Patent Abstract:
An ice making assembly for a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes an icebox compartment which receives cooling air from a sealed system through a supply duct and a return duct. The ice making assembly has an inlet duct and an outlet duct that are connected with these cooling air ducts to receive cooling air to assist in the formation of ice. Each of the inlet duct and outlet duct may include a flange that may be received by a corresponding flange on the icebox compartment. The resulting ice making assembly requires fewer parts and space, and installation and removal is simplified.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present subject matter relates generally to ice makers, such as nugget style ice makers, and mounting systems for the same. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Certain refrigerator appliances include an ice maker. To produce ice, liquid water is directed to the ice maker and frozen. A variety of ice types can be produced depending upon the particular ice maker used. For example, certain ice makers include a mold body for receiving liquid water. An auger within the mold body can rotate, scrape ice off an inner surface of the mold body, and force it through an extruder to form ice nuggets. Such ice makers are generally referred to as nugget style ice makers. Certain consumers prefer nugget style ice makers and their associated ice nuggets. 
         [0003]    Ice making assemblies are typically mounted in an icebox compartment and receive cooling air from a sealed system to assist with the formation of ice. The cooling air is supplied into the icebox compartment through a supply duct and a return duct formed in the side of the icebox compartment. The ice making assemblies include an inlet which must be positioned over the supply duct and an outlet which must be positioned over the return duct. 
         [0004]    Certain ice making assemblies require a plurality of fasteners to secure an ice making assembly to an icebox compartment. In addition, structural components such as slides, clips, protrusion, etc. are also used to position and secure the ice making assembly. However, these ice making assemblies may require additional parts to ensure proper alignment of cooling ducts with the icemaker inlet and outlet, may take up more space within an icebox compartment, and may require additional fasteners to secure. This makes removing and reinstalling such ice making assemblies for service and replacement a complicated, cumbersome, and inefficient process. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, a refrigerator appliance having improved means of installation would be useful. More particularly, a refrigerator appliance having a removable ice making assembly with features for simplifying installation and removal while requiring fewer parts would be particularly beneficial. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present subject matter provides an ice making assembly for a refrigerator appliance. The refrigerator appliance includes an icebox compartment which receives cooling air from a sealed system through a supply duct and a return duct. The ice making assembly has an inlet duct and an outlet duct that are connected with these cooling air ducts to receive cooling air to assist in the formation of ice. Each of the inlet duct and outlet duct may include a flange that may be received by a corresponding flange on the icebox compartment. The resulting ice making assembly requires fewer parts and space, and installation and removal is simplified. 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. 
         [0007]    In a first exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance defining a vertical, a lateral, and a transverse direction is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet including a liner; a sealed cooling system for circulating cooling air within the refrigerator appliance; and an icebox compartment defined at least in part by the liner. The icebox compartment includes a cooling air supply duct and a cooling air return duct. The refrigerator appliance further includes a supply duct flange mounted to the liner proximate to the cooling air supply duct, a return duct flange mounted to the liner proximate to the cooling air return duct, and an ice making assembly. The ice making assembly includes an inlet duct flange defining an inlet duct for receiving cooling air from the sealed cooling system through the cooling air supply duct, the inlet duct flange being configured for receipt in the supply duct flange; and an outlet duct flange defining an outlet duct for returning cooling air to the sealed cooling system through the cooling air return duct, the outlet duct flange being configured for receipt in the return duct flange. The ice making assembly is mounted to the icebox compartment by sliding the inlet duct flange and the outlet duct flange into the supply duct flange and the return duct flange, respectively. 
         [0008]    In a second exemplary embodiment, an ice making assembly for a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes an icebox compartment defining a supply duct, a return duct, and a flange assembly positioned over the supply duct and the return duct. The ice making assembly includes an inlet duct flange defining an inlet duct for receiving cooling air from a sealed cooling system through the supply duct; and an outlet duct flange defining an outlet duct for returning cooling air to the sealed cooling system through the return duct. The ice making assembly is mounted to the icebox compartment by sliding the inlet duct flange and the outlet duct flange into the flange assembly. 
         [0009]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    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. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of a refrigerator appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  provides a perspective view of a door of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  provides an elevation view of the door of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of  FIG. 2  with an access door of the door shown in an open position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  provides a section view of the exemplary ice making assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  provides a perspective view of the exemplary ice making assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  provides a perspective view of a cooling air supply duct flange and a cooling air return duct flange according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  provides a perspective view of the exemplary ice making assembly of  FIG. 3  prior to being installed in the refrigerator appliance using the exemplary duct flanges of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  provides a perspective view of the exemplary ice making assembly of  FIG. 3  after being installed in the refrigerator appliance using the exemplary duct flanges of  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    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. 
         [0020]      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  120  that extends between a top portion  101  and a bottom portion  102  along a vertical direction V. Housing  120  defines chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. In particular, housing  120  defines fresh food chamber  122  positioned at or adjacent top portion  101  of housing  120  and a freezer chamber  124  arranged at or adjacent bottom portion  102  of housing  120 . As such, refrigerator appliance  100  is generally referred to as a bottom mount 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 or a side-by-side style 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. 
         [0021]    Refrigerator doors  128  are rotatably hinged to an edge of housing  120  for selectively accessing fresh food chamber  122 . In addition, a freezer door  130  is arranged below refrigerator doors  128  for selectively accessing freezer chamber  124 . Freezer door  130  is coupled to a freezer drawer (not shown) slidably mounted within freezer chamber  124 . Refrigerator doors  128  and freezer door  130  are shown in the closed configuration in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0022]    Refrigerator appliance  100  also includes a dispensing assembly  140  for dispensing liquid water and/or ice. Dispensing assembly  140  includes a dispenser  142  positioned on or mounted to an exterior portion of refrigerator appliance  100 , e.g., on one of refrigerator doors  128 . Dispenser  142  includes a discharging outlet  144  for accessing ice and liquid water. An actuating mechanism  146 , shown as a paddle, is mounted below discharging outlet  144  for operating dispenser  142 . In alternative exemplary embodiments, any suitable actuating mechanism may be used to operate dispenser  142 . For example, dispenser  142  can include a sensor (such as an ultrasonic sensor) or a button rather than the paddle. A user interface panel  148  is provided for controlling the mode of operation. For example, user interface panel  148  includes a plurality of user inputs (not labeled), 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. 
         [0023]    Discharging outlet  144  and actuating mechanism  146  are an external part of dispenser  142  and are mounted in a dispenser recess  150 . Dispenser recess  150  is positioned at a predetermined elevation convenient for a user to access ice or water and enabling the user to access ice without the need to bend-over and without the need to open doors  128 . In the exemplary embodiment, dispenser recess  150  is positioned at a level that approximates the chest level of a user. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  provides a perspective view of a door of refrigerator doors  128 .  FIG. 3  provides an elevation view of refrigerator door  128  with an access door  166  shown in an open position. Refrigerator appliance  100  includes a freezer sub-compartment  162 , often referred to as an “icebox compartment,” defined on refrigerator door  128 . Icebox compartment  162  extends into fresh food chamber  122  when refrigerator door  128  is in the closed position. 
         [0025]    Icebox compartment  162  may be constructed of or with a suitable plastic material. According to the exemplary embodiment, icebox compartment  162  may be formed of injection molded plastic. For example, icebox compartment  162  may be injection-molded plastic such as HIPS (high impact polystyrene—injection molding grade) or ABS (injection molding grade). Accordingly, icebox compartment  162  provides a rigid frame on which various elements can be mounted, such as an ice making assembly and storage bins. 
         [0026]    As may be seen in  FIG. 3 , an ice maker or ice making assembly  160  and an ice storage bin or ice bucket  164  are positioned or disposed within icebox compartment  162 . Thus, ice is supplied to dispenser recess  150  ( FIG. 1 ) from the ice making assembly  160  and/or ice bucket  164  in icebox compartment  162  on a back side of refrigerator door  128 . 
         [0027]    Access door  166  is hinged to refrigerator door  128 . Access door  166  permits selective access to icebox compartment  162  and ice making assembly  160 , e.g., for servicing or repairing ice making assembly  160 . Any manner of suitable latch  168  is configured with icebox compartment  162  to maintain access door  166  in a closed position. As an example, latch  168  may be actuated by a consumer in order to open access door  166  for providing access into freezer sub-compartment  162 . Access door  166  can also assist with insulating icebox compartment  162 . 
         [0028]    As will be described in more detail below, chilled air from a sealed system (not shown) of refrigerator appliance  100  may be directed into ice making assembly  160  in order to cool ice making assembly  160 . During operation of ice making assembly  160 , chilled air from the sealed system cools components of ice making assembly  160 , such as a casing or mold body of ice making assembly  160 , to or below a freezing temperature of liquid water. Thus, ice making assembly  160  is an air cooled ice making assembly. 
         [0029]    Chilled air from the sealed system also cools ice bucket  164 . In particular, air around ice bucket  164  can be chilled to a temperature suitable for storing ice within icebox compartment  162 . For example, cooling air may reduce the temperature within icebox compartment  162  below the freezing temperature of water. Alternatively, the temperature within icebox compartment  162  may be maintained above the freezing temperature of water, e.g., to about the temperature of fresh food chamber  122 . By maintaining icebox compartment  162  at a temperature greater than the freezing temperature of water, ice nuggets stored ice bucket  164  have a reduced tendency to clump or freeze together. However, due to the temperature of ice bucket  164 , ice nuggets therein can melt over time and generate liquid water in ice bucket  164 . 
         [0030]    Therefore, ice bucket  164  also includes a drain (not shown) that directs water out of ice bucket  164 . In this manner, water is prevented or hindered from collecting within ice bucket  164 . In addition, water generated during melting of ice nuggets may be recirculated to produce more ice or used for other purposes in refrigerator appliance  100 . For example, drained water can flow out of ice bucket  164  and may be directed to an evaporation pan  172  ( FIG. 1 ). Evaporation pan  172  is positioned within a mechanical compartment  170  defined by housing  120 , e.g., at bottom portion  102  of housing  120 . A condenser  174  of the sealed system can be positioned, e.g., directly, above and adjacent evaporation pan  172 . Heat from condenser  174  can assist with evaporation of water in evaporation pan  172 . A fan  176  configured for cooling condenser  174  can also direct a flow of air across or into evaporation pan  172 . Evaporation pan  172  is sized and shaped for facilitating evaporation of liquid water therein. For example, evaporation pan  172  may be open topped and extend across about a width and/or a depth of housing  120 . 
         [0031]    Now referring generally to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , an ice making assembly  200  constructed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter will be described.  FIG. 4  provides a section view of ice making assembly  200  installed in an icebox and  FIG. 5  provides a perspective view of ice making assembly  200 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that ice making assembly  200  can be used in any suitable refrigerator appliance. For example, ice making assembly  200  may be used in refrigerator appliance  100  as ice making assembly  160  ( FIG. 3 ). In addition, ice making assembly  200  is only used for the purpose of explaining certain aspects of the present subject matter. The features and configurations described may be used for other ice making assemblies as well. Other variations and modifications of the exemplary embodiment described below are possible, and such variations are contemplated as within the scope of the present subject matter. 
         [0032]    As best shown in  FIG. 4 , ice making assembly  200  includes a mold body or casing  202 . Casing  202  may define a cylindrical reservoir  204  configured for receiving water. An ice making auger  210  is rotatably mounted within casing  202 . In particular, auger  210  may include an auger shaft  212  and an auger head  214 . Water may be supplied into reservoir  204  for the purpose of ice production through a water inlet (not shown). 
         [0033]    An ice making motor  240  is mounted to casing  202  and is in mechanical communication with (e.g., coupled to) auger  210 . Ice making motor  240  is configured for selectively rotating auger  210  within casing  202 . Ice making motor  240  may be configured at any location and may directly engage auger  210  or may drive auger  210  through a gear assembly. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , ice making motor  240  is positioned directly above auger  210  and engages auger shaft  212 . According to alternative embodiments, ice making motor  240  may engage auger shaft  212  through a gear assembly. Other suitable drive mechanisms for auger  210  are possible and within the scope of the present subject matter. 
         [0034]    An outer surface  226  of auger head  214  may define a continuous helical screw  230  that acts as a screw conveyor to urge ice toward an extruder  232  during operation of ice making assembly  200 . Therefore, during rotation of auger  210  within casing  202 , auger head  214  scrapes or removes ice off an inner surface  244  of casing  202  and directs such ice to extruder  232  to form ice nuggets. More particularly, as best shown in  FIG. 4 , auger  210  rotates to force ice, or a slurry of ice and water, upward through extruder  232 . As the ice is compressed and forced upward through extruder  232 , ice cylinders (not shown) are formed. The ice cylinders enter a sweep housing  250  and contact an angled wall  252 . Angled wall  252  may assist in breaking the ice cylinders into ice nuggets. The ice nuggets then sit on top of extruder  232  within housing  250 . 
         [0035]    In addition, a sweeper (not shown) may be rotatably mounted within housing  250  and may be configured to rotate at a very low speed, e.g., one revolution per minute (RPM). More specifically, sweeper may be in mechanical communication with ice making motor  240 , e.g., via a gear assembly. The ice making motor  240  can selectively rotate the sweeper within sweep housing  250 , and thereby assist with dispensing or removing ice nuggets from sweep housing  250 . More specifically, rotation of the sweeper within sweep housing  250  moves the ice nuggets through an opening in housing  250  that is adjacent an ice chute  256 . As best shown in  FIG. 4 , ice chute  256  is sized for directing ice nuggets out of sweep housing  250 . In this manner, the ice nuggets exit sweep housing  250 , slide down ice chute  256 , and are dispensed into ice bucket  164 . According to alternative embodiments, ice making assembly  200  may further include an ice nugget conduit instead of, or in addition to, ice chute  256 . Moreover, other suitable means for collecting and storing extruded ice are contemplated and within the scope of the present subject matter. From ice bucket  164 , the ice nuggets can enter dispensing assembly  140  ( FIG. 1 ) and be accessed by a user as discussed above. In such a manner, ice making assembly  200  can produce or generate ice nuggets. 
         [0036]    Operation of ice making assembly  200  is controlled by a processing device or controller  264 , e.g., that may be operatively coupled to control panel  148  for user manipulation to select features and operations of ice making assembly  200 . Controller  264  can operate various components of ice making assembly  200  to execute selected system cycles and features. For example, controller  264  is in operative communication with ice making motor  240  and other components of ice making assembly  200 . Thus, controller  264  can selectively activate and operate ice making motor  240  during the ice making process. 
         [0037]    Controller  264  may include a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of ice making assembly  200 . 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. Alternatively, controller  264  may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software. Ice making motor  240  may be in communication with controller  264  via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. 
         [0038]    Ice making assembly  200  may also include one or more temperature sensors (not shown). For example, temperature sensors may be configured for measuring a temperature of casing  202  and/or liquids, such as liquid water, within casing  202 . Such temperature sensors may be any suitable device for measuring the temperature of components of ice making assembly  200  or liquids therein. For example, the temperature sensors may be thermistors or thermocouples. Controller  264  can receive a signal, such as a voltage or a current, from the temperature sensors that correspond to the temperature of the temperature of casing  202  and/or liquids therein. In such a manner, the temperature of casing  202  and/or liquids therein can be monitored and/or recorded with controller  264 . 
         [0039]    Ice making assembly  200  and its components may be constructed in any suitable manner and from any suitably rigid material or materials. For example, ice bucket  164  may be constructed with a single molded material, e.g., plastic. In addition, ice bucket  164  may be constructed of multiple components including a window that permits a user of ice bucket  164  to view its storage volume. Casing  202 , extruder  232 , and the sweeper are typically constructed from a suitable metal, such as steel. Auger  210  may be constructed from any suitably rigid material, such as plastic or steel. In addition, auger  210  may be constructed as a single, unitary component, or may be an assembly of multiple parts. Sweep housing  250  may be constructed of plastic. However, according to alternative embodiments, each component may be constructed of any suitably rigid material. 
         [0040]    Referring now generally to  FIGS. 4 through 8 , a duct and mounting system constructed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter will be described. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the duct and mounting system can be used on any suitable ice maker in any suitable refrigerator appliance. For example, the duct and mounting system may be used on ice making assemblies  160 ,  200  of refrigerator appliance  100  ( FIG. 3 ). The duct and mounting system is described with respect to ice making assembly  200  only for the purpose of explaining certain aspects of the present subject matter. The features and configurations described may be used for other ice making assemblies as well. Other variations and modifications of the exemplary embodiment described below are possible, and such variations are contemplated as within the scope of the present subject matter. 
         [0041]    As mentioned above, ice making assembly  200  is an air cooled ice making assembly. In this regard, cooling air is provided into ice making assembly  200  from a sealed system (not shown) of refrigerator appliance  100  in order to cool ice making assembly  200 . During operation of ice making assembly  200 , chilled air from the sealed system cools components of ice making assembly  200 , such as a casing  202  to a temperature at or below the freezing temperature of water to assist in the production of ice. To achieve this, refrigerator appliance  100  and ice making assembly  200  include a duct system for directing cooling air from the sealed system, as described in detail below. 
         [0042]    To facilitate the formation of ice within ice making assembly  200 , icebox compartment  162  includes a chilled air supply duct  302  and a chilled air return duct  304 . Chilled air ducts  302 ,  304  may be defined by icebox compartment  162  and be in flow communication with the sealed system of refrigerator appliance  100 . In this manner, chilled air ducts  302 ,  304  are configured to circulate chilled air throughout icebox compartment  162 . Chilled air can assist within formation of ice by ice making assembly  200  and/or storage of ice within ice bucket  164 . 
         [0043]    Ice making assembly  200  may include a housing  310  for receiving and directing chilled air as needed throughout ice making assembly  200 . More particularly, housing  310  may define an inlet duct  312 , a primary duct  314 , and an outlet duct  316 . As best shown in  FIG. 4 , when ice making assembly is installed, inlet duct  312  is adjacent to and in direct flow communication with supply duct  302  of icebox compartment  162 . Similarly, outlet duct  316  is adjacent to and in direct flow communication with return duct  304  of icebox compartment  162 . Primary duct  314  extends in a generally vertical direction between inlet duct  312  and outlet duct  316  and casing  202  may be positioned in primary duct  314 . 
         [0044]    Refrigerator appliance  100  may include an air handler (not shown) that is configured for urging a flow of chilled air from the sealed system into icebox compartment  162 , e.g., via supply and return ducts  302 ,  304 . The air handler can be positioned at any location within refrigerator appliance  100  in suitable flow communication with the sealed system, e.g., within supply and return ducts  302 ,  304 . The air handler may be any suitable device for moving air, e.g., an axial fan or a centrifugal fan. 
         [0045]    During operation, the air handler may provide a flow of chilled air from the sealed system of refrigerator appliance  100  to icebox compartment  162 . More particularly, chilled air flows through supply duct  302  into ice making assembly  200  through inlet duct  310 . The chilled air passes through primary duct  314  and lowers the temperature in ice making assembly  200  before passing through outlet duct  316  out of ice making assembly  200 . The chilled air is then recirculated back to the sealed system through return duct  304  to be chilled again before being recirculated. In this manner, chilled air is circulated through ice making assembly  200  and may be used to maintain the temperature of casing  202  at or below the freezing temperature of water. 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 through 8 , a system for mounting ice making assembly  200  to icebox compartment  162  will be described. Ice making assembly  200  may include an inlet duct flange  320  and an outlet duct flange  322 . For example, according to the illustrated embodiment, inlet duct flange  320  and outlet duct flange  322  are substantially rectangular and extend from inlet duct  312  and outlet duct  316 , respectively. Although illustrated as rectangular flanges  320 ,  322 , one skilled in the art will appreciate that duct flanges  320 ,  322  may be any other suitable shape. For example, duct flanges  320 ,  322  could have a trapezoidal shape or could be tapered. In addition, the flange thickness may vary depending on the application. Moreover, the thickness of flanges  320 ,  322  may vary along a length of the flanges  320 , to assist in ensuring a compression fit, as described below. 
         [0047]    Duct flanges  320 ,  322  may be defined by housing  310  or may be separately attached to housing  310 . For example, housing  310  may be injection molded to form a single, continuous piece of material that has integral duct flanges  320 ,  322 . Alternatively, duct flanges  320 ,  322  may be separately formed and attached to ducts  312 ,  316  using any suitable mechanical fasteners, such as screws, bolts, rivets, etc. Similarly, glue, snap-fit mechanisms, interference-fit mechanisms, or any suitable combination thereof may secure duct flanges  320 ,  322  to ducts  312 ,  316 . 
         [0048]    Refrigerator appliance  100  may further include one or more receiving flanges that are configured to receive duct flanges  320 ,  322 . For example, according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment, a flange assembly  330  may be mounted on icebox compartment  162 . Flange assembly  330  may be attached to icebox compartment  162  using any suitable mechanical fasteners, such as screws, bolts, rivets, etc. Similarly, glue, snap-fit mechanisms, interference-fit mechanisms, or any suitable combination thereof may secure flange assembly  330  to icebox compartment  162 . According to alternative embodiments, flange assembly  330  may be integrally formed with icebox compartment  162 . 
         [0049]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , flange assembly  330  may define a supply duct flange  332  and a return duct flange  334 . Supply and return duct flanges  332 ,  334  are configured to receive inlet and outlet duct flanges  320 ,  322  to secure ice making assembly  200  to icebox compartment  162 . In this regard, each of supply and return duct flanges  332 ,  334  defines a receiving slot  340  that is approximately the same size and shape as inlet and outlet duct flanges  320 ,  322 . For example, supply and return duct flanges  332 ,  334  define receiving slots  340  that are both rectangular and have a thickness approximately the same thickness as inlet and outlet duct flanges  320 ,  322 . As illustrated, receiving slots  340  are bounded on three sides by flange assembly  330  and have a single open end that may receive inlet and outlet duct flanges  320 ,  322 . However, according to alternative embodiments, receiving slots  340  may have any other suitable shape or configuration for receiving inlet and outlet duct flanges  320 ,  322 . 
         [0050]    Although inlet and outlet duct flanges  320 ,  322  and receiving slots  340  are illustrated as having a uniform thickness, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the thickness may vary as needed to ensure a tight fit between the inlet and outlet duct flanges  320 ,  322  and icebox compartment  162 . For example, receiving slots  340  may be tapered, i.e., the thickness of receiving slots  340  may decrease toward the deepest portion of receiving slots  340 . In this manner, as ice making assembly  200  is installed by sliding inlet and outlet duct flanges  320 ,  322  into receiving slots  340 , an airtight duct system may be achieved will little or no leaks. 
         [0051]    Although flange assembly  330  is illustrated as a single piece, one skilled in the art will appreciate this is only one exemplary embodiment used to describe aspects of the present subject matter. Flange assembly  330  may be multiple pieces that are separately attached to icebox compartment  162 . In addition, according to alternative embodiments, flange assembly  330  may define one large flange configured, e.g., to receive both duct flanges  320 ,  322 . 
         [0052]    To ensure an airtight seal between inlet and outlet duct flanges  320 ,  322  and icebox compartment  162 , a sealing means may be placed between them. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , inlet and outlet duct flanges  320 ,  322  may be configured to receive a duct gasket  342 . As shown, duct gasket  342  protrudes from inlet and outlet duct flanges  320 ,  322  and is typically made from a resilient material, e.g., rubber. In this manner, duct gasket  342  may be compressed to form a seal with icebox compartment  162  when ice making assembly  200  is installed. Inlet and outlet duct flanges  320 ,  322  may define a profile that is configured to securely receive duct gasket  342 . Alternatively, duct gasket  342  may be attached to inlet and outlet duct flanges  320 ,  322  using a suitable adhesive. According to another embodiment, duct gasket  342  may be disposed on icebox compartment  162  instead. 
         [0053]    To install ice making assembly  200 , inlet and outlet duct flanges  320 ,  322  are slid into receiving slots  340  of supply and return duct flanges  332 ,  334 , respectively. When installed, supply and return ducts  302 ,  304  are placed in fluid communication with inlet and outlet ducts  312 ,  316  and cooling air may be circulated through the duct system to cool ice making assembly  200 . 
         [0054]    According to the illustrated embodiment, inlet and outlet duct flanges  320 ,  322  and gasket  342  form a tight compression fit with flange assembly  330  such that friction prevents ice making assembly  200  from sliding out of flange assembly  330  when such movement is not desired. According to alternative embodiments, other means for securing ice making assembly  200  to flange assembly  330  may be used. For example, one or more fasteners may be used, e.g., installed through one of the inlet or outlet duct flanges  320 ,  322 , to fix inlet and outlet duct flanges  320 ,  322  in flange assembly  330 . Alternatively, a bump, protrusion, tab, or clip may be positioned on icebox compartment  162  or on flange assembly  330  to prevent unintentional sliding or removal of ice making assembly  200  once it has been installed. 
         [0055]    Notably, the mounting system described above provides a simple, quick method of installing or removing ice making assembly  200  for service or replacement. Integral duct flanges and flange assemblies minimize the number of necessary parts and reduce the number of fasteners required for assembly. By contrast, prior methods of installing an ice making assembly have required multiple parts and a complicated assembly process. More specifically, an ice making assembly would typically require that the cooling air ducts be carefully aligned before fixing each of the inlet and outlet ducts to the icebox compartment using multiple fasteners, such as screws. In addition to requiring more parts to properly secure an ice making assembly, the risk of improper alignment and leaks is increased. 
         [0056]    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.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5