WO2025073261A1

WO2025073261A1 - Drawer in door assembly for a refrigerator appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2025073261A1
Application number: PCT/CN2024/122626
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan Joseph Mitchell; Stephanos Kyriacou; Choonjae Ryu
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2023-10-04
Filing date: 2024-09-30
Publication date: 2025-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-04
Also published as: US20250116452A1

Abstract

A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining a chilled chamber, a door being rotatably mounted to the cabinet to provide selective access to the chilled chamber, the door defining an access opening passing through the door, and a drawer assembly mounted to the door. The drawer assembly includes a drawer frame slidably mounted to the door within the access opening and being movable between an open position and a closed position and a drawer front mounted to the drawer frame, the drawer front being configured to seal the access opening when the drawer frame is in the closed position.

Description

DRAWER IN DOOR ASSEMBLY FOR A REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE

This application claims priorities of the US patent application No. 18/480,953 filed on October 04, 2023, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to refrigerator appliances, and more particularly to access drawers for refrigerator appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Refrigerator appliances generally include a cabinet that defines one or more chilled chambers for receipt of food articles for storage. Typically, one or more doors are rotatably hinged to the cabinet to permit selective access to food items stored in the chilled chamber. Further, refrigerator appliances commonly include ice making assemblies mounted within an icebox on one of the doors or in a freezer compartment. The ice is stored in a storage bin and is accessible from within the freezer chamber or may be discharged through a dispenser recess defined on a front of the refrigerator door. Craft ice has recently become a popular feature in household refrigerators. Craft ice can be any shape but is typically much larger than typical crescent cubes. For example, a craft icemaker may work by filling a rubber mold with water and allowing it to freeze. Certain conventional refrigerators include a dedicate icemaker for forming craft ice.

Consumers may frequently wish to access the interior chamber of a refrigerator or another chilled storage compartment without fully opening a door of the refrigerator. For example, an icemaker of a refrigerator appliance may store ice in a dedicated compartment on the door of the refrigerator. However, to access ice stored in this compartment, a user must typically fully open the door of the refrigerator, thereby complicating access to the ice, permitting cold air to escape the chilled chamber, and generally reducing the efficiency of appliance operation. In addition, the icemaker may be positioned low on the freezer door, such that a user is required to bend over to access ice collected in the ice bucket.

Accordingly, a refrigerator appliance with features for improved ice accessibility would be desirable. More particularly, a refrigerator that facilitates quick, easy, and energy efficient access to stored ice or other items stored in the chilled chamber ice would be particularly beneficial.

Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be understood and regarded as relevant by a person skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In one exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining a chilled chamber, a door being rotatably mounted to the cabinet to provide selective access to the chilled chamber, the door defining an access opening passing through the door, and a drawer assembly mounted to the door. The drawer assembly includes a drawer frame slidably mounted to the door within the access opening and being movable between an open position and a closed position and a drawer front mounted to the drawer frame, the drawer front being configured to seal the access opening when the drawer frame is in the closed position.

In another exemplary embodiment, a drawer assembly mounted to a door of a refrigerator appliance is provided. The door defines an access opening passing through the door and the drawer assembly includes a drawer frame slidably mounted to the door within the access opening and being movable between an open position and a closed position and a drawer front mounted to the drawer frame, the drawer front being configured to seal the access opening when the drawer frame is in the closed position.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

As used herein, except where the context clearly requires otherwise, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised", are not intended to exclude further features, components, integers or steps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a refrigerator appliance including a drawer assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1, with the doors of the fresh food chamber and freezer chamber shown in an open position.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a drawer assembly of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1 in an open position according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 4 provides a side, cross-sectional view of an example icemaker positioned over the exemplary drawer assembly of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of the example drawer assembly of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of a refrigerator appliance including a drawer assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the terms “first,”“second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The term “at least one of” in the context of, e.g., “at least one of A, B, and C” refers to only A, only B, only C, or any combination of A, B, and C. In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “generally,”“about,”“approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components and/or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin, i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction, e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” In addition, references to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “an embodiment” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a refrigerator appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Refrigerator appliance 100 includes a cabinet or housing 102 that extends between a top 104 and a bottom 106 along a vertical direction V, between a first side 108 and a second side 110 along a lateral direction L, and between a front side 112 and a rear side 114 along a transverse direction T. Each of the vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular to one another.

Housing 102 defines chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. In particular, housing 102 defines fresh food chamber 122 positioned at or adjacent second side 110 of housing 102 and a freezer chamber 124 arranged at or adjacent first side 108 of housing 102. As such, refrigerator appliance 100 is generally referred to as a side-by-side refrigerator. It is recognized, however, that the benefits of the present disclosure apply to other types and styles of refrigerator appliances such as, e.g., a top mount refrigerator appliance, a bottom mount refrigerator appliance, or a single door refrigerator appliance. Consequently, the description set forth herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting in any aspect to any particular refrigerator chamber configuration.

A refrigerator door 128 is rotatably hinged to an edge of housing 102 for selectively accessing fresh food chamber 122. In addition, a freezer door 130 is rotatably hinged to an edge of housing 102 for selectively accessing freezer chamber 124. According to an example embodiment, freezer door 130 may be moved to allow selective access to the freezer compartment 124. Refrigerator door 128 and freezer door 130 are shown in the closed configuration in FIG. 1. One skilled in the art will appreciate that other chamber and door configurations are possible and within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of refrigerator appliance 100 shown with refrigerator door 128 and freezer door 130 in the open position. As shown in FIG. 2, various storage components are mounted within fresh food chamber 122 to facilitate storage of food items therein as will be understood by those skilled in the art. In particular, the storage components may include bins 134 and shelves 136. Each of these storage components are configured for receipt of food items (e.g., beverages and/or solid food items) and may assist with organizing such food items. As illustrated, bins 134 may be mounted on refrigerator door 128 and freezer door 130 or may slide into a receiving space in fresh food chamber 122 or freezer chamber 124. It should be appreciated that the illustrated storage components are used only for the purpose of explanation and that other storage components may be used and may have different sizes, shapes, and configurations.

Referring now generally to FIG. 1, a dispensing assembly 140 will be described according to exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. Dispensing assembly 140 is generally configured for dispensing liquid water and/or ice. Although an exemplary dispensing assembly 140 is illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made to dispensing assembly 140 while remaining within the present subject matter.

Dispensing assembly 140 and its various components may be positioned at least in part within a dispenser recess 142 defined on freezer door 130. In this regard, dispenser recess 142 is defined on a front side 112 of refrigerator appliance 100 such that a user may operate dispensing assembly 140 without opening freezer door 130. In addition, dispenser recess 142 is positioned at a predetermined elevation convenient for a user to access ice and enabling the user to access ice without the need to bend-over. In the exemplary embodiment, dispenser recess 142 is positioned at a level that approximates the chest level of a user.

Dispensing assembly 140 includes an ice dispenser 144 including a discharging outlet 146 for discharging ice from dispensing assembly 140. An actuating mechanism 148, shown as a paddle, is mounted below discharging outlet 146 for operating ice or water dispenser 144. In alternative exemplary embodiments, any suitable actuating mechanism may be used to operate ice dispenser 144. For example, ice dispenser 144 can include a sensor (such as an ultrasonic sensor) or a button rather than the paddle. Discharging outlet 146 and actuating mechanism 148 are an external part of ice dispenser 144 and are mounted in dispenser recess 142.

A control panel 160 is provided for controlling the mode of operation. For example, control panel 160 includes one or more selector inputs 162, such as knobs, buttons, touchscreen interfaces, etc., such as a water dispensing button and an ice-dispensing button, for selecting a desired mode of operation such as crushed or non-crushed ice. In addition, inputs 162 may be used to specify a fill volume or method of operating dispensing assembly 140. In this regard, inputs 162 may be in communication with a processing device or controller 164. Signals generated in controller 164 operate refrigerator appliance 100 and dispensing assembly 140 in response to selector inputs 162. Additionally, a display 166, such as an indicator light or a screen, may be provided on control panel 160. Display 166 may be in communication with controller 164, and may display information in response to signals from controller 164.

As used herein, “processing device” or “controller” may refer to one or more microprocessors or semiconductor devices and is not restricted necessarily to a single element. The processing device can be programmed to operate refrigerator appliance 100 and dispensing assembly 140. The processing device may include, or be associated with, one or more memory elements (e.g., non-transitory storage media). In some such embodiments, the memory elements include electrically erasable, programmable read only memory (EEPROM). Generally, the memory elements can store information accessible processing device, including instructions that can be executed by processing device. Optionally, the instructions can be software or any set of instructions and/or data that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations.

Referring now generally to FIGS. 1 through 6, a drawer assembly 200 that may be used with refrigerator appliance 100 will be described according to exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated that drawer assembly 200 is illustrated and described herein only to facilitate discussion of aspects of the present subject matter. Variations and modifications may be made to drawer assembly 200 while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter. Moreover, while drawer assembly 200 is described as being used on freezer door 130 of refrigerator appliance 100, it should be appreciated that drawer assembly 200 may be used on any door of any other suitable appliance.

According to example embodiments, drawer assembly 200 may generally facilitate access to freezer chamber 124 through freezer door 130 while freezer door 130 remains in a closed position. In this regard, according to the illustrated embodiment, freezer door 130 defines an access opening 202 passing through freezer door 130. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, refrigerator appliance 100 may include a craft icemaker 204 positioned on an inner side of freezer door 130 and drawer assembly 200 may be used to store and/or access ice 206 formed using the craft icemaker 204. More specifically, freezer door 130 may define an icebox 208 that houses craft icemaker 204 which forms ice 206 and dispenses it into an ice storage reservoir 210 for storage. According to the illustrated embodiment, icebox 208 is separate from dispensing assembly 140, e.g., for forming “craft ice” that is commonly large, clear cubes or spheres of ice for alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks. For example, a user may access this craft ice 206 by opening drawer assembly 200 and accessing ice storage reservoir 210. However, it should be appreciated that this exemplary usage or application of drawer assembly 200 is not intended to be limiting. Indeed, drawer assembly 200 may be used to access the interior of any other suitable appliance for any other suitable purpose.

As illustrated, drawer assembly 200 generally includes a drawer frame 212 slidably mounted to freezer door 130 within access opening 202. Drawer frame 212 may be movable between an open position (see, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 6) and a closed position (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 4). According to an example embodiment, drawer frame 212 may be rotatable between an open position and a closed position. For example, drawer assembly 200 may include a plurality of linear slide bearings 214 to facilitate sliding of drawer frame 212 between the open position and the closed position. Although linear slide bearings 214 are illustrated, it should be appreciated that the present subject matter includes any other suitable mechanical coupling between drawer frame 212 and freezer door 130.

According to an example embodiment where drawer assembly 200 is configured to provide access to ice 206, drawer assembly 200 may include an ice storage reservoir 210 that receives ice 206 formed by craft icemaker 204. Accordingly, when a user wishes to use ice 206, they may pull on a handle 216 of drawer assembly 200 to open drawer assembly 200 and directly access ice 206 for consumption.

Drawer assembly 200 may further include a drawer front 220 that is mounted to drawer frame 212, e.g., to seal access opening 202 when drawer frame 212 is in the closed position. In this regard, for example, freezer door 130 may generally define a seating recess 222 configured to receive the drawer front 220. As illustrated, seating recess 222 may be generally sized and positioned for containing drawer front 220 when drawer assembly 200 is closed. For example, seating recess 222 may be defined at least in part by an engagement surface 224 for engaging drawer front 220 in the closed position. According to an example embodiment, a front surface 226 of drawer front 220 sits flush with a front surface 228 of freezer door 130 when drawer frame 212 is in the closed position.

According to an example embodiment, refrigerator appliance 110 and/or drawer assembly 200 may include additional features to improve engagement of drawer assembly 200 in the closed position or to improve a seal formed between drawer assembly 200 and freezer door 130, e.g., to prevent cool air from escaping through access opening 202. For example, according to an example embodiment, drawer assembly 200 includes a sealing element 230 for engaging freezer door 130 in the closed position, e.g., through contact with engagement surface 224. For example, sealing element 230 may be a resilient gasket.

In addition, drawer assembly 200 may include a magnet 232 for urging drawer frame 212 toward the closed position. In this regard, magnet 232 may be embedded within a back surface of drawer front 220. When drawer frame 212 moves toward the closed position, magnet 232 may urge drawer front 220 into the closed position, e.g., via magnetic attraction with cabinet 102. According to an example embodiment, refrigerator appliance 100 further includes a ferromagnetic member or surface 234 positioned proximate engagement surface 224 of freezer door 130, the ferromagnetic member or surface 234 is configured for engaging magnet 232 to urge drawer frame 212 to the closed position. According to an example embodiment, sealing element 230 and magnet 232 are integrated into a single component and mounted to drawer front 220.

Notably, it may be desirable to view into drawer frame (e.g., into ice storage reservoir 210) while freezer door 130 and drawer assembly 200 are in the closed position. Accordingly, as shown for example in FIG. 6, drawer assembly may include one or more insulated windows to facilitate easy viewing from an exterior of refrigerator appliance 100. Specifically, as illustrated, drawer assembly 200 includes a triple pane glass window 240 positioned within drawer front 220 for facilitating viewing through drawer front 220 while maintaining sufficient insulative properties. Any other suitable number, type, and configuration of windows are possible and within the scope of the present subject matter.

As explained herein, aspects of the present subject matter are generally directed to a refrigerator door with a drawer built into the front panel that allows users to access food items or ice without opening the refrigerator door. For example, in a dual ice-on-door refrigerator, ice made by the primary icemaker may be easily accessible and the ice made by the secondary icemaker may be accessible from outside of the refrigerator using a drawer assembly as described herein. Specifically, in order to improve accessibility, a drawer may be built into the front panel of the freezer door. The drawer may have a handle and may be mounted to slide or rotate in a way that by pulling on the handle, the drawer is pulled forward to facilitate access to food items or ice stored in it. A magnetic gasket may hold the drawer closed when not in use and seals the air inside the freezer compartment.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

A refrigerator appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, comprising:

a cabinet defining a chilled chamber;

a door being rotatably mounted to the cabinet to provide selective access to the chilled chamber, the door defining an access opening passing through the door; and

a drawer assembly mounted to the door, the drawer assembly comprising:

a drawer frame slidably mounted to the door within the access opening and being movable between an open position and a closed position; and

a drawer front mounted to the drawer frame, the drawer front being configured to seal the access opening when the drawer frame is in the closed position.
The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the door defines a seating recess configured to receive the drawer front.
The refrigerator appliance of claim 2, wherein the seating recess is defined at least in part by an engagement surface for engaging the drawer front in the closed position.
The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein a front surface of the drawer front is flush with a front surface of the door when the drawer frame is in the closed position.
The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the drawer assembly further comprises:

a sealing member for engaging the door in the closed position.
The refrigerator appliance of claim 5, wherein the drawer assembly comprises:

a magnet for urging the drawer frame toward the closed position.
The refrigerator appliance of claim 6, wherein the sealing member and the magnet are integrated into a single component.
The refrigerator appliance of claim 6, further comprising:

a ferromagnetic member positioned proximate an engagement surface of the door for engaging the magnet to urge the drawer frame to the closed position.
The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the drawer assembly further comprises:

a plurality of linear slide bearings to facilitate sliding of the drawer frame between the open position and the closed position.
The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the drawer assembly further comprises:

a triple pane glass window positioned within the drawer front for facilitating viewing through the drawer front.
The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the drawer frame defines an ice storage reservoir, the refrigerator appliance further comprising an icemaker for generating ice that is dropped into the ice storage reservoir.
A drawer assembly mounted to a door of a refrigerator appliance, the door defining an access opening passing through the door, the drawer assembly comprising:

a drawer frame slidably mounted to the door within the access opening and being movable between an open position and a closed position; and

a drawer front mounted to the drawer frame, the drawer front being configured to seal the access opening when the drawer frame is in the closed position.
The drawer assembly of claim 12, wherein the door defines a seating recess configured to receive the drawer front, wherein the seating recess is defined at least in part by an engagement surface for engaging the drawer front in the closed position; and/or

wherein a front surface of the drawer front is flush with a front surface of the door when the drawer frame is in the closed position.
The drawer assembly of claim 12, further comprising:

a sealing member for engaging the door in the closed position, a magnet for urging the drawer frame toward the closed position, wherein the sealing member and the magnet are integrated into a single component.
The drawer assembly of claim 14, further comprising:

a ferromagnetic member positioned proximate an engagement surface of the door for engaging the magnet to urge the drawer frame to the closed position.