Abstract:
In accordance with the present disclosure, an icemaker combination assembly is provided and comprises a refrigerator having a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment. The freezer compartment can have a freezer door assembly and the fresh food compartment can have a fresh food door assembly. The icemaker combination further comprises a first icemaker having a first ice cube storage bin disposed within the freezer compartment and a second icemaker having a second ice cube storage bin disposed within the fresh food compartment. The first and second icemakers having a production activation level selected from the group consisting of the first icemaker active only, the second icemaker active only, the first and the second icemakers both active, and the first and the second icemakers both inactive. The first and second icemakers can selectively and simultaneously produce and independently store ice.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates generally to a plurality of icemakers for a refrigerator and freezer combination appliance having independent and dual ice production, storage, and access. 
         [0002]    A conventional automatic through-the-door icemaker in a typical residential refrigerator appliance has three major subsystems: an icemaker, a bucket with an auger and ice crusher, and a dispenser insert in the freezer door that allows the ice to be delivered to a cup without opening the door. 
         [0003]    In one arrangement, a freezer can have a metal mold that makes between six to ten ice cubes at a time. The mold is filled with water at one end and the water evenly fills the ice cube sections through weirs (shallow parts of the dividers between each cube section) that connect the sections. Opening a valve on the water supply line for a predetermined period of time usually controls the amount of water. The temperature in the freezer compartment is usually between about −10 degrees Fahrenheit to about +10 degrees Fahrenheit. The mold can be cooled by conduction with the freezer air, and the rate of cooling is enhanced by convection of the freezer air, especially when the evaporator fan is operating. A temperature-sensing device in thermal contact with the ice cube mold generates temperature signals and a controller, monitoring the temperature signals indicates when the ice is ready to be removed from the mold. When the ice cubes are ready, a motor in the icemaker drives a rake in an angular motion. The rake pushes against the cubes to force them out of the mold. A heater on the bottom of the mold is turned on to melt the interface between the ice and the metal mold. When the interface is sufficiently melted, the rake is able to push the cubes out of the mold. Because the rake pivots on a central axis, the cross-sectional shape of the mold typically is an arc of a circle to allow the ice to be pushed out. 
         [0004]    After the ice is harvested, a feeler arm, usually driven by the same motor as the rake, is raised from and lowered into the storage bucket. If the arm cannot reach its predetermined low travel set point, it is assumed that the ice bucket is full and the icemaker will not harvest until more ice has been removed from the bucket. If the feeler arm returns to its low travel set point, the ice making cycle repeats. 
         [0005]    The ice storage bucket holds and transports ice to the dispenser in either crushed or whole cube form. If a user requests ice at the dispenser a motor drives an auger that pushes the ice to the front of the bucket where a crusher is located. The position of a door, controlled by a solenoid, determines whether or not the cubes will go through the crusher or by-pass it and be delivered as whole cubes. The crusher has sets of stationary and rotating blades that break the cubes as the blades pass each other. The crushed or whole cubes then drop into the dispenser chute. 
         [0006]    The dispenser chute connects the interior of the freezer with the dispenser and usually has a door, activated by a solenoid, that opens when the user requests ice. The dispenser has switches that permit the user to select crushed or whole cubes, or water to be delivered to the glass. The dispenser may have a switch that senses the presence of a glass and starts the auger motor and opens the chute door. 
         [0007]    Occasionally, the ice cubes that are stored in the storage bucket fuse together in large clusters of cubes. These fused clusters are much more difficult for the crusher to break up, raising the crushing design requirements for the mechanism and occasionally causing damage. Additionally, the designs of most conventional icemaker systems use substantial portions of the freezer compartment volume, typically 25%-30%. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved icemaker combination assembly that provides convenient light usage of ice, provides selectively enough ice to supply high demand, and balances the icemaker volume requirements and resultant usable storage volume, i.e. available space, in the freezer and fresh food compartments. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0009]    In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, an icemaker combination assembly is disposed within a refrigerator having a freezer compartment, a fresh food compartment and respective freezer and fresh food door assemblies. The icemaker combination includes a first icemaker having a first ice cube storage bin removably disposed within the freezer compartment and a second icemaker having a second ice cube storage bin disposed within the fresh food compartment. The first and second icemakers can selectively and simultaneously produce and independently store ice. 
         [0010]    In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an icemaker combination assembly comprises a refrigerator having a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment. The freezer compartment can have a freezer door assembly and the fresh food compartment can have a fresh food door assembly. The icemaker combination further comprises a first icemaker having a first ice cube storage bin removably disposed within the freezer compartment and a second icemaker having a second ice cube storage bin removably disposed within the fresh food compartment. The first and second icemakers can selectively and simultaneously produce ice and the second ice cube storage bin is selectively mounted onto the fresh food door assembly for dispensing of the ice through the fresh food door. 
         [0011]    In accordance with still another aspect of the disclosure, an icemaker combination assembly comprises a refrigerator having a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment. The freezer compartment having a freezer door assembly and the fresh food compartment having a fresh food door assembly. The icemaker combination further comprises a first icemaker having a first ice cube storage bin disposed within the freezer compartment and a second icemaker having a second ice cube storage bin disposed within the fresh food compartment. The combination first and second icemakers having a production activation level selected from the group consisting of the first icemaker active only, the second icemaker active only, the first and the second icemakers both active, and the first and the second icemakers both inactive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a side-by-side refrigerator with the access doors open; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a part schematic side elevational view of a refrigerator including one exemplary embodiment of an ice maker according to the instant disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a bottom freezer refrigerator with the access doors closed including dual icemakers; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of a bottom freezer refrigerator with one access door open showing one of the exemplary icemakers; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of an icemaker; and, 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of a bottom freezer refrigerator with the access doors open showing both exemplary icemakers. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a side-by-side refrigerator  10  including a freezer compartment  12  and a fresh food compartment  14 . Freezer compartment  12  and fresh food compartment  14  are arranged side-by-side. A side-by-side refrigerator such as refrigerator  10  is commercially available from General Electric Company, Appliance Park, Louisville, Ky. 40225. 
         [0019]    Refrigerator  10  includes an outer case  16  and inner liners  18  and  20 . The space between case  16  and liners  18  and  20 , and between liners  18  and  20 , is typically filled with foamed-in-place insulation. Outer case  16  normally is formed by folding a sheet of a suitable material, such as pre-painted steel, into an inverted U-shape to form the top and side walls of case  16 . The bottom wall of case  16  normally is formed separately and attached to the sidewalls and to a bottom frame that provides support for refrigerator  10 . Inner liners  18  and  20  are typically molded from a suitable plastic material to form freezer compartment  12  and fresh food compartment  14 , respectively. Alternatively, liners  18  and  20  may be formed by bending and welding a sheet of a suitable metal, such as steel. The illustrative embodiment includes two separate liners  18  and  20  as it is a relatively large capacity unit and separate liners add strength and are easier to maintain within manufacturing tolerances. In smaller refrigerators, a single liner is formed and a mullion spans between opposite sides of the liner to divide it into freezer compartment  12  and fresh food compartment  14 . 
         [0020]    A breaker strip  22  extends between the case front flange and the outer front edges of liners  18  and  20 . Breaker strip  22  is formed from a suitable resilient material, such as an extruded acrylo-butadiene-styrene based material (commonly referred to as ABS). 
         [0021]    The insulation in the space between liners  18  and  20  can be covered by another strip of resilient material  24 , which is commonly referred to as the mullion. Mullion  24  is preferably formed of an extruded ABS material. It will be understood that in a refrigerator with a separate mullion dividing a unitary liner into a freezer and fresh food compartment, the front face member of that mullion corresponds to mullion  24 . Breaker strip  22  and mullion  24  form a front face, and extend completely around the inner peripheral edges of case  16  and vertically between liners  18  and  20 . Mullion  24 , insulation between compartments  12  and  14 , and the spaced wall of liners  18  and  20  separating compartments  12  and  14 , sometimes are collectively referred to as the center mullion wall. 
         [0022]    Shelves  26  and drawers  28  normally are provided in fresh food compartment  14  to support items being stored therein. Similarly, shelves  30  and wire baskets  32  or the like are provided in freezer compartment  12 . In addition, freezer compartment  12  also typically includes an icemaker  34 . 
         [0023]    A freezer door  36  and a fresh food door  38  close the access openings to freezer and fresh food compartments  12  and  14 , respectively. Each door  36 ,  38  is mounted by a top hinge  40  and a bottom hinge (not shown) to rotate about its outer vertical edge between an open position, as shown in  FIG. 1 , and a closed position closing the associated storage compartment. Freezer door  36  typically includes a plurality of storage shelves  42  and fresh food door  38  typically includes a plurality of storage shelves  44  and a butter storage bin  46 . 
         [0024]    In accordance with one appliance arrangement, a refrigerator  200  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) can include a machinery compartment (not shown) that at least partially contains components for executing a known vapor compression cycle for cooling air. The components include a compressor (not shown), a condenser (not shown), an expansion device (not shown), and an evaporator (not shown) connected in series and charged with a refrigerant. The evaporator is a type of heat exchanger which transfers heat from air passing over the evaporator to a refrigerant flowing through the evaporator, thereby causing the refrigerant to vaporize. The cooled air is used to refrigerate one or more refrigerator or freezer compartments via fans (not shown). 
         [0025]    Collectively, the vapor compression cycle components in a refrigeration circuit, associated fans, and associated compartments are referred to herein as a sealed system. The construction of the sealed system is well known and therefore not described in detail herein, and the sealed system is operable to force cold air through the refrigerator. 
         [0026]    In accordance with one embodiment of the instant disclosure, a first icemaker assembly  100  ( FIG. 2 ) can be disposed within a fresh food compartment  214  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). It is to be appreciated that the exemplary icemaker  100  is for illustrative purposes only and is not limited to the specific icemaker described hereinafter. 
         [0027]    Icemaker assembly  100  includes a conveyor assembly  102 , a first motor  104  drivingly coupled to conveyor assembly  102 , a second motor  106  drivingly coupled to an ice crusher  108  and an auger mechanism  109 , a refill valve  110  positioned adjacent to conveyor assembly  102 , a first ice cube storage bin  112 , and a controller  116  electrically coupled to first motor  104  and second motor  106 . 
         [0028]    Conveyor assembly  102  can be positioned within fresh food compartment  214 , for example, within a top portion of fresh food compartment  214 , defined by a fresh food liner  220  and fresh food door  238  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ). Conveyor assembly  102  comprises at least a front roller  120  and a rear roller  122  and a continuous flexible conveyor belt  124  fitted in tension about front and rear rollers  120 ,  122 . In one embodiment, flexible conveyer belt  124  is made of a flexible polymer. In illustrative examples flexible conveyer belt  124  is made from a thermoplastic elastomer, butyl rubber, chlorobutyl rubber, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, neoprene rubber, polyurethane, ethylene-propylene-diene modified, ethylene-propylene rubber, silicone rubber or the like. Silicone rubber is particularly preferred. 
         [0029]    A multiplicity of individual ice cube molds  126  are disposed within or upon conveyor belt  124  for creation of individual ice cubes  128  therein. Typically, ice cube molds  126  are molded directly into the material of flexible conveyor belt  124 . In an alternative embodiment, ice cube molds  126  are made of a rigid material and are fixedly attached to conveyor belt  124 . The rigid material can be, for example, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, ABS, or the like. 
         [0030]    Flexible conveyor belt  124  dimensions can vary depending upon the size of fresh food compartment  214  and the desired ice cube  128  output for a respective fresh food icemaker assembly  100 . Typically, a nominal linear length (l) of flexible conveyor belt  124  is in the range between about 12 inches to about 18 inches, a nominal width (w) is in the range between about 3 inches to about 8 inches and a nominal depth (d) is in the range between about 0.5 inches to about 1.5 inches. 
         [0031]    As discussed above, the number of separate ice cube molds  126  is dependent upon the desired ice making capacity, but a nominal number of individual ice cube molds  126  is in the range between about 20 to about 300 divided into a nominal number of rows (r) in the range between about 10 to about 30 and a nominal number of columns (c) in the range between about 2 to about 10. The dimensions of an individual ice cube mold  126  can vary depending on the size of ice cubes  128  desired but a nominal length (x) is in the range between about 0.75 inches to about 2 inches, and a nominal width (y) is in the range between about 0.5 inches to about 1.5 inches. Also, a variety of cube shapes can be used, including any conventional or unconventional shapes. 
         [0032]    First motor  104  ( FIG. 2 ) is drivingly coupled to conveyor assembly  102 . When energized, first motor  104  drives rear roller  122  (or alternatively front roller  120 ) causing conveyor belt  124  to rotate rear-to-front. A portion of ice cube molds  126  face generally upward during ice cube  128  formation. As conveyor belt  124  rotates forward over front roller  120 , a portion of ice cube molds  126  face generally downward and ice cubes  128  frozen within are gravity fed into first ice cube storage bin  112 . In one embodiment, first ice cube storage bin  112  is disposed within fresh food door  238  ( FIG. 4 ). First ice cube storage bin  112  can be molded directly into fresh food door assembly  238  or first ice cube storage bin  112  can be fixedly attached to or removeably disposed within a portion of fresh food door assembly  238 . A harvester bar  129  can be positioned adjacent to front roller  120  so as to contact a portion of each respective ice cube  128  (as ice cube molds  126  rotate forward over front roller  120 ) and assist ice cubes  128  to eject from ice cube molds  126 . 
         [0033]    As shown best in  FIG. 2 , the position of front roller  120  is aligned with a top portion  130  of first ice cube storage bin  112  (when fresh food door  238  is in a closed position) such that ice cubes  128  frozen within conveyor belt  124  are gravity fed into first ice cube storage bin  112  as conveyor belt  124  rotates forward over front roller  120 . 
         [0034]    Refill valve  110  is positioned within fresh food compartment  214  generally positioned above at least one and typically a row  132  of ice cube molds  126 . Refill valve  110  is actuated when a belt position sensor  133  (optical, mechanical, proximity switch or the like) generates a signal to controller  116  indicating that belt  124  is in the correct position for refill. In one embodiment, belt position sensor  133  detects holes that are punched though a band that extends from the bottom web of conveyor belt  124  past a sidewall of a respective ice cube mold  126 . An IR LED positioned adjacent, typically above, the band emits light that reaches a photodiode positioned below the band only when a hole passes between the two optical devices. An electronic circuit determines whether the hole is present by processing the signal from the photodiode. If the hole is between the LED and the photodiode, the circuitry stops first motor  104  and commences a water dose. 
         [0035]    Typically, refill valve  110  is positioned within a machine or mechanical compartment (not shown). An inlet tubing  134  to refill valve  110  enters fresh food compartment  214  from a rear wall of the liner  220 . A fill tube  136  connected to inlet tube  134  delivers water to a respective row  132  of ice cube molds  126  at a portion of belt  124 , typically adjacent to rear roller  122 . 
         [0036]    Second motor  106  ( FIG. 2 ) can be positioned within fresh food door  238  and is drivingly coupled to ice crusher  108 , which ice crusher  108  either crushes ice cubes  128  or delivers whole ice cubes  128  depending on the user selection. An end user by means of a push button  138 , or similar actuation device selectively controls second motor  106 . 
         [0037]    First motor  104  is energized when the fullness of ice cubes  128  in first ice cube storage bin  112  falls below a preset fill level and an ice-ready sensor  142  generates a signal to controller  116  that a respective row  132  of ice cubes  128  to be delivered is frozen. If a first fullness sensor  144  disposed within or about first ice cube storage bin  112  generates a signal to controller  116  that the level of ice cubes  128  within first ice cube storage bin  112  has dropped below a preset fill level, a cycle is initiated and first motor  104  advances conveyor belt  124  one full row  132  of ice cube molds  126  and refill valve  110  delivers water to a row of empty molds  126 . 
         [0038]    In one embodiment, ice-ready sensor  142  is a temperature sensor such as a thermistor or a thermocouple in sliding contact with belt  124  adjacent front roller  120  where ice cubes  128  are delivered. Depending on the design of belt  124  and the airflow of refrigerator  200  various algorithms can be used to determine ice readiness from a temperature sensor. Time and temperature can be integrated to provide a degree-minute set point beyond which it is known that the ice is frozen. Alternatively a temperature cutoff can be used below which it is known that the ice is frozen. This temperature cutoff will typically be about 15 degrees Fahrenheit. 
         [0039]    Another ice-ready sensor  142  is based on capacitance. The capacitance sensor is positioned below belt  124  near front roller  120 . The sensor is part of a capacitance bridge circuit. An excitation frequency is applied to the bridge. The bridge is balanced such that when a respective ice cube mold  126  is empty the voltage across the bridge is nearly zero. When water is in a respective ice cube mold  126 , the capacitance reading of ice-ready sensor  142  increases dramatically, because the dielectric constant of water is about 80 times that of air, causing the bridge to become unbalanced. Thus the voltage signal sensed by controller  116  increases dramatically when water is in a respective ice cube mold  126 . As the water freezes, the dielectric constant decreases to about 6 times that of air, reducing the imbalance of the bridge and decreasing the signal sent by ice-ready sensor  142  to controller  116 . Alternatively, the bridge can be balanced such that the output is nearly zero when water is present in the mold, in which case the bridge becomes more unbalanced when the water freezes, and a large output indicates that the ice is ready. 
         [0040]    In operation, if a system user presses push button  138 , a signal is generated and controller  116  energizes second motor  106  and ice cubes  128  are delivered by auger mechanism  109  from first ice cube storage bin  112  to a conventional ice dispenser. As with most conventional delivery systems, a system user can select either crushed ice or whole cubes to be delivered (or water in most systems). If a user selects crushed ice, ice cubes  128  are fed from first ice cube storage bin  112  to crusher  108 . Second motor  106  activates crusher  108  and sets of rotating and stationary blades break up the cubes as the blades pass each other, and the crushed ice is delivered to the system user. If a user selects whole ice cubes, crusher  108  is bypassed, via chute  148  and path selector  149 , and whole ice cubes  128  are delivered to the system user. 
         [0041]    Ice cubes  128  tend to stick tightly to most materials, and in their hard-frozen state, they lend substantial rigidity to any mold they may be frozen to. This may make it difficult to eject ice cubes  128  in a hard-frozen state. Ice cubes in automatic icemakers are usually melted by a heating element so as to produce a thin film of liquid water between the ice cubes and the molds. This film makes it easy to dislodge the ice cubes from the molds. 
         [0042]    In this embodiment, bases of ice cube molds  126  are affixed to the conveyor belt  124  on rectangular regions that are rigid and planar in the regions where sides of molds  126  contact belt  124 , and that are somewhat flexible in the region of center of mold  126 . The regions of belt  124  between these rectangular regions are flexible. The molds are not connected to belt  124  at any other place except the bases. Thus, when rows of molds  126  pass around front roller  120 , a generally wedged shape region opens up between adjacent rows due to the fact that the tops of the molds are at a larger radius with respect to the roller shaft than the bases. Due to the rigidity and the planarity of the regions where the sides of the bases are attached to belt  124  and the flexibility of belt  124  between these regions, base regions in adjacent rows will naturally want to follow a polygonal shape rather than a circle, and in a preferred embodiment, such a shape is formed into the roller in the regions where the bases are rigid and the belt tension is adjusted to assure a tight fit between the polygon shape of the belt and that in the roller. 
         [0043]    In this same embodiment, the region of the roller that contacts the central region of the molds is left in its original cylindrical form. In this embodiment, there are circumferential ridges disposed on roller  120  in the regions beneath centers of molds  126 . In both embodiments, the roller regions beneath centers of molds  126  have a larger radius than the radius at which mold centers would travel in an unstrained condition, and they must deform in order to travel around the roller. This deformation will break the bond between ice cubes  128  and mold  126  and eject the ice cubes  128 . 
         [0044]    It should be noted that in order to fracture the bond between the ice cube and its mold, shear must be propagated all the way up the sides of the mold. This will happen if the sides of the mold are sufficiently rigid, but if they are too flexible the deformation induced at the base may not propagate all the way to the top. In this case a stiffener can be incorporated either within the sides of the molds or along an outside surface. In one embodiment (not shown) external stiffeners are used which also serve to stiffen the edges of the bases of the molds (as discussed above). 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3-6 , a second exemplary icemaker assembly  300  is displayed therein and disposed a within freezer compartment  212 . It is to be appreciated that the exemplary icemaker  300  is for illustrative purposes only and is not limited to the specific icemaker described hereinafter. 
         [0046]    As will become evident below, ice maker  300 , in accordance with conventional ice makers includes a number of electromechanical elements that manipulate a mold to shape ice as it freezes, a mechanism to remove or release frozen ice from the mold, and a primary ice bucket for storage of ice produced in the mold. Periodically, the ice supply is replenished by ice maker  300  as ice is removed from a freezer compartment ice bucket or primary ice bucket  368 . The storage capacity of the primary ice bucket  368  provides increased ice capacity and is generally sufficient for bulk use of ice (i.e. ice bucket or cooler fill-up). 
         [0047]      FIG. 5  displays a cross sectional view of the exemplary independent second icemaker  300 . The icemaker  300  includes a metal mold  350  with a tray structure having a bottom wall  352 , a front wall  354 , and a back wall  356 . A plurality of partition walls  358  extend transversely across mold  350  to define cavities in which ice pieces  360  are formed. Each partition wall  358  includes a recessed upper edge portion  362  through which water flows successively through each cavity to fill mold  350  with water. 
         [0048]    A sheathed electrical resistance heating element  364  is press-fit, staked, and/or clamped into bottom wall  352  of mold  350  and heats mold  350  when a harvest cycle is executed to slightly melt ice pieces  360  and release them from the mold cavities. A rotating rake  366  sweeps through mold  350  as ice is harvested and ejects ice from mold  350  into the primary or second storage bin or second ice bucket  368 . Cyclical operation of heater  364  and rake  366  are effected by a controller  370  disposed on a forward end of mold  350 , and controller  370  also automatically provides for refilling mold  350  with water for ice formation after ice is harvested through actuation of a water valve (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) connected to a water source (not shown) and delivering water to mold  350  through an inlet structure (not shown). 
         [0049]    In order to sense a level of ice pieces  360  in storage bin  368 , a controller actuates a cam-driven feeler arm  372  rotates underneath icemaker  300  and out over storage bin  368  as ice is formed. Feeler arm  372  is spring biased to an outward or “home” position that is used to initiate an ice harvest cycle, and is rotated inward and underneath icemaker by a cam slide mechanism (not shown) as ice is harvested from icemaker mold  350  so that the feeler arm does not obstruct ice from entering storage bin  368  and to prevent accumulation of ice above the feeler arm. After ice is harvested, the feeler arm is rotated outward from underneath icemaker  300 , and when ice obstructs the feeler arm and prevents the feeler arm from reaching the home position, controller  370  discontinues harvesting because storage bin  368  is sufficiently full. As ice is removed from storage bin  368 , feeler arm  372  gradually moves to its home position, thereby indicating a need for more ice and causing controller  370  to initiate formation and harvesting of ice pieces  360 . 
         [0050]    Freezer door or drawer  236  and fresh food doors  238 ,  239  close access openings to freezer and fresh food compartments  212 ,  214 , respectively. Each door  238 ,  239  can be mounted by a top hinge  250  and a bottom hinge  252  to rotate about its outer vertical edge between an open position, as shown in  FIG. 6 , and a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 3  closing the associated storage compartment. Freezer door  236  can be a drawer slidably disposed below the fresh food compartment  214  and can include a plurality of storage shelves (not shown). The fresh food compartment  214  can include a plurality of storage shelves  242  and a sealing gasket  244 . 
         [0051]    Second ice cube storage bin  368  can be removably disposed within freezer compartment  212 . Second ice cube storage bin  368  can be a primary ice storage bulk bin and the first ice cube storage bin  112  can be a supplemental storage bin, or vice versa. Second ice cube storage bin  368  can be disposed in a lower portion of freezer compartment  212 . 
         [0052]    First ice cube storage bin  112  can be removed from the door  238 , and as such, when removed, its space  260  within door  238  can be used for storing other items. To prevent the ice maker assembly  100  from sending ice cubes  128  to first ice cube storage bin  112  when first ice cube storage bin  112  is not in place, a detection sensor can be used. In one embodiment, detection sensor  144  is a microswitch that is actuated by a special geometrical feature of first ice cube storage bin  112 , such as a pin or a tab. Alternatively, detection sensor  144  could be an inductive proximity sensor that detects a metal insert on first ice cube storage bin  112 , or an optical sensor that detects a reflecting surface adhered to first ice cube storage bin  112 , or the like. In one embodiment, fullness sensor  144  is a weight determining means such as a microswitch. In another embodiment, fullness sensor  144  is an ultrasonic level detector. In another embodiment, fullness sensor  144  comprises an ultrasonic transmitter (piezo driver,) an ultrasonic receiver (piezo microphone), and an electronic circuit capable of causing transmitter to emit a short burst (approximately 100 microseconds long) of ultrasound and capable of measuring the time interval between short burst and a return echo received by receiver. This time interval is proportional to the distance between fullness sensor  144  and the top layer of ice cubes  128  and is therefore a measure of the fullness of ice cube storage bin  112 . 
         [0053]    In still another embodiment, fullness sensor  144  comprises an optical proximity switch that detects the fullness of ice cube storage bin  112 . The optical switch sends out light (usually IR) and detects the reflected light intensity with a photodiode. High intensity of reflected light indicates close proximity of ice or fullness. Pulse width modulation of the IR signal can be used to increase the sensitivity of the optical switch. 
         [0054]    An exemplary control logic sequence including selective activation/deactivation modes for icemaker assemblies  100 ,  300  can be described as follows. A user can selectively activate/deactivate icemakers  100  and/or  300 , as necessary, to meet current ice usage and future bulk ice demands. For example, if demand for ice is high, then both icemakers  100 ,  300  can be activated to provide the maximum available ice in storage bins  112 ,  368 . 
         [0055]    If ice demand is of the light usage order, then icemaker  100  can be active while icemaker  300  is inactive. Ice cube storage bin  368  can be removed, thereby deactivating icemaker  300  during these periods of light ice usage. The space consumed by bin  368  can then be used for additional storage of typical freezer items. 
         [0056]    When demand for ice requires bulk amounts, bin  368  can be place into service and icemaker  300  reactivated. Bulk demands for ice can arise when needed to fill, for example, an ice bucket or cooler when preparing for a party or travel. It is to be appreciated that if light ice usage is not a concern, but rather having a moderate bulk supply of ice available (i.e. icemaker  300 ), then ice bin  112  can be removed thereby deactivating icemaker  100 . The space consumed by bin  112  can then be used for additional storage of typical fresh food items. 
         [0057]    If there is no demand for ice, ice bins  112 ,  368  can both be removed thereby deactivating both icemakers  100 ,  300 . The space consumed by bins  112 ,  368  can then be used for additional storage of typical fresh food and frozen items, respectively. 
         [0058]    As described above, when bins  112 ,  368  are in service, fullness sensors  144 ,  372  will be monitoring the respective fullness of the bins. If the signals generated from the fullness sensors  144 ,  372  are greater than or equal to the preset fullness value, icemakers  100 ,  300  will be idled. If, however, the signals generated from fullness sensors  144 ,  372  are less than the preset value (indicating low ice), the icemakers will be activated and additional ice will be harvested. 
         [0059]    It is to be appreciated that icemakers  100 ,  300 , and the associated mounting arrangements, can alternatively be mounted in the freezer compartment and fresh food compartment, respectively. In addition, the freezer and fresh food compartments can respectively include identical icemakers, for example dual icemakers  100  or dual icemakers  300 , or other icemakers conventionally known, albeit with each icemaker having the same or different ice making production levels or capacities. 
         [0060]    While the disclosure has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed herein, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.