Power supplies for lighted shelves in a refrigerator
First Claim
1. A refrigerator appliance comprising:
- a cabinet having a temperature-controlled compartment defined therein;
a first shelf ladder disposed at least partially in the temperature-controlled compartment providing at least a first and second shelf mounting position, the first shelf mounting position has a first slot and the second shelf mounting position has a second slot separated and spaced apart from the first slot, the first shelf ladder comprising a first bus conductor, said first bus conductor being electrically grounded, a second bus conductor, and a third bus conductor, the second and third bus conductors each having a first section spaced apart from a second section;
a first adjustable shelf carrying a first lighting device, the first adjustable shelf having a mounting bracket with tabs configured to be removably mountable in one of the first slot and the second slot such that the first lighting device is electrically coupled to the electrical bus when the first adjustable shelf is removably mounted in one of the plurality of shelf mounting positions;
a second adjustable shelf carrying a second lighting device, the second adjustable shelf being removably mountable in one of the plurality of shelf mounting positions such that the second lighting device is electrically coupled to the electrical bus when the second adjustable shelf is removably mounted in one of a plurality of shelf mounting positions;
wherein the second bus conductor and third bus conductor are separated into a first section and a second section such that the first section is exposed in the first slot and forms a first independent circuit with the electrically grounded conductor when the adjustable shelf is removably mounted in the first slot and the second section is exposed in the second slot and forms a second independent circuit with the electrically grounded conductor when the adjustable shelf is removably mounted in the second slot.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Illustrative embodiments of systems and methods for powering lighted shelves in refrigerator appliances are described. In one embodiment, a refrigerator appliance may comprise a cabinet having a temperature-controlled compartment defined therein, a shelf ladder disposed at least partially in the temperature-controlled compartment and providing a plurality of shelf mounting positions, the shelf ladder comprising an electrical bus including first, second, and third conductors, the second conductor configured to supply power at a first current level when electrically coupled to the first conductor, the third conductor configured to supply power at a second current level when electrically coupled to the first conductor, and a first adjustable shelf carrying a first lighting device, the first adjustable shelf being removably mountable in one of the plurality of shelf mounting positions such that the first lighting device is electrically coupled between the first conductor and the second conductor.
61 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A refrigerator appliance comprising:
- a cabinet having a temperature-controlled compartment defined therein;
a first shelf ladder disposed at least partially in the temperature-controlled compartment providing at least a first and second shelf mounting position, the first shelf mounting position has a first slot and the second shelf mounting position has a second slot separated and spaced apart from the first slot, the first shelf ladder comprising a first bus conductor, said first bus conductor being electrically grounded, a second bus conductor, and a third bus conductor, the second and third bus conductors each having a first section spaced apart from a second section; a first adjustable shelf carrying a first lighting device, the first adjustable shelf having a mounting bracket with tabs configured to be removably mountable in one of the first slot and the second slot such that the first lighting device is electrically coupled to the electrical bus when the first adjustable shelf is removably mounted in one of the plurality of shelf mounting positions; a second adjustable shelf carrying a second lighting device, the second adjustable shelf being removably mountable in one of the plurality of shelf mounting positions such that the second lighting device is electrically coupled to the electrical bus when the second adjustable shelf is removably mounted in one of a plurality of shelf mounting positions; wherein the second bus conductor and third bus conductor are separated into a first section and a second section such that the first section is exposed in the first slot and forms a first independent circuit with the electrically grounded conductor when the adjustable shelf is removably mounted in the first slot and the second section is exposed in the second slot and forms a second independent circuit with the electrically grounded conductor when the adjustable shelf is removably mounted in the second slot. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- a cabinet having a temperature-controlled compartment defined therein;
Specification