Refrigerator appliances with movable individually temperature control bins
US9879889B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 23, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jan 30, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 12, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25D2700/121
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Refrigerator appliance with movable individually temperature controlled bins are provided. One example refrigerator appliance includes one or more transmitter coils and one or more bins. Each of the one or more bins includes a temperature sensor positioned to read a temperature in a bin storage volume. Each of the one or more bins includes a receiver coil. The receiver coil receives power from one of the one or more transmitter coils through inductive power transfer. Each of the one or more bins includes a thermoelectric heat pump. The thermoelectric heat pump receives power from the receiver coil. The operation of the thermoelectric heat pump is controlled based on the temperature in the bin storage volume read by the temperature sensor, such that the temperature in the bin storage volume is maintained at a setpoint temperature associated with such bin.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.