the illustrative embodiment, the descaling agent 154 is a solution with about an 8 percent concentration of acetic acid. In other embodiments, other organic acids including but not limited to sulfonic acids or carboxylic acids, in particular, lactic acid, acetic acid, formic acid, oxalic acid, uric acid solutions may be used alone or mixtures thereof. It is also possible to use inorganic acids such as phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid or sulfamic acid solutions. Mixtures of various inorganic and organic acids could also conceivably be used as descaling agents in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
In other embodiments, the inlet 148 and the outlet 150 may both be open to the water lines of the refrigerator 10. In such embodiments, the descaling packet 152 may be open inside the descaling cartridge 124 or opened when water enters the descaling cartridge 124 so that water flowing through the descaling cartridge is mixed with descaling agent. The water mixing with the descaling agent 154 dilutes and carries the descaling agent through the water lines of the refrigerator 10. In some such embodiments, the descaling agent 154 may be a liquid descaling agent or a solid agent.
The water system 126 further includes a number of electronically controlled valves that can be operated to supply hot or cold water to the dispenser 120 or to supply cold water to the ice maker 20. Specifically, the water system may include a hot water valve 162, a cold water valve 164, a cold water dispenser valve 166, and an ice maker valve 168. The hot water valve 162 may be coupled between the water filter port 122 and the dispenser 120 along the hot water line 135. The cold water valve 164 may be coupled between the water filter port 122 and the dispenser 120 along the cold water line 137. The cold water dispenser valve 166 may be coupled between the cold water reservoir 132 and the dispenser 120 along the cold water line 137. The ice maker valve 168 may be coupled between the cold water reservoir 132 and the ice maker 20 along the cold water line 137.
In operation, the hot water valve 162 can be opened to advance water from the water source 127 through the heating assembly 130 to the dispenser 120. The cold water valve 164 can be opened to advance water from the water source 127 to the cold water reservoir 132. The cold water dispenser valve 166 can be opened to advance cold water from the cold water reservoir 132 to the dispenser 120. The ice maker valve 168 can be opened to advance water from the cold water reservoir 132 to the ice maker 20. Otherwise, each of the valves 162, 164, 166, 168 may be biased closed to prevent water from being advanced through the water system 126.
The control system 128 of the refrigerator 10 illustratively includes a controller 170, a user interface 172, and a number of sensors 174, 176, 180, 182, 183, 185, 187. The controller 170 is configured to operate the components of the water system 126 in response to inputs from the user interface 172 and the sensors 174, 176, 180, 182, 183, 185, 187. The user interface 172 is configured to display information and to receive user inputs. The sensors 174, 176, 180, 182, 183, 185, 187 detect information and communicate information to the controller 170.
The controller 170 includes a number of electronic components commonly associated with electronic units which are utilized in the control of electromechanical systems. For example, the controller 170 may include, amongst other components customarily included in such devices, a processor such as a microprocessor 184 and a memory device 186 such as a programmable read-only memory device ("PROM") including erasable PROM's (EPROM's or EEPROM's). The memory device 186 is provided to store, amongst other things, instructions in the form of, for example, a software routine (or routines) which, when executed by the processor, allows the controller 170 to control operation of the water system 126 and other systems included in the refrigerator 10.
While illustrated as one controller, the controller 170 may be part of a larger control system and may be controlled by various other controllers throughout the refrigerator 10. It should therefore be understood that the controller 170 and one or more other controllers can collectively be referred to as a “controller” that controls various actuators in response to signals from various sensors to control functions the refrigerator 10. The controller 170 may include a microprocessor or central processing unit (CPU) in communication with various types of computer readable storage devices or media. Computer readable storage devices or media may include volatile and nonvolatile storage in read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and keep-alive memory (KAM), for example. KAM is a persistent or non-volatile memory that may be used to store various operating variables while the CPU is powered down. Computer-readable storage devices or media may be implemented using any of a number of known memory devices such as PROMs (programmable read-only memory), EPROMs (electrically PROM), EEPROMs (electrically erasable PROM), flash memory, or any other electric, magnetic, optical, or combination memory devices capable of storing data, some of which represent executable instructions, used by the controller 170 in controlling the refrigerator 10.
Control logic or functions performed by the controller 170 may be represented by flow charts or similar diagrams in one or more figures. These figures provide representative control strategies and/or logic that may be implemented using one or more processing strategies such as event-driven, interrupt-driven, multi-tasking, multi-threading, and the like. As such, various steps or functions illustrated may be performed in the sequence illustrated, in parallel, or in some cases omitted. Although not always explicitly illustrated, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that one or more of the illustrated steps or functions may be repeatedly performed depending upon the particular processing strategy being used. Similarly, the order of processing is not necessarily required to achieve the features and advantages described herein, but is provided for ease of illustration and description. The control logic may be implemented primarily in software executed by a microprocessor-based controller, such as controller 170. Of course, the control logic may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware in one or more controllers depending upon the particular application. When implemented in software, the control logic may be provided in one or more computer-readable storage devices or media having stored data representing code or instructions executed by a computer to control the vehicle or its subsystems. The computer-readable storage devices or media may include one or more of a number of known physical devices which utilize electric, magnetic, and/or optical storage to keep executable instructions and associated calibration information, operating variables, and the like.
The user interface 172 is illustratively coupled to the controller 170 for two way communication via a signal line as shown in FIG. 4 . User interface 172 may include control buttons, paddles, and indicator lights. The buttons may be pressed to receive user inputs requesting that water dispensed be cold or hot, that ice dispensed be cubed or crushed, or that pre-programmed cycles (such as the descaling cycle) be performed by the refrigerator 10. The paddles may be pressed so that the controller 170 receives inputs requesting that water or ice be discharged by the dispenser 120. The indicator lights may be used to indicate the temperature of water to be dispensed, the type of ice to be dispensed, the status of the water filter cartridge 140, the need for a descaling cycle, the availability of one or more functions of the refrigerator 10, or other information. In some embodiments, the user interface 172 may include a graphic display, a touch screen, or other interface operable to display information and to receive user inputs.
The controller 170 is electrically coupled to each of the sensors 174, 176, 180, 182, 183, 185, 187 to receive inputs from each of the sensors 174, 176, 180, 182, 183, 185, 187 as shown in FIG. 4 . In particular, the sensors 174, 176, 180, 182, 183, 185, 187 may include an ice level sensor 174, a reservoir sensor 176, temperature sensors 183, 185, a pressure sensor 180, a filter port sensor 182, and a sensor 187 to detect the presence of the ice storage bin 54 in the ice maker receiving space 52. The ice level sensor 174 is coupled to the controller 170 via a signal line and is configured to detect if the ice storage bin 54 is full. The reservoir sensor 176 is coupled to the controller 170 via a signal line and is configured to detect if the cold water reservoir 132 is full or the water level in the cold water reservoir 132. In the illustrative embodiment, water discharged through the dispenser 120 after being heated in the heating assembly 130 may be between 175-185° F, and may be typically be about 180° F. In other embodiments, water discharged through the dispenser 120 after being heated in the heating assembly 130 may be hotter or cooler. The pressure sensor 180 is coupled to the controller 170 via a signal line and is configured to detect back pressure applied to the heating assembly 130 through the hot water valve 162. In some embodiments, the hot water valve 162 may be configured to regulate the pressure being supplied to the heater assembly 130. The filter port sensor 182 is coupled to the controller 170 via a signal line and is configured to detect the presence of the water filter cartridge 140 or the descaling cartridge 124. The temperature sensors 183, 185 are coupled to the controller 170 via signal lines and are configured to monitor the temperature of water entering and exiting the heating assembly 130. If the temperature difference between the sensors 183, 185 across the heating assembly 130 is determined by the controller 170 to be outside a predetermined range, the controller 170 may disable the heating assembly 130.
Sensor 187 is coupled to the controller 170 via a signal line and is configured to detect the presence or absence of a magnet 189. The presence of the magnet 189 is indicative that the ice storage bin 54 is properly positioned in the ice maker receiving space 52 to receive ice produced by the ice maker 20. The absence of the magnet 189 is indicative that the ice storage bin 54 is not positioned, or is not properly positioned, in the ice maker receiving space 52 to receive ice produced by the ice maker 20. The sensor 187 may communicate the presence or absence of the magnet 189 to the controller 170. The controller 170 may be programmed to, in response to the sensor 187 detecting the presence of the magnet 189, initiate or allow the production of ice via the ice maker 20. The controller 170 may also be programmed to, in response to the sensor 187 detecting the absence of the magnet 189 (e.g., the sensor 187 not detecting the magnet 189), prevent the ice maker 20 from the producing of ice. The sensor 187 may be a reed switch that is configured to close a circuit when the magnetic field of the magnet 189 is detected and to open the circuit when no magnetic field is detected, or vice versa.
Additionally, the controller 170 is electrically coupled to the electrically controlled valves 162, 164, 166, 168 and the heating assembly 130 as shown in FIG. 4 . Specifically, the cold water valve 164 is coupled to the controller 170 via a signal line so that the controller 170 can direct the cold water valve 164 to open or close. The hot water valve 162 is coupled to the controller 170 via a signal line so that the controller 170 can direct the hot water valve 162 to open or close. The ice maker valve 168 is coupled to the controller 170 via a signal line so that the controller 170 can direct the ice maker valve 168 to open or close. The cold water dispenser valve 166 is coupled to the controller 170 via a signal line so that the controller 170 can direct the cold water dispense valve 166 to open or close. The heating assembly 130 is coupled to the controller 170 via a signal line so that the controller 170 can direct the heating assembly 130 to activate or deactivate the flow-through heating element 131.
Hence, the control system 128 including the controller 170 may be operated to control operation of the refrigerator 10. In particular, the controller 170 executes a routine including, among other things, a control scheme in which the controller 170 monitors outputs of the sensors 180, 185 in order to inform a user of detected scale build-up and to control the availability of hot water when water system 126 contains built up scale. To do so, the controller 170 communicates with the sensors 180, 185 in order to determine, among other things, if the water system 126, (and more particularly, if the components of the hot water line 135 that conducts water for the hot water function) is likely to contain a predetermined amount of scale build-up as indicated by an elevated temperature or pressure of water flowing through the dispenser 120. In some embodiments, the controller may communicate with both temperature sensors 183, 185 and compare the temperature rise across the heating assembly 130 to determine scale build up. Armed with this data, the controller 170 determines if a descaling cycle is desirable and if continued operation of the hot water function is allowable. Once it is determined if a descaling cycle is found to be desirable, the controller 170 can direct the user interface 172 to display a request for a user to initiate the descaling cycle. If the controller 170 determines that the continued operation of the hot water function is not allowable, the controller 170 can disable the water system 126 from providing hot water to the dispenser 120.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 , at least one conduit 198 (e.g., hot water line 135, cold water line 137, water inlet line 141, etc.) of the water system 126 is secured to the cabinet 11 and/or the one or more the doors 16, 18. The at least one conduit 198 is configured to transport water toward the dispenser 120 and/or the ice maker 20. Valves (e.g., valves 136, 162, 164, 166, 168) are configured to control water flow through the water system 126 or more specifically through the at least one conduit 198 (e.g., hot water line 135, cold water line 137, water inlet line 141, etc.) of the water system 126.
Referring to FIGS. 5-10 , a mounting system 200 for one of the valves (e.g., valves 136, 162, 164, 166, 168) is illustrated. More specifically, the mounting system 200 may be utilized to mount the cold water valve 164 to the refrigerator 10 or more specifically to the cabinet 11. However, it is understood that the mounting system 200 may be utilized to mount any of the valves (e.g., valves 136, 162, 164, 166, 168) to the refrigerator 10 or more specifically to the cabinet 11.
The cabinet 11 defines a machine compartment 202. The machine compartment 202 may be defined along a lower end of the cabinet 11. The machine compartment is configured to house elements of the refrigeration equipment (e.g., a compressor; a condenser; a fan operable to transfer heat from the compressor and condenser, and away from refrigerator; etc.). The machine compartment 202 may also be configured to house elements of the water system 126 (e.g., valves 136, 162, 164, 166, 168). The mounting system 200 may include a bracket 204 that is secured to the cabinet 11 within the machine compartment 202. The bracket 204 may be referred to as the refrigerator water valve mounting bracket. The bracket 204 may be operable to secure one of the valves (e.g., valves 136, 162, 164, 166, 168) to the cabinet 11. Hereinafter, the bracket 204 will be discussed in relation to valve 164. However, it is understood that the mounting system may be operable to mount any of the valves (e.g., valves 136, 162, 164, 166, 168) to the cabinet 11 and that any further reference herein or within FIG. 5-10 to valve 164 may be replaced with valve 132, valve 162, valve 166, or valve 168.
Furthermore, the valve depicted in FIGS. 5, 9 , and 10 may include two or more of the valves (e.g., valves 136, 162, 164, 166, 168). For example, the valve depicted in FIGS. 5, 9 , and 10 is a double valve that includes one input water line 206 and two output water lines 208. Solenoids 210 may be attached to each valve and operable to open and close each valve to direct water therethrough. The solenoids 210 may be connected to an electrical system, or more specifically to the controller 170, which controls the opening and closing the valves. Even more specifically, the solenoids 210 may be connected to a power supply, the electrical system, and/or controller 170 via electrical wires 212 and electrical connectors 214.
The bracket 204 includes a plurality of sections 216. The sections 216 may be planar and, therefore, may be referred to as planar sections. Adjacent sections 216 of the plurality of sections 216 may be secured to each other via pivots or hinges 218. The hinges 218 may be living hinges. More specifically, the hinges 218 may secure edges of the adjacent sections 216 of the plurality of sections 216 to each other. The plurality of sections 216 is operable to transition about the hinges 218 between first positions 222, where each section 216 of the plurality of sections 216 are planar relative to each other (e.g., see FIG. 8 ), and second positions 224, where the plurality of sections 216 forms a cage or an enclosure 226 that is operable to receive the valve 164 and secure the valve 164 to the refrigerator appliance 10, or more specifically to the cabinet 11 (e.g., see FIGS. 5, 9 , and 10). The valve 164 may be secure to the bracket 204 within the cage or enclosure 226. The first positions 222 of the plurality of sections 216 may correspond to a fully open position or arrangement of the bracket 204 while the second positions 224 of the plurality of sections 216 may correspond to a closed position or arrangement of the bracket 204.
The plurality of sections 216 may also be configured to transition to third positions 228 (e.g., see FIGS. 6 and 7 ), which corresponds to a partially open position or arrangement of the bracket 204. The bracket 204 is operable to be both installed onto the refrigerator appliance 10, or more specifically to the cabinet 11, and to receive the valve 164 while the plurality of sections 216 are in the third positions 228. In the third positions 228 at least two sections 216 (e.g., a first section 236 and a second section 238 described in further detail below) are in a final position (e.g., positions that corresponds to the second positions 224, such that the at least two sections 216 are in the same positions when in either the second positions 224 or third positions 228). A third of the sections 216 (e.g., a third section 240 described in further detail below), however, is positioned at an angle (e.g., between 30° and 60° or between 115° and 150°) relative to an adjacent section (and is also non-parallel and non-perpendicular to the first of the sections and the second of the seconds) to facilitate receiving and installation of the valve 164, while also accommodating the limited space within the machine compartment 202. Therefore, the bracket 204 may be installed prior to installation of the valve 164. More specifically, a fastener 230 may secure the bracket 204 to the cabinet 11 within the machine compartment 202. Furthermore, the bracket 204 is constructed to engage valves of different types so that differently supplied valves maybe utilized. For example, a first type of valve 232 is illustrated as being secured to the bracket 204 in FIG. 9 while a second type of valve 234 is illustrated as being secured to the bracket 204 in FIG. 10 .
The cabinet 11 may define orifices 235 within the machine compartment 202. The bracket 204, or more specifically one of the sections 216 (e.g., the first section 236) may include clips, hooks, or protrusions 237 extending therefrom. The protrusions 237 may be operable to engage the cabinet 11 within the orifices 235 to properly position the bracket 204 within the machine compartment 202 prior to and after the bracket 204 is secured to the cabinet 11 via the fastener 230.
The plurality of sections 216 may more specifically include a first section 236, a second section 238, and a third section 240. The hinges 218 may more specifically include a first hinge 242 and a second hinge 244. The first section 236 may be pivotably or rotatably secured to the second section 238 via the first hinge 242. The second section 238 may be pivotably or rotatably secured to the third section 240 via the second hinge 244. The first section 236, second section 238, and a third section 240 may be oriented along the hinges (e.g., the first hinge 242 and the second hinge 244) such that the first section 236, second section 238, and a third section 240 form the cage or the enclosure 226.
The first section 236 and the third section 240 may be substantially parallel to each other; the first section 236 and the third section 240 are separated by the second section 238; and the second section 238 is substantially perpendicular to the first section 236 and the third section 240 along an outer periphery or outer region of the enclosure 226, when the plurality of sections 216 (including the first section 236, the second section 238, and the third section 240) are in the second positions 224 forming the cage or enclosure 226. As used herein, substantially parallel refers to any incremental angle that is between exactly parallel and 15° or less from exactly parallel (e.g., 12.5° or less from exactly parallel, 10° or less from exactly parallel, 5° or less from exactly parallel, 1° or less from exactly parallel, 0.5° or less from exactly parallel, 0.1° or less from exactly parallel, etc.). As used herein, substantially perpendicular refers to any incremental angle that is between exactly perpendicular and 15° or less from exactly perpendicular (e.g., 12.5° or less from exactly perpendicular, 10° or less from exactly perpendicular, 5° or less from exactly perpendicular, 1° or less from exactly perpendicular, 0.5° or less from exactly perpendicular, 0.1° or less from exactly perpendicular, etc.).
The bracket 204 may further includes clips or snaps 248 extending from the first section 236 on an opposing end of the first section 236 relative to the first hinge 242. The clips or snaps 248 are operable to engage the third section 240 on an opposing end of the third section 240 relative to the second hinge 244 to attach the first section 236 to the third section 240, and to form the enclosure 226. More specifically, the third section 240 may define openings 250 and the clips or snaps 248 may engage the third section within the openings 250 to attach the first section 236 to the third section 240, and to form the enclosure 226. The clips or snaps 248 may include two clips or snaps that are orientated substantially perpendicular to each other to facilitate restricting movement of the third section 240 along a plane 252 about which the third section spans (e.g., restricts movement in two directions, such as and X-direction and a Y-direction along a cartesian coordinate system). The plane 252 may be substantially parallel to both the first section 236 and the third section 240.
The clips or snaps 248 may also operate to form a fourth wall of the cage or enclosure 226, where the first, second, and third walls correspond to the first section 236, the second section 238, and the third section 240. More specifically, the clips or snaps 248 may be disposed along ends of posts 253 that extend from the first section 236, and the clips or snaps 248 and the posts 253 may collectively form such a fourth wall.
The bracket 204 may further include a cradle 254 positioned on the first section 236 proximate to an opposing end of the first section 236 relative to the first hinge 242. The cradle 254 is configured to engage an inlet region 256 of the valve 164 to facilitate securing the valve 164 to the bracket 204. The bracket 204 further include a first limiter or first protrusion 258 extending from the third section 240. The first protrusion 258 is configured to engage an opposing side of the inlet region 256 of the valve 164 relative to the cradle 254 to force the inlet region 256 of the valve 164 into engagement with the cradle 254. Such an engagement may create interference between inlet region 256 of the valve 164 and the cradle 254, which may operate to reduce noise, vibration, or harshness. Such engagement may also create interference between inlet region 256 of the valve 164 and the first protrusion 258. Such an engagement may also facilitate a snug engagement between cradle 254 and the inlet region for various types of the valves (e.g., the first type of valve 232 and the second type of valve 234) when more than one valve model is utilized, where the different models have varying dimensions (e.g., different diameters along the inlet regions), particularly during mass production.
The bracket 204 may further include a second limiter or second protrusion 260 extending from the second section 238. The second protrusion 260 is configured to engage the first section 236 to maintain a substantially perpendicular orientation of the second section 238 relative to the first section 236 along the outer region of the formed cage or enclosure 226. The second protrusion 260 is also configured to disengage the first section 236 such that the orientation of the second section 238 is greater than substantially perpendicular relative to the first section 236 (e.g., See FIG. 8 where each section 216, including the first section 236, the second section 238, and the third section 240, are planar relative to each other). The second protrusion 260 operates to prevent the second section 238 and the third section 240 from sliding further toward the clips or snaps 248, which could result in the clips or snaps 248 unintentionally coming undone. The second protrusion 260 operates to maintain the formed structure of the cage or enclosure 226.
The bracket 204 may further includes noise absorbers or third protrusions 262 extending from the third section 240. The third protrusions 262 are configured to engage the valve 164 or provide interference with the valve 164 to maintain the valve 164 in a desired position, which further reduces noise, vibration, and harshness.
The bracket 204 may further include at least one additional cradle 264 positioned on the third section 240 and/or the first section 236. The at least one additional cradle 264 is configured to engage an outlet region 266 (e.g., one or more outlets from the valve 164, two depicted herein) of the valve 164 to facilitate securing the valve 164 to the bracket 204.
It should be understood that the designations of first, second, third, fourth, etc. for any component, state, or condition described herein may be rearranged in the claims so that they are in chronological order with respect to the claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that any component, state, or condition described herein that does not have a numerical designation may be given a designation of first, second, third, fourth, etc. in the claims if one or more of the specific component, state, or condition are claimed.
The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics may be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. As such, embodiments described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure and may be desirable for particular applications.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a cabinet defining a machine compartment;

a water system (i) configured to receive water from a supply source and (ii) having a valve configured to control water flow through the water system; and

a bracket secured to cabinet within the machine compartment, wherein (i) the bracket includes first, second, and third planar sections, (ii) the first planar section is pivotably secured to the second planar section via a first hinge, (iii) the second planar section is pivotably secured to the third planar section via a second hinge, (iv) the first, second, and third planar sections are oriented along the hinges such that the first, second, and third planar sections form an enclosure, and (v) the valve is secured to the bracket within the enclosure.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein (i) the first planar section and the second planar section are substantially parallel to each other, (ii) the first planar section and the second planar section are separated by the third planar section, and (iii) the third planar section is substantially perpendicular to the first planar section and the second planar section along an outer region of the enclosure.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein first hinge and the second hinge are living hinges.

4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein (i) the bracket includes snaps extending from the first planar section on an opposing end of the first planer section relative to the first hinge and (ii) the snaps engage the third planar section on an opposing end of the third planar section relative to the second hinge to attach the first planar section to the third planar section and to form the enclosure.

5. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein (i) the bracket includes a cradle positioned on the first planar section proximate to an opposing end of the first planer section relative to the first hinge and (ii) the cradle is configured to engage an inlet region of the valve to facilitate securing the valve to the bracket.

6. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein (i) the bracket includes a protrusion extending from the third planer section and (ii) the protrusion is configured to engage an opposing side of the inlet region of the valve relative to the cradle to force the inlet region of the valve into engagement with the cradle.

7. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein (i) the bracket includes a protrusion extending from the second planar section and (ii) the protrusion is configured to (a) engage the first planar section to maintain a substantially perpendicular orientation of the second planar section relative to the first planar section along an outer region of the enclosure and (b) disengage the first planar section such that the orientation of the second planar section is greater than substantially perpendicular relative to the first planar section.

8. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein (i) the bracket includes noise absorbers extending from the third planar section and (ii) the noise absorbers are configured to engage the valve to reduce noise and vibration.

9. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein (i) the bracket includes at least one cradle positioned on the third planar section and (ii) the at least one cradle is configured to engage an outlet region of the valve to facilitate securing the valve to the bracket.

10. A refrigerator appliance comprising:

a cabinet;

at least one conduit secured to the cabinet and configured to transport water toward a dispenser or an ice maker;

a valve configured to control water flow through the at least one conduit; and

a bracket operable to secure the valve to the cabinet, wherein (i) the bracket includes a plurality of sections, (ii) adjacent sections of the plurality of sections are secured to each other via pivots, (iii) the plurality sections are orientated along the pivots such that the plurality of sections forms a cage, and (iv) the valve is secured to the bracket within the cage.

11. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10, wherein (i) the bracket includes snaps extending from a first of the sections on an opposing end of the first of the sections relative to a first of the pivots and (ii) the snaps engage a second of the sections on an opposing end of the second of the sections relative to a second hinge to attach the first of the sections to the second of the sections and to form the cage.

12. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10, wherein (i) the bracket includes a cradle positioned on a first of the sections proximate to an opposing end of the first of the sections relative to a first of the pivots and (ii) the cradle is configured to engage an inlet region of the valve to facilitate securing the valve to the bracket.

13. The refrigerator appliance of claim 12, wherein (i) the bracket includes a protrusion extending from a second of the sections and (ii) the protrusion is configured to engage an opposing side of the inlet region of the valve relative to the cradle to force the inlet region of the valve into engagement with the cradle.

14. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10, wherein (i) the bracket includes a protrusion extending from a first of the sections and (ii) the protrusion is configured to (a) engage a second of the sections to maintain a substantially perpendicular orientation of the first of the sections relative to the second of the sections along an outer region of the cage and (b) disengage the second of the sections such that the orientation of the first of the sections is greater than substantially perpendicular relative to the second of the sections.

15. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10, wherein (i) the bracket includes noise absorbers extending from a first of the sections and (ii) the noise absorbers are configured to engage the valve to reduce noise and vibration.

16. A refrigerator water valve mounting bracket comprising:

a plurality of sections; and

hinges pivotably securing edges of adjacent sections of the plurality of sections to each other, wherein the plurality of sections is operable to transition about the hinges between (i) first positions where each of the plurality of sections are planar relative to each other and (ii) second positions where the plurality of sections forms an enclosure that is operable to receive a valve and secure the valve to a refrigerator appliance.

17. The refrigerator water valve mounting bracket of claim 16, wherein (i) a first of the sections and a second of the sections are substantially parallel to each other, (ii) the first of the sections and the second of the sections are separated by a third of the sections, and (iii) the third of the sections is substantially perpendicular to the first of the sections and the second of the sections along an outer region of the enclosure when plurality of sections are in the second positions.

18. The refrigerator water valve mounting bracket of claim 17, wherein (i) the second of the of the sections is operable to transition to a third position between a corresponding first position and second position and (ii) in the third position, the second of the sections is non-parallel and non-perpendicular to the first and second of the sections.

19. The refrigerator water valve mounting bracket of claim 17 further comprising snaps extending from the first of the sections on an opposing end of the first of the sections relative to a first of the hinges, and wherien the snaps engage the second of the sections on an opposing end of the second of the sections relative to a second of the hinges to attach the first of the sections to the second of the sections and to form the enclosure.

20. The refrigerator water valve mounting bracket of claim 17 further comprising a protrusion extending from the first of the sections, wherein the protrusion is configured to (i) engage the second of the sections to maintain a substantially perpendicular orientation of the first of the sections relative to the second of the sections along an outer region of the enclosure and (ii) disengage the second of the sections such that the orientation of the first of the sections is greater than substantially perpendicular relative to the second of the sections.