Ice making assembly and refrigerator appliance

US11732945B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Qianmao Zhou · Shanghai, CN
• Yayu Song · Shanghai, CN
• Bo Yan · Suzhou, CN
• Jianwu Li · Solon, US
• Xiaoyang Jiang · Shanghai, CN
• Lixin Zhou · Hubei, CN
• Jun Teng · Tangxia, CN
• Zhongyang Sun · Longbeilingcun, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 5, 2020
• Grant date: Aug 22, 2023
• Expiry date: Mar 5, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F25D23/04
• WIPO field: Thermal processes and apparatus
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A refrigerator appliance or ice supply, as provided herein, may include an ice maker, an ice bucket, and a shutter. The ice maker may include a mold body defining a discrete first compartment and second compartment within which water freezes. The ice bucket may define a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber may be separated from the first chamber. The ice bucket may further define an outlet opening having a first portion in fluid communication with the first chamber and a second portion in fluid communication with the second chamber. The shutter may be disposed at the outlet opening and movable between a first position and a second position. The first position may include the shutter covering the second portion and spaced apart from the first portion. The second position may include the shutter covering the first portion and spaced apart from the second portion.