U.S. patent application number 10/972846 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-27 for convertible refrigerator/freezer.
This patent application is currently assigned to Maytag Corporation. Invention is credited to Louis Montuoro.
Application Number | 20060086126 10/972846 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36204934 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060086126 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Montuoro; Louis |
April 27, 2006 |
Convertible refrigerator/freezer
Abstract
A refrigerator provides for flexibility in the allocation of
refrigerator space. The refrigerator includes multiple
compartments. Each of the compartments can be convertible or
resizable between a freezer compartment and a refrigeration
compartment. Preferably, each compartment is independently
temperature controlled. To resize the compartments, positionable
separators can be used.
Inventors: |
Montuoro; Louis; (Cedar
Rapids, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCKEE, VOORHEES & SEASE, P.L.C.;ATTN: MAYTAG
801 GRAND AVENUE, SUITE 3200
DES MOINES
IA
50309-2721
US
|
Assignee: |
Maytag Corporation
Newton
IA
|
Family ID: |
36204934 |
Appl. No.: |
10/972846 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/329 ; 62/408;
62/441 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 11/02 20130101;
F25D 17/045 20130101; F25D 2400/16 20130101; F25D 23/069
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/329 ;
062/441; 062/408 |
International
Class: |
F25D 23/00 20060101
F25D023/00; F25D 17/04 20060101 F25D017/04; F25D 11/02 20060101
F25D011/02; F25D 19/00 20060101 F25D019/00 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: a refrigerator cabinet; at least one
door operatively connected to the refrigerator cabinet for
providing access to inside of the refrigerator cabinet; a first
compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet; a second
compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet; wherein at
least one of the first compartment and the second compartment is
convertible between a freezer compartment and a refrigeration
compartment.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1 further comprising a moveable
separator between the first compartment and the second compartment
adapted for placement in one of a plurality of positions to alter a
size of the first compartment and a size of the second
compartment.
3. The refrigerator of claim 1 further comprising a first damper
associated with the first compartment and a second damper
associated with the second compartment.
4. The refrigerator of claim 1 further comprising a first cold
control associated with the first compartment and a second cold
control associated with the second compartment.
5. The refrigerator of claim 4 wherein the first cold control and
the second cold control are electrically connected to a SPDT
switch.
6. The refrigerator of claim 1 further comprising a refrigerant
system comprising a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporation
loop.
7. The refrigerator of claim 6 further comprising a first damper
associated with the first compartment and a second damper
associated with the second compartment wherein the refrigerant
system provides cool air and the first damper controls airflow into
the first compartment and the second damper controls airflow into
the second compartment.
8. A refrigerator comprising: a refrigerator cabinet; at least one
door operatively connected to the refrigerator cabinet for
providing access to inside of the refrigerator cabinet; a first
compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet; a second
compartment disposed within the refrigerator compartment; a
refrigerant system disposed within the refrigerator cabinet adapted
to provide cooled air; a first damper to selectively provide the
cooled air to the first compartment; a second damper to selectively
provide the cooled air to the second compartment.
9. The refrigerator of claim 8 further comprising a control system
operatively connected to the refrigeration system, the first damper
and the second damper.
10. The refrigerator of claim 9 wherein the control system is
adapted to evaluate temperature associated with the first
compartment and temperature associated with the second compartment
and to selectively open and close the first damper and the second
damper.
11. The refrigerator of claim 9 wherein the control system
maintains the first compartment at a first temperature and the
second compartment at a second temperature, the first temperature
being independent of the second temperature.
12. The refrigerator of claim 8 further comprising a separator
between the first compartment and the second compartment and
positionable in a plurality of locations to adjust a size of the
first compartment and a size of the second compartment.
13. In a refrigerator having a refrigerator cabinet, a door
operatively connected to the refrigerator cabinet, a refrigerant
system adapted for providing cooled air and disposed within the
cabinet, and a first compartment and a second compartment, an
improved control system comprising a first damper associated with
the first compartment for providing the cooled air to the first
compartment; a second damper associated with the second compartment
for providing the cooled air to the second compartment.
14. The refrigerator of claim 13 wherein temperature of the first
compartment is independent of the second compartment such that the
first compartment and the second compartment are independently
convertible between food storage at a temperature above freezing
and freezer storage at a temperature below freezing.
15. The refrigerator of claim 13 wherein the control system further
comprises an intelligent control.
16. The refrigerator of claim 15 wherein the intelligent control is
adapted to evaluate temperature of the first compartment and
temperature of the second compartment.
17. The refrigerator of claim 16 wherein the intelligent control is
further adapted to control the refrigerant system, the first damper
and the second damper based on the temperature of the first
compartment and the temperature of the second compartment.
18. A refrigerator comprising: a refrigerator cabinet; at least one
door operatively connected to the refrigerator cabinet for
providing access to inside of the refrigerator cabinet; a removable
and repositionable separator adapted to divide an interior of the
refrigerator cabinet into multiple convertible compartments.
19. The refrigerator of claim 18 further comprising a plurality of
dampers for selectively providing cooled air to the interior of the
refrigerator cabinet.
20. In a refrigerator having a refrigerator cabinet, at least any
door operatively connected to the refrigerator cabinet, an improved
interior to the refrigerator cabinet, said improved interior
comprising a plurality of size adjustable and convertible
compartments.
21. The refrigerator of claim 20 further comprising a
repositionable separator for altering the size of at least two of
the plurality of size adjustable and convertible compartments.
22. A refrigerator adapted for providing a user flexibility in
allocation of refrigerator space comprising: a refrigerator
cabinet; at least one door operatively connected to the
refrigerator cabinet to provide access to the refrigerator space
wherein the refrigerator space is divided into multiple
compartments through at least one positionable separator; wherein
each of the compartments is convertible.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to refrigeration devices such
as refrigerators or freezers. Refrigerators and freezers are
well-known.
[0002] In a typical domestic refrigerator, the refrigerator has two
separate compartments. The first compartment is for food storage
and the second compartment for freezer storage. The food
compartment typically has a temperature somewhat above 0.degree. C.
while the freezer compartment has a temperature maintained below
0.degree. C. In a typical refrigerator, there is a damper that
allows cooled air from the freezer compartment to enter the
refrigerator compartment.
[0003] What is needed is an improved refrigerator that provides for
convertible compartments and/or size adjustable compartments.
[0004] Therefore, it is a primary object, feature, or advantage of
the present invention to improve upon the state of the art.
[0005] It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present
invention to provide a refrigerator that includes multiple
compartments.
[0006] Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present
invention is to provide a refrigerator that includes convertible
compartments such that each compartment is not limited to being
merely a freezer compartment or merely a refrigeration
compartment.
[0007] Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present
invention is to provide a refrigerator that provides for size
adjustable compartments.
[0008] Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present
invention is to provide for a refrigerator with multiple
compartments that requires only a single refrigeration system.
[0009] One or more of these and/or other objects, features, or
advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the
specification and claims that follow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention provides for a refrigerator that
includes multiple convertible compartments which are preferably
size adjustable in nature. Thus, the present invention provides for
a reconfigurable refrigerator that gives the user flexibility in
the allocation of refrigerator space.
[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a
refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet. There is at least one
door operatively connected to the refrigerator cabinet for
providing access to inside of the refrigerator cabinet. There is a
first compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet and a
second compartment disclosed within the refrigerator cabinet. At
least one of these compartments is convertible between a freezer
compartment and a refrigeration compartment. The compartments can
be separated by a moveable separator between the first compartment
and the second compartment. The moveable separator is adapted for
placement in different positions in order to alter the size of the
first compartment and the size of the second compartment.
[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet and at least one door
operatively connected to the refrigerator cabinet for providing
access to inside of the refrigerator cabinet. There is a first
compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet and a second
compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet. There is also
a refrigerant system disposed within the refrigerator cabinet
adapted to provide cooled air. The refrigerator includes a first
damper to selectively provide the cooled air to the first
compartment and a second damper to selectively provide the cooled
air to the second compartment. The use of multiple dampers allows
the compartments to be convertible so that either compartment can
be used as a refrigerating or food storage compartment and each
compartment can be used as a freezer compartment.
[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet and at least one door.
There is a removable and repositionable separator adapted to divide
an interior of the refrigerator cabinet into multiple convertible
compartments.
[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
refrigerator is adapted for providing user flexibility in the
allocation or refrigerator space. The refrigerator includes a
refrigerator cabinet and at least one door operatively connected to
the refrigerator cabinet to provide access to the refrigerator
space. The refrigerator space is divided into multiple compartments
through at least one positionable separator. Each of the
compartments is convertible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a
refrigerator according to the present invention having multiple
compartments.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
refrigerator of the present invention having multiple compartments
wherein the size of each of the compartments is adjustable through
positioning of separators.
[0017] FIG. 3 is an electrical schematic for one embodiment of a
control system for a refrigerator having convertible
compartments.
[0018] FIG. 4 is an electrical schematic for another embodiment of
a control system for a refrigerator having convertible
compartments.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram for the control process of one
embodiment of a refrigerator having multiple convertible
compartments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] The present invention provides for a refrigerator that is
flexible in that it provides the user with improved control over
the allocation of refrigerator space. For example, FIG. 1
illustrates one embodiment of a refrigerator according to the
present invention. In FIG. 1, a refrigerator 10 is shown with a
refrigerator cabinet 12. Disposed within the refrigerator cabinet
12 is a first compartment 14. A first door 16 is operatively
connected to the refrigerator cabinet 12 in order to provide access
to the refrigerator compartment 14 which is in the interior of the
refrigerator 10. A second refrigerator compartment 18 is also
shown. A second refrigerator door 20 provides access to the
refrigerator compartment 18. Also a separator 22 is shown between
the first compartment 14 and the second compartment 18. The
separator 22 shown in FIG. 1 is fixed in place, however, the
present invention also provides for a positionable or adjustable
separator as will later be discussed.
[0021] The refrigerator 10 of FIG. 1 provide a user with increased
flexibility in that the first compartment 14 and the second
compartment 18 are convertible. That is to say that each of the
first compartment 14 and the second compartment 18 can be used as a
freezer compartment or as a food storage type refrigerator
compartment. Thus, each compartment can be used for freezer storage
or the user can elect to use each of the compartments for
refrigeration. In other words, the temperature of each of the
convertible compartments can be set below 0.degree. C. for freezer
storage or above 0.degree. C. for refrigerator storage. Each of the
convertible compartments can maintain a temperature independent of
the temperature of the other compartments, thus each compartment is
independently convertible.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a refrigerator. In
FIG. 2, a refrigerator 30 has a refrigerator cabinet 32 and a
refrigerator door 34 operatively connected to the refrigerator
cabinet 32. Within the interior of the refrigerator cabinet 32,
there is refrigerator space which is divided into a first
compartment 36, a second compartment 38, and a third compartment
40. The refrigerator space is divided into multiple compartments
through use of a positionable separator 42 and a positionable
separator 48. Each of the positionable separators 42, 48 can be
positioned at different locations within the refrigerator space
within the refrigerator cabinet 32 in order to provide the user
flexibility in the manner in which the refrigerator space is
allocated. As shown in FIG. 2, the separator 42 is inserted into
separator supports 44 and 46. The separator 48 is inserted into
separator supports 50 and 52. Additional separator supports are
provided such as separator supports 58 and 60 as well as separator
supports 54 and 56. Thus, by placing the refrigerator separator 42
and 48 in different refrigerator supports, the refrigerator space
can be reallocated.
[0023] Preferably the separators 42 and 48 are insulated to
maintain temperature differentials between the compartments defined
by the separators. The present invention contemplates that the
separators 42 and 48 can be adjustably connected to the
refrigerator cabinet in any number of ways. This includes, but is
not limited to insertion of refrigerator separators into slots,
onto supports, or by other connection means, including those
connection means used to connect shelves within refrigerators or as
otherwise known in the art. With the separators 42 and 48 in place,
each of the compartments 36, 38 and 40 is convertible, thus
separate temperatures may be maintained in each of the compartments
independent of the temperatures of the other compartments. It is to
be understood that these temperatures are independently maintained
even though each of the separators 42 and 48 do not necessarily act
as perfect insulators.
[0024] In FIG. 3, a cold control upper switch 100 and a cold
control lower switch 108, both single pole, single throw (SPST)
switches are used to control the flow of cooled air into an upper
compartment and a lower compartment, respectively, through opening
and closing of dampers and also to turn on a cooling system 120
when needed and to turn off the cooling system 120 when not
needed.
[0025] In FIG. 3, a damper 104 associated with an upper compartment
is electrically connected to a cold control unit single pole-single
throw switch 100 and a relay 102. Thus the control unit 100 is used
to open and close the damper 104. A second relay 106 is also
connected to the cold control unit 100 which is used to switch on
and off relay 118 which is electrically connected to a cooling
system 120. Thus when cooling is required in the upper compartment,
the cold control unit 100 switches on thereby opening the damper
104 and switching on the cooling system if the cooling system is
not already on.
[0026] Similarly, a second cold control single pole-single throw
switch 108 is associated with a lower compartment. The cold control
switch 108 is electrically connected to a relay 110 and relay 114
as well as a damper 112 associated with the lower compartment. The
relay 110 is also electrically connected to the relay 118 which is
electrically connected to the cooling system 120 and relay 122 for
switching on the cooling system 120. Also, a timer 116 is present
for periodically switching on the cooling system 120.
[0027] An alternative embodiment for an electrical schematic using
cold control units is shown in FIG. 4. The embodiment of FIG. 4
also uses cold control units. The electrical schematic in FIG. 4
provides an advantage in that two less relays are required. Note
that cold control unit 130 and 132 are both single pole double
throw switches. Thus, reducing the number of relays required.
[0028] The present invention provides for using data acquisition
means, such as temperature sensors in conjunction with an
intelligent control such as a processor or microcontroller to
provide for control of temperature within the convertible
compartments.
[0029] FIG. 5 provides a flow diagram illustrating control logic.
In step 150 the temperature of the first compartment is evaluated
and in step 152 the temperature of the second compartment is
evaluated. The present invention contemplates that each temperature
can be taken at a single point. Alternatively, the present
invention contemplates that each temperature can be a spatial
average of temperatures measured at multiple points. Alternatively,
each temperature can be computed using a running average. The
present invention contemplates that temperature may be evaluated
according to any number of other specific methodology as well.
[0030] In step 154 a determination is made as to whether the
temperature of the first compartment is greater than a desired
temperature of the desired compartment. If so, then, in order to
cool the compartment, in step 156 a damper associated with the
first compartment is opened. Then in step 158 a determination is
made as to whether or not the refrigerant system is on. If not,
then in step 160, the refrigerant system is switched on. Returning
to step 154, if the temperature of the first compartment is not
greater than the desired temperature of the first compartment, then
the damper associated with the first compartment is closed in step
162.
[0031] In step 164 a determination is made as to whether the
temperature of the second compartment is greater than the desired
temperature for the second compartment. If so, then the second
compartment needs to be cooled and in step 166 a damper associated
with the second compartment is opened. Then in step 168, a
determination is made as to whether or not the refrigerant system
is on or not. If not, then in step 170 the refrigerant system is
switched on. Returning to step 164, if the temperature of the
second compartment is not greater than the desired temperature of
the second compartment, then there is no need for additional
cooling at this time and in step 172 the damper associated with the
second compartment is closed.
[0032] Next, in step 174 a determination is made as to whether or
not the damper of the first compartment is closed and the damper of
the second compartment is closed. If both dampers are closed, then
the refrigerant system is switched off in 176 as there is no need
to continue to produce cooled air. The process then repeats with a
reevaluation of the temperature of the compartments in steps 150
and 152.
[0033] The flow diagram shown in FIG. 5 is merely one embodiment of
the flow of control that can be used according to the present
invention. It should be appreciated that the flow diagram can be
extended to allow for more than two compartments. This and other
variations are contemplated by the present invention.
[0034] Thus, a refrigerator has been disclosed that allows for
refrigerator space to be reconfigured such as through the use of
convertible compartments and through the use of resizable
compartments. The present invention contemplates numerous
variations, including in the number of compartments, the manner in
which the compartments are separated, and other variations within
the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *