Synchronized basket flap

A refrigerator appliance having a drawer with a selectively rotatable door and a basket with a rotatable flap that rotates with the rotatable door.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is related generally to refrigerator appliances and more particularly to refrigerator appliances which include a drawer with an articulating drawer front and basket insert.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Refrigerator appliances generally include one or more chilled compartments, e.g., a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment, or the like, to maintain foods at low temperatures (i.e., lower than ambient). The chilled compartment(s) of a refrigerator are typically accessible through an opening, with access provided by one or more doors connected by hinges to the rest of the appliance. Consumers generally prefer chilled compartments that facilitate easy access to, and visibility of, the contents.

Some refrigerator appliances include one or more rotatably mounted opposing doors for access to a single opening, e.g., the fresh food compartment. Some refrigerator appliances provide access to a chilled compartment via a pull-out drawer that can be manually moved into and out of the chilled compartment on suitable slide mechanisms. Drawers are typically provided with a basket to contain contents with five surfaces, generally a bottom and four sides. Access to the drawer is provided when the drawer is open through the top side.

However, access to the internal space of the drawer and basket is limited by the front side of the basket.

Accordingly, an improved drawer front and basket for use in refrigerator appliances that address one or more of the above-described challenges would be beneficial.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter is directed to a refrigerator appliance having at least a slidable drawer for access to the chilled compartment of the refrigerator appliance. In particular, the present disclosure provides a drawer with a front providing selectable tilting in order to provide improved access to the drawer. Additional 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 aspect, a refrigerator appliance comprising a cabinet defining a fresh food chamber and a frozen food chamber is provided. A drawer is slidably mounted within one of the chambers, the drawer having a drawer body defining an interior of the drawer. A door rotatably attached to the drawer body and selectively rotatable relative to the drawer body between a closed position where the door closes a front side of the drawer body and an open position to provide access to the interior of the drawer. A basket is fitted within the interior of the drawer, the basket comprising a basket body defining a storage area and a basket flap rotatably attached to the basket body and rotatable relative to the basket body between a first position where the basket flap closes a front side of the storage area and a second position to provide access to the storage area. The basket flap rotates from the first position to the second position when the door rotates from the closed position to the open position.

In another example aspect, a drawer for a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance comprises a cabinet defining a fresh food storage chamber and a frozen food storage chamber, the drawer configured for slidably mounting within one of the fresh food storage chamber and the frozen food storage chamber. The drawer comprises a drawer body defining an interior of the drawer, a door rotatably attached to the drawer body whereby the door is selectively rotatable relative to the drawer body between a closed position where the door closes a front side of the drawer body and an open position to provide access to the interior of the drawer. A basket is fitted within the interior of the drawer, the basket comprising a basket body defining a storage area and a basket flap rotatably attached to the basket body and rotatable relative to the basket body between a first position where the basket flap closes a front side of the storage area and a second position to provide access to the storage area. The basket flap rotates from the first position to the second position when the door rotates from the closed position to the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and “fourth” may be used to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify importance of the individual components. Terms such as “inner” and “outer” refer to relative directions with respect to the interior and exterior of the refrigerator appliance, and in particular the food storage chamber(s) defined therein. For example, “inner” or “inward” refers to the direction towards the interior of the refrigerator appliance. Terms such as “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” or “bottom” are used with reference to the perspective of a user accessing the refrigerator appliance. For example, a user stands in front of the refrigerator to open the doors and reaches into the food storage chamber(s) to access items therein. “Adjacent,” as used herein, is intended to mean “lying near, close, or touching” in accordance with a generally accepted understanding of the word.

As used herein, “substantially” means within ten degrees (10°) of the noted direction or within about ten percent (10%) of the noted value or within manufacturing tolerances, whichever margin is greater, unless specifically stated otherwise.

FIG.1provides a front view of an exemplary refrigerator appliance100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Refrigerator appliance100extends between a top102and a bottom104along a vertical direction V. Refrigerator appliance100also extends between a first side106and a second side108along a lateral direction L. Further, refrigerator appliance100extends between a front portion109and a back portion111along a transverse direction T (FIG.2), which is a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction V and the lateral direction L. Vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system.

Refrigerator appliance100includes a housing or cabinet110defining a fresh food chamber112, a lower frozen food storage chamber114below the fresh food chamber112in the vertical direction V, and a drawer116which may provide access to a chilled chamber for fresh or frozen food storage located between the fresh food chamber112and the frozen food storage chamber114. A freezer door120is positioned below refrigerator doors118for accessing frozen food storage chamber114. In an exemplary embodiment, freezer door120is coupled to a freezer drawer (not shown) slidably coupled to cabinet110within the frozen food storage chamber114.

Cabinet110also defines a mechanical compartment (not shown) for receipt of a sealed cooling system (not shown).

Refrigerator doors118are rotatably hinged to an edge of cabinet110for accessing fresh food chamber112. For example, upper and lower hinges (not shown) may couple refrigerator doors118to cabinet110. When refrigerator doors118are configured as illustrated inFIG.1, the door arrangement is sometimes referred to as a “French door” configuration. Because the frozen food storage chamber114is positioned below the fresh food chamber112, refrigerator appliance100is generally referred to as a bottom mount freezer refrigerator.

Using the teachings disclosed herein, one of skill in the art will understand that the present technology can be used with other types of refrigerators (e.g., side-by-side) or a freezer appliance as well that include drawers to provide access to the chilled compartment(s). Consequently, the description set forth herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the technology in any aspect.

Operation of the refrigerator appliance100can be regulated by a controller122that is operatively coupled to a user interface panel124. Panel124provides selections for user manipulation of the operation of refrigerator appliance100, for example temperature selections. In response to user manipulation of the user interface panel124, the controller122operates various components of the refrigerator appliance100. The controller may include a memory and one or more microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of refrigerator appliance100. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor.

The controller122may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout refrigerator appliance100. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller122may be located within one of the doors118. In such an embodiment, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between the controller and various operational components of refrigerator appliance100. In one embodiment, the user interface panel124may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In one embodiment, the user interface panel124may include input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical, or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. The user interface panel124may include a display component, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. The user interface panel124may be in communication with the controller122via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses123.

FIG.2represents a perspective view of an exemplary refrigerator appliance100having a drawer116in an open position to reveal the interior126of the drawer116.FIG.3represents a perspective view of the refrigerator appliance100having a door128of the drawer116in an open position to promote access to the interior126of the drawer116.

FIGS.2and3are illustrative of one embodiment of a drawer116for the refrigerator appliance100. The drawer116may be slidably mounted within the cabinet110, for example with slides130. The drawer116may be slidable between a retracted position (e.g., closed (FIG.1)) when the door128of the drawer116is proximate to the cabinet110and an extended position (e.g., open (FIG.2)) where the door128of the drawer116is spaced apart from the cabinet110. Drawer116may include a drawer body148which includes a left wall150, a back wall152, a right wall154, and a bottom wall156. The drawer body148may at least partially define an interior126of the drawer116. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the interior126of the drawer116is collectively defined by the drawer body148and the door128in the closed position ofFIG.2in which position the door closes the front side of the drawer body148. The door128includes an inner surface129facing the interior126when the door128is in a closed position.

To promote accessibility to the interior126, the door128of the drawer116may be selectively rotatably movable relative to the drawer body148to an open position as shown inFIG.3. The door128may be selectively rotatable relative to the drawer body148in that the door128may be connected to the drawer body148by one or more door linkages159and one or more door pivots158(FIG.6). Door128is selectively rotatable between the closed position (FIG.2) and the open position (FIG.3) in that linkages159may maintain the door128in the closed position until the drawer116is in a prescribed position, for example a fully extended position, at which point the door linkages159will support rotation of the door128to the open position. The linkages159may cooperate with the slides130to prevent the drawer116from retracting until the door128is returned to the closed position. In some embodiments, the position and operation of the linkages159, the slides130, or both the linkages159the slides130are managed by the controller122.

FIG.4represents a perspective view of the drawer116in the extended position with the door128in the closed position and a basket131removably fitted in the interior126of drawer116with basket flap142in the first position. The basket131includes a basket body132which includes two side walls, left side wall134and right side wall136, and back wall152(FIG.5), each wall134,136may be affixed to bottom138of basket body132. Left and right side walls134,136are generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to the bottom138. Back wall152is generally perpendicular to left and right side walls134,136and generally perpendicular to bottom138. Back wall152may be affixed to left and right side walls134,136and bottom138. Basket flap142is pivotally attached to the basket body132at a front edge140of the bottom138of basket body132, for example using pivot point160(FIG.6). Basket flap142may be pivotally attached to the left and right side walls134,136, or pivotally attached to the bottom138at the front edge140, or pivotally attached to the left and right side walls134,136and the bottom138. Basket flap142substantially extends between the left side wall134and right side wall136.FIGS.7and8illustrate an embodiment of the basket131separate from the drawer116for clarity.

In an exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.9, basket flap142is attached to the basket body132through a pivotal attachment to the left and right side walls134,136(right side wall136shown; left134side wall is similar). The right side wall136defines a receptacle178at the front edge140of the basket body132. As illustrated, receptacle178is a through hole. In other embodiments, the receptacle178may be a blind hole formed in the left and right side walls134,136. The basket flap142includes flap pivot160received in the receptacle for rotational displacement about center point161.

Basket flap142is rotatable between a closed, first position as illustrated inFIG.4and an open, second position as illustrated inFIG.5. In the first position, basket flap142is generally perpendicular to the bottom138of basket body132and closes the front side of storage area146. In an embodiment ofFIG.8, at least one of left and right side walls134,136(left sidewall134shown; right side wall136is similar) includes a boss or stop180(FIG.8) extending from the left side wall134into the storage area146proximate to the front edge140of the basket body132. When basket flap142is in the first position, flap inner surface162may abut the stop180supporting the basket flap142against rotation into the storage area146.

In the second position illustrated inFIG.5, flap inner surface162is substantially parallel to the bottom138of basket body132. In some embodiments, flap inner surface162is coplanar, or substantially coplanar, with the bottom138of basket body132when the basket flap142is in the second position (FIG.5andFIG.8).

The basket body132may at least partially define a storage area146of the basket131. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the storage area146of the basket131is collectively defined by the basket body132and the basket flap142in the closed position ofFIG.4. To promote accessibility to the storage area146, the basket flap142may be rotatably movable relative to the basket body132to an open position as shown inFIG.5. The basket flap142may be rotatable relative to the basket body132in that the basket flap142may be connected to the basket body132by one or more flap pivot points, such as pivot160. The basket flap142has an inner surface162facing the storage area146when in the closed, first position (FIG.4) and an outer surface164opposite the inner surface162. The basket flap142has a thickness165spanning the distance between the inner and outer surfaces162,164.

In an embodiment illustrated inFIG.6, basket flap142thickness165is substantially symmetrical with the flap pivot160. That is, the center point161of the flap pivot160is coplanar with the midplane170of the thickness165such that the midplane170is a plane of symmetry for the basket flap142. Therefore, when the basket flap142is in the closed, first position, the midplane170is vertical and the basket flap142is in a balanced position with equal mass on the basket flap inner and outer surfaces162,164. As illustrated, an embodiment includes a contact pad, pad172, formed on the basket flap outer surface164at the vertically upper portion174of the basket flap142. Pad172is asymmetrical with the basket flap142i.e., the pad172disrupts the midplane170symmetry of basket flap142. Pad172is an over center feature in that the pad172is offset from the centerline, midplane170, of the basket flap142, with the pad biased towards and protruding from the flap outer surface164. The mass of pad172upsets the symmetry about the midplane170, urging the basket flap142to rotate toward an open position.

Other over center features may be included on the basket flap142in addition to the pad172. In an embodiment illustrated inFIG.7, basket flap142includes projections or ribs176extending from the flap outer surface164. Three ribs176running in the lateral direction L are shown; more or fewer ribs176may be used, as well as ribs in other orientations, for example ribs176could run in the vertical direction V. Ribs176disrupt the midplane symmetry of the basket flap142, placing mass on the flap outer surface164that is not found on the flap inner surface162. Ribs176may be solid, or hollow, or may have portions that are solid and portions that are hollow. Over center features of other configurations may also be used.

As the over center features, pad172, ribs176, or the like, are biased to the flap outer surface164, the midplane symmetry of the basket flap142is disrupted. With the additional mass offset to the outer surface164, basket flap142is urged to rotate from the first (closed) position to the second (open) position.

In embodiments, at least one door bracket166is affixed to the door inner surface129to support rotatable attachment of the door128to the drawer body148. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG.6, door bracket166defines a passage to accept a pivot pin157to provide a pivot point158. In embodiments, door pivot point158accepts a door pivot pin157such that door128is rotatably affixed to drawer body148at a pivot point with the door pivot pin157. Door pivot pin157extends along at least a portion of the lateral L width of the door128and engages the drawer body148in at least one engagement point to support the door128in rotation about the door pivot pin157. In some embodiments, multiple door pivot pins157and multiple engagement points may be used along lateral width of the door128.

In the illustrative embodiment, door bracket166includes a bearing surface168. In other embodiments, a bracket may not be provided and the bearing surface168may be formed on the inner surface126of the door128or included in a bracket different than door bracket166. As explained in more detail below, pad172and bearing surface168are urged to maintain contact throughout the rotation of door128. Bearing surface168may support pad172on basket flap142when door128is pivoted from the closed, first position toward the second, open position, and in the fully open position ofFIGS.3and5.

In the embodiments illustrated, interior126of drawer116receives basket131with left and right side walls134,136adjacent to left and right walls150,154and flap outer surface164adjacent to door inner surface129. In some embodiments, basket131is removably received in the interior126. In other embodiments, the basket131is permanently received in the interior126. As illustrated inFIG.6, with the door128in the closed position and the basket flap142in the first position, bearing surface168is positioned to contact pad172and support basket flap142against rotation away from the storage area146.

Door128can be selectively rotated from the closed position (FIGS.4and6) to the open position (FIG.5), rotating about door pivot158. As illustrated inFIG.6, door pivot158and flap pivot160are offset from each other. In the illustrated embodiment, door pivot158is below the flap pivot160in the vertical direction V and offset in the transverse direction. As the door128rotates away from the basket131, bearing surface168is displaced away from the pad172on basket flap142.

Because door pivot158and flap pivot160are fixed and offset from each other, points on the door128and basket flap142follow different arcs. This results in relative sliding motion between the bearing surface168and the pad172. For example, the portion of the pad172in contact with the bearing surface168when the door128is in the closed position (FIG.6), is not that same portion that is in contact with bearing surface168when the door is in the open position ofFIG.11. Similarly, the portion of the bearing surface168that is in contact with the pad172when the door128is in the closed position (FIG.6), is not that same portion that is in contact with pad172when the door is in the open position ofFIG.11. During the rotation of the door128from closed (FIG.6) to open (FIG.11) positions, the pad172slides along the bearing surface168and maintains contact with the bearing surface.

In embodiments, the over center location of the pad172, or both the pad172and ribs176, urge the basket flap142to rotate with the door128and maintain contact while allowing sliding motion. Contact and support is maintained between the pad172and the bearing surface168throughout rotation.FIGS.10and11represent enlarge view of the contact area between the bearing surface168and the pad172at an intermediate rotational position and at the open position for the door128and the second position for the basket flap142, respectively.

FIG.10represents an intermediate position after selective rotation of the door128is initiated. As door bracket166rotates with the door128about the door pivot158, basket flap142rotates about flap pivot160. Contact between the bearing surface168and the pad172is maintained under the influence of the over center pad172, or pad172and ribs176, allowing linear translation of the pad172along the bearing surface168. Contact is maintained throughout the range of rotation, i.e., from the closed position (FIG.6) until the door128reaches the open position and basket flap reaches the second position as illustrated inFIG.11. In the second position, door flap inner surface162is substantially horizontal (parallel to the L-T plane) and coplanar with the bottom138of the basket131with the pad172supported by the bearing surface168.

In some embodiments, the pad on the basket flap142may be urged to contact the bearing surface with additional means, such as springs or magnets. As illustrated inFIG.12, a torsion spring182may be provided positioned with the barrel184of the torsion spring182coaxial with the flap pivot160along axis A-A. One leg186of the torsion spring182is affixed to the basket flap142the basket body132and the other leg186to an independent element of the basket131, for example the bottom138with the spring under a torsional load. The torsion spring will provide a torsional force about the A-A axis urging the pad172against the bearing surface168.

Alternately or additionally, a magnet188may be provided in the basket flap142. The magnet188may be mounted in or on the pad172to provide an attractive force when adjacent to a magnetic material, such as bearing surface168if made of a magnetic material.