U.S. patent application number 13/025644 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-16 for ice dispenser for dispensing cubed and crushed ice and related refrigeration appliance.
This patent application is currently assigned to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. Invention is credited to Ronald Gary Foster, Scott Howard Welham.
Application Number | 20120204592 13/025644 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46635828 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120204592 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Foster; Ronald Gary ; et
al. |
August 16, 2012 |
ICE DISPENSER FOR DISPENSING CUBED AND CRUSHED ICE AND RELATED
REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE
Abstract
An ice dispensing assembly includes an ice bucket for containing
ice cubes, with at least a first exit in the ice bucket for the ice
cubes. An optional second exit may be provided in the ice bucket
for crushed ice made from the ice cubes. One motor moves a
rotatable member to move ice from the ice bucket through at least
one of the exits. A second motor moves either a crush plate or
counter rotating members to create crushed ice. The crushed ice may
be dispensed though the first exit or the second exit. Related
refrigeration appliances are disclosed.
Inventors: |
Foster; Ronald Gary;
(Louisville, KY) ; Welham; Scott Howard;
(Prospect, KY) |
Assignee: |
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Schenectady
NY
|
Family ID: |
46635828 |
Appl. No.: |
13/025644 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25C 5/046 20130101;
F25C 2400/08 20130101; F25C 5/22 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/320 |
International
Class: |
F25C 5/02 20060101
F25C005/02; F25C 5/18 20060101 F25C005/18 |
Claims
1. An ice dispensing assembly comprising: an ice bucket for
containing ice cubes; a first exit in the ice bucket for the ice
cubes; a second exit in the ice bucket for crushed ice made from
the ice cubes; a first motor for moving a rotatable member to move
ice cubes from the ice bucket through the first exit; and a second
motor for moving two counter-rotating members to grind ice cubes
from the ice bucket therebetween into crushed ice and to move the
crushed ice through the second exit.
2. The ice dispensing assembly of claim 1, wherein the first exit
and the second exit are located laterally adjacent each other in a
bottom portion of the ice bucket.
3. The ice dispensing assembly of claim 1, wherein a guide is
provided proximate the counter rotating members for guiding ice
cubes to and through the counter rotating members.
4. The ice dispensing assembly of claim 1, wherein the rotatable
member is mounted non-concentrically with reference to a shaft
driven by the first motor.
5. An ice dispensing assembly comprising: an ice bucket for
containing ice cubes; an exit in the ice bucket for the ice cubes;
a first motor for moving a rotatable member to move ice cubes from
the ice bucket through the exit; and a second motor for moving a
crush element toward or away from the rotatable member, the crush
element cooperating with the rotatable member when moved toward the
rotatable member to grind ice cubes from the ice bucket
therebetween into crushed ice and to move the crushed ice through
the exit, the crush element being spaced from the rotatable member
when moved away so as to allow ice cubes to pass out of the exit
without crushing via rotation of the rotatable member.
6. The ice dispensing assembly of claim 5, wherein the second motor
is a solenoid motor.
7. The ice dispensing assembly of claim 5, wherein the crush
element is a plate mounted on a ramp extending at an angle to the
exit.
8. The ice dispensing assembly of claim 7, wherein the plate has a
first end that extends over a distal end of the ramp when moved
toward the rotatable member.
9. A refrigeration appliance with an ice dispenser comprising: a
refrigerated cabinet and at least one door; an ice bucket in one of
the refrigerated cabinet or door for containing ice cubes; a first
exit in the ice bucket for the ice cubes; a second exit in the ice
bucket for crushed ice made from the ice cubes; a first motor for
moving a rotatable member to move ice cubes from the ice bucket
through the first exit and through the door; and a second motor for
moving two counter-rotating members to grind ice cubes from the ice
bucket therebetween into crushed ice and to move the crushed ice
through the second exit and through the door.
10. The refrigeration appliance of claim 9, wherein the first exit
and the second exit are located laterally adjacent each other in a
bottom portion of the ice bucket and over a conduit leading to an
outlet in the door.
11. The refrigeration appliance of claim 9, wherein a guide is
provided proximate the counter rotating members for guiding ice
cubes to and through the counter rotating members.
12. The refrigeration appliance of claim 9, wherein the rotatable
member is mounted non-concentrically with reference to a shaft
driven by the first motor.
13. The refrigeration appliance of claim 9, wherein an ice maker is
mounted in the refrigeration appliance above the ice bucket for
providing the ice cubes.
14. A refrigeration appliance with an ice dispenser comprising: a
refrigerated cabinet and at least one door; an ice bucket in one of
the refrigerated cabinet or the door for containing ice cubes; an
exit in the ice bucket for the ice cubes; a first motor for moving
a rotatable member to move ice cubes from the ice bucket through
the exit and through the door; and a second motor for moving a
crush element toward or away from the rotatable member, the crush
element cooperating with the rotatable member when moved toward the
rotatable member to grind ice cubes from the ice bucket
therebetween into crushed ice and to move the crushed ice through
the exit and through the door, the crush element being spaced from
the rotatable member when moved away so as to allow ice cubes to
pass out of the exit and through the door without crushing via
rotation of the rotatable member.
15. The refrigeration appliance of claim 14, wherein the second
motor is a solenoid motor.
16. The refrigeration appliance of claim 15, wherein the crush
element is a plate mounted on a ramp extending at an angle to the
exit.
17. The refrigeration appliance of claim 15, wherein the plate has
a first end that extends over a distal end of the ramp when moved
toward the rotatable member.
18. The refrigeration appliance of claim 15, wherein an ice maker
is mounted in the refrigeration appliance above the ice bucket for
providing the ice cubes.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to ice
dispensing assemblies that can dispense cubed or crushed ice and to
a related refrigeration appliances having such an ice
dispenser.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various ice maker and dispenser designs have been proposed
for refrigeration appliances such as commercial or home
refrigerators and/or freezers. Some of these devices dispense
crushed ice and ice cubes.
[0003] These devices generally dispense ice cubes and crushed ice
through the same outlet with an ice crushing assembly located
somewhat "upstream" of the dispensing outlet used by the consumer.
In such situations, mixing can occur as switchover happens between
crushed and cubed ice, which may be undesirable in some
situations.
[0004] Other conventional assemblies use complicated augers and
crushers to create crushed ice from ice cubes. While these devices
generally work as desired, a less complicated solution would be
welcome in some applications.
[0005] Accordingly, an improved design would be welcome for an ice
dispenser where both cubed and crushed ice can be readily
dispensed, and/or wherein ice cubes and crushed ice can be
dispensed as desired separately.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] 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.
[0007] According to certain aspects of the disclosure, an ice
dispensing assembly includes an ice bucket for containing ice
cubes, with a first exit in the ice bucket for the ice cubes and a
second exit in the ice bucket for crushed ice made from the ice
cubes. A first motor moves a rotatable member to move ice cubes
from the ice bucket through the first exit. A second motor moves
two counter-rotating members to grind ice cubes from the ice bucket
therebetween into crushed ice and to move the crushed ice through
the second exit. Various options and modifications are
possible.
[0008] According to certain other aspects of the disclosure, an ice
dispensing assembly includes an ice bucket for containing ice
cubes, with an exit in the ice bucket for the ice cubes. A first
motor moves a rotatable member to move ice cubes from the ice
bucket through the exit. A second motor moves a crush element
toward or away from the rotatable member, the crush element
cooperating with the rotatable member when moved toward the
rotatable member to grind ice cubes from the ice bucket
therebetween into crushed ice and to move the crushed ice through
the exit. The crush element is spaced from the rotatable member
when moved away so as to allow ice cubes to pass out of the exit
without crushing via rotation of the rotatable member. As above,
various options and modifications are possible.
[0009] According to certain aspects of the disclosure, a
refrigeration appliance with an ice dispenser includes a
refrigerated cabinet and at least one door, and an ice bucket in
one of the refrigerated cabinet or door for containing ice cubes. A
first exit is located in the ice bucket for the ice cubes, with a
second exit in the ice bucket for crushed ice made from the ice
cubes. A first motor moves a rotatable member to move ice cubes
from the ice bucket through the first exit and through the door. A
second motor moves two counter-rotating members to grind ice cubes
from the ice bucket therebetween into crushed ice and to move the
crushed ice through the second exit and through the door. Various
options and modifications are possible.
[0010] According to certain other aspects of the disclosure, a
refrigeration appliance with an ice dispenser includes a
refrigerated cabinet and at least one door, and an ice bucket in
one of the refrigerated cabinet or door for containing ice cubes.
An exit is provided in the ice bucket for the ice cubes. A first
motor moves a rotatable member to move ice cubes from the ice
bucket through the exit and through the door. A second motor moves
a crush element toward or away from the rotatable member, the crush
element cooperating with the rotatable member when moved toward the
rotatable member to grind ice cubes from the ice bucket
therebetween into crushed ice and to move the crushed ice through
the exit and through the door. The crush element is spaced from the
rotatable member when moved away so as to allow ice cubes to pass
out of the exit and through the door without crushing via rotation
of the rotatable member. As above, various options and
modifications are possible.
[0011] 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
[0012] 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, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 provides a front view of a refrigeration appliance
with its doors closed;
[0014] FIG. 2 provides a front view of the refrigeration appliance
of FIG. 1 with its doors opened;
[0015] FIG. 3 provides a diagrammatical front view of an ice
dispensing assembly according to certain aspects of the present
disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 4 provides a diagrammatical top view of ice dispensing
assembly of FIG. 3;
[0017] FIG. 5 provides a diagrammatical front view of an alternate
ice dispensing assembly according to certain aspects of the present
disclosure; and
[0018] FIG. 6 provides a diagrammatical top view of ice dispensing
assembly of FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] 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 or spirit 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.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a frontal view of an exemplary refrigeration
appliance 10 depicted as a refrigerator in which dispenser target
indicating assemblies in accordance with aspects of the present
invention may be utilized. It should be appreciated that the
appliance of FIG. 1 is for illustrative purposes only and that the
present invention is not limited to any particular type, style, or
configuration of refrigeration appliance, and that such appliance
may include any manner of refrigerator, freezer,
refrigerator/freezer combination, and so forth. The present
disclosure may be especially suitable for a compact refrigerator
and/or freezer appliance where space is at a premium and an
ice-making capability is desired. However, the disclosed ice-making
assembly may be used with any such appliance.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 2 the refrigerator 10 includes a fresh
food storage compartment 12 and a freezer storage compartment 14,
with the compartments arranged side-by-side and contained within an
outer case 16 and inner liners 18 and 20 generally made from a
suitable plastic or metal material. In smaller refrigerators 10, a
single liner is formed and a mullion spans between opposite sides
of the liner to divide it into a freezer storage compartment and a
fresh food storage compartment. The outer case 16 is normally
formed by folding a sheet of a suitable material, such as
pre-painted steel, into an inverted U-shape to form top and side
walls of the outer case 16. A bottom wall of the outer case 16
normally is formed separately and attached to the case side walls
and to a bottom frame that provides support for refrigerator
10.
[0022] A breaker strip 22 extends between a case front flange and
outer front edges of inner liners 18 and 20. The breaker strip 22
is formed from a suitable resilient material, such as an extruded
acrylo-butadiene-styrene based material (commonly referred to as
ABS). The insulation in the space between inner liners 18 and 20 is
covered by another strip of suitable resilient material, which also
commonly is referred to as a mullion 24 and may be formed of an
extruded ABS material. Breaker strip 22 and mullion 24 form a front
face, and extend completely around inner peripheral edges of the
outer case 16 and vertically between inner liners 18 and 20.
[0023] Slide-out drawers 26, a storage bin 28 and shelves 30 are
normally provided in fresh food storage compartment 12 to support
items being stored therein. In addition, at least one shelf 30 and
at least one wire basket 32 are also provided in freezer storage
compartment 14.
[0024] The refrigerator features are controlled by a controller 34
according to user preference via manipulation of a control
interface 36 mounted in an upper region of fresh food storage
compartment 12 and coupled to the controller 34. As used herein,
the term "controller" is not limited to just those integrated
circuits referred to in the art as microprocessor, but broadly
refers to computers, processors, microcontrollers, microcomputers,
programmable logic controllers, application specific integrated
circuits, and other programmable circuits, and these terms are used
interchangeably herein.
[0025] A freezer door 38 and a fresh food door 40 close access
openings to freezer storage compartment 14 and fresh food storage
compartment 12. Each door 38, 40 is mounted by a top hinge 42 and a
bottom hinge (not shown) to rotate about its outer vertical edge
between an open position, as shown in FIG. 1, and a closed
position. The freezer door 38 may include a plurality of storage
shelves 44 and a sealing gasket 46, and fresh food door 40 also
includes a plurality of storage shelves 48 and a sealing gasket
50.
[0026] The freezer storage compartment 14 may include an automatic
ice maker 52 and a dispenser 54 provided in the freezer door 38
such that ice and/or chilled water can be dispensed without opening
the freezer door 38, as is well known in the art. Doors 38 and 40
may be opened by handles 56 is conventional. A housing 58 may hold
a water filter 60 used to filter water for the ice maker 52 and/or
dispenser 54.
[0027] As with known refrigerators, the refrigerator 10 also
includes a machinery compartment (not shown) that at least
partially contains components for executing a known vapor
compression cycle for cooling air. The components include a
compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator
connected in series as a loop and charged with a refrigerant. The
evaporator is a type of heat exchanger which transfers heat from
air passing over the evaporator to the refrigerant flowing through
the evaporator, thereby causing the refrigerant to vaporize. The
cooled air is used to refrigerate one or more refrigerator or
freezer compartments via fans. Also, a cooling loop can be added to
directly cool the ice maker to form ice cubes, and a heating loop
can be added to help remove ice from the ice maker. Collectively,
the vapor compression cycle components in a refrigeration circuit,
associated fans, and associated compartments are conventionally
referred to as a sealed system. The construction and operation of
the sealed system are well known to those skilled in the art.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an ice dispensing assembly 100
includes an ice bucket 102 that can be mounted within refrigeration
appliance 10. As shown, ice bucket 102 is mounted to an interior of
freezer door 38, although it could be mounted to the refrigerator
door 40 as well, or in the refrigerator compartment 12 or freezer
compartment 14. Ice maker 52 (shown in dotted lines) would be most
likely mounted in freezer compartment 14 if ice bucket 102 is
mounted to freezer door 38 so that ice cubes 104 can drop from the
ice maker into the ice bucket when made. However, as is known, ice
maker 52 could be mounted in refrigerator compartment 12 and cooled
in some way, such as by providing cooled air from freezer
compartment to the area of the ice maker to cool it sufficiently to
make ice. Accordingly, it should be understood that various options
are possible for mounting ice bucket 102 and ice maker 52 within
refrigerated appliance 10, its various compartments or its
doors.
[0029] Ice bucket 102 includes side walls 106 and a bottom wall
108. A first exit 110 and a second exit 112 are provided in bottom
wall 108. Both exits lead to a conduit 114 that leads eventually to
an opening (not shown) through door 38 within dispenser 54.
Trapdoors, seals, etc. may be provided between the exits and the
dispenser for thermal reasons as is known, either within the exits
or below.
[0030] A first motor 116 is provided for moving a rotatable member
118 to move ice cubes 104 from ice bucket 102 through first exit
110. As shown, ice cubes 104 that drop from ice maker 52 will fall
to the bottom area of ice bucket 102 near rotatable member 118 and
first exit 110. Eventually, enough ice can be made to fully cover
this area. If desired, rotatable member 118 may be concentrically
or non-concentrically mounted on shaft 120. Mounting rotatable
member 118 non-concentrically may allow ice to be "throttled"
downward more forcefully through exit 110 while breaking up clumps
and pulling accumulated ice down from above. If desired, rotatable
member 118 may have a ridged, grooved, etc. outer surface 122 to
assist in grabbing and pushing ice. Alternatively, rotatable member
118 could be concentrically mounted but have a somewhat non-uniform
surface 122 shape to assist in moving ice as desired. Rotating
element 120, when stopped, also provides a "shut off" to stop the
flow of ice to the exit at the end of the dispense cycle.
[0031] A second motor 124 is provided to move two counter-rotating
members 126 to grind ice cubes 104 from the ice bucket 102 between
them into crushed ice and to move the crushed ice through the
second exit 112. As shown, counter-rotating members 126 are mounted
to shafts 128 connected via gearing 130 at a base end near second
motor 124. The spacing between shafts 128 and/or the diameter of
members 126 may be selected to provide crushed ice of a desired
size. Members 126 may have teeth, as shown, or other shapes to help
pull ice cubes 104 down between the members for crushing and pass
them toward second exit 112. If desired, a guide 132 may be
provided proximate counter rotating members 126 for guiding ice
cubes to and through the counter rotating members. As shown, guide
132 is cup shaped and extends upward above exit 112. Use of such
guide helps direct ice cubes in the right direction toward the
crushing counter-rotating members and also keeps crushed ice from
missing second exit 112, either to fall in the bottom of ice bucket
102 or passing out first exit 110.
[0032] Ice dispensing assembly 100 therefore provides a simple and
reliable source of both ice cubes and crushed ice. The feeds of
crushed ice and ice cubes are not mixed, so a user gets only what
is desired, not the tail end of a previously dispensed quantity of
cubed or crushed ice. The dual motors allow each side of the ice
bucket to operate independently. Complicated auger mechanisms are
avoided.
[0033] FIGS. 5 and 6 show another example of an ice dispensing
assembly. As shown, assembly 200 also includes an ice bucket 202
mounted to a freezer door 38, although it could be mounted to the
refrigerator door 40 as well, or in the refrigerator compartment 12
or freezer compartment 14. Therefore, as above, various optional
locations and arrangements are possible.
[0034] Ice bucket 202 has only one exit 210 in the bottom wall 208.
A first motor 216 moves a rotatable member 218 to move ice cubes
104 from the ice bucket through the exit. Rotatable member 218 as
shown is concentrically mounted on shaft 220 and has a plurality of
teeth for gripping and pulling down ice cubes.
[0035] A second motor 224 moves a crush element 225 toward or away
from the rotatable member 218. Second motor 224 may accordingly be
a solenoid motor. As shown, the crush element 225 is a plate
slidable on a ramp 227 formed atop bottom wall 208 or side wall
202. A distal end of 229 of ramp 227 extends into or over exit 210.
Crush 225 element is movable between a first position toward
rotatable member 218 (as in FIG. 5) and a second position away from
the rotatable member (see FIG. 6). When in the position toward
rotatable member 218, crush member 225 narrows the width of the
passageway for ice cubes moving downward through exit 210, thereby
cooperating with the rotatable member when rotated to grind ice
cubes into crushed ice. The crush element 225 also serves as a
"shut off" over the exit when the ice dispense cycle is over and
rotating element 218 is no longer turning. When pulled back from
rotatable member 218, crush element 225 allows ice cubes to pass
out of exit 210 without crushing via rotation of the rotatable
member. In other words, when moved back, crush element 225 provides
enough space for ice cubes to be pulled down and passed through
exit 210 without being crushed. Structure 231 may be provided on an
output shaft 228 of second motor 224, such as an eccentric, a
slider, a rack and pinion arrangement, etc., to allow crush element
225 to slide back and forth under the direction of the second
motor.
[0036] Accordingly, the device of FIGS. 5 and 6 provides a reliable
and simple ice dispensing assembly 200 for providing cubed or
crushed ice as desired. Again, complicated auger mechanisms are
avoided, and two small motors are used for the various
functionality.
[0037] 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.
* * * * *