Patent Description:
In order to keep food fresh, a low temperature must be maintained within a refrigerator to reduce the reproduction rate of harmful bacteria. Refrigerators circulate refrigerant and change the refrigerant from a liquid state to a gas state by an evaporation process. A compressor increases the pressure, and in turn, the temperature of the gas refrigerant. This heated gas is then cooled by ambient air received from one or more vents often disposed on a rear portion of the refrigerator. Document <CIT> discloses a refrigerator including a main body having a storage compartment, an inner case forming an inner space of the main body and a cover plate installed inside the inner case to form an exterior of the storage compartment. <CIT> relates to a refrigerator-freezer.

Refrigerators heat refrigerant by a compressor and then cool the refrigerant in a condenser, that may be mounted to a rear wall of the refrigerator. The rear wall of the refrigerator may include a number of vents that may draw in ambient air to cool the condenser and refrigerant contained therein. The rear wall within the refrigerator may include a ventilation panel that defines a number of vents configured to vent air from the interior of the refrigerator to the exterior of the refrigerator. Generally, the ventilation panel may be attached to an interior surface of the rear wall of the refrigerator by a number of fasteners such as screws. Fastening the panel by threading each of the screws may be time intensive. Moreover, the fasteners must be covered by a plug or cover to conceal the fastener and provide a more aesthetic appearance.

An insulative member may be disposed between the ventilation panel and the rear wall of the refrigerator. The insulative member may be inserted into a cavity or recessed portion defined by the rear wall of the refrigerator. As an example, the insulative member may be manually assembled to the rear wall by an operator. The operator subsequently fastens the ventilation panel to the rear wall of the refrigerator. In other words, the ventilation panel retains the insulative member between the ventilation panel and the rear wall. Because the insulative member is not directly fixed to the rear wall of the refrigerator, there may be gaps between the insulative member and the rear wall of the refrigerator. These gaps may lead to thermal inefficiencies.

According to the invention, a refrigerator includes all the features of the independent claim.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular form "a," "an," and "the" comprise plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, reference to a component in the singular is intended to comprise a plurality of components.

The term "substantially" or "about" may be used herein to describe disclosed or claimed embodiments. The term "substantially" or "about" may modify a value or relative characteristic disclosed or claimed in the present disclosure. In such instances, "substantially" or "about" may modify a value or relative characteristic disclosed or claimed in the present disclosure. In such instances, "substantially" or "about" may signify that the value or relative characteristic it modifies is within ± <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% or <NUM>% of the value or relative characteristic.

Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer," "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms.

Referring generally to the Figures, a refrigerator <NUM> according to one or more embodiments is provided. The refrigerator <NUM> includes several outer walls <NUM> that define an internal chamber <NUM>. One of the outer walls is a rear wall <NUM>. One or more doors <NUM> may be pivotally attached to one of the outer walls <NUM>. The rear wall <NUM> may include an interior surface <NUM> that is visible when one or more of the doors <NUM> is open. A ventilation panel <NUM> or flow panel may be disposed on the interior surface <NUM> of the rear wall <NUM>. The ventilation panel <NUM> includes a number of apertures such as slots or vents <NUM> that are configured to vent air (or facilitate an exchange of air) from the internal chamber <NUM> to an exterior of the refrigerator <NUM>.

An insulative member <NUM> and a number of straps <NUM> lie against a recessed portion <NUM> of the rear wall <NUM>. The insulative member <NUM> extends between a first strap 116a and a second strap 116b that may each be disposed within the recessed portion <NUM> of the rear wall <NUM>. The ventilation panel <NUM> is fixed to the straps <NUM> so that the insulative member <NUM> and straps <NUM> are sandwiched between the rear wall <NUM> and the ventilation panel <NUM>. The insulative member <NUM> and the rear wall <NUM> operate to form a duct <NUM> along a rear portion of the refrigerator (e.g., rear wall <NUM>) to channel air from the internal chamber <NUM> to an exterior of the refrigerator <NUM>. The slots or vents <NUM> of the ventilation panel <NUM> are configured to vent air from the internal chamber <NUM> to the exterior of the refrigerator <NUM> via the duct <NUM>.

In one or more embodiments, the insulative member <NUM> may be fixed to the first strap 116a and the second strap 116b by a press-fit condition. Alternatively, the insulative member <NUM> may be adhered to the straps <NUM> by an adhesive. As another example, one or more fasteners (not illustrated) may fix the insulative member <NUM> to the straps <NUM>.

The straps <NUM> include a main body <NUM> provided with a rear side <NUM> and a front side <NUM> that opposes or is opposite to the rear side <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, a sidewall <NUM> may extend between the rear side <NUM> and the front side <NUM>. A flange <NUM> may extend from the sidewall <NUM> and engage portions of the insulative member <NUM>.

The rear side <NUM> defines one or more first apertures <NUM> configured to receive a first fastener <NUM>. The first fastener <NUM> comprises one or more first fasteners <NUM>. The one or more first apertures <NUM> each may be a portion of counterbore hole or may refer to a counterbore hole as a whole. The one or more first fasteners <NUM> is configured to fix the straps <NUM> (or more specifically the main bodies <NUM> of the straps <NUM>) to the rear wall <NUM>. As an example, the one or more first fasteners <NUM> may be screws that are configured to thread into the rear wall <NUM> (or a more specifically into plugs <NUM> that are secured within recesses in the rear wall <NUM>) to clamp the straps <NUM> and the insulative member <NUM> against the rear wall <NUM>. In other words, the one or more first fasteners <NUM> bias the strap <NUM> and insulative member <NUM> towards the rear wall <NUM> so that portions of the insulative member <NUM>, such as protrusions <NUM>, lie against the rear wall <NUM>. The protrusions <NUM> may be configured to compress or deform as the first fastener <NUM> is tightened.

The front side <NUM> of the strap <NUM> defines one or more second apertures <NUM> configured to receive a second fastener <NUM>. The second fastener <NUM> comprises one or more second fasteners <NUM>. The one or more second fasteners <NUM> is configured to secure or fix the ventilation panel <NUM> to the straps <NUM>. The one or more second apertures <NUM> each may be a portion of countersunk hole or may refer to a countersunk hole as a whole. The one or more second fasteners <NUM> mav be a press-fit fasteners, such that pressing the one or more second fasteners <NUM> into the one or more second apertures <NUM> fixes the second fastener <NUM> and the ventilation panel <NUM> to the straps <NUM>. For example, the one or more second apertures <NUM> may each include a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> may extend from the front side <NUM> of the strap <NUM> and terminate at the first portion <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> may extend from the rear side <NUM> of the strap and may have a substantially constant inner diameter. The second portion <NUM> may be tapered so that the one or more second fasteners <NUM> is retained within the second aperture <NUM> after insertion. Each of the one or more first apertures <NUM> may spaced apart from a respective sidewall <NUM> by a first width W1 and each of the one or more second apertures <NUM> may be spaced apart from a respective sidewall <NUM> by a second width W2 that is greater than the first width W1.

The first width W1 and the second width W2 are illustrated as being measured to the center lines of the one or more first apertures <NUM> and the one or more second apertures <NUM>. However, it should be understood the widths may be measured from any position within each aperture. For example, the widths may be measured from the closest or farthest edges of the respective apertures to the respective sidewall <NUM>.

To install the insulative member <NUM> and the ventilation panel <NUM> to the rear wall <NUM> of the refrigerator, the insulative member <NUM> is inserted between the first strap 116a and the second strap 116b such that the insulative member <NUM> is fixed therebetween. The first and second straps 116a, 116b is fixed (e.g., fastened to the rear wall <NUM>) such that the straps <NUM> and the insulative member <NUM> lie against the rear wall <NUM>. The ventilation panel <NUM> is pressed towards the strap <NUM> and the insulative member <NUM> so that the ventilation panel <NUM> is fixed to the strap <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a front view of the refrigerator <NUM> in an assembled state. The ventilation panel <NUM> lies along portions of the rear wall <NUM> and covers the strap <NUM> and insulative member <NUM>. The refrigerator <NUM> illustrated includes an upper refrigerator section and a lower freezer section. The refrigerator <NUM> illustrated also includes shelving and storage bins. However, the present disclosure applies to other configurations of refrigerators.

<FIG> illustrates a portion of the refrigerator <NUM> with the shelving, storage bins, and the ventilation panel <NUM> removed. The insulative member <NUM> may be elongated having a length that is greater than the width and may be disposed in the recessed portion <NUM> of the rear wall <NUM>. As an example, the insulative member <NUM> may be formed of a cellular foam material such as a closed cell foam (e.g., expanded polystyrene). One or more apertures may form vents <NUM> in the insulative member <NUM> and the vents <NUM> may be substantially aligned with the vents <NUM> of the ventilation panel <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of the insulative member <NUM>, straps <NUM>, and rear wall <NUM> taken along the line A-A in <FIG>. The insulative member <NUM> may have a substantially U-shaped cross section including two legs <NUM> extending from a medial portion <NUM>. The medial portion <NUM> and portions of the recessed portion <NUM> of the rear wall <NUM> may define the duct <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a detailed view of a portion of the insulative member <NUM>, strap <NUM>, and rear wall <NUM> encompassing the area B from <FIG>. Each of the legs <NUM> of the insulative member <NUM> and the medial portion <NUM> may define a recess portion <NUM> that may lie against the flange <NUM> of one of the straps <NUM> such that each strap <NUM> and the rear wall <NUM> sandwich one of the legs <NUM> of the insulative member <NUM>. When the ventilation panel <NUM> is assembled to the straps <NUM>, the flanges <NUM> may be sandwiched between the insulative member <NUM> (or more specifically the leg <NUM> of the insulative member <NUM>) and the ventilation panel <NUM>.

Each first fastener <NUM> may include a head <NUM> that may engage a clamping surface <NUM> on a respective strap <NUM>. As the first fastener <NUM> is tightened, the flange <NUM> may engage and bias or clamp the leg <NUM> towards the rear wall <NUM>. More specifically a clamping surface <NUM> on each flange <NUM> may engage a respective recess portion <NUM> on a respective leg <NUM> of the insulative member <NUM>. This may provide a clamping force between the insulative member <NUM> and the rear wall <NUM> resulting in an insulative seal between the insulative member <NUM> and the rear wall <NUM>. As another example, this may prevent the insulation member <NUM> from protruding into the internal chamber <NUM> so that the ventilation panel <NUM> (<FIG>) may be flush to the insulative member <NUM>, or the rear wall <NUM>, or both.

<FIG> illustrates a front view of a portion of the refrigerator <NUM> including the ventilation panel <NUM> with the shelving and storage bins removed. <FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in <FIG>. The one or more second fasteners <NUM> are shown to protrude from the ventilation panel <NUM>. However, it should be understood that the fasteners <NUM> may be components that are separate from the ventilation panel <NUM>. Each of the one or more second fasteners <NUM> are also show to and to engage one of the one or more second apertures <NUM> to secure the ventilation panel <NUM> to the straps <NUM>. Utilizing a press-fit fastener, such as the second one or more second fasteners <NUM>, obviates excess assembly time required for a threaded fastener as well as the additional assembly time to insert a cover or plug to conceal the heads of threaded fasteners. The straps <NUM> and any associated feature or component (e.g., fasteners <NUM> and <NUM>) may collectively be referred to as a fixation system for use in the refrigerator <NUM> that is configured to secure the insulative member <NUM> to the rear wall <NUM> and to secure the ventilation panel <NUM> to the insulative member <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, some of the internal components of the refrigerator <NUM> including the insulative member <NUM>, the mounting system for the insulative member (e.g., the fixation system that collectively includes the straps <NUM> and other components mentioned above), and an ozone generator assembly <NUM>, are illustrated. The refrigerator <NUM> may also include a second ventilation or flow panel <NUM> that is disposed over the ventilation panel <NUM> to provide an aesthetic look. For example, the second ventilation panel <NUM> may be made from a finished metallic material such as aluminum or stainless steel. One or more apertures may form vents <NUM> in the second ventilation panel <NUM>. The vents <NUM> in the second ventilation panel <NUM> may be substantially aligned with the vents <NUM> in the ventilation panel <NUM> and the vents <NUM> in the insulative member <NUM> such that the aligned vents may vent air from the internal chamber <NUM> to the exterior of the refrigerator <NUM> via the duct <NUM>.

The ozone generator assembly <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>. The insulative member <NUM> may define an aperture <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may be disposed within the aperture <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may include a top end <NUM>, a bottom end <NUM>, and a wall <NUM> extending between the top end <NUM> and the bottom end <NUM>. The wall <NUM> includes an interior-facing surface <NUM> and an exterior-facing surface <NUM> that is opposite the interior-facing surface <NUM>. The interior-facing surface <NUM> faces toward the duct <NUM>. The exterior-facing surface <NUM> faces toward the internal chamber <NUM> of refrigerator <NUM>. The ventilation panel <NUM> and the second ventilation panel <NUM> may be sandwiched between exterior-facing surface <NUM> of the wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and the internal chamber <NUM> of refrigerator <NUM>. The exterior-facing surface <NUM> may be referred to as a frontside of the wall <NUM> and the interior-facing surface <NUM> may be referred to as a backside of the wall <NUM>.

The wall <NUM> (or more specifically the interior-facing surface <NUM> of the wall <NUM>) defines an aperture <NUM> and a pocket or receptacle <NUM> that is disposed above the aperture <NUM>. The aperture <NUM> may be configured to receive a light source and may be defined within a recessed portion of the wall <NUM> that forms a light fixture <NUM>. The exterior-facing surface <NUM> may have a recessed portion that extends inward from the exterior-facing surface <NUM> defining a trough <NUM>. The recessed portion that extends inward from the exterior-facing surface <NUM> and/or the trough <NUM> may define the receptacle <NUM> on the interior-facing surface <NUM>. The trough <NUM> may extend circumferentially about at least a portion of the receptacle <NUM> and about at least a portion of the light fixture <NUM>. The housing <NUM> defines a first number of vents <NUM> that establish fluid communication between the receptacle <NUM> and the trough <NUM>.

An ozone generator <NUM> is at least partially disposed in the receptacle <NUM>. The ozone generator <NUM> is configured to supply ozonated fluid to the trough <NUM> via the receptacle <NUM> and the first number of vents <NUM>. The ozonated fluid may be utilized to sanitize the internal chamber <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> or anything disposed within the internal chamber <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM>. A light <NUM> is secured to the wall <NUM> of housing <NUM>. More specifically, the light <NUM> is secured to the light fixture <NUM> within the aperture <NUM>. The light <NUM> and the light fixture <NUM> may be disposed between the bottom end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and the ozone generator <NUM> (i.e., <NUM> the light fixture <NUM> may be disposed below the ozone generator <NUM>). The light <NUM> may be a sanitizing light that is also utilized to sanitize the internal chamber <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> or anything disposed within the internal chamber <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM>. The light <NUM> may be any type of light including a light emitting diode (LED).

The light <NUM> may include a cover <NUM> that is disposed over the exterior-facing surface <NUM> (or more specifically, the light fixture <NUM>) of the wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The cover <NUM> overlaps at least a portion of the trough <NUM>. The cover <NUM> may define a second number of vents <NUM> that are configured to receive the ozonated fluid from the first number of vents <NUM> via the trough <NUM>. The second number of vents <NUM> may be defined circumferentially around a radial outer surface of the cover <NUM>. The second number of vents <NUM> may then provide the ozonated fluid to an interior portion (i.e., the internal chamber <NUM>) of the refrigerator <NUM>. The ventilation panel <NUM> and the second ventilation panel <NUM> may each define aligned apertures <NUM> that are disposed between the cover <NUM> and the light fixture <NUM> to allow light to travel from the light fixture <NUM> via the light <NUM> to the cover <NUM>. The cover may include a front plate <NUM> and rear plate <NUM>. The front plate may define an orifice <NUM> that is in the shape of symbol that is indicative of ozonated fluid. The rear plate <NUM> may be translucent and may be configured to direct the light from the light <NUM> to the orifice <NUM>.

The ventilation panel <NUM> and the second ventilation panel <NUM> may be disposed over the trough <NUM> and at least a portion of the exterior-facing surface <NUM> of the wall <NUM>. The ventilation panel <NUM> defines at least one slot <NUM>. The slots of the at least one slot <NUM> may be disposed circumferentially about the aligned aperture <NUM> defined by the ventilation panel <NUM>. The aligned aperture <NUM> defined by the second ventilation panel <NUM> may larger than the aligned aperture <NUM> defined by the ventilation panel <NUM> such that the aligned aperture <NUM> defined by the second ventilation panel <NUM> overlaps both the aligned aperture <NUM> defined by the ventilation panel <NUM> and the slots of the at least one slot <NUM>. The at least one slot <NUM> may alternatively be referred to as at least one aperture or a plurality of apertures. The at least one slot <NUM> is in fluid communication with and is aligned with the trough <NUM>. More specifically, an inner periphery <NUM> of the at least one slot <NUM> is in fluid communication with and is aligned with the trough <NUM>. The at least one slot <NUM> is configured to receive ozonated fluid from the ozone generator <NUM> via the trough <NUM>, first number of vents <NUM>, and receptacle <NUM>. The second number of vents <NUM> are in fluid communication with the at least one slot <NUM> and are configured to vent the ozonated fluid from the at least one slot <NUM> to an interior portion (i.e., the internal chamber <NUM>) of the refrigerator <NUM>.

The ozonated fluid is routed through a channel that collectively includes the receptacle <NUM>, the first number of vents <NUM>, the trough <NUM>, the at least one slot <NUM>, and the second number of vents <NUM>. The cover <NUM> for the light <NUM> may include protrusions or legs <NUM> that extend into the slots of the at least one slot <NUM>. The legs <NUM> may engage the ventilation panel <NUM> proximate the slots of the at least one slot <NUM> to secure the position of the cover <NUM>. One or more of the legs <NUM> may define at least one of the second number of vents <NUM>. This collective channel that includes the receptacle <NUM>, the first number of vents <NUM>, the trough <NUM>, the at least one slot <NUM>, and the second number of vents <NUM> routes the ozonated fluid downward from the ozone generator <NUM>. The ozone generator <NUM>, the receptacle <NUM>, the first number of vents <NUM>, and at least a portion of the trough <NUM> are then covered by the ventilation panel <NUM> (i.e., the ventilation panel <NUM> overlays the exterior-facing surface <NUM> of the wall <NUM>). Routing the ozonated fluid downward and covering the ozone generator <NUM>, the receptacle <NUM>, the first number of vents <NUM>, and at least a portion of the trough <NUM> prevents an ingress of fluid <NUM>, such as water, into the ozone generator <NUM>, which could result in damage to the ozone generator <NUM>.

The ozone generator <NUM> and the light <NUM> may each be connected to an electrical box or electrical block <NUM> via wires <NUM>. The electrical block <NUM> may include a controller or may be connected to a controller that is configured to operate the ozone generator <NUM> and the light <NUM>. The controller may be configured to, responsive to receiving first signals from the ozone generator <NUM> that are indicative of a first operating condition, provide second signals to the light <NUM> to display an indicator, wherein the indicator is configured to communicate the first operating condition to a user. The operating condition may at least partially be based on a quantity of ozonated fluid being supplied to the internal chamber <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> via the channel that collectively includes the receptacle <NUM>, the first number of vents <NUM>, the trough <NUM>, the at least one slot <NUM>, and the second number of vents <NUM>.

More specifically, the controller may be configured to receive signals from the ozone generator <NUM> that is indicative of the ozone generator <NUM> being off, the ozone generator <NUM> being on, or a quantity of ozonated fluid being supplied to the internal chamber <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM>, each being a different operating condition. The controller may then send signal to the light <NUM> to illuminate the light <NUM>, to turn off the light <NUM>, dim the light <NUM>, brighten the light, or strobe the light <NUM> to correspond to a specific operating condition. For example, the light <NUM> being off may correspond to the ozone generator <NUM> being off, the light <NUM> being on may correspond to the ozone generator <NUM> being on, an increase in the brightness of the light <NUM> may correspond to an increase in the quantity of ozonated fluid being supplied to the internal chamber <NUM>, a decrease in the brightness of the light <NUM> may correspond to a decrease in the quantity of ozonated fluid being supplied to the internal chamber <NUM>, etc..

Claim 1:
A refrigerator (<NUM>) comprising:
an internal chamber (<NUM>) having a rear wall (<NUM>);
a ventilation panel (<NUM>) disposed on the rear wall (<NUM>), said ventilation panel (<NUM>) defining a number of vents (<NUM>);
an insulative member (<NUM>) defining with the rear wall (<NUM>) a duct (<NUM>) to channel air through the vents (<NUM>) of the ventilation panel (<NUM>); characterized by:
a fixation system comprising a first strap (116a) and a second strap (116b) spaced apart from the first strap (116a),
wherein the first strap (116a) and the second strap (116b) are collectively configured to receive the insulative member (<NUM>),
wherein the first strap (116a) includes a main body (<NUM>) having a rear side (<NUM>) and a front side (<NUM>) opposing the rear side (<NUM>),
wherein the rear side (<NUM>) is configured to lie against a rear wall (<NUM>) of the refrigerator (<NUM>) and defines a first aperture (<NUM>) configured to receive a first fastener (<NUM>) to fix the main body (<NUM>) to the rear wall (<NUM>) of the refrigerator (<NUM>),
wherein the front side (<NUM>) defines a second aperture (<NUM>) configured to receive a second fastener (<NUM>) to fix the ventilation panel (<NUM>) to the main body (<NUM>),
wherein the second strap (116b) includes a second main body (<NUM>) having a second rear side (<NUM>) and a second front side (<NUM>) opposing the second rear side (<NUM>),
wherein the second rear side (<NUM>) is configured to lie against the rear wall (<NUM>) of the refrigerator (<NUM>) and defines a third aperture (<NUM>) configured to receive a third fastener (<NUM>) to fix the second main body (<NUM>) to the rear wall (<NUM>) of the refrigerator (<NUM>) and
wherein the second front side (<NUM>) defines a fourth aperture (<NUM>) configured to receive a fourth fastener (<NUM>) to fix the ventilation panel (<NUM>) to the second main body (<NUM>).