Hydrophilic structures for condensation management in appliances

• US 9,250,007 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2014
• Issued: 02/02/2016
• 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): TRAN, HANH VAN
• Application Number:
  US14/493,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20150008815A1
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 312/402, 312/405, 312/407
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 21/14 Collecting or removing condensed and defrost water; Drip trays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/065 Details
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2321/147 characterised by capillary, wick, adsorbent, or evaporation elements
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2323/021 French doors

Abstract

An appliance that includes a cabinet having an exterior surface; a refrigeration compartment located within the cabinet; and a hydrophilic structure disposed on the exterior surface. The hydrophilic structure is configured to spread condensation. The appliance further includes a wicking structure located in proximity to the hydrophilic structure, and the wicking structure is configured to receive the condensation.

Claims

1. An appliance, comprising:

a cabinet having an exterior surface;

a refrigeration compartment located within the cabinet;

a hydrophilic structure disposed on the exterior surface, the hydrophilic structure configured to spread condensation; and

a wicking structure located in proximity to the hydrophilic structure, wherein the wicking structure is configured to receive the condensation.

2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic structure has a water affinity gradient configured to direct the condensation toward the wicking structure.

3. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the wicking structure is disposed within a receptacle.

4. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic structure comprises anti-microbial material.

5. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the wicking structure comprises anti-microbial material.

6. The appliance of claim 3, wherein the receptacle is configured for evaporation of the condensation.

7. An appliance, comprising:

a cabinet having an exterior surface;

a refrigeration compartment located within the cabinet;

a hydrophilic structure disposed on the exterior surface, the hydrophilic structure configured to spread condensation; and

a wicking finger in contact with the hydrophilic structure, wherein the wicking finger transfers the condensation from the hydrophilic structure to a wicking structure located on the cabinet that is configured to receive the condensation from the wicking finger.

8. The appliance of claim 7, wherein the hydrophilic structure has a water affinity gradient configured to direct the condensation toward the wicking finger.

9. The appliance of claim 7, wherein the hydrophilic structure comprises anti-microbial material.

10. The appliance of claim 7, wherein the wicking structure comprises anti-microbial material.

11. The appliance of claim 7, wherein the wicking structure is further configured for evaporation of the condensation.

12. The appliance of claim 11, wherein the wicking structure is located on a bottom surface of the cabinet.

13. An appliance, comprising:

a cabinet having an exterior surface;

a refrigeration compartment located within the cabinet;

a hydrophilic structure disposed on the exterior surface, the hydrophilic structure configured to spread condensation; and

a wicking structure comprising a sponge-like material, the wicking structure configured to receive the condensation from the hydrophilic structure.

14. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the hydrophilic structure has a water affinity gradient configured to direct the condensation toward the wicking structure.

15. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the wicking structure comprises a transfer structure for transferring the condensation and a wicking medium for receiving the condensation.

16. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the wicking structure comprises a wicking medium for receiving the condensation.

17. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the hydrophilic structure comprises anti-microbial material.

18. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the wicking structure comprises anti-microbial material.

19. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the refrigeration compartment further comprises a refrigeration compartment door, and the wicking structure is a retractable wicking bulb within the compartment door that extends to contact the hydrophilic structure when the door is in a closed position.

20. The appliance of claim 16, wherein the wicking medium is further configured for evaporation of the condensation.