U.S. patent application number 15/488590 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-18 for ice maker assembly and refrigerator appliance.
The applicant listed for this patent is Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.. Invention is credited to Charles Benjamin Miller.
Application Number | 20180299177 15/488590 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63791769 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180299177 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller; Charles Benjamin |
October 18, 2018 |
ICE MAKER ASSEMBLY AND REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE
Abstract
A refrigerator appliance and ice maker assembly are generally
provided herein. The ice maker assembly may include a body and a
harvester. The body may include an ice mold for receiving and
freezing water. The ice mold may define a compartment within which
water freezes. The compartment may be at least partially defined by
a continuous arcuate bottom surface comprising a first segment
defined about a first radius and a second segment defined about a
second radius. The harvester may be rotatably disposed above at
least a portion of the arcuate bottom surface to motivate ice from
the compartment.
Inventors: |
Miller; Charles Benjamin;
(Louisville, KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. |
Wilmington |
DE |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
63791769 |
Appl. No.: |
15/488590 |
Filed: |
April 17, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25C 2500/02 20130101;
F25C 5/08 20130101; F25C 2500/06 20130101; F25C 5/22 20180101 |
International
Class: |
F25C 5/04 20060101
F25C005/04; F25C 5/08 20060101 F25C005/08 |
Claims
1. An ice maker assembly comprising: a body comprising an ice mold
for receiving and freezing water, the ice mold defining a
compartment within which water freezes, the compartment at least
partially defined by a continuous arcuate bottom surface comprising
a first segment defined about a first radius and a second segment
defined about a second radius, the second radius being smaller than
the first radius; and a harvester rotatably disposed above at least
a portion of the arcuate bottom surface to motivate ice from the
compartment.
2. The ice maker assembly of claim 1, wherein the compartment is
defined from a top portion of the ice mold to the continuous
arcuate bottom surface, and wherein the harvester comprises a
rotatable tine mounted within the compartment on a rotation axis,
the rotation axis being defined below the top portion of the ice
mold.
3. The ice maker assembly of claim 2, wherein the ice mold defines
a fill line within the compartment above the continuous arcuate
bottom surface, wherein a spill gap is defined between the fill
line and the top portion of the ice mold, and wherein the spill gap
is longer than the second radius.
4. The ice maker assembly of claim 2, wherein an axis height is
defined along a vertical direction between the continuous arcuate
bottom surface and the rotation axis, and wherein the axis height
is less than the first radius.
5. The ice maker assembly of claim 4, wherein the axis height is
greater than the second radius.
6. The ice maker assembly of claim 1, wherein the harvester
comprises a rotatable tine mounted within the compartment on a
rotation axis, and wherein the rotatable tine defines a tine length
greater than the second radius.
7. The ice maker assembly of claim 6, wherein the rotatable tine is
a first rotatable tine, and wherein the harvester comprises a
second rotatable tine mounted on the rotation axis, the second
rotatable tine being angularly offset from the first rotatable
tine.
8. The ice maker assembly of claim 7, wherein the harvester further
comprises an arcuate rib extending about the rotation axis from the
first rotatable tine to the second rotatable tine.
9. The ice maker assembly of claim 1, further comprising a heater
mounted to the body in thermal communication with the continuous
arcuate bottom surface to selectively direct heat thereto.
10. A refrigerator appliance comprising: a cabinet defining a
chilled chamber; a door mounted to the cabinet; and an ice maker
assembly mounted to the door, the ice maker assembly comprising a
body comprising an ice mold for receiving and freezing water, the
ice mold defining a compartment within which water freezes, the
compartment at least partially defined by a continuous arcuate
bottom surface comprising a first segment defined about a first
radius and a second segment defined about a second radius, the
second radius being smaller than the first radius, and a harvester
rotatably disposed above at least a portion of the arcuate bottom
surface to motivate ice from the compartment.
11. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10, wherein the compartment
is defined from a top portion of the ice mold to the continuous
arcuate bottom surface, and wherein the harvester comprises a
rotatable tine mounted within the compartment on a rotation axis,
the rotation axis being defined below the top portion of the ice
mold.
12. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, wherein the ice mold
defines a fill line within the compartment above the continuous
arcuate bottom surface, wherein a spill gap is defined between the
fill line and the top portion of the ice mold, and wherein the
spill gap is longer than the second radius.
13. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, wherein an axis height
is defined along a vertical direction between the continuous
arcuate bottom surface and the rotation axis, and wherein the axis
height is less than the first radius.
14. The refrigerator appliance of claim 13, wherein the axis height
is greater than the second radius.
15. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10, wherein the harvester
comprises a rotatable tine mounted within the compartment on a
rotation axis, and wherein the rotatable tine defines a tine length
greater than the second radius.
16. The refrigerator appliance of claim 15, wherein the rotatable
tine is a first rotatable tine, and wherein the harvester comprises
a second rotatable tine mounted on the rotation axis, the second
rotatable tine being angularly offset from the first rotatable
tine.
17. The refrigerator appliance of claim 16, wherein the harvester
further comprises an arcuate rib extending about the rotation axis
from the first rotatable tine to the second rotatable tine.
18. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10, further comprising a
heater mounted to the body in thermal communication with the
continuous arcuate bottom surface to selectively direct heat
thereto.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to ice maker
assemblies, and more particularly to an ice maker assembly for a
refrigerator appliance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Certain refrigerator appliances include an ice maker for
producing ice. The ice maker can receive liquid water, and such
liquid water can freeze within the ice maker to form ice. In
particular, certain ice makers include a mold body that defines a
plurality of cavities. The plurality of cavities can be filled with
liquid water, and such liquid water can freeze within the plurality
of cavities to form ice cubes.
[0003] Many refrigerator appliances mount ice maker assemblies
within a rotating door. For instance, in a "bottom freezer" type
refrigerator where the freezer chamber is arranged below or beneath
a top mounted fresh food chamber, an automatic ice maker is often
disposed in a thermally insulated ice compartment mounted or formed
on a door for the top mounted fresh food chamber. During use, ice
is delivered through an opening on the door for the fresh food
chamber. As another example, a "side by side" type refrigerator,
where the freezer chamber is arranged next to the fresh food
chamber, an automatic ice maker is often disposed on the door for
either one of the freezer chamber or the fresh food chamber. During
use, ice is delivered through an opening formed on the door of the
respective compartment.
[0004] Positioning the automatic ice maker on the door of a
refrigerator presents a number of challenges. One such challenge is
that water may spill from certain portions of the ice maker. For
instance, when the door is opened or closed while water in the ice
maker is not frozen, the unfrozen water can spill out of the ice
mold body of the ice maker. In some cases, this is because the
frontal opening of each ice chamber is not completely covered by
the ice stripper. Such water spilling is not desirable. Moreover,
the spilled water may fall into the ice storage bin positioned
below or beneath the ice maker, causing the ice cubes in the ice
storage bin to clump together. Although additional features may be
added to further enclose the ice molds and prevent spills, such
features generally add to the complexity and cost of an ice maker
unit.
[0005] Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide an
automatic ice maker that addresses one or more of these
challenges.
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] In one aspect of the present disclosure, an ice maker
assembly is provided. The ice maker assembly may include a body and
a harvester. The body may include an ice mold for receiving and
freezing water. The ice mold may define a compartment within which
water freezes. The compartment may be at least partially defined by
a continuous arcuate bottom surface comprising a first segment
defined about a first radius and a second segment defined about a
second radius. The second radius may be smaller than the first
radius. The harvester may be rotatably disposed above at least a
portion of the arcuate bottom surface to motivate ice from the
compartment.
[0008] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator
appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance may include a
cabinet, a door, and an ice maker assembly. The cabinet may define
a chilled chamber. The door may be mounted to the cabinet. The ice
maker assembly may be mounted to the door. The ice maker assembly
may include a body and a harvester. The body may include an ice
mold for receiving and freezing water. The ice mold may define a
compartment within which water freezes. The compartment may be at
least partially defined by a continuous arcuate bottom surface
comprising a first segment defined about a first radius and a
second segment defined about a second radius. The second radius may
be smaller than the first radius. The harvester may be rotatably
disposed above at least a portion of the arcuate bottom surface to
motivate ice from the compartment.
[0009] 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
[0010] 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.
[0011] FIG. 1 provides a front perspective view of a refrigerator
appliance according to example embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2 provides a front perspective view of the example
refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1, wherein the doors are shown in an
open position.
[0013] FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of an example ice maker
assembly according to example embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 4 provides an exploded perspective view of the example
ice maker assembly of FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 provides a cross-sectional plan view of an ice maker
assembly according to example embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 6 provides a cross-sectional plan view of an ice maker
assembly according to example embodiments of the present
disclosure, wherein the harvester is disposed in a fill
position.
[0017] FIG. 7 provides a cross-sectional plan view of the example
ice maker assembly of FIG. 6, wherein the harvester is disposed in
a first intermediate position.
[0018] FIG. 8 provides a cross-sectional plan view of the example
ice maker assembly of FIG. 6, wherein the harvester is disposed in
a second intermediate position.
[0019] FIG. 9 provides a cross-sectional plan view of the example
ice maker assembly of FIG. 6, wherein the harvester is disposed in
an ejection position.
[0020] FIG. 10 provides a cross-sectional plan view of an ice maker
assembly according to other example embodiments of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] 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.
[0022] Generally, the present disclosure provides an ice maker that
can be mounted within a separate appliance, such as a refrigerator
appliance. The ice maker can include an ice mold that freezes water
into a generally crescent cube shape along a continuous arcuate
bottom surface. The arcuate bottom surface may be defined along one
or more distinct radii. The at least two radii may thus be
different sizes. Moreover, the resulting frozen ice cubes may have
at least two radii of different sizes.
[0023] FIG. 1 provides a front, perspective view of a refrigerator
appliance 100 according to an example embodiment of the present
disclosure. FIG. 2 provides a front, perspective view of
refrigerator appliance 100 with a refrigerator door 110 and a
freezer door 112 of refrigerator appliance 100 shown in an open
position to reveal a fresh food chamber 114 and a freezer chamber
116 of refrigerator appliance 100. Refrigerator appliance 100
defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a
transverse direction. The vertical direction V, lateral direction
L, and transverse direction are mutually perpendicular and form an
orthogonal direction system. Refrigerator appliance 100 extends
between an upper portion 102 and a lower portion 104 along the
vertical direction V. Refrigerator appliance 100 also extends
between a first side portion 106 and a second side portion 108,
e.g., along the lateral direction L.
[0024] Refrigerator appliance 100 includes a cabinet 120 that
defines chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. In
some embodiments, refrigerator appliance 100 defines fresh food
chamber 114 at first side portion 106 of refrigerator appliance 100
and a freezer chamber 116 arranged next to fresh food chamber 114
at second side portion 108 of refrigerator appliance 100. As such,
the illustrated refrigerator appliance 100 is generally referred to
as a side-by-side style refrigerator appliance. However, using the
teachings disclosed herein, one of skill in the art will understand
that the present subject matter may be used with other types of
refrigerator appliances (e.g., bottom mount or top mount style) or
a freezer appliance as well. Consequently, the description set
forth herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended
to limit the present subject matter in any aspect.
[0025] Refrigerator door 110 is rotatably hinged to an edge of
cabinet 120 for accessing fresh food chamber 114. Similarly,
freezer door 112 is rotatably hinged to an edge of cabinet 120 for
accessing freezer chamber 116. Refrigerator door 110 and freezer
door 112 can rotate between an open position (shown in FIG. 2) and
a closed position (shown in FIG. 1) in order to permit selective
access to fresh food chamber 114 and freezer chamber 116,
respectively.
[0026] Refrigerator appliance 100 also includes a dispensing
assembly 130 for dispensing water and/or ice. Dispensing assembly
130 includes a dispenser 132 positioned on or mounted to an
exterior portion of refrigerator appliance 100, e.g., on freezer
door 112. Dispenser 132 includes a discharging outlet 134 for
accessing ice and water. Any suitable actuator may be used to
operate dispenser 132. For example, dispenser 132 can include a
paddle or button for operating dispenser. Additionally or
alternatively, a sensor 136, such as an ultrasonic sensor, may be
mounted below or beneath discharging outlet 134 for operating
dispenser 132, e.g., during an auto-fill process of refrigerator
appliance 100. A user interface panel 138 is provided for
controlling the mode of operation. In some such embodiments, user
interface panel 138 includes a water dispensing button (not
labeled) and an ice-dispensing button (not labeled) for selecting a
desired mode of operation such as crushed or non-crushed ice.
[0027] As shown, discharging outlet 134 and sensor 136 are an
external part of dispenser 130. One or both of discharging outlet
134 and sensor 136 are mounted in a dispenser recess 140 defined in
an outside surface of freezer door 112. In some embodiments,
dispenser recess 140 is positioned at a predetermined elevation
convenient for a user to access ice or water and enabling the user
to access ice without the need to bend-over and without the need to
access freezer chamber 116. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG.
1, dispenser recess 140 is positioned at a level that approximates
the chest level of a user.
[0028] Turning now to FIG. 2, certain components of dispensing
assembly 130 are illustrated. Dispensing assembly 130 includes a
housing 142 mounted, as an example, on or within door 112. As door
112 opens and closes, housing 142 may be selectively positioned
within and out of freezer chamber 116, respectively. Generally,
housing 142 is constructed and arranged to facilitate production
and storage of ice. More particularly, housing 142 includes or
contains an ice maker for creating ice and/or feeding the same to a
container 144, as will be described in detail below. In some such
embodiments, container 144 is mounted on freezer door 112, e.g.,
below or beneath housing 142. As illustrated in FIG. 2, container
144 is placed at a vertical position on freezer door 112 that will
allow for the receipt of ice from a discharge opening of housing
144 and into an entrance of container 144. As freezer door 112 is
closed or opened, housing 142 and container 144 may be moved
together in and out of freezer chamber 116.
[0029] Operation of the refrigerator appliance 100 can be regulated
by a controller 150 that is operatively coupled to user interface
panel 138 and/or sensor 136. User interface panel 138 provides
selections for user manipulation of the operation of refrigerator
appliance 100 such as e.g., selections between whole or crushed
ice, chilled water, and/or other options as well. In response to
user manipulation of the user interface panel 138, controller 150
operates various components of the refrigerator appliance 100.
Controller 150 may include a memory and one or more
microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special
purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming
instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of
refrigerator appliance 100. The memory may represent random access
memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In
one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions
stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the
processor or may be included onboard within the processor.
Alternatively, controller 150 may be constructed without using a
microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or
digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators,
comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform
control functionality instead of relying upon software.
[0030] Controller 150 may be positioned in a variety of locations
throughout refrigerator appliance 100. In the illustrated
embodiment, controller 150 is located at upper portion 102 or
refrigerator appliance 100 within fresh food chamber 114. However,
in alternative example embodiments, controller 150 may be located
within the control panel area of freezer door 112. Input/output
("I/O") signals may be routed between controller 150 and various
operational components of refrigerator appliance 100. For example,
user interface panel 138 may be in communication with controller
150 via one or more signal lines or shared communication
busses.
[0031] FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of an ice maker 200
according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG.
4 provides an exploded view of ice maker 200. Ice maker 200 is
configured for production of ice as discussed in greater detail
below. Ice maker 200 may be used within any suitable refrigerator
appliance, such as refrigerator appliance 100 (FIG. 1). As an
example, ice maker 200 may be positioned within housing 142 of
refrigerator appliance 100.
[0032] As may be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, ice maker 200 defines an
axial direction A and a radial direction R. Ice maker 200 also
includes an ice mold or mold body 210 that extends between a first
end portion 214 and a second end portion 216, e.g., along the axial
direction A. Mold body 210 defines one or more compartments 212
(FIG. 5) separated by sidewall partitions for receipt of liquid
water for freezing, as will be described in detail below.
Generally, ice maker 200 can receive liquid water, e.g., from a
water connection to plumbing within a residence or business housing
refrigerator appliance 100, and direct such liquid water into mold
body 210, e.g., into compartments 212 of mold body 210. In
embodiments wherein multiple compartments 212 are defined, the
compartments 212 may be spaced apart from one another or
distributed, e.g., along the axial direction A between first end
portion 214 and second end portion 216.
[0033] Within compartments 212 of mold body 210, liquid can freeze
to form ice cubes 270 (see FIGS. 5 through 8). It is understood
that the term "ice cube," as used herein, does not require a cubic
geometry (i.e., six bounded square faces), but indicates a discrete
unit of solid frozen ice generally having a predetermined
three-dimensional shape. In some embodiments, a sheathed electrical
resistance heating element or heater 280 is mounted to a lower
portion 211 of mold body 210. The heater 280 can be press-fit,
stacked, and/or clamped into the lower portion of the mold body
210. The heater 280 is configured to heat the mold body 210 when a
harvest cycle is executed to slightly melt the ice cubes 270 and
release the ice from the compartments 212.
[0034] In some embodiments, ice maker 200 includes a motor 232. As
shown, motor 232 may be positioned within a motor housing 222.
Additionally or alternatively, motor 232 may be in mechanical
communication with an ejector 224, e.g., via gearing. When
assembled, ejector 224 is generally mounted to or above at least a
portion of mold body 210. Ejector 224 includes one or more
harvesters 226 corresponding to each compartment 212. In turn,
multiple harvesters 226 may be spaced apart from each other or
distributed along the axial direction A. During use, each harvester
226 may be selectively received within a respective compartment
212. As an example, motor 232 may rotate ejector 224 about a
rotation axis A.sub.R. Specifically, a shaft 234 of ejector 224 can
be rotated in either a first rotational direction or a second,
opposite rotational direction. As shown, rotation axis A.sub.R may
be parallel to the axial direction A. In some embodiments, shaft
234 extends along rotation axis A.sub.R. In other embodiments,
shaft 234 extends along a separate axis that is parallel to
rotation axis A.sub.R and offset position, e.g., along the radial
direction R, by any suitable distance. As ejector 224 is rotated by
motor 232, harvesters 226 can move or slide into compartments 212
and push or urge ice cubes 270 out of compartments 212.
[0035] Turning now to FIGS. 5 through 9, multiple cross-sectional
plan views are provided of a portion of example ice maker 200.
Specifically, a view of at least one compartment 212 and
corresponding harvester 226 are shown perpendicular to axial
direction A (FIG. 3). As noted above, ice mold defines compartment
212 within which water freezes to form an ice cube 270. Generally,
compartment 212 extends, e.g., in the vertical direction V, from a
top portion 240 (e.g., an uppermost vertical extreme) to a base
portion 242 (e.g., a lowermost vertical extreme). At least a
portion of compartment 212 is defined by a continuous arcuate
bottom surface 238. Compartment 212, and thereby the resulting ice
cube 270, is at least partially defined by a continuous arcuate
bottom surface 238.
[0036] As shown, continuous arcuate bottom surface 238 includes
multiple discrete segments. For instance, a first segment 244 may
form a portion of continuous arcuate bottom surface 238, while a
second segment 246 forms another portion of continuous arcuate
bottom surface 238. In the illustrated embodiments, first segment
244 and second segment 246 are joined at a centerline 248, which
may be, e.g., perpendicular to axial direction A (FIG. 3).
Optionally, centerline 248 may extend to or through the base
portion 242 of compartment 212 such that first segment 244 and
second segment 246 are joined as a continuous or uninterrupted
surface at the base portion 242.
[0037] First segment 244 and second segment 246 are generally
defined at unique radii. Each segment may thus be defined to have a
semi-circular arc shape. Each segment may further include a unique
origin point about which that segment is defined. In some such
embodiments, first segment 244 is defined about a first radius 250,
and second segment 246 is defined about a discrete second radius
252. The second radius 252 may be smaller than the first radius
250. In other words, the distance between first segment 244 and a
corresponding first center point 254 may be greater than the
distance between second segment 246 and a corresponding second
center point 256. In certain embodiments, first radius 250 is
between 0.8 inches and 2 inches, while second radius 252 is between
0.5 inches and 1.2 inch and less than first radius 250. In further
embodiments, first radius 250 is between 1 inch and 1.5 inch, while
second radius 252 is between 0.6 inches and 1 inch. In still
further embodiments, first radius 250 is between 1.2 inches and 1.4
inches, while second radius 252 is between 0.7 inches and 0.9
inches. Optionally, first center point 254 and second center point
256 may each be defined along centerline 248, e.g., such that first
center point 254 is positioned directly above second center point
256 along the vertical direction V.
[0038] A fill line 258 for received water is generally defined
within compartment 212 above continuous arcuate bottom surface 238.
Specifically, fill line 258 is defined between first segment 244
and second segment 246, e.g., perpendicular to the vertical
direction V and/or centerline 248. During operation, ice maker 200
is generally configured to add water within mold body 210.
Specifically, water may be added up to the defined fill line 258.
Thus, when frozen, ice cube 270 may include a flat upper portion
that is defined at or parallel to fill line 258, as well as an
arcuate bottom portion that extends between and/or below the flat
upper portion (it is understood that "below" and "upper" within
this context is understood to correspond to the ice cube 270 within
compartment 212 that has not yet been engaged or removed by
harvester 226--see FIG. 5).
[0039] Fill line 258 includes a horizontal length 262 that is
defined between first segment 244 and second segment 246. The
horizontal length 262 may be greater than one or both of the first
radius 250 and second radius 252. For instance, horizontal length
262 may be between 1.5 inches and 2 inches and greater than first
radius 250. In certain embodiments, the horizontal length 262 is
between 1.7 inches and 1.9 inches and greater than first radius
250. As shown, the fill line 258 may be defined below one or both
of the center points 254 and 256.
[0040] Advantageously, the described embodiments of mold body 210
may form ice cubes 270 according to a desirable shape that is
suitably non-planar and easily removed from ice body (e.g., in
comparison to a single-radius crescent ice cube). Moreover, the
formed ice cubes 270 may be advantageously reduced in size for a
desirable mouth feel without sacrificing removability within mold
body 210.
[0041] As noted above, in some embodiments, a heater 280 is mounted
to mold body 210. When assembled, the heater 280 may be in
communication with the continuous arcuate bottom surface 238. In
turn, heater 280 may selectively direct heat to the continuous
arcuate bottom surface 238, e.g., to release a frozen ice cube 270
from mold body 210. In some such embodiments, heater 280 includes a
first length pass 282 and a second length pass 284. As shown, the
first length pass 282 may be disposed below the first segment 244
(e.g., directly beneath first segment 244 in the vertical direction
V) while the second length pass 284 is disposed below the second
segment 246 (e.g., directly beneath second segment 246 in the
vertical direction V).
[0042] In some embodiments, one or more walls, such as a first
elevated wall 264 and second elevated wall 266, extend from first
segment 244 and second segment 246. Such walls may extend
continuously and/or generally in the vertical direction V such that
each wall is above (i.e., higher relative to the vertical direction
V) the first segment 244, second segment 246, and/or fill line 258.
Optionally, first elevated wall 264 and/or second elevated wall 266
may define a spill gap 260 along the vertical direction V between
the top portion 240 and the fill line 258. In some such
embodiments, the spill gap 260 is greater than the second radius
252. As an example, the spill gap 260 may be greater than 0.5
inches. As another example, the spill gap 260 may be greater than 1
inch.
[0043] In certain embodiments, a first elevated wall 264 extends
from first segment 244. For instance, first elevated wall 264 may
extend generally in the vertical direction V while continuing about
the first center point 254. In other words, the first elevated wall
264 may be defined at the same first radius 250 as first segment
244. As shown, first elevated wall 264 may extend from first
segment 244 to the top portion 240 of the compartment 212.
Optionally, first elevated wall 264 may include a vertical segment
that extends, e.g., linearly, above top portion 240 (see FIGS. 6
through 9). When assembled on door 112 of refrigerator appliance
100 (FIG. 2), first elevated wall 264 may be positioned proximate
an outer portion of door 112. In other words, first elevated wall
264 may be farther from the interior chamber (e.g., freezer chamber
116) than second segment 246 when door 112 is in the closed
position. Advantageously, first elevated wall 264 may prevent water
from spilling out of compartment 212, e.g., when the door 112 is
shut rapidly.
[0044] In example embodiments, a second elevated wall 266 extends
from second segment 246. For instance, second elevated wall 266 may
extend generally in the vertical direction V. As shown, second
elevated wall 266 may extend from the second segment 246 to the top
portion 240 of the compartment 212. When assembled on door 112 of
refrigerator appliance 100 (FIG. 2), second elevated wall 266 may
be positioned proximate an interior chamber (e.g., freezer chamber
116) and/or opposite first elevated wall 264. In other words,
second elevated wall 266 may be closer to the interior chamber
(e.g., freezer chamber 116) than first segment 244 when door 112 is
in the closed position. Advantageously, second elevated wall 266
may prevent water from spilling out of compartment 212, e.g., when
the door 112 is opened rapidly.
[0045] As noted above, harvester 226 is disposed above at least a
portion of the arcuate bottom surface 238. During use, harvester
226 may rotate about rotation axis A.sub.R to motivate ice from the
compartment 212. Some such embodiments of harvester 226 include at
least one tine 286 extending radially (e.g., in the radial
direction R) from shaft 234 and/or rotation axis A.sub.R. When
assembled, tine 286 may be mounted within compartment 212.
Optionally, the tine length 290 (e.g., the distance between the
rotation axis A.sub.R and a radial tip or extreme of the tine 286)
may be greater than the second radius 252. Additionally or
alternatively, the tine length 290 may be less than the first
radius 250.
[0046] When assembled, rotation axis A.sub.R may be defined below
top portion 240 of mold body 210. For instance, rotation axis
A.sub.R may be disposed at a set axis height 292 relative to
arcuate bottom surface 238 (e.g., at the base portion 242) along
the vertical direction V. In some embodiments, the axis height 292
is greater than the second radius 252. Additionally or
alternatively, the axis height 292 may be less than the first
radius 250. In example embodiments, the rotation axis A.sub.R is
offset from the centerline 248. As an example, the rotation axis
A.sub.R may be horizontally spaced apart from the centerline 248.
For instance, rotation axis A.sub.R may be spaced apart from
centerline 248 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical
direction V such that centerline 248, first center point 254,
and/or second center point 256 are not vertically aligned.
[0047] Turning now specifically to FIGS. 5 through 9, rotation of
harvester 226 is illustrated from a fill position (FIG. 6) to an
ejection position (FIG. 9). Multiple intermediate positions (FIGS.
7 and 8) between the fill position and the ejection position are
also illustrated. In the fill position, harvester 226 is generally
positioned above (e.g., along the vertical direction V) mold body
210. Moreover, compartment 212 of mold body 210 is ready for
receiving liquid water for freezing. Thus, liquid water can be
directed into compartment 212 of mold body 210 in the fill
position. With ice maker 200 positioned in a suitably cool
location, water within compartment 212 will freeze and form ice
cubes 270. A controller, such as controller 150 (FIG. 1) can
monitor or measure a temperature of mold body 210 via a temperature
sensor (not pictured) mounted to mold body 210. When the
temperature of mold body 210 drops below the freezing point of
water within mold body 210, it can be inferred that ice cube 270 is
fully frozen within mold body 210.
[0048] Once ice cube has frozen, harvester may eject cube 270 from
mold body 210. As shown at, for example, FIGS. 7 and 8, rotation of
harvester 226 brings tine 286 into engagement with a top portion of
ice cube 270. As harvester 226 continues to rotate about rotation
axis A.sub.R, ice cube 270 is motivated along first segment 244 and
first elevated wall 264. Eventually, tine 286 may be rotated
beneath ice cube 270 (see FIG. 8). Tine 286 may subsequently
motivate or force ice cube 270 out of compartment 212 and onto
stripper tines 294 as harvester 226 is rotated to ejection position
(FIG. 9). In the ejected position, harvester 226 is moved to a
discrete angular position (e.g., at least 180.degree. from fill
position). In some embodiments, the ejected position may force tine
286 to be substantially upright or parallel to vertical direction
V. From the ejected position, ice cube 270 may be motivated, e.g.,
by gravity, from stripper tine 294 and/or to another portion of
refrigerator appliance 100 (e.g., container 144--FIG. 1).
[0049] Turning now to FIG. 10, an alternative embodiment of ice
maker 200 is illustrated. It is understood that, except as
otherwise indicated, the embodiment of FIG. 10 is substantially
similar to the above-described embodiments. For instance, the
harvester 226 of FIG. 10 includes two separate tines 286, 288
mounted on rotation axis A.sub.R. Each tine 286 or 288 may be
axially aligned and angularly offset from the other tine 288 or
286. In other words, first tine 286 and second tine 288 may be
spaced apart about rotation axis A.sub.R such that an angle .alpha.
is defined therebetween, e.g., in a plane that is perpendicular to
the axial direction A (see FIG. 3). Generally, angle .alpha. can be
any suitable angle. For example, angle .alpha. may be greater than
about one hundred ten degrees (110.degree.) and less than about two
hundred degrees (200.degree.). Optionally, an arcuate rib 296 may
about the rotation axis A.sub.R from the first rotatable tine 286
to the second rotatable tine 288. For instance, arcuate rib 296 may
form a continuous ridge on tines 286, 288. Moreover, arcuate rib
296 may define an arcuate outer surface, e.g., along a set rib
radius from rotation axis A.sub.R.
[0050] 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.
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