Refrigeration appliance with cold air supply for ice maker and ice level sensor
US10731908B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 26, 2017 |
| Grant date | Aug 4, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 22, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25D17/067
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A refrigeration appliance includes an ice maker disposed in a fresh food compartment. An air handler assembly conveys cooling air through the ice maker. An insulated air duct is disposed between an evaporator and a fan for preventing the migration of ice from the evaporator to the fan. The insulated duct has an opening extending from an end adjacent the evaporator to an end adjacent the fan. A lower inner wall of the air duct has a first ramped portion on the end adjacent the evaporator. In another example, the icemaker includes a sensor assembly positioned to detect a level of ice in the ice bin. The sensor assembly includes an emitter for sending photons along a predetermined path, and a receiver for detecting the photons when the photons are reflected off an object disposed in the predetermined path.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.