Refrigerator with automatic liquid dispenser

• US 10,077,183 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2017
• Issued: 09/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electrolux Consumer Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Incorporated (AB Electrolux)
• Inventors: McMahan, Travis, Bertolini, Nilton, Thompson, Thomas R., Sanchez, Jorge Carlos Montalvo, Comsa, Cornel
• Primary Examiner(s): Maust, Timothy L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kelly, Timothy P
• Application Number:
  US15/802,730
• Publication Number:
  US 20180050898A1
• Time in Patent Office: 319 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0006 based on the timed opening of a valve
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0857 Cooling arrangements cooling systems per se F25B
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1238 comprising means for detecting the liquid level in vessels to be filled, e.g. using ultrasonic waves, optical reflexion, probes
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/124 the flow being started or stopped by means actuated by the vessel to be filled, e.g. by switches, weighing
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/009 operated by cup detection
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/1268 Capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00036 for use with or in refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/005 Spouts
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/221 using electrical or electro-mechanical means B67D7/224 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/028 Details
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/04 with special compartments, e.g. butter conditioners
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/126 Water cooler
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2323/122 the refrigerator is characterised by a water tank for the water/ice dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/81 Pitchers
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2600/02 Timing
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/74 for sensing changes in level only at discrete points

Abstract

A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a fresh food compartment and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet and including an interior surface in communication with the fresh food compartment when the door is closed. A shelf unit is disposed adjacent the interior surface of the door, and a container is supported by the shelf unit. A fill mechanism is positioned vertically above the container and the container is configured to receive liquid from the fill mechanism. A sensor is configured to sense a property of the container or liquid received in the container. A control is in communication with the sensor and regulates a dispensing of liquid into the container based upon the sensed property. The sensor utilizes a capacitive sensor located adjacent to the container.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising:

a cabinet defining a fresh food compartment;

a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet and comprising an interior surface in communication with the fresh food compartment when the door is closed;

a shelf unit adjacent the interior surface of the door;

a container supported by the shelf unit;

a fill mechanism positioned vertically above the container, wherein the container is configured to receive liquid from the fill mechanism;

a sensor configured to sense a property of the container or liquid received in the container; and

a control in communication with the sensor and configured to regulate dispensing of liquid into the container based upon the sensed property,

wherein the sensor utilizes a capacitive sensor coupled to a dielectric plate located adjacent to the container, and the dielectric plate is resiliently biased into engagement with the container.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the fill mechanism is located on the door.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the shelf unit comprises a plurality of walls that form a bounded geometry which corresponds to a shape of the container such that when the container is placed in a stored position, the container nests within the shelf unit.

4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the fill mechanism is located as part of the shelf unit.

5. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the fill mechanism comprises a spout and wherein said spout is disposed on one of the plurality of walls.

9. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the liquid dispenser comprises a spout.

10. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein one of the plurality of walls includes the spout.

11. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the support shelf is positioned vertically below the spout.

12. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the container further comprises a cover to close off a top opening of the container, the cover comprising a fill cup fluidly connected to an interior of the container whereby the container is configured to receive liquid from the spout via the fill cup.

6. A refrigerator, comprising:

a cabinet defining a fresh food compartment;

a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet and comprising an interior surface in communication with the fresh food compartment when the door is closed;

a shelf unit adjacent the interior surface of door, the shelf unit comprising a support shelf;

a liquid dispenser;

a container supported on the support shelf, wherein the liquid dispenser is part of the shelf unit and wherein the container is configured to receive liquid from the liquid dispenser;

a sensor configured to sense a property of the container or liquid received in the container; and

a control in communication with the sensor and configured to regulate dispensing of liquid into the container based upon the sensed property,

wherein the sensor utilizes a capacitive sensor coupled to a dielectric plate located adjacent to the container and the dielectric plate is resiliently biased into engagement with the container.

7. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein the shelf unit includes a plurality of walls that define a bounded geometry such that the container nests within the shelf unit.

8. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein the liquid dispenser is vertically spaced from and disposed at least partially over the support shelf.

13. A refrigerator, comprising:

a cabinet defining a fresh food compartment;

a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet and comprising an interior surface in communication with the fresh food compartment when the door is closed;

a shelf unit adjacent the interior surface of door, the shelf unit comprising a support shelf and a plurality of walls that define a bounded geometry;

a container supported on the support shelf, the container having a shape corresponding to the bounded geometry such that, when the container is in a stored position, the container nests within the shelf unit;

a liquid dispenser comprising a spout that is positioned vertically above the support shelf;

a sensor configured to sense a property of the container or liquid received in the container; and

a control in communication with the sensor and configured to regulate dispensing of liquid into the container based upon the sensed property,

wherein the sensor utilizes a capacitive sensor coupled to a dielectric plate located adjacent to the container and the dielectric plate is resiliently biased into engagement with the container, and

wherein the container further comprises a cover to close off a top opening of the container, the cover comprising a fill cup fluidly connected to an interior of the container whereby the container is configured to receive liquid from the spout via the fill cup.