Custom bin interface

A refrigerator may include a refrigerator cabinet in at least one enclosure that can be mounted in different locations within the cabinet. The enclosure also can have targeted, independently controlled temperature provided to it. This allows the refrigerator to be highly customizable and reconfigurable according to desire or need. For example, an ice maker ice bin can be mounted in different positions within the cabinet, including door mount, refrigerated food compartment mount or freezer mount. Alternatively, specialized enclosures for such things as can chilling, milk chilling, meat chilling, or even thawing can be placed in multiple locations in the cabinet according to need or desire.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to refrigerators. More particular, the present invention relates to refrigerators with one or more moveable bins that can be placed in a variety of positions within the same refrigerator and which can be temperature-controlled independently of the refrigerator compartment(s) in which it/they are placed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One conventional refrigerator configuration uses a forced air/condenser arrangement to provide air cooling to at least one compartment of an insulated refrigerator cabinet. The cooling is for an entire compartment. In the case of multiple compartments, the paradigm is similar—the forced air/condenser cooling is controlled by conventional means to provide targeted temperature for the different compartments; but for each full compartment. Everything in the compartment would be subject to that basic controlled temperature.

There are significant benefits to having more specifically targeted temperature controlled areas within the larger compartment or overall cabinet of the refrigerator. For example, some differences in temperature for meats or cheeses may be desirable as opposed to the rest of a refrigerated food compartment. Another example could be the desire to make ice at subfreezing temperatures outside of the freezer compartment, if the refrigerator has one. This presents issues for conventional forced air/condenser cooling. Routing cooling air to multiple sub-areas inside a refrigerated compartment has functional and practical limitations for mass-market type refrigerators. Size, cost, and other factors bear on that issue.

Additionally, it can be desirable and beneficial to allow a refrigerator to be reconfigurable or convertible. By that, it is meant that a need has been identified in the art to allow custom temperature control for areas within the cabinet and to allow those custom controlled areas to be selected by the user or consumer. Again, routing cooling air to changeable locations presents practical issues, particularly in mass market refrigerator appliances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide for a refrigerator appliance which allows for targeted but reconfigurable independently controlled temperature sub-spaces within any part of a refrigerator cabinet.

A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is a system for allowing custom configuration of a refrigerator appliance.

Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is a system for providing a variety of selectable factors to reconfigure a refrigerator appliance, those factors include, but are not limited to, type of independently temperature controlled enclosure, position of independently temperature enclosure, manner of providing temperature control to each enclosure, and adjustability of each enclosure.

One or more of these and/or other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims that follow. No single embodiment need exhibit each and every object, feature, and advantage as different embodiments may have different objects, features, or advantages. The present invention is not to be limited by or to these objects, features, and advantages.

According to one aspect, a refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator may include a refrigerator cabinet and at least one compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet. The refrigerator may further include an enclosure defining an enclosed space that can be independently temperature controlled and placeable in a plurality of different locations within the refrigerator cabinet.

According to another aspect, a method of custom configurable refrigeration allows selectable type and placement of independently temperature controlled enclosures within the refrigerator cabinet.

According to another aspect, a refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, an enclosure, a subsystem for providing independent temperature control to the enclosure, and quick-connections for facilitating independent temperature control for the enclosure at a plurality of positions within the refrigerator cabinet.

According to another aspect, a refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, an enclosure defining a smaller enclosed volume than one of the compartments of the refrigerator cabinet, a subsystem to provide heating or cooling to the enclosed sub-space, a releasable connection for facilitating independent temperature control to the sub-space, a controlled subsystem for managing independent temperature control to the sub-space, and a mounting interface for the enclosure to a location in the compartment of the refrigerator cabinet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Overview

For a better understanding of the invention, several exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail. It is to be understood these embodiments are neither inclusive nor exclusive of all the different forms the invention can take, which are defined by the appended claims that follow this description.

These exemplary embodiments will be described primarily in the context of a mass-market commercially available refrigerator appliance of the top French-door accessible refrigerated food compartment and a bottom freezer compartment. Those compartments will both be temperature controlled by a forced air/condenser system which cools those compartments to the conventional temperature ranges for refrigerated food versus freezer compartments such as is known in the art. The forced air/condenser cooling system is not shown in the Figures for clarity of illustration of the exemplary embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the invention can be applied to almost any refrigerated device of almost any configuration, including single compartment devices or more than two compartments, whether top freezer, side by side, or others.

As will be appreciated, one unifying feature of the embodiments is the ability to custom configure the appliance by selection of a type of enclosure that can be independently temperature controlled and then selectable placement of it in a variety of locations within the appliance.

Liquid Cooled Bin

FIG. 1illustrates a refrigerator appliance10with an insulated cabinet12and top fresh food compartment14accessible by French doors16L and16R. A bottom freezer compartment24is accessible with a door26. Refrigerator compartment14and freezer compartment24are separated vertically by ceiling18, floor22, and intermediary divider20. A forced air/condenser electrically powered cooling system and programmable controlled electrical temperature sensor and control system (not shown) allow forced air cooling within controlled ranges in compartments14and24. This is conventional and well known to those skilled in the art.

An enclosure30(sometimes called a bin) defining an enclosed volume is mounted on the inside of door16L. In this embodiment, enclosure30is insulated and is in operative connection to a liquid cooling subsystem50. Liquid cooling subsystem50includes a unit52positioned in the freezer compartment24(e.g. mounted on the underside of the divider20exposed to subfreezing air of freezer compartment24) and can include a liquid reservoir and a fluid pump that is electrically controlled by the programmable controller. Fluid tubing sections54and55are routed from unit52to at or near enclosure30in door16L to target and deliver fluid in a fluid loop57to container30.

As diagrammatically illustrated inFIG. 1, liquid cooling unit52would have an outbound tube section54that would extend and be moveable to reach different locations within refrigerator cabinet. As illustrated, it could have a coiled section that would allow longitudinal adjustability to assist in extending it or moving it to different locations. Similarly, inbound or return tube section55could have such flexibility. At the distal ends of tube sections54and55could be quick connect fluid connectors56A that would mate with complimentary quick connect connectors56B at opposite ends of fluid tubing loop57. Loop57could be mounted on, in or near either the structure to be temperature controlled (cooled or warmed). InFIG. 1, it is shown mounted on or in an interface or plate58that could be separate or attached to the enclosure or bin to be temperature controlled. As illustrated, a complete fluid circuit from at temperature control unit52placed away from the bin to be temperature controlled would circulate fluid through tube section54, through its connectors pair56A and B, into loop57, back through connector pair56A and B to return tubing section55. By methods known in the art, temperature of the fluid in that circuit could be controlled by unit52to supply cooling or heating at fluid loop57, which is at the bin to be temperature controlled. As can be appreciated, fluid loop57could take on many configurations. It could be at or near just ice bin44. Alternatively, it could be at just ice maker42to provide subfreezing temperatures to the ice mold for making ice. Or, as shown inFIG. 1, it could be routed at or near both ice maker42and ice bin44. It could supply subfreezing temperatures to ice bin44to maintain solid phase of ice stored in bin44. It could supply such cooling to both ice maker42and ice storage bin44. As could be further appreciated, ice maker42and ice bin44could be separated. A loop57could be routed to one or the other or both. Thus, very cold fluid can be pumped to at container30to provide cooling to container30. By methods known to those in the art, by control of flow rate, selection of fluid, and other parameters, the amount of cooling to bin30can be independently controlled of the temperature of freezer compartment24or refrigeration compartment14.

In this embodiment, tubing54,55can have a quick connections56A which can quick connect or release from complementary connections56B of loop57at enclosure30. For example, quick connect devices or connectors56B at enclosure30can receive quick connect connections56A at the distal end of each tube54and55and by wedging action provide a robust and secure and sealed attachment of the tube at one end of the tubing of loop57. But the connectors56A and B can be easily reversed from connection to allow quick disconnection of the tubing at that point. A variety of these connectors are commercially available. One example is Product No. PL-3003 from Watts of North Andover, Mass. for a ¼″ outside diameter plastic tube. As can be appreciated, such connectors56A and B would allow a user to mount the temperature control moveable bin at a selected position and then with just two quick connections connect the liquid cooling lines54and55to the loop57to complete the liquid flow circuit for independent temperature control of the bin.

The cooling fluid to enclosure30can be delivered in a number of ways to effectuate cooling of enclosure30. One would be simply to snake loop57or a portion of additional tubing along a surface of enclosure30. Cooling can occur by conduction between the walls of enclosure30to the fluid in tubing sub-circuit on the exterior of enclosure30. The tubing could be built into the wall of enclosure30. Still further, that extended tubing sub-circuit could be built into a plate or panel that is put into abutment with an exterior wall of enclosure30for conduction of heat away from the interior of enclosure30. Alternatively, such a plate could be put in close proximity to the exterior of enclosure30and take heat away by convection.

The specific ways and modes of providing cooling to enclosure30with the liquid subsystem50can be in any of a number of configurations within the skill of those skilled in the art. Tubing54,55and57can deliver cooled fluid to at or near enclosure30and that fluid can remove heat back to unit52where the heat carried in that fluid can then be removed or redirected and cooled fluid recirculated when needed.

Again, operation of unit52can be controlled by a refrigerator or other microcontroller based on programmed and/or sensed parameters. Some sort of user-adjustable input is possible that would allow the user of refrigerator10to select a target temperature range or value for the interior of enclosure30. This could be via some sort of simple knob with indicia giving a range of temperatures or by some sort of user interface that could instruct the controller. Other modes and methods for user-selection of temperature for bin32are of course possible.

FIG. 1illustrates the possibility that enclosure30could be an ice bin or ice storage container underneath an indoor ice maker42. In this example, the specific type of enclosure30(here, ice bin44) could thus have subfreezing temperatures to maintain ice storage even though it is positioned in a door that is opened to ambient temperature and when the door is closed in the refrigerated food compartment (above freezing). The liquid cooling subsystem takes advantage of the subfreezing temperatures in freezer compartment24to bring the ice bin44to lower temperatures than refrigerator compartment14for maintenance of ice storage. Again, the ice maker and the ice bin could instead be separated. They could be separated a substantial distance and subfreezing temperatures routed to each.

But as further indicated inFIG. 1, the liquid cooling subsystem50could likewise service ice maker42. Again, by tubing54,55and releasable connections56A/B to loop57, cooling liquid could be routed to ice maker42(e.g. ice mold within ice maker42) that provides subfreezing temperatures for freezing ice in ice maker42. But furthermore, as illustrated by the examples on the left side ofFIG. 1, enclosure30could be any of a number of other types of enclosures. For example, it could be configured as a can chiller32, and temperature controlled to some specific above-freezing temperature maintenance the consumer desires for canned beverages. Another example would be milk chiller34. A still further example could be meat chiller36. Meat chiller36could have multiple compartments.

In all of these examples, the enclosure body30could have some sort of access to its interior. This could be a door, a flap, some sort of opening of relatively small area, or otherwise such that reasonable independent control of temperature inside enclosure30is possible including on an economical and efficient basis. For example, ice bin44may receive ice dropped by gravity from ice maker42. It would likely need an open top to receive such ice. But it also could have a door or other opening for someone to reach in to extract ice. Still further, ice bin44could have releasable mounting interface with the inside of door16L so that it could be taken off of door16L.

Similarly, ice chiller34would have to have a substantial sized door or method of inserting and removing milk. This could range from smaller containers (e.g. pint sized) to perhaps even larger ones (e.g. one gallon jugs).

Meat chiller36could have multiple doors or openings and multiple compartments. It is even possible that in one enclosure30, there could be ways to have different temperatures in compartments36A and36B (e.g., perhaps a relatively small offset targeted for one type of meat versus another).

As can be understood, liquid cooling subsystem50provides the ability to, in a targeted, independent manner, provide cooling to an enclosure30that can be of a variety of types.

FIG. 1diagrammatically illustrates a still further potential feature. An enclosure38could be convertible between warming and cooling. By methods and modes known in the art, liquid cooling subsystem50could be configured to either provide subfreezing temperature to enclosure38or merely cooling (above freezing) temperature. Such above-freezing temperature could be controlled and arranged that could facilitate fast thawing of frozen food. It also could be configured simply as a higher temperature, yet cooled from outside ambient temperature for any number of uses. As can be appreciated, unit52could include a thermo-electric cooler device (TEC). Because a TEC produces a temperature differential between opposite sides of its thermo-electric element, using a TEC in the unit52would allow selection of either colder temperatures for the liquid to be circulated or hotter temperatures. Thus, this would allow the designer to route different temperatures to the moveable bin. As can be appreciated, by appropriate tubing sections and fluid switching components, the refrigerator could select or switch between cooler or warmer liquid for routing to the moveable bin. Other ways of generating warming that could be routed to moveable bin30are possible.

A still further feature could be adaptation and operation of liquid subsystem50to provide what might consider to be warming to enclosure38. By methods and modes known to those skilled in the art, control of liquid flow could be such that interior temperature of container38would be able that in even refrigerated compartment14.

It can therefore be seen how the system ofFIG. 1allows substantial flexibility and customizability of a refrigerator appliance.

FIGS. 2A-Eillustrate another aspect of this flexible, reconfigurable customizability. As illustrated diagrammatically inFIGS. 2A-E, whichever type of enclosure30is selected could be mounted in any number of different positions within refrigerator cabinet12.FIG. 1shows ice bin44on refrigeration compartment14door16L.FIG. 2Ashows any of the types of enclosures30mounted inside refrigeration compartment14; here in the upper back corner (either mounted to ceiling18or to the upper back wall or to the left side wall).FIG. 2Billustrates a generic independently temperature controlled enclosure30on the inside of refrigerated compartment14door16L.FIG. 2Cshows it on the opposite door. In any of these cases, liquid cooled subsystem50is mounted in the freezer compartment24and via fluid communication of tubing54can route cooling fluid in a loop to the enclosure30in any of those positions. Again, quick release tubing connectors at enclosure30could allow same liquid cooling unit52and tubing54,55to be routed to any of these mounting locations.

FIG. 2Dillustrates that an enclosure30could be placed at or near liquid cooling unit52in the freezer compartment. Tubing54,55could be used to route fluid (out-bound and return paths respectively, to unit52) to that container30. As can be appreciated, the fluid could be a substance such a glycol, which would not freeze. Such an enclosure in the freezer compartment could be used simply as a subspace for frozen food with independent temperature control, or could be used for thawing or other uses.

FIG. 2Eshows a slightly different configuration where the enclosure is mounted on the inside of the freezer compartment door26. In this example, the enclosure could be an ice bin44and/or an ice maker42. Even though such devices would be in the freezer compartment, it would allow for independent targeted control of temperature for those functions. Alternatively, it could facilitate temperature control that might require both subfreezing temperatures and above-freezing temperatures even though in the freezer compartment. For example, in some cases it is desirable to remove ice from an ice mold by raising its temperature so it drops out of the ice mold, rather than requiring some rotation or twisting of the ice mold. In another example, it can be beneficial to independently control temperature at the ice mold in a more specific and precise way than the freezer compartment as a whole. One example is in making what is called clear ice.

FIGS. 3A-Cillustrate one exemplary configuration for adjustable mounting of the enclosure30to be temperature-controlled. As can be seen inFIG. 3Ain the context of ice maker42, the inside of door16L could include on opposite sides of door liner86molded receivers84at spaced apart vertical heights. Complementary pins or ears (not shown) on opposite sides of ice maker42would drop in vertically into a set of receivers84on opposite sides of liner86at a certain vertical height. The pair of receivers84would capture the pins and prevent movement of ice maker42in any direction except back vertically up. By this method, ice maker42could be quickly mounted at any of the vertical heights of horizontal sets of receivers84.

Such pin and receiver mounting configurations are well known in the art. See, e.g., US 2011/0110706 A1 to Whirlpool Corporation, incorporated by reference herein. Other releasable mounting interfaces are possible of course. Examples could include sets of vertical rails with openings to receive hooks (like glass shelving in refrigerators), or pins extending from the wall of the cabinet on which receivers on the enclosure30are hung. There are many known and analogous ways to releasably mount an item in a refrigerator cabinet.

FIGS. 3A-Calso illustrate that releasable connectors for fluid flow and/or electricity can be utilized to further allow quick and easy connection of an enclosure30in whatever form (including electrically activated components such as ice maker42and the like). For liquid flow connectors, they have been discussed previously. For electric connectors, examples are Molex connector pairs66A and B (FIG. 3B) or analogous electrical connectors.

As can be further appreciated, there could be just one mounting connection for each different location within refrigerator cabinet12. In other words, it is not required that there be vertical adjustability at each mounting location.

Therefore, this embodiment addresses one or more of the objectives of the invention. It allows custom configuration of a refrigerator. It allows custom temperature needs at a place within a refrigerator. It allows custom temperature needs at any place within a refrigerator without having to route air. It furthermore allows any of a variety of different types of enclosures or bins to meet the temperature ranges and locations throughout the refrigerator. It can facilitate this by standard interfaces at each location and for each type of bin.

For example, as indicated inFIG. 1, although having different functions and some differences in configuration, each of the different enclosures44,42,32,34,36, and38could have the same geometry of mounting pins or ears that would cooperate with a coordinated pair of receivers84so that any of those enclosures could be mounted on receivers84. And such sets of receivers84could be repeated at the various locations for mounting, as shown inFIGS. 2A-E; or in other locations.

And, as mentioned, by temperature sensors or other modes and manners known in the art, the refrigerator controller can monitor for a selectable temperature for an enclosure30and operate the liquid cooling subsystem50accordingly to deliver the instructed temperature to that targeted subspace in that enclosure30.

TEC Cooled Moveable Bin

Instead of some sort of plate58that includes a fluid pathway from tubing54,55of liquid cooled subsystem50, a thermal electric cooler (TEC) such as are well known in the art, could be used as the temperature control subsystem for an enclosure30.

TECs can be configured in a planar or plate-like configuration. They are a solid state electrically powered device that can create a temperature difference between opposite sides; one cooler, one warmer. Thus, electrical operation of a TEC can provide cooling temperatures (including subfreezing) on one side. Warmer temperatures (can be quite warm or hot) can be on the other side. This device, therefore, can be a source of cooling or heating.

Therefore, this second embodiment substitutes a TEC subsystem60for the liquid cooling subsystem50of the figures. Its form factor can be such as a plate-like device that can be mounted in abutment or very near a surface of an enclosure30. By merely supplying sufficient electrical power, depending on what side is in abutment with enclosure30, either cooling or warmer temperature can be provided by conduction or convection to enclosure30to control its interior temperature. Furthermore, the form factor of TECs is such that they do not occupy much physical space, but provide a substantial surface area for heat transfer.

Thus, as can be understood, substitution of a TEC unit62for liquid cool temperature interface58in the figures, and then simply with an electrical communication with electrical conduits (see, i.e.,FIG. 3B) can deliver targeted temperature control to the subspace of an enclosure38. The refrigerator controller via methods and modes known in the art and discussed herein can provide operation of a TEC to maintain a set or selectable temperature target for enclosure30. As indicated inFIG. 3B, quick release electrical connectors, such as Molex connectors, could be used to allow the TEC to be moved to other locations in the cabinet12. Alternatively, a TEC/enclosure combination could be integrated and moved to various locations in cabinet12. Quick release mounting like shown inFIGS. 3A-Cor otherwise, can be utilized for further convenience.

TEC and Liquid Cooled Moveable Bin

Still further, a combination of liquid cooling loop and TEC could be used to provide a custom reconfigurable independent temperature control of moveable containers or enclosures30. A TEC/liquid cool subsystem (not shown) could operate a TEC with electrical energy at a first location in cabinet12. A liquid cooling loop with pump unit52could be placed in proximity to the TEC and take advantage of the TEC to either cool or warm the fluid. Tubing54,55can then route that fluid to targeted areas within cabinet12. An advantage of this arrangement is that the TEC could be placed anywhere in cabinet12. Compare unit50inFIG. 1which is positioned in subfreezing freezer compartment24if needed for subfreezing temperature control.

As can be understood, because the TEC has a warm side, it can be utilized for warming. Thus, configurations are possible whereby either cooling or warming can be utilized from the TEC to the enclosure30.

Options & Alternatives

The foregoing exemplary embodiments are by example only and not by limitation. Variations obvious to those skilled in the art are included within the invention, which is described by the claims that follow.

For example, the enclosure type, size and configuration can vary according to need or desire. Likewise, the number of locations in a moveable enclosure that can be mounted can vary. Furthermore, the types of components can be balanced to provide cooling or warmer versus what is needed or desired for temperature control in the specific enclosure. Consumption of electrical energy and heat management can be some of those factors.

Still further, the exact method of quick attach and detach of temperature control can vary. In one optional embodiment, quick release fluid connectors can be fixed and built into enclosure30. Similarly, tubing54,55might be routed inside the walls of cabinet12to exposed distal end openings at a surface of cabinet12. As one example, fixed male connectors of enclosure30could then be “plugged in” to complementing female connectors at fixed distal ends of tubing54,55in a wall of cabinet12instead of having exposed tubing. In a still further optional embodiment, the mounting structure for enclosure30to a wall of cabinet12could be at or around that fluid connection quick release combination. In a similar fashion, electrical connections could be built in to enclosure30and in a surface of cabinet12. Or at least, liquid connectors could be built in to one of the enclosure30or a wall of cabinet12with free distal ends of tubing54or freely manipulateable electrical cable that could be plugged in to fixed connectors.

Still further, if a bin30can be placed in multiple locations within cabinet12, by some sort of mode or manner, the refrigerator controller can recognize where the bin is located. For example, if there are built in electrical connections at four different locations within cabinet12, by monitoring voltage, resistance, or current at those built in connections, the controller can determine which connectors to supply electrical power to. Still further, if there are multiple mountable locations for delivery of fluid to built-in fluid lines, the controller could by some proximity sensing know the location and control a fluid valve to only allow fluid to that fluid branch.

A further option or feature could be secondary adjustment of the moveable bin. One example is diagrammatically illustrated inFIG. 2E. Moveable bin30, mounted on the inside of the freezer compartment door26, could be removably mounted at that position by a hinge connector along hinge axis90. Not only could moveable bin30be placed in a selected position within the refrigerator, it could be hingeably connected (by releasable snap-in hinge between complimentary components on container or bin30and door26). This feature could allow several things. It could allow a first anchoring of one end of bin30to door26and then swinging the other end of bin30into abutment with door26where one set of fluid or electrical quick connections56or66could be built into the door26. This would allow easy quick snap-in connection of either liquid circuit or electrical power to adjust independently temperature of bin30. By reverse swing-out movement (shown in dashed lines inFIG. 2E) the connection to the fluid or electrical circuit for independent temperature control could be disconnected quickly. The other end of bin30at hinge90could then be quick-released. Bin30could be removed and/or moved to another location which could contain a hinge mount with built-in fluid or electrical connectors, or some other quick mount configuration.

Still further, other secondary adjustment mounting of bin30could be utilized. Structure on bin30could slide into a receiver at a location in refrigerator cabinet12to roughly position bin30. Further sliding could guide built-in liquid and/or electrical connections between bin30and the temperature control assembly or system.

Still further, for embodiments that utilize extendible or moveable fluid tubing or electrical wires to extend them to a selected mounting location for bin30, those elongated connections could be free within cabinet20or could be routed partially or almost fully through walls or structure in a cabinet12. For example, they could be routed through door hinges such as between door16L or16R and the interior of cabinet12. They could be routed through a hinge such as hinge90ofFIG. 2E. They could also be routed through walls or through shelves and the like.