Sensor system for a refrigerator dispenser
First Claim
1. A refrigerator comprising:
- a cabinet;
at least one refrigerated compartment arranged within the cabinet;
a door mounted to the cabinet for selectively providing access to the at least one refrigerated compartment; and
a dispenser assembly provided in the door for selectively releasing at least one of water and ice to a consumer, said dispenser assembly including;
a main body portion;
a control portion provided on the main body portion, said control portion including a plurality of control elements for selecting a desired dispensing operation;
a dispenser well provided in the main body portion, said dispenser well including a base section and an upstanding wall section;
a control operatively connected to the plurality of control elements for regulating the dispensing operation; and
a sensor system including at least one passive sensor mounted along the wall section of the dispenser well, said at least one passive sensor being configured to detect a container placed within the dispensing well, an upper rim portion of the container and a level of the at least one of water and ice released into the container during the dispensing operation, said control automatically initiating a dispensing operation based on the presence of the container in the dispenser well and thereafter automatically terminating the dispensing operation before the level of liquid reaches the upper rim portion of the container.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigerator includes a dispenser, a dispenser well, a control for regulating a dispensing operation, and a sensor system for automatically initiating and terminating the dispensing operation. The sensor system includes at least one capacitive-type sensor mounted in the dispenser well. The sensor is configured to detect the presence of a container in the dispenser well, an upper edge portion of the container and a level of liquid filling the container during the dispensing operation. The sensor signals the control to automatically cease the dispensing operation before the level of liquid reaches the upper edge portion of the container. The control is configured to differentiate between animate and inanimate objects, while preventing any release of water or ice when an animate object is detected.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A refrigerator comprising:
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a cabinet; at least one refrigerated compartment arranged within the cabinet; a door mounted to the cabinet for selectively providing access to the at least one refrigerated compartment; and a dispenser assembly provided in the door for selectively releasing at least one of water and ice to a consumer, said dispenser assembly including; a main body portion; a control portion provided on the main body portion, said control portion including a plurality of control elements for selecting a desired dispensing operation; a dispenser well provided in the main body portion, said dispenser well including a base section and an upstanding wall section; a control operatively connected to the plurality of control elements for regulating the dispensing operation; and a sensor system including at least one passive sensor mounted along the wall section of the dispenser well, said at least one passive sensor being configured to detect a container placed within the dispensing well, an upper rim portion of the container and a level of the at least one of water and ice released into the container during the dispensing operation, said control automatically initiating a dispensing operation based on the presence of the container in the dispenser well and thereafter automatically terminating the dispensing operation before the level of liquid reaches the upper rim portion of the container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A refrigerator comprising:
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a cabinet; at least one refrigerated compartment arranged within the cabinet; a door mounted to the cabinet for selectively providing access to the at least one refrigerated compartment; and a dispenser assembly provided in the door for selectively releasing at least one of water and ice to a consumer, said dispenser assembly including; a main body portion; a dispenser well provided in the main body portion, said dispenser well including a base section and an upstanding wall section; means for sensing a container in the dispensing well for initiating a dispensing operation; means for passively sensing an upper edge portion of the container placed within the dispenser well; means for passively detecting a level of the at least one of water and ice released into the container during the dispensing operation; and means for automatically terminating the dispensing operation before the level of liquid in the container reaches the upper edge portion. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of dispensing a liquid from a refrigerator door mounted dispenser assembly including a dispensing well comprising:
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passively sensing a presence of a container in the dispensing well; passively sensing an upper edge portion of the container; automatically initiating a dispensing operation by introducing at least one of water and ice into the container when the presence of the container is sensed in the dispenser well; detecting a fill level associated with the dispensing operation; and automatically terminating the dispensing operation before the fill level reaches the upper edge portion of the container. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification