Control for a refrigerator door dispenser light
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
F25B-049/00
F21V-033/00
F25D-027/00
F27D-021/02
F27D-021/00
출원번호
UP-0327412
(2006-01-09)
등록번호
US-7568358
(2009-08-24)
발명자
/ 주소
Wetekamp, Robert L.
출원인 / 주소
Maytag Corporation
대리인 / 주소
Goddwin, Kirk W.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
6인용 특허 :
14
초록▼
A door mounted dispenser for a refrigerator includes rear and opposing side walls that collectively define a cavity, a release mechanism for dispensing ice and/or water and a light for illuminating the cavity. The cavity light can be operated in one of three distinct modes, i.e., in a first mode whe
A door mounted dispenser for a refrigerator includes rear and opposing side walls that collectively define a cavity, a release mechanism for dispensing ice and/or water and a light for illuminating the cavity. The cavity light can be operated in one of three distinct modes, i.e., in a first mode wherein the cavity light is continuously illuminated, in a second mode wherein the cavity light is illuminated only through activation of the release mechanism, and in a third mode wherein the cavity light is illuminated based upon a sensed level of ambient light present at or near the refrigerator. In the third mode, the cavity light is illuminated at a first level based upon ambient light and a second, higher level when the release mechanism is operated. The level of ambient light necessary to activate the cavity light can be set by a consumer through control panel inputs.
대표청구항▼
I claim: 1. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet; a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet for exposing an interior compartment of the refrigerator; a control panel having a plurality of control elements for inputting operating parameters for the refrigerator; a dispenser formed in the door, said di
I claim: 1. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet; a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet for exposing an interior compartment of the refrigerator; a control panel having a plurality of control elements for inputting operating parameters for the refrigerator; a dispenser formed in the door, said dispenser including a housing having bottom, rear and opposing side walls that collectively define a cavity, a mechanism for dispensing at least one of ice and water, and a light for selectively illuminating the cavity; a sensor for sensing a level of ambient light; and a means for controlling the light cavity in three distinct modes wherein, in a first mode the light cavity is continuously illuminated, in a second mode the light cavity is illuminated only through activation of the dispensing mechanism and, in a third mode the light cavity is illuminated based upon whether the level of ambient light is less than a predetermined level, wherein: a) said predetermined level is adjustable; b) when in the third mode, the controlling means activates the light cavity at a first level based upon the level of ambient light and at a second level upon activation of the dispensing mechanism; and c) the light cavity is illuminated at gradually decreasing levels following deactivation of the dispensing mechanism. 2. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet; a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet for exposing an interior compartment of the refrigerator; a control panel having a plurality of control elements for inputting operating parameters for the refrigerator; a dispenser formed in the door, said dispenser including a housing having bottom, rear and opposing side walls that collectively define a cavity, a mechanism for dispensing at least one of ice and water, and a light for selectively illuminating the cavity; a sensor for sensing a level of ambient light; and a means for controlling the light cavity in three distinct modes wherein, in a first mode the light cavity is continuously illuminated, in a second mode the light cavity is illuminated only through activation of the dispensing mechanism and, in a third mode the light cavity is illuminated based upon whether the level of ambient light is less than a predetermined level, wherein said predetermined level is adjustable. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined level is adjustable through the control panel. 4. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein when in the third mode, the controlling means activates the light cavity at a first level based upon the level of ambient light and at a second level upon activation of the dispensing mechanism. 5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the dispenser further includes at least one control element for selecting between the first, second and third modes. 6. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the dispenser further includes a plurality of indicator lights, said indicator lights being associated with each of the first, second and third modes. 7. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the light cavity is illuminated at gradually decreasing levels following de-activation of the dispensing mechanism. 8. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet; a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet for exposing an interior compartment of the refrigerator; a control panel having a plurality of control elements for inputting operating parameters for the refrigerator; a dispenser formed in the door, said dispenser including a housing having bottom, rear and opposing side walls that collectively define a cavity, a mechanism for dispensing at least one of ice and water, and a light for selectively illuminating the cavity; a sensor for sensing a level of ambient light; and a means for controlling the light cavity in three distinct modes wherein, in a first mode the light cavity is continuously illuminated, in a second mode the light cavity is illuminated only through activation of the dispensing mechanism and, in a third mode the light cavity is illuminated based upon whether the level of ambient light is less than a predetermined level wherein, when in the third mode, the controlling means activates the light cavity at a first level based upon the level of ambient light and at a second level upon activation of the dispensing mechanism. 9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined level is adjustable through the control panel. 10. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the dispenser further includes at least one control element for selecting between the first, second and third modes. 11. The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein the dispenser further includes a plurality of indicator lights, said indicator lights being associated with each of the first, second and third modes. 12. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the light cavity is illuminated at gradually decreasing levels following de-activation of the dispensing mechanism.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (14)
Winslow Charles H. (4770 N. 7th St. ; #1125 Phoenix AZ 85014), Automatic ice chest light.
Holmes, John S.; Bultman, Robert M.; Queen, II, Jerry J.; Daum, Wolfgang; Hornung, Richard; Herzog, Rollie R., Refrigerator system and software architecture.
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