Hydrophilic structure for condensation management on the movable mullion of a refrigerator

• US 8,926,032 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2012
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Kuehl, Steven John, Vonderhaar, John J., Wu, Guolian, Wu, Mianxue
• Primary Examiner(s): HANSEN, JAMES ORVILLE
• Application Number:
  US13/562,577
• Publication Number:
  US 20140033757A1
• Time in Patent Office: 889 Days
• Field of Search: 312/401, 312/405, 312/405.1, 312/296, 312/229, 220/592.02, 220/592.06, 494/751, 494/761
• US Class Current: 312/405
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 21/14 Collecting or removing condensed and defrost water; Drip trays

Abstract

A refrigerator appliance that includes a freezer compartment, a refrigeration compartment having two doors, and a mullion having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The mullion is movably coupled to, and configured to swing behind, at least one of the doors when the two doors are moved to a closed position. The exterior surface of the mullion directs condensation toward a transfer point. The exterior surface may be configured with a hydrophilic surface to direct and control the condensation. The condensation may also be directed into a receptacle or a wicking structure arranged to facilitate evaporation of the unwanted condensate.

Claims

1. A refrigeration appliance, comprising:

a freezer compartment;

a refrigeration compartment having two doors; and

a mullion having an interior surface and an exterior surface that comprises a hydrophilic structure, wherein the mullion is movably coupled to, and configured to swing behind, at least one of the doors when the two doors are moved to a closed position, and further wherein the exterior surface directs condensation in a film toward a transfer point, and the transfer point defines a point of transfer for condensation between the exterior surface and a wicking structure for storing and drying the condensation.

2. A refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, wherein the mullion and the doors cooperate to seal the refrigeration compartment when the two doors are moved to a closed position.

3. A refrigeration appliance according to claim 2, wherein the freezer compartment and refrigeration compartment are arranged in a French door, bottom-mount configuration.

4. A refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic structure comprises anti-microbial material.

5. A refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic structure is in the form of a film, coating, multi-layer or single layer.

6. A refrigeration appliance according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic structure is configured to spread condensation into a substantially non-visible film.

7. A refrigeration appliance, comprising:

a freezer compartment;

a refrigeration compartment having two doors, each door having a bottom face, wherein at least one bottom face comprises a wicking structure;

a transfer structure; and

a mullion having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the mullion is movably coupled to, and configured to swing behind, at least one of the doors when the two doors are moved to a closed position, and further wherein the transfer structure contacts the exterior surface of the mullion and the wicking structure when the door with the wicking structure is in a closed position to transfer condensation on the exterior surface to the wicking structure.

8. A refrigeration appliance according to claim 7, wherein the mullion and the doors cooperate to seal the refrigeration compartment when the two doors are moved to a closed position.

9. A refrigeration appliance according to claim 8, wherein the freezer compartment and refrigeration compartment are arranged in a French door, bottom-mount configuration.

10. A refrigeration appliance according to claim 7, wherein the exterior surface of the mullion comprises a hydrophilic structure.

11. A refrigeration appliance according to claim 10, wherein the hydrophilic structure comprises anti-microbial material.

12. A refrigeration appliance according to claim 10, wherein the hydrophilic structure is in the form of a film, coating, multi-layer or single layer.

13. A refrigeration appliance, comprising:

a freezer compartment;

a refrigeration compartment having two doors;

a receptacle comprising a wicking structure for storing and drying condensation; and

a mullion having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the mullion is movably coupled to, and configured to swing behind, at least one of the doors when the two doors are moved to a closed position, and further wherein the wicking structure contacts the exterior surface of the mullion to transfer condensation on the exterior surface into the receptacle.

14. A refrigeration appliance according to claim 13, wherein the mullion and the doors cooperate to seal the refrigeration compartment when the two doors are moved to a closed position.

15. A refrigeration appliance according to claim 14, wherein the freezer compartment and refrigeration compartment are arranged in a French door, bottom-mount configuration.

16. A refrigeration appliance according to claim 13, wherein the exterior surface of the mullion comprises a hydrophilic structure.

17. A refrigeration appliance according to claim 16, wherein the hydrophilic structure comprises anti-microbial material.

18. A refrigeration appliance according to claim 16, wherein the hydrophilic structure is in the form of a film, coating, multi-layer or single layer.

19. A refrigeration appliance according to claim 13, further comprising a tubing coupled to the receptacle, wherein the tubing drains condensation away from the receptacle.