Domestic appliance including piezoelectric components
First Claim
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1. A refrigerator comprising:
- a cabinet defining a temperature-controlled compartment;
a door positioned at a front of the cabinet, the door being moveable between (i) an open position in which user-access to the temperature-controlled compartment is permitted, and (ii) a closed position in which user-access to the temperature-controlled compartment is prevented; and
a sensor including a unitary body having a first portion directly secured to a panel of the door and a second portion secured to the cabinet in both the open and closed positions, wherein the sensor includes a first piezoelectric device configured to generate electrical power when the door is moved from the open position to the closed position.
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Abstract
A domestic appliance such as a refrigerator, washing machine, and dryer is disclosed. The appliance may include a piezoelectric device. The piezoelectric device may be configured to supply electrical power to various electrically-powered elements in the appliance, such as a light source, a drive status sensor, and active balancing components.
29 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A refrigerator comprising:
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a cabinet defining a temperature-controlled compartment; a door positioned at a front of the cabinet, the door being moveable between (i) an open position in which user-access to the temperature-controlled compartment is permitted, and (ii) a closed position in which user-access to the temperature-controlled compartment is prevented; and a sensor including a unitary body having a first portion directly secured to a panel of the door and a second portion secured to the cabinet in both the open and closed positions, wherein the sensor includes a first piezoelectric device configured to generate electrical power when the door is moved from the open position to the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A domestic appliance comprising:
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a cabinet defining a compartment; a light source positioned in the compartment; a door positioned at a front of the cabinet, the door being moveable between (i) an open position in which user-access to the compartment is permitted, and (ii) a closed position in which user-access to the compartment is prevented; a sensor including a unitary body having a first portion directly secured to a panel of the door and a second portion secured to the cabinet in both the open and closed positions, the sensor includes (i) a transmitter configured to generate an electrical signal when supplied with electrical power, (ii) a piezoelectric device configured to supply electrical power to the transmitter when the door is in the closed position; and a receiver configured to receive the electrical signal generated by the transmitter; and an electronic controller coupled to the receiver and the light source, wherein the controller is configured to (i) detect the electrical signal from the transmitter and (ii) de-energize the light source when the electrical signal is detected. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of operating a refrigerator appliance, comprising:
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deflecting a piezoelectric device positioned on a door of the refrigerator appliance to generate a quantity of electrical power, wherein the piezoelectric device includes a unitary body having a first portion coupled to a cabinet panel and a second portion coupled to a door panel, the second portion maintaining contact with a lateral exterior surface of the refrigerator appliance when the door is disposed in open and closed positions; communicating with a sensor to determine the quantity of electrical power generated by the piezoelectric device; and operating a light source of the refrigerator appliance based on the quantity of electrical power. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification