초록 ▼

A control system for a refrigerator ice/water dispenser includes an actuation switch, at least one drive unit for releasing either ice or water, a motor activation relay that controls operation of the drive unit, and a power system having multiple power supplies for operating the control system, mot

A control system for a refrigerator ice/water dispenser includes an actuation switch, at least one drive unit for releasing either ice or water, a motor activation relay that controls operation of the drive unit, and a power system having multiple power supplies for operating the control system, motor activation relay and drive unit(s). Preferably, the dispenser includes multiple actuation switches, e.g. a water activation switch and a water/ice activation switch, each having an associated activation relay for independently controlling the release of water and/or ice respectively. Current for initiating the drive unit activation relays must pass through a corresponding actuation switch in order to prevent unintended release of water and/or ice. Multiple processor circuits are preferably employed, with one processor circuit relaying to another processor circuit to enable drive unit activation. Preferably, the actuation switches constitute membrane switches so as to maintain minimum voltage levels at the dispenser.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet within which is defined a refrigeration compartment; a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet for selectively closing the refrigeration compartment; a dispensing unit for dispensing a water product, said dispensing unit including a dispensing switch

We claim: 1. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet within which is defined a refrigeration compartment; a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet for selectively closing the refrigeration compartment; a dispensing unit for dispensing a water product, said dispensing unit including a dispensing switch selectively operated by a consumer; a drive unit which, when activated, causes the water product to be delivered to the dispensing unit; a first control circuit for activating the drive unit, said first control circuit including a control switch electrically connected between a first voltage source, having a first voltage level, and the drive unit; a second control circuit linked to the first control circuit, said second control circuit including a switching device electrically coupled between a second voltage source, having a second voltage level which is different than the first voltage level, and the first control circuit; and at least one processor supplying power to the dispensing switch at a third voltage level which is different than the first voltage level, wherein operation of the dispensing switch by a consumer, activates the switching device and enables actuation of the control switch to couple the drive unit to the first voltage source causing the water product to be delivered to the dispensing unit. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the water product is selected from the group of ice and water, said dispensing unit having a plurality of selector members that enable selection of dispensing ice and water. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the first control circuit includes a plurality of control switches selectively activated to deliver water, crushed ice and cubed ice to the dispensing unit. 4. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the first control circuit further includes a drive switch coupled between the switching device and the control switch, said drive switch receiving a signal based on a selection made through one of the plurality of selector members to enable activation of the control switch. 5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, further comprising: another processor linked to the first control circuit and the plurality of selector switches. 6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the another processor signals the drive switch to enable activation of the control switch. 7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the switching device is powered by at the third voltage level through the dispensing switch. 8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the switching device includes first and second switching units, wherein activation of the first switching unit at the third voltage level activates the second switching unit at the second voltage level. 9. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the third voltage level is different from the second voltage level. 10. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the first voltage level is approximately 120 volts AC, the second voltage level is approximately 12 volts DC and the third voltage level is approximately 5 volts DC. 11. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet; a liner arranged within the cabinet, said liner defining at least one refrigerated compartment; a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet for selectively closing the at least one refrigerated compartment; a dispenser provided in the door for selectively releasing a water product; means for actuating the dispenser, said actuating means having first and second terminals; a drive unit for delivering the water product to the dispenser; a processor having an input terminal coupled to the second terminal of the actuating means; a switching unit having an input terminal coupled to the second terminal of the actuating means and first and second main current electrodes; a power system having a supply terminal and a ground, said supply terminal being connected to the first terminal of the actuating means and the first main current electrode; and means for activating the drive unit, said drive unit activating means being coupled between the second main electrode and ground wherein, activation of the actuating means initiates the drive unit activating means, powering the drive unit to release the water product from the dispenser. 12. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the power system includes first, second and third power supplies, said first power supply being a very low voltage power supply, said second power supply being a low voltage power supply and said third power supply providing line voltage. 13. The refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the low voltage power supply produces approximately 12 volts DC and the very low voltage power supply produces approximately 5 volts DC. 14. The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein the first and second terminals of the actuation means are coupled to the processor and said first terminal of the actuating means being coupled to the very low voltage power supply. 15. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein the actuating means is constituted by a membrane switch. 16. The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein the second power supply is coupled to the first main electrode. 17. The refrigerator according to claim 16, further comprising: another switching device having an input terminal coupled to the second terminal of the actuating means and first and second main current terminals, said first main current terminal being connected to the input terminal of the switching device and said second main current electrode being connected to ground. 18. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the drive unit is constituted by a water valve. 19. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the drive unit is constituted by an ice auger.