Enhanced filter indicatior for refrigerator

• US 8,337,693 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2006
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Mitchell, Alan Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nam
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gonzalez, Madeline
• Application Number:
  US11/373,342
• Publication Number:
  US 20070209978A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,482 Days
• Field of Search: 210/85, 210/94, 210/138, 964/17, 964/18, 964/24, 964/25, 116/DIG.25, 116/DIG.42, 621/29
• US Class Current: 210/85
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 17/042 Air treating means within refrigerated spaces air conditioning in general F24F
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/126 Water cooler
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2323/121 the refrigerator is characterised by a water filter for the water/ice dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/36 Visual displays

Abstract

An indicator for a refrigerator filter which has a body configured to contain a replaceable filter cartridge and including an openable cap to enclose the filter cartridge within the body. The indicator includes a control having a filter life determination mechanism and arranged to emit a signal when a life of the filter cartridge is determined to be expired. A visual display is arranged in association with the body which comprises an illuminating component which illuminates upon receipt of the signal from the control, graphics positioned in association with the body, and a light pipe extending from the graphics towards the illuminating component to transmit light from the illuminating component to the graphics.

Claims

1. An indicator for a refrigerator filter comprising:

a body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet with a fluid path therebetween and configured to contain a replaceable filter cartridge in the fluid path and including a cap arranged to enclose the filter cartridge within the body and to be removable from the body to permit a removal and replacement of the filter cartridge;

a control having a filter life determination mechanism and arranged to emit a life expiration signal only when a life of the filter cartridge is determined to be expired; and

a visual display arranged in association with the body which comprises;

an illuminating component mounted away from the cap and fixed relative to the body which illuminates only upon receipt of the signal from the control;

a light pipe at least partially carried on the removable cap and extending towards the illuminating component to transmit light from the illuminating component to the cap; and

permanent graphics arranged on the cap so as to be illuminated by the illuminating component via the light pipe which graphics are visible on the exterior surface of the cap.

2. An indicator according to claim 1, wherein the illuminating component comprises an LED.

3. An indicator according to claim 1, wherein the graphics comprise a pre-written instruction to a user to replace the filter cartridge.

4. An indicator according to claim 1, wherein the cap is a co-injected molded plastic part, with one plastic material being light transmissive.

5. An indicator according to claim 1, wherein the indicator includes a second visual display operated by the control providing a user with an indication of the remaining life of the filter cartridge.

6. An indicator according to claim 1, wherein the control includes an electronics mechanism for determining a remaining life for the filter cartridge.

7. An indicator according to claim 1, wherein the visual display is powered by a battery.

8. An indicator according to claim 1, wherein the control is located on the body.

9. An indicator according to claim 1, wherein the filter cartridge is a water filter.

10. An indicator according to claim 1, wherein the filter cartridge is an air filter.

11. An indicator according to claim 1, wherein

the cap comprises a pair of co-injected molded plastic parts, with the light pipe being one of the plastic parts being co-injected and an opaque plastic part being another of the plastic parts being co-injected.

12. A refrigerator including a filter indicator comprising:

a cabinet;

a body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet with a fluid path therebetween mounted in the cabinet and configured to contain a replaceable filter cartridge and including an openable cap arranged to enclose the filter cartridge within the body when closed and, when moved to an open position, to permit a removal and replacement of the filter cartridge;

a control having a filter life determination mechanism and arranged to emit a life expiration signal only when a life of the filter cartridge is determined to be expired; and

a visual display associated with the body which comprises;

an illuminating component mounted away from the cap and fixed relative to the body which illuminates only upon receipt of the signal from the control;

permanent graphics positioned on the openable cap; and

a light pipe at least partially carried on the cap and extending from the graphics towards the illuminating component to transmit light from the illuminating component to the graphics.

13. A refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the illuminating component comprises an LED.

14. A refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the graphics comprise a pre-written instruction to a user to replace the filter cartridge.

15. A refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the cap is a co-injected molded plastic part, with one plastic material being light transmissive.

16. A refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the indicator includes a second visual display located in the cabinet remote from the body and operated by the control providing a user with an indication of the remaining life of the filter cartridge.

17. A refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the visual display is powered by a battery.

18. A refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the control is located on the body.

19. A refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the filter cartridge is a water filter.

20. A refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the filter cartridge is an air filter.

21. A refrigerator including a filter indicator comprising:

a cabinet;

a body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and defining a fluid path therethrough mounted in the cabinet configured to contain a replaceable filter cartridge positioned in the fluid path and including an openable cap to enclose the filter cartridge within the body, the cap being movable relative to the body between a closed position and an open position to permit removal and replacement of the filter cartridge;

a control having a filter life determination mechanism and arranged to emit a life expiration signal only when a life of the filter cartridge is determined to be expired; and

a visual display associated with the body which comprises;

an illuminating component mounted in a fixed manner relative to the body and spaced from the openable cap which illuminates only upon receipt of the signal from the control;

permanent graphics being light transmissive and having a front portion forming a portion of an exposed surface of the openable cap; and

a light pipe extending from a rear portion of the graphics towards the illuminating component to transmit light from the illuminating component to the rear portion of the graphics while the openable cap is in the closed position.

22. A refrigerator according to claim 21, wherein the cap is completely removable.

23. A refrigerator according to claim 21, wherein the cap forms an opaque portion and a light transmissive portion, the light transmissive portion being the graphics.