US20070194675A1 - Refrigerator having a door with integrated control panel - Google Patents

Refrigerator having a door with integrated control panel Download PDF

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Publication number
US20070194675A1
US20070194675A1 US11/675,331 US67533107A US2007194675A1 US 20070194675 A1 US20070194675 A1 US 20070194675A1 US 67533107 A US67533107 A US 67533107A US 2007194675 A1 US2007194675 A1 US 2007194675A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
door
refrigerator
cabinet
wires
control panel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/675,331
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jacco Van Beek
Wilco Wessels
Patrick DONDERS
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Thetford LLC
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US11/675,331 priority Critical patent/US20070194675A1/en
Priority to EP07003368A priority patent/EP1821052A3/de
Assigned to THETFORD CORPORATION reassignment THETFORD CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DONDERS, PATRICK, MR., VAN BEEK, JACCO, MR., WESSELS, WILCO, MR.
Publication of US20070194675A1 publication Critical patent/US20070194675A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D29/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F25D29/005—Mounting of control devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F25D23/02—Doors; Covers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2323/00—General constructional features not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2323/02—Details of doors or covers not otherwise covered
    • F25D2323/022—Doors that can be pivoted either left-handed or right-handed
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
    • F25D2400/40—Refrigerating devices characterised by electrical wiring

Definitions

  • the subject disclosure relates to refrigerators. More particularly, the subject disclosure relates to a refrigerator having a door with an integrated control panel.
  • Modern refrigerators including but not limited to absorption refrigerators may include electronic controls.
  • the electronic controls may be mounted to the cabinet of the refrigerator. With many such conventional arrangements, it is necessary to open the refrigerator door to access the electronic controls. In other conventional arrangements, the electronic controls extend upwardly from a top of the cabinet and necessarily increase the height of the refrigerator. Positioning of the electronic controls of a refrigerator on a door of the refrigerator would overcome these disadvantages associated with conventional arrangements.
  • Such flexibility in mounting of the door provides flexibility to incorporate the refrigerator into various kitchen layouts.
  • door carried electronic controls are connected to the refrigerator control panel and a source of power through a cord, incorporation of such a feature into a refrigerator design including a door that can be alternatively mounted becomes problematic.
  • a refrigerator having a door carrying electronic controls that may be alternatively mounted to a cabinet of the refrigerator for rotation about a left hand pivot axis or a right hand pivot axis.
  • the present teachings provide a refrigerator including a cabinet, a door mounted to the cabinet for pivotal movement about a pivot axis, and a control panel carried by the door.
  • a plurality of wires is in electrical communication with the control panel. The plurality of wires passing through the door and exits a lower portion of the door.
  • a hinge bracket is carried by the cabinet and supports the door at a hinge pin. The plurality of wires passes immediately below the hinge bracket.
  • the present teachings provide a method of selectively mounting a door of a refrigerator to a cabinet for rotation about one of a right hand pivot axis and a left hand pivot axis.
  • the door includes a control panel and a plurality of wires in electrical communication with the control panel.
  • the method includes mounting a first bracket to a lower portion of the cabinet proximate a right side of the cabinet.
  • the method additionally includes mounting a second bracket to the lower portion of the cabinet proximate a left side of the cabinet.
  • the method further includes pivotally supporting the door on one of the first and second brackets for rotation about a pivot axis, and routing the plurality of wires immediately below the one of the first and second brackets such that the pivot axis intersects the plurality of wires.
  • FIG. 1 shows a portion of a refrigerator having a door with an integrated control panel according to the present teachings, the door mounted for pivoting about a right hand pivot axis.
  • FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings.
  • FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings.
  • FIG. 4 shows another bottom perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings further illustrating a hinge side of the door.
  • FIG. 5 shows another bottom perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings, a trim portion of the door removed for purposes of illustration.
  • FIG. 6 shows another bottom perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings with a trim portion of the door removed and further illustrating the cord retaining feature of the door.
  • FIG. 7 shows another bottom perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings.
  • FIG. 8 shows another bottom perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings, a cord retaining member shown displaced from a cooperating bracket for purposes of illustration.
  • FIG. 9 shows another bottom perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings, further illustrating a door support member located at the side of the door opposite the hinge.
  • FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings, the refrigerator shown partially exploded and with the door removed, the refrigerator further shown to be adapted to mount the door for pivoting about a left hand pivot axis.
  • FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a door of the refrigerator according to the present teachings.
  • FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a control assembly of the refrigerator according to the present teachings.
  • FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cord support member according to the present teachings.
  • FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a lower hinge bracket according to the present teachings.
  • the refrigerator 10 generally includes a door 12 .
  • the door 12 has an integrated control panel 14 .
  • the control panel 14 is wired to a power board (not particular shown) of the refrigerator 10 .
  • the integrated control panel 14 may include an LCD display 16 , a pair of manually operates buttons 17 , and an overlay 19 .
  • the body portion 15 of the control panel 14 may be mounted to the remainder of the door 12 with fasteners 21 or in any manner well known in the art.
  • the body portion 15 may define a recess for receiving the overlay 19 .
  • the body portion 15 may additionally define apertures for receiving the buttons 17 .
  • the integrated control panel 14 is carried by the door 12 rather than the cabinet 24 and may otherwise be conventionally used to control particular operations of the refrigerator 10 .
  • the control panel 14 may control turning of the refrigerator 10 on and off.
  • the control panel 14 may control selection of the power source (e.g., gas or electricity) for the refrigerator 10 and temperature of the refrigerator 10 .
  • the control panel 14 may be operative to control these or other operations of the refrigerator 10 . Again, the manner of controlling the particular features of the refrigerator 10 will be considered conventional insofar as the present disclosure is concerned.
  • the door 12 of the refrigerator 10 is shown to be mounted for rotation about a right hand pivot axis 18 .
  • a door latch 20 is mounted at a left side of the door 12 .
  • the door 10 may easily be alternatively mounted such that the pivot axis 18 is a left hand pivot axis.
  • An arrangement for left hand mounting is shown in FIG. 10 , for example.
  • an upper perspective view of the refrigerator 10 more clearly illustrates an upper hinge bracket 22 .
  • the upper hinge bracket 22 may be mounted at a first end 22 A to a cabinet 24 of the refrigerator 10 .
  • the upper hinge bracket 22 can be mounted with screws 27 or in any other suitable manner known in the art.
  • a second end 22 B of the upper hinge bracket 22 extends from the cabinet 24 and rotatably supports the door 12 for movement between open and closed positions.
  • the upper hinge bracket 22 may be constructed of metal or any other suitable material.
  • a lower hinge bracket 23 is mounted proximate a lower portion of the cabinet. As illustrated, the lower hinge bracket 23 may be mounted to an underside of the cabinet 24 . As with the upper hinge bracket 22 , the lower hinge bracket 23 may be mounted with screws 27 or in any other suitable manner well known in the art.
  • the lower hinge bracket 23 may be constructed of metal and includes an upper surface for rotatably supporting the door 10 . As shown in FIG. 4 , the door 10 may be provided with pivot pins 25 that extend from the door 10 along the pivot axis 18 and cooperate with the upper and lower hinge brackets 22 and 23 . The construction of the lower hinge bracket 23 will be further described below.
  • the door 10 may include a frame 26 .
  • the frame 26 may include a plurality of discrete parts that are assembled to define the frame 26 .
  • the frame 26 may include a top cap 58 and a bottom cap 60 .
  • a gasket 62 may be captured between the frame 26 and a door liner 64 .
  • the bottom cap 58 is shown removed from the frame 26 in FIGS. 5 through 7 for purposes of illustration.
  • a door panel 28 may be snapped to the remainder of the frame 26 or otherwise removable secured thereto.
  • the panel 28 may interchangeably provide a wood grain or other appearance as desired for a particular application.
  • a plurality of wires 30 extend between control panel 14 and the refrigerator power board.
  • the plurality of wires 30 may be encased in a wire harness or cord 32 .
  • the plurality of wires 30 downward extend from the control panel 14 , through an interior of the door defined between the panel 28 and the liner 64 , and exit the frame 26 at an opening 34 (see FIG. 5 , for example). From the opening 34 , the plurality of wires 30 extends toward the hinge side of the door 10 .
  • the plurality of wires 30 extend through an opening defined between the lower hinge bracket 23 and a cooperating cord support member 36 , shown in FIGS. 8 and 13 , for example.
  • the plurality of wires 30 pass immediately below the lower hinge point for the door 12 with the pivot axis 18 intersecting the plurality of wires.
  • the pivot axis 18 passes the collection of wires (not necessarily through each wires of the plurality of wires 30 ).
  • the cord support member 36 may be constructed of plastic and may include ribs 38 or other retaining features for positively locating the cord 32 relative thereto.
  • the cord support member 36 may additionally include tabs 40 or other features to allow a snap fit relationship with the lower hinge bracket 23 .
  • the tabs 40 may engage slots 42 defined by the lower hinge bracket 23 .
  • the lower hinge bracket 23 and the cord support member 36 cooperatively define a channel through which the cord 32 passes.
  • the frame 26 may be integrally formed to include a cord retention portion 44 .
  • a lower segment of the frame 26 may be formed to include the cord retention portion 44 through injection molding or otherwise.
  • the cord retention portion 44 is perhaps shown most clearly in FIGS. 5 and 6 .
  • the cord 32 may be press fit into the cord retention portion 44 .
  • the cord retention portion 44 may include a pair of walls 46 between which the cord 32 may be retained.
  • the cord retention portion 44 may further include a pair of retention clips 48 .
  • the cord 32 may be provided with an increased diameter portion 50 that can be positioned between the clips 48 for positively locating the cord relative to the cord retention portion 44 along its length. Through positive location of the cord relative both the cord retention portion 44 and the lower hinge bracket 23 , sufficient cord is ensured for rotation of the door 10 between the open and closed positions.
  • a door support bracket 52 is illustrated.
  • the door support bracket 52 may be substantially identical in construction to the lower hinge bracket 23 .
  • the door support bracket 52 cooperates with a door support arm 54 .
  • the door support arm 54 may be secured to the bracket 23 with screws or other suitable means and may forwardly extend therefrom.
  • the door support arm 54 may operate to support a pin 56 that downwardly extends from the door 12 on the side opposite the hinge. In this manner, the door 12 may maintain is proper positioning relative to the cabinet 24 when fully loaded.
  • the pin 56 may be similar to the pins 25 .
  • FIGS. 1 through 9 While a refrigerator 10 having a right hand side located hinge is particularly illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 9 , for particular applications it may be desirable to open the door 12 with a left hand side hinge. It will be understood that the refrigerator 10 may be quickly and easily so adapted without the need for additional parts.
  • an identical cabinet 24 may be used with a similar door 12 constructed such that the latch 20 is positioned on the right hand side of the refrigerator 10 .
  • the brackets 23 and 52 mounted to the bottom of the cabinet 24 may simply be exchanged.
  • the molded in retention features of the left hand door 10 may be provided on the opposite side to that shown in the drawings. Alternatively, the molded in retention features can be provided on both sides of the frame 26 for part consistency. In either manner, the plurality of wires 30 may be routed in the opposite direction and ultimately to the control board to facilitate opening and closing of the door 10 .
  • the present teachings provide for the manufacture of a common cabinet 24 that may selectively receive a door 12 for either right hand or left hand mounting.
  • the lower brackets 23 and 52 are identical, these components may be mounted to each of the manufactured cabinets.
  • the upper bracket 22 is mounted proximate the right hand side of the cabinet. Conversely, the upper bracket 22 may be moved to the left hand side for left hand mounting.
  • a common door 12 or doors of substantially similar construction may be utilized for the alternative right and left hand mounting.
  • an upper hand mounting may be utilized for certain applications.
  • an upper segment of the frame 26 may be adapted to accommodate mounting of the latch 20 on either the left or right hand side of the door.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Refrigerator Housings (AREA)
US11/675,331 2006-02-17 2007-02-15 Refrigerator having a door with integrated control panel Abandoned US20070194675A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/675,331 US20070194675A1 (en) 2006-02-17 2007-02-15 Refrigerator having a door with integrated control panel
EP07003368A EP1821052A3 (de) 2006-02-17 2007-02-17 Kühlschrank mit einer Tür mit integriertem Bedienfeld

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US77489206P 2006-02-17 2006-02-17
US11/675,331 US20070194675A1 (en) 2006-02-17 2007-02-15 Refrigerator having a door with integrated control panel

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20070194675A1 true US20070194675A1 (en) 2007-08-23

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US11/675,331 Abandoned US20070194675A1 (en) 2006-02-17 2007-02-15 Refrigerator having a door with integrated control panel

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US (1) US20070194675A1 (de)
EP (1) EP1821052A3 (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110209493A1 (en) * 2010-02-26 2011-09-01 Electrolux Home Products, Inc. Refrigeration appliance with hidden user interface
US10907884B1 (en) 2019-10-21 2021-02-02 Electrolux Home Products, Inc. Door end closure assembly with integrated user interface

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102008041975A1 (de) * 2008-09-10 2010-03-11 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Haushaltskältegerät mit zumindest einer Tür
WO2011023822A2 (en) * 2009-08-31 2011-03-03 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi A refrigerator
US8931762B2 (en) * 2010-12-23 2015-01-13 Lg Electronics Inc. Air conditioner
DE102011006266A1 (de) 2011-03-28 2012-10-04 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Kältegerät
EP2589881B1 (de) * 2011-11-02 2017-09-13 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Haushaltsgerät mit einer schwenkbar gelagerten Tür mit einem zusätzlichen Verbindungsarm
ITTO20130710A1 (it) * 2013-09-02 2015-03-03 Indesit Co Spa Apparecchio di refrigerazione con passaggio per elemento tubolare flessibile tra armadio e porta
US10544983B2 (en) 2017-01-03 2020-01-28 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Refrigerator
KR102385823B1 (ko) * 2017-01-03 2022-04-13 삼성전자주식회사 냉장고
KR20220099329A (ko) * 2021-01-06 2022-07-13 엘지전자 주식회사 냉장고

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5787724A (en) * 1997-06-04 1998-08-04 Maytag Corporation Dispensing assembly for top mount refrigerator
US6789392B1 (en) * 2003-03-12 2004-09-14 Maytag Corporation Power interrupt system for a refrigerated appliance

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4404813A (en) * 1981-04-20 1983-09-20 Whirlpool Corporation Door mounted electronic housing assembly for a refrigerator
TR200202566A2 (tr) * 2002-11-22 2004-06-21 Vestel Beyaz E�Ya Sanay� Ve T�Caret A.�. Açma yönü değiştirilebilen kapıya sahip elektronik kontrollü soğutucu.
US7322209B2 (en) * 2004-03-30 2008-01-29 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Refrigerator
KR20060000340A (ko) * 2004-06-28 2006-01-06 삼성전자주식회사 냉장고

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5787724A (en) * 1997-06-04 1998-08-04 Maytag Corporation Dispensing assembly for top mount refrigerator
US6789392B1 (en) * 2003-03-12 2004-09-14 Maytag Corporation Power interrupt system for a refrigerated appliance

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110209493A1 (en) * 2010-02-26 2011-09-01 Electrolux Home Products, Inc. Refrigeration appliance with hidden user interface
US8011203B1 (en) 2010-02-26 2011-09-06 Electrolux Home Products, Inc. Refrigeration appliance with hidden user interface
US10907884B1 (en) 2019-10-21 2021-02-02 Electrolux Home Products, Inc. Door end closure assembly with integrated user interface
US11280541B2 (en) 2019-10-21 2022-03-22 Electrolux Home Products, Inc. Door end closure assembly with integrated user interface

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1821052A2 (de) 2007-08-22
EP1821052A3 (de) 2009-09-09

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: THETFORD CORPORATION, MICHIGAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:VAN BEEK, JACCO, MR.;WESSELS, WILCO, MR.;DONDERS, PATRICK, MR.;REEL/FRAME:018924/0951

Effective date: 20070219

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION