Patent Publication Number: US-11650001-B2

Title: Upright appliance drain jumper

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/585,580, filed on Sep. 27, 2019. This application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application relates generally to an appliance drain of an appliance. More particularly, it relates to an appliance drain jumper assembly for a refrigerating appliance that can connect to an existing appliance drain and transfer drain water to a preferred location within a machine compartment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventionally, an appliance drain passes through an appliance cabinet near the rear of a machine compartment. The appliance drain carries water, such as melt water from an automatic defrost evaporator, outside of the chilled compartment. However, this conventional configuration makes it difficult for an operator to access the drain and connect a drain tube to transfer the drain water to a desired location, such as a drain pan under a condenser coil. 
     It is an objective of the present disclosure to alleviate or overcome one or more difficulties related to the prior art. It has been found that a new drain jumper assembly can be configured to allow an operator to connect a drain tube in an easily accessible location. Specifically, a drain jumper assembly can transfer drain water to a preferred location within the machine compartment. In a further embodiment, the drain jumper can swivel or rotate about the axis of the existing drain to further assist with easier assembly. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a drain extension assembly for an appliance that provides fluid communication between an internal storage compartment and an exterior environment via an appliance drain that collects and transfers liquid condensate from an evaporator. The drain extension assembly includes a main body with an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is configured to be secured to said appliance drain and the outlet is configured to be secured to an extension tube that is configured to discharge said liquid condensate into a drain pan disposed below a condenser. A vacuum relief system is provided selective fluid communication between the main body and the exterior environment. The vacuum relief system includes a pressure relief valve provided at a wall of the main body. 
     In accordance with another aspect, there is provided an appliance including a cabinet defining a storage compartment. An evaporative cooling system is configured to reduce a temperature of the storage compartment, and includes an evaporator, a condenser, and a compressor. The evaporator is positioned within the storage compartment, and the condenser and compressor are positioned within a machine compartment located below and external to the storage compartment. The machine compartment is in fluid communication with an exterior environment. A drain is disposed below the evaporator to collect and transfer liquid condensate from the evaporator. The drain provides fluid communication between the storage compartment and the machine compartment. A drain extension assembly includes a main body having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is secured to the drain at said machine compartment to receive the liquid condensate from the drain, and the outlet is secured to an extension tube that discharges said liquid condensate into a drain pan. A vacuum relief system provides selective fluid communication between the main body and the exterior environment. The vacuum relief system includes a pressure relief valve provided at a wall of the main body. 
     In accordance with a further aspect, there is provided a drain extension assembly for an appliance that provides fluid communication between an internal storage compartment and an exterior environment via an appliance drain that collects and transfers liquid condensate from an evaporator. The drain extension assembly includes a main body defining an interior and having an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with said interior. The inlet is configured to be secured to said appliance drain and the outlet is configured to be secured to an extension tube that is configured to discharge said liquid condensate into a drain pan disposed below a condenser. The main body further includes an opening formed in a wall thereof. A vacuum relief system provides selective fluid communication between the main body and the exterior environment. The vacuum relief system includes a pressure relief valve provided at a wall of the main body. The pressure relief valve includes a door disposed within the interior and movably secured to the main body so as to selectively close the opening in order to automatically equalize a pressure differential between the interior of the main body and the exterior environment. The door includes a planar outer flange configured to rest against an interior surface of the wall of the main body. A projection is configured to be received within the opening when the outer flange rests against the interior surface of the wall so as to close the opening. The outer flange circumscribes the projection. Further, a pair of opposing projections extend peripherally outwards from the outer flange. Each projection of the pair of opposing projections is received within a respective cavity provided within the interior of the main body such that the door is pivotably secured to the main body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present examples relate upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a front perspective view of an example top-mount refrigeration appliance. 
         FIG.  2    is a front view of a machine compartment located at a rear of the refrigeration appliance, with an example drain jumper assembly. 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the machine compartment of  FIG.  2    with an extension tube. 
         FIG.  4    is a top perspective view of the machine compartment of  FIG.  2    with an example appliance drain. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of the example drain jumper assembly with a lid. 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of another example drain jumper assembly without a lid. 
         FIG.  7    is a side view of the drain jumper assembly of  FIG.  5    positioned near other equipment within the machine compartment. 
         FIG.  8    is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a drain jumper assembly with an example vacuum relief system. 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of a door of the example vacuum relief system for the drain jumper assembly of  FIG.  8   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Example embodiments are described and illustrated in the drawings. These illustrated examples are not intended to be limiting. For example, one or more aspects or features from each embodiment can be combined with or utilized in other embodiments. 
     Herein, when a range such as 5-25 (or 5 to 25) is given, this means preferably at least 5 and, separately and independently, preferably not more than 25. In an example, such a range defines independently at least 5, and separately and independently, not more than 25. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG.  1    shows a refrigeration appliance in the form of a top-mount refrigerator, indicated generally at  40 , having a cabinet that includes a freezer compartment  38  located vertically-above a fresh food compartment  42 . Although the detailed description that follows is described with reference to a top-mount refrigerator  40 , other refrigeration appliance configurations can be utilized, e.g., a single door upright refrigerator or freezer, a bottom-mount refrigerator (i.e., the freezer is located vertically-below the fresh food compartment), a French-door bottom-mount refrigerator (i.e., a bottom-mount refrigerator that includes adjacent “French” style doors), a side-by-side refrigerator (i.e., the freezer compartment is on one side and the fresh food compartment is on the other side, opposite of the freezer compartment), etc. 
     The freezer compartment  38  of the appliance  40  is used to freeze and/or maintain articles of food in a frozen condition. For this purpose, the freezer compartment  38  is in thermal communication with a freezer evaporator  36 , which is located in the rear of the appliance and in between the cabinet and exterior walls. The evaporator  36  removes thermal energy from the freezer compartment  38  to maintain a temperature of 0° C. or less during operation of the refrigerator  40 . The removal of thermal energy from the freezer compartment results in condensation build-up around the evaporator coils (not shown), which can form frost or ice that is periodically removed by a defrost operation. During the defrost operation, an electric heater is operated to raise the temperature of the evaporator coils to melt the frost or ice into water condensate. This condensate drips from the evaporator  36 , to a drain  28  (shown in  FIG.  4   ) that is in fluid communication with a machine compartment  30  (shown in  FIGS.  2 - 4   ). The machine compartment  30  is typically located external to the cooled compartments  38 ,  42 , and contains the operative elements of the evaporative cooling system (e.g., the compressor, the condenser, the condenser fan, etc.). Other evaporators, such as a fresh food evaporator or an ice maker evaporator, may be employed in similar defrost conditions that generate melt water to be removed from the appliance.  FIG.  2    is a front view of a machine compartment located at a rear of the refrigeration appliance, with an example drain jumper assembly according to the instant application. The drain jumper assembly  10  transfers the drain water from the drain  28  to a more easily accessible location for an operator, as discussed in more detail below. 
     It is to be appreciated that the drain  28  is typically located in the floor or bottom wall of the cooled compartment (any of the freezer compartment or fresh food compartment) at a low point below the evaporator so that the water condensate naturally flows toward the drain  28 . The drain  28  is then connected via a suitable length of tubing so that the terminal end of the drain tubing enters the machine compartment. In another example,  FIG.  4    is a top perspective view of the machine compartment of  FIG.  2    located immediately below an appliance drain  28  (for example, in a single-door freezer, or fresh-food refrigerator). During assembly, the drain  28  is connected to be flush with or recessed into a bottom surface of the cooled compartment so that the water condensate can readily flow therein. Once the cabinet liner is in its final position, an insulating foam is injected in between the liner and the outer walls of the appliance. The foam fills the space between the liner and the machine compartment and surrounds at least a portion of the exterior of the drain tube. 
       FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the machine compartment of  FIG.  2    with an extension tube  26 . The drain jumper assembly  10  comprises an inlet  14 , a main body  16 , and an outlet  12 , which together are configured to transfer condensate from the appliance drain  28  (shown in  FIG.  4   ), such as a freezer drain, to a preferred location within the machine compartment. 
       FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a drain jumper assembly  10  with a lid  18 . In this embodiment, the drain jumper assembly includes an outlet  12 , an inlet  14 , a main body portion  16 , and a lid  18 . The inlet  14  is positioned relatively higher than the outlet  12  so that the main body  16  slopes downward. This configuration allows water to flow by gravity from the inlet  14  to the outlet  12 . The main body  16  includes a hollow interior, a downward slope, and a wider portion near the outlet, which all can assist in the flow of water. The lid  18  is used to cover and prevent foreign objects from entering the hollow interior of the main body  16 . In one embodiment, the lid  18  is pivotable about a first side of the assembly  10  via at least one hinge. The at least one hinge may be any of the one or combination of the following hinges: a living hinge; a piano hinge; a butterfly hinge; a flush hinge; a barrel hinge; a spring hinge; or any other suitable hinge means. The lid  18  may be connected or attached to the assembly  10 . In another embodiment, the lid  18  is secured to a second side of the assembly  10 , opposite of the first side, via at least one fastener  24 . For example, the lid  18  can be secured to the assembly  10  via one or more fasteners. The at least one fastener may include any one or combination of the following: snaps; clips; hooks; ties; or any other suitable fastening means. The lid  18  can also be removable. In yet another embodiment, the lid  18  can be secured by positioning the assembly  10  adjacent to a top wall of the machine compartment  30 . The position of the lid  18  relative to the top wall of the machine compartment  30  is configured to maintain a closed lid position with or without fasteners, and/or to obstruct removal of the lid  18 . 
       FIG.  6    is a perspective view of a drain jumper assembly  10  without a lid. In this embodiment, the top of the main body  16  can be positioned immediately adjacent to or in abutment with the top of the machine compartment without a separate lid. The position of the main body  16  relative to the top wall of the machine compartment effectively closes off the hollow interior to thereby obviate the need for a separate lid and to cover and prevent foreign objects from entering the main body  16 . In yet another embodiment, the distance between the first and second walls of the main body  16  gradually widens from the inlet  14  to the outlet  12 . For example, the distance between the first and second walls near the inlet is from 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches, preferably from 0.6 inches to 1.4 inches, more preferably from 0.75 inches to 1.25 inches, and most preferably from 0.9 inches to 1.1 inches. The distance between the first and second walls near the outlet is from 1 inch to 2 inches, preferably from 1.1 inches to 1.9 inches, more preferably from 1.25 inches to 1.75 inches, and most preferably from 1.4 inches to 1.6 inches. In this embodiment, the widening distance between the side walls improves the water flow from the appliance drain  28  to the extension tube  26 . In another embodiment, the distance between a first and second side of the lid  18  widens from the inlet  14  to the outlet  12  to correspond with the widening dimensions of the main body  16  and to cover the contents within the main body  16 . 
     As described above, the drain jumper assembly  10  connects between the existing freezer drain  28  and is used to transfer the drain water to a preferred location within the machine compartment. The drain jumper assembly  10  can be connected to each of the appliance drain  28  and the extension tube  26  in a variety of manners, preferably via a removable connection. In one embodiment, the extension tube  26  is secured to the outlet  12  of the drain jumper assembly  10  via an interference fit, which can be airtight. The interference fit can also be tight enough to allow water to travel through without leaking. The outlet  12  can include a first set of ribs  20  (shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   ) that correspond to a second set of ribs of the extension tube  26 . An operator can slide the extension tube  26  over the outlet  12  of the drain jumper assembly  10 , which results in a secure connection. The extension tube  26  can also be secured to the outlet  12  via a screw-thread connection, a screw-thread with a rubber gasket connection, a ferrule connection, a compression fitting connection, a coupling connection, or any other suitable connection method. In another embodiment, the inlet  14  of the drain jumper assembly  10  is secured to the appliance drain  28  via interference fit, which can be airtight. The interference fit can also be tight enough to allow water to travel through without leaking. The inlet  14  can include a first set of ribs  22  (shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   ) that correspond to a second set of ribs of an outlet of the appliance drain  28 . The inlet  14  can also be secured to the appliance drain  28  via a screw-threaded connection, a screw-thread with a rubber gasket connection, a ferrule connection, a compression fitting connection, a coupling connection, or any other suitable connection method. The inlet  14  can be secured to the appliance drain  28  and the outlet  12  can be secured to the extension tube  26  by utilizing the same or different connection method. 
     In yet another embodiment, the drain jumper assembly  10  is configured to swivel or rotate about an axis, such as the central rotational axis, of the appliance drain  28  such that an operator can swivel or rotate the drain jumper assembly  10  to achieve a convenient or easily accessible position for access. For example, the assembly  10  can be rotated to a position where the outlet  12  is located at one of the front or the rear of the machine compartment  30 . This embodiment enables an operator to access the drain tube and drain water from a conveniently located position. For example, the extension tube  26  is preferably located at any accessible position for an operator, such as at the front of the machine compartment  30  (i.e., a position readily accessible from the rear of the appliance), or any other accessible location. The extension tube  26  can also be located in front of and/or in between the condenser coils  32  (shown in  FIG.  3   ). In one example, the terminal end of the extension tube  26  can be positioned within a drain pan  44  located below the condenser coils  32  (shown in  FIG.  4   ). The condenser coils  32  radiate latent heat from the evaporative refrigeration process that can help to evaporate the water within the drain pan  44 . 
       FIG.  7    is a side view of the drain jumper assembly of  FIG.  5    shown next to equipment of the machine compartment. In one embodiment, the bottom wall of the main body  16  includes a substantially flat portion or flat portion near the inlet  14 . The bottom of the main body  16  gradually slopes or declines from the flat portion towards the outlet  12  at an angle from about 1° to 20°, preferably from about 2° to 10°, more preferably from about 3° to 7°, and most preferably from about 4° to 6°. This taper enables the water to flow by gravity from the inlet  14  to the outlet  12 . In one embodiment, the distance A between the bottom of the main body  16  near the inlet  14 , and the fan  34  is greater than the distance B between the bottom of the main body  16  near the outlet  12 , and the fan  34 . For example, the distance A can be from 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches, preferably from 0.6 inches to 1.4 inches, more preferably from 0.75 inches to 1.25 inches, and most preferably from 0.9 inches to 1.1 inches. The distance B can be from 0.1 inches to 0.9 inches, preferably from 0.25 inches to 0.75 inches, more preferably from 0.3 inches to 0.7 inches, and most preferably from 0.4 inches to 0.6 inches. When a fan, such as the condenser fan, is located adjacent to the main body  16 , the tapered bottom surface thereof can interfere or otherwise affect the airflow from the fan  34 . The relatively larger distance A at one side of the drain jumper assembly  10  can reduce airflow interference from a fan  34  in the machine compartment  30  to further reduce noise from the machine compartment  30 . 
     In another embodiment, the drain jumper assembly  10  can include a vacuum relief system  50 , as shown in  FIGS.  8  and  9   . The vacuum relief system  50  includes a pressure relief valve integrally extending from the main body  16  that provides selective fluid communication between the main body and the exterior environment. The vacuum relief system is configured to automatically equalize a pressure differential between an interior of the main body and the exterior environment. The relief valve  46  can be located variously, such as on a side wall of the main body  16 . The relief valve  46  includes a side sloped or angled toward the body  16  having at least one moveable relief door  48  configured to be pivotably secured to cover an opening  56  in the side of the relief valve  46 . For example, the relief valve  46  can include two or more movable relief doors as shown in  FIG.  8   , although in other examples only a single door could also be used. As shown in  FIG.  9   , the relief door  48  can include a raised center portion  57  that is received into the opening  56  when the door is in a closed position. The raised center portion  57  can be surrounded by a flat outer flange  58  that rests upon the interior face  59  of the relief valve  46 . The relief door  48  or the interior face  59  can include a seal member (i.e., rubber, silicone, or the like), or the flat outer flange  58  may simply close off the opening  56  via face-to-face contact with the interior face  59 . 
     In one embodiment, the door  48  can be secured via at least one hinge. The at least one hinge may be any of the one or combination of the following hinges: a living hinge; a piano hinge; a butterfly hinge; a flush hinge; a barrel hinge; a spring hinge; or any other suitable hinge means. In yet another embodiment, the door  48  can include two projections  52  that can rest within and rotate relative to corresponding cavities  54  on either side of the relief valve door opening  56 . The projections  52  can be cylindrical, or any shape suitable to rotate relative to the cavities  54 . The cavities  54  can be rectangular (shown in  FIG.  8   ), cylindrical, or any shape suitable to receive the projections  52 . Preferably, the door  48  is configured to open inwardly towards the interior of the main body  16 . In this embodiment, the inlet can also include a wider diameter than the inlet  14  without the vacuum relief system  50 . For example, the diameter of the inlet  14  can be larger than the diameter of the outlet  12 . Further, the bottom of the main body  16  slopes or declines at a greater degree from the flat portion towards the outlet  12  than when the jumper  10  does not include the relief system  50 . Additionally, where a vacuum relief system  50  is used, it is preferably located higher than and spaced a distance from the bottom of the main body  16  so that any drain water flowing within the jumper drain does not leak out of the relief door  48 . 
     When an appliance door is opened from a closed position, an undesired vacuum can be created within the appliance, including within the drain jumper assembly  10 . Such a vacuum can inhibit the user from re-opening the appliance door. Thus, the vacuum relief system  50  provides a pressure release to the drain jumper assembly  10  when the undesired vacuum is forming. For example, when a vacuum is forming within the appliance and also within the jumper assembly  10 , the relief door  48  is automatically pulled open by the force of the forming vacuum pressure. The open door  48 , which is in fluid communication with the ambient environment of the machine room, then allows ambient air to enter the jumper  10  and relieve the vacuum pressure. Once the pressure is equalized, the relief door  48  will then return to its normally-closed position. The relief door  48  can be biased towards the normally closed position in various manners. In one example, the relief door  48  can be resiliently biased towards the closed position, such as by a spring or the like. Alternatively, in another example, the relief door  48  can be positioned at an outwardly projecting angle (see  FIG.  8   ) whereby the center of gravity for the relief door  48  is spaced a distance from the rotation axis provided by the cavities  54  so that the door  48  can automatically return to the closed position under the force of gravity once the vacuum within the main body  16  is relieved. 
     The invention has been described with reference to the example embodiments described above. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. Examples of embodiments incorporating one or more aspects of the invention are intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.