Patent Description:
Refrigerator assemblies or appliances generally include a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber, such as a fresh food chamber or a freezer chamber, for storing food or other perishable items. In addition, refrigerator appliances also generally include a door rotatably hinged to the cabinet to permit selective access to food items stored in the chilled chamber. Often, refrigerator appliances include a machine compartment in which a compressor or condenser is mounted.

It is common for typical refrigerators stick out from a wall or cabinet in which they are installed. In order to address this concern, certain refrigerator appliances, such as those commonly referred to as built-in refrigerators, are configured to be installed in a cabinet such that a refrigerator appliance appears to be an integral part of the kitchen or room. Although aesthetically pleasing, this can cause further issues. A machine compartment must often be vertically stacked, for instance, below the chilled chamber. Therefore, it can be difficult to circulate air through the machine compartment for heat exchange. An air inlet and an air outlet must often be located adjacent to each other, for instance, at a front face of the refrigerator. In turn, it is often especially difficult to prevent an intake airflow into the machine compartment from mixing with an output airflow from the machine compartment.

Some existing appliances have attempted to address these circulation concerns by providing a transverse wall or panel that extends outward (i.e., toward a user) from the machine compartment at a front face or lateral panel. Similarly, a wall that extends from a door toward the machine compartment (e.g., when the door is closed) may be provided. Unfortunately, having discontinuous elements or features extending in front of the machine compartment often creates an unseemly appearance. Such a configuration may also provide or create an intrusive surface that can catch fabric, dust, or even a user's foot passing in front of the appliance.

<CIT> discloses a subassembly for a refrigerating and/or freezing apparatus, wherein the subassembly comprises at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet and wherein at least one air guidance device is provided in the subassembly, by means of which air can be guided into the subassembly from the air inlet to the air outlet. Moreover, the invention relates to an assembly for a refrigerating and/or freezing apparatus and a refrigerating and/or freezing apparatus. As a result, further improvements for addressing air circulation of refrigerator assemblies or appliances would be desirable. In particular, it would be useful to provide a refrigerator assembly or appliance having one or more features for preventing the mixing of airflows to/from a machine compartment while still providing a continuous or uninterrupted front surface.

The objects of the invention are solved by the refrigerator assembly according to claim <NUM>. The dependent claims set out particular embodiments of the invention.

As used herein, the term "or" is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., "A or B" is intended to mean "A or B or both"). The terms "first,""second," and "third" may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the relative flow direction with respect to fluid flow in a fluid pathway. For example, "upstream" refers to the flow direction from which the fluid flows, and "downstream" refers to the flow direction to which the fluid flows. Terms such as "inner" and "outer" refer to relative directions with respect to the interior and exterior of a refrigerator assembly. For example, "inner" or "inward" refers to the direction towards the interior of the refrigerator appliance. Terms such as "left,""right,""front,""forward,""back,""rearward,""top," or "bottom" are used with reference to the perspective of a user accessing the refrigerator appliance. For example, a user stands in front of the refrigerator to open the doors and reaches into the chilled chamber(s) to access items therein.

Referring now to <FIG>, multiple perspective views are provided of an exemplary refrigerator assembly <NUM>. A refrigerator assembly <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T (<FIG>), each mutually perpendicular to one another. As may be seen, the refrigerator appliance <NUM> includes a housing or cabinet <NUM> that extends between a top <NUM> and a bottom <NUM> along the vertical direction V, between a left (e.g., first lateral) side <NUM> and a right (e.g., second lateral) side <NUM> along the lateral direction L, and between a front end or side <NUM> (<FIG>) and a rear end or side <NUM> (<FIG>) along the transverse direction T.

The cabinet <NUM> generally defines one or more chilled chambers <NUM> (e.g., fresh food or freezer chambers) for receipt of food items for storage. Specifically, the chilled chamber <NUM> is positioned between the left side <NUM> and the right side <NUM>. In some embodiments, the chilled chamber <NUM> is positioned at or adjacent the top <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>. Nonetheless, it should be appreciated, that, except as otherwise indicate, the chilled chamber <NUM> may be positioned at any suitable location within the refrigerator assembly <NUM>. Moreover, although a single chilled chamber <NUM> is shown, it is understood that alternative embodiments may include any suitable number or shape of chilled chambers <NUM> (e.g., to be maintained at separate or discrete temperatures).

The refrigerator assembly <NUM> may include one or more refrigerator doors <NUM> rotatably mounted to the cabinet <NUM>, for example, such that the refrigerator door <NUM> permits selective access to at least a portion of the chilled chamber <NUM>. In some embodiments, the refrigerator door <NUM>is rotatably mounted to the cabinet <NUM> at one side (e.g., the right side <NUM>) of the cabinet <NUM>. A handle <NUM> may be positioned on the refrigerator door <NUM> to facilitate movement of the door <NUM> between a closed position (<FIG>) that restricts access to the chilled chamber <NUM> (e.g., by extending across the chilled chamber <NUM>) and an open position (<FIG>) that permits access to the chilled chamber <NUM> (e.g., by being spaced apart from the chilled chamber <NUM>).

As shown in <FIG>, various storage components may be mounted within the food storage chamber <NUM> to generally facilitate storage of food items. In certain embodiments, the storage components include bins <NUM>, drawers <NUM>, and shelves <NUM> that are mounted within the chilled chamber <NUM>. The bins <NUM>, drawers <NUM>, and shelves <NUM> are configured for receipt of food items (e.g., beverages or solid food items) and may assist with organizing such food items.

Generally, a sealed system is provided to cool air within chilled chamber <NUM> (e.g., at least in part by circulating a refrigerant as part of a refrigeration cycle). For instance, one or more components of the sealed system (e.g., a compressor <NUM> or condenser <NUM>) may be housed or within a machine compartment <NUM> defined by cabinet <NUM> (e.g., below or directly beneath chilled chamber <NUM>). In some such embodiments, the machine compartment <NUM> is selectively covered or blocked by the door <NUM> (e.g., in the closed position). In particular, the machine compartment<NUM> may be positioned rearward from the door <NUM>. Relative to the vertical direction V, one or more openings (e.g., lateral apertures <NUM>) to the machine compartment <NUM> may be positioned above a bottom edge <NUM> of the door <NUM>. Thus, when closed, the door <NUM> may hide one or more (e.g., all) lateral apertures <NUM> from the view of a user standing in front of the assembly <NUM>.

Turning especially to <FIG>, various views are provided of the machine compartment <NUM> (e.g., at the bottom <NUM> of cabinet<NUM>). In certain embodiments, the machine compartment <NUM> spans the cabinet <NUM> along the lateral direction L from the left side <NUM> to the right side <NUM>. In additional or alternative embodiments, the machine compartment <NUM> spans the cabinet <NUM> along the transverse direction T from the front end <NUM> to the rear end <NUM>.

Generally, the machine compartment <NUM> includes an air inlet <NUM> (e.g., at the front end <NUM>) to permit air to enter the machine compartment <NUM> and an air outlet <NUM> (e.g., at the front end <NUM>) to permit air to exit the machine compartment <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the air inlet <NUM> and the air outlet <NUM> are laterally adjacent to each other. For instance, the air inlet <NUM> and the air outlet <NUM> may be defined or located at discrete lateral positions. In some embodiments, the air inlet <NUM> is located proximal to the right side <NUM> (i.e., distal to the left side <NUM>) while the air outlet <NUM> is located proximal to the left side <NUM> (i.e., distal to the right side <NUM>). Within the machine compartment <NUM>, the machine compartment <NUM> includes one or more air channels (e.g., intake channel <NUM>, <NUM> or output channel <NUM>) to direct air through the machine compartment <NUM> from the air inlet <NUM> to the air outlet <NUM>.

A louver panel <NUM> is mounted to the cabinet <NUM> in front of the machine compartment <NUM>. In particular, the louver panel <NUM> may be positioned in front of an opening that defines, at least in part, the air inlet <NUM> and the air outlet <NUM> (e.g., below the chilled chamber <NUM>-<FIG>). In some embodiments, the louver panel <NUM> extends along the lateral direction L from the left side <NUM> to the right side <NUM>. Across at least a portion of the louver panel <NUM>, a plurality of lateral apertures <NUM> are defined. As shown, the plurality of lateral apertures <NUM> extend along the lateral direction L from a first end <NUM> to a second end <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the lateral apertures <NUM> are uninterrupted or free of any discontinuous, interrupting element between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM>. Thus, the plurality of lateral apertures <NUM> may appear as continuous lines or openings (e.g., at the bottom of the refrigerator assembly <NUM>-<FIG>). Moreover, the lateral apertures <NUM> may appear as the only openings below the chilled chamber <NUM>. Each of the lateral apertures <NUM> may be spaced (e.g., vertically) apart from each other. In some such embodiments, one or more of the lateral apertures <NUM> are parallel to each other. When mounted to the cabinet <NUM>, the plurality of lateral apertures <NUM> extend across the air inlet <NUM> and the air outlet <NUM>. The air inlet <NUM> and the air outlet <NUM> may be restricted or otherwise further defined by the louver panel <NUM>.

The lateral apertures <NUM> generally extend along the transverse direction T from the machine compartment <NUM> to the front <NUM> of the assembly <NUM>. In optional embodiments, one or more of the lateral apertures <NUM> extends at an angle (e.g., non-parallel) to the transverse directionT. For instance, one or more lateral apertures <NUM> may be directed downward from the machine compartment <NUM> at a negative angle relative to the transverse direction T. Air directed from the machine compartment <NUM> through the lateral apertures <NUM> may thus flow forward from the machine compartment <NUM> and toward the ground (e.g., away from the chilled chamber <NUM>).

Returning briefly to <FIG> and <FIG>, as noted above, the door <NUM> may be positioned in front of the machine compartment <NUM>. When assembled, the door <NUM> may further be positioned in front of the louver panel <NUM>. In some embodiments, the lower edge <NUM> of the door <NUM> is positioned below a bottom edge or bottommost lateral aperture <NUM> of the louver panel <NUM>. Thus, in the closed position, the door <NUM> may cover or hide the louver panel <NUM>. By contrast, in the open position of the door <NUM>, access may be permitted to the louver panel <NUM> (e.g., such that the louver panel <NUM> and lateral apertures <NUM> are visible to a user in front of the refrigerator assembly <NUM>).

Returning to <FIG>, in exemplary embodiments, a compartment wall <NUM> is provided within machine compartment <NUM>. As shown, the compartment wall <NUM> generally extends along the transverse direction T (e.g., rearward relative to the louver panel <NUM>). The compartment wall <NUM> may be positioned between the air inlet <NUM> and the air outlet <NUM> (e.g., relative to the lateral direction L). The compartment wall <NUM> may help block or define a separate air intake channel (e.g., having a transverse intake portion <NUM> or a lateral intake portion <NUM>) and air output channel <NUM>. During use, the air output channel <NUM> is downstream from the air intake channel <NUM> or <NUM> within the machine compartment<NUM>. In some such embodiments, the compartment wall <NUM> extends from an upper end <NUM> to a lower end <NUM> of the machine compartment <NUM>. Air entering the machine compartment <NUM> through the air inlet <NUM> may thus be prevented from immediately intermingling with air to be ejected from the air outlet <NUM> (e.g., at the front end <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>). In further embodiments, the compartment wall <NUM> is mounted or fixed to a base pan or floor <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> (e.g., defining a lowermost portion of the machine compartment <NUM>).

In certain embodiments, the compartment wall <NUM> extends from the front end <NUM> to a portion of the machine compartment <NUM> forward from the rear end <NUM> to define a transverse intake portion <NUM>. Moreover, a transverse gap between the compartment wall <NUM> and rear end <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> may define a lateral intake portion <NUM> (e.g., as a continuation or part of intake channel). In some such embodiments, the output channel <NUM> is defined along the lateral direction L between the left side <NUM> and the compartment wall <NUM>, while being defined along the transverse direction T between the front end <NUM> and the air handler <NUM>. At least a portion of the intake channel (e.g., transverse intake portion<NUM>) may be defined along the lateral direction L between the right side <NUM> and the compartment wall <NUM>, while being defined along the transverse direction T between the front end <NUM> and the lateral intake portion <NUM>. Relative to fluid flow, the lateral intake portion <NUM> may be located between the transverse intake portion <NUM> and the output channel <NUM>. During use, air may thus flow, for example, from the transverse intake portion <NUM> to the lateral intake portion <NUM> before passing to the output channel <NUM>.

As noted above, one or more portions of the sealed refrigeration system may be housed within the machine compartment <NUM>. In some embodiments, a compressor <NUM> configured to compress or motivate a refrigerant through the sealed system is mounted to the cabinet <NUM> within the machine compartment <NUM> (e.g., in the output channel <NUM>). In additional or alternative embodiments, a condenser <NUM> (e.g., in fluid communication with the compressor <NUM>) is housed within the machine compartment <NUM>. For instance, the condenser <NUM> may be positioned adjacent to the rear end <NUM> of cabinet <NUM> (e.g., within intake channel at transverse intake portion <NUM> or lateral intake portion <NUM>, as shown). In some such embodiments, the condenser <NUM> is positioned rearward from the compressor <NUM>.

In some embodiments, an air handler <NUM>, such as a fan or blower, is housed within the machine compartment <NUM> to motivate or urge an airflow therethrough (e.g., from the air inlet <NUM> to the air outlet <NUM>). For instance, the air handler <NUM> may be directed at the compressor <NUM> or condenser <NUM> to draw air across portions of the sealed system and facilitate or encourage heat exchange between the sealed system and the ambient environment. In certain embodiments, the air handler <NUM> is positioned upstream from the compressor <NUM>. In additional or alternative embodiments, the air handler <NUM> is positioned downstream from the condenser <NUM>. Optionally, the air handler <NUM> may be positioned between the compressor <NUM> and the condenser <NUM> along the transverse direction T. In further additional or alternative embodiments, the air handler <NUM> is positioned between the output channel <NUM> and the intake channel <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., between the condenser <NUM> and the compressor <NUM>). The output channel <NUM> may thus be a positive pressure channel while the intake channel <NUM>, <NUM> is a negative pressure channel. In optional embodiments, one or more secondary apertures <NUM> are defined through the rear end <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> in fluid communication with the air handler <NUM> to provide supplemental or secondary air to mix with air from the intake channel <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., within the lateral intake portion <NUM> or output channel <NUM>).

As shown, a plurality of laterally-spaced vanes <NUM>, <NUM> are provided adjacent to the louver panel <NUM>. In some embodiments, the vanes<NUM>, <NUM> are fixed or mounted to the louver panel <NUM>. For instance, one or more adhesives, welds, or mechanical fasteners may secure the vanes<NUM>, <NUM> directly to the louver panel <NUM>. Selective removal or mounting of the louver panel <NUM> from the cabinet <NUM>, may thus advantageously provide removal or mounting of the vanes <NUM>, <NUM> within the mechanical compartment.

Generally, the vanes <NUM>, <NUM> extend rearward from the louver panel <NUM> (e.g., at the air outlet <NUM>). Thus, when assembled, the vanes<NUM>, <NUM> are positioned opposite a front-facing surface of the louver panel <NUM> and are advantageously hidden from a user's view or contact. Each of the vanes <NUM>, <NUM> is laterally spaced apart from the others along the lateral direction L. Separate air paths may thus be defined between adjacent vanes <NUM>, <NUM>. When assembled, the vanes <NUM>, <NUM> may be positioned within at least a portion of the output channel <NUM> (e.g., proximal to the front end <NUM>). In optional embodiments, the vanes <NUM>, <NUM> may be positioned in front of the compressor <NUM> or air handler <NUM>(e.g., along or relative to the transverse direction T).

In certain embodiments, one or more vanes (e.g., of a first vane set <NUM>) are directed away from the right side <NUM> or the air inlet <NUM>. For instance, one or more vanes <NUM>A, <NUM>B may be non-parallel to the transverse direction T. At least one vane <NUM>, <NUM> may define a flow angle θ<NUM>(e.g., relative to the transverse direction T) directed away from, for instance, the second end <NUM>. Optionally, multiple vanes <NUM> may define flow angles θ<NUM> directed away from the second end <NUM>. In some such embodiments, separate vanes <NUM> define separate flow angles θ<NUM>. For instance, the flow angles θ<NUM> may generally and sequentially increase relative to the transverse direction T as the lateral distance between discrete vanes <NUM>increases relative to the second end <NUM> or air inlet <NUM>. Thus, the flow angle θ<NUM> defined by a first vane <NUM>A proximal to the second end <NUM> may be less than the flow angle θ<NUM> defined by a second vane 246B distal from the second end <NUM> (i.e., distal in comparison to the first vane <NUM>A). Advantageously, air from the air outlet <NUM> may be substantially prevented from mixing with air entering machine compartment <NUM> (e.g., through air inlet <NUM>).

In additional or alternative embodiments, one or more vanes (e.g., of a second vane set <NUM>) are directed away from the left side <NUM>. For instance, one or more vanes <NUM> may be non-parallel to the transverse direction T. At least one vane <NUM> may define a flow angle θ<NUM> (e.g., relative to the transverse direction T) directed away from, for instance, the first end <NUM>. Optionally, multiple vanes <NUM> may define flow angles θ<NUM> directed away from the first end <NUM>. In some such embodiments, separate vanes <NUM> define separate flow angles θ<NUM>. For instance, the flow angles θ<NUM> may generally and sequentially increase relative to the transverse direction T as the lateral distance between discrete vanes <NUM> increases relative to the first end <NUM>. Thus, the flow angle θ<NUM> defined by a first vane <NUM>A proximal to the first end <NUM> may be less than the flow angle θ<NUM> defined by a second vane <NUM>B distal from the first end <NUM> (i.e., distal in comparison to the first vane <NUM>A).

In optional embodiments, both a first set of vanes <NUM> (e.g., directed toward the left side <NUM>) and a second set of vanes <NUM> (e.g., directed toward the right side <NUM>) are provided. In some such embodiments, the first set of vanes <NUM> is further directed toward the second set of vanes<NUM>, and vice versa. Thus, air directed from the first set of vanes <NUM> may be guided to merge with air from the second set of vanes <NUM> in front of the cabinet <NUM>. Moreover, the first set of vanes <NUM> may be positioned proximal to the right side <NUM> while the second set of vanes <NUM> is positioned proximal to the left side <NUM>.

Turning now briefly to <FIG>, a further exemplary embodiment of refrigerator assembly <NUM> is provided. As shown, refrigerator assembly<NUM> includes a discrete primary cabinet <NUM> and secondary cabinet <NUM>. Generally, it is understood that the primary cabinet <NUM> may include a machine compartment <NUM>, including one or more of the above-described features. Secondary cabinet <NUM> may include one or more similar features. For instance, the secondary cabinet <NUM> may extend along the lateral direction L between a left side (e.g., first lateral) side <NUM> and a right side (e.g., second lateral) side <NUM> to define a chilled chamber <NUM> and a machine compartment <NUM> (e.g., below the chilled chamber <NUM>). The machine compartment <NUM> of the secondary cabinet <NUM> may include a separate air inlet <NUM> and air outlet <NUM>. As described above within the context of machine compartment <NUM>, the air inlet <NUM> may be positioned proximal to the right side <NUM> while the air outlet <NUM> may be positioned proximal to the left side <NUM>. In optional embodiments, the door <NUM> of the secondary cabinet <NUM> may be rotatably attached at an opposite side from the door <NUM> of the primary cabinet <NUM> (e.g., the left side <NUM>).

Claim 1:
A refrigerator assembly (<NUM>) defining a mutually-orthogonal vertical direction (V) , lateral direction (L) , and transverse direction (T) , wherein the refrigerator assembly (<NUM>) comprising: a cabinet (<NUM>) extending along the lateral direction (L) between a first lateral side (<NUM>) and a second lateral side (<NUM>) , the cabinet (<NUM>) defining a chilled chamber (<NUM>) and a machine compartment (<NUM>) , the machine compartment (<NUM>) having an air inlet (<NUM>) and an air outlet (<NUM>) separate from the air inlet (<NUM>) ; a louver panel (<NUM>) mounted to the cabinet (<NUM>) in front of the machine compartment (<NUM>) , the louver panel (<NUM>) defining a plurality of lateral apertures (<NUM>) spaced apart along the vertical direction (V) , the plurality of lateral apertures (<NUM>) extending along the lateral direction (L) in front of the air inlet (<NUM>) and the air outlet ( <NUM>) from a first end (<NUM>) a second end (<NUM>); and a plurality of laterally-spaced vanes (<NUM><NUM>) extending rearward from the louver panel (<NUM>) at the air outlet (<NUM>), characterized in that the vanes (<NUM>, <NUM>) are fixed or mounted to the louver panel (<NUM>) , the air inlet (<NUM>) is located proximal to the second end (<NUM>) , the vanes (<NUM>) which are near the air inlet (<NUM>) being directed away from the air inlet (<NUM>), each vane (<NUM>) define a flow angles θ1 directed away from the second end (<NUM>) relative to the transverse direction T, the flow angles θ1 generally and sequentially increase relative to the transverse direction T as the lateral distance between discrete vanes (<NUM>) increases relative to the air inlet (<NUM>) .