阅读说明：本技术 冰箱 (Refrigerator with a door ) 是由 阿尔贝托·R·戈梅斯 朱莉娅·马里内洛 维卡斯·C·姆鲁斯云贾亚 于 2019-12-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种冰箱,包括冷藏室和设置在所述冷藏室内的蒸发器壳体内的冰箱蒸发器。门耦合到所述冷藏室并且包括制冰器。导管组件设置在所述冷藏室中,并且包括将所述蒸发器壳体与所述制冰器互连的制冰器进给导管。所述导管组件进一步包括将所述蒸发器壳体与所述制冰器互连的制冰器回流导管。(The invention provides a refrigerator which comprises a refrigerating chamber and a refrigerator evaporator arranged in an evaporator shell in the refrigerating chamber. A door is coupled to the fresh food compartment and includes an ice maker. A duct assembly is disposed in the fresh food compartment and includes an ice maker feed duct interconnecting the evaporator housing and the ice maker. The conduit assembly further includes an ice maker return conduit interconnecting the evaporator housing and the ice maker.)

1. A refrigerator, comprising:

a cabinet structure having a refrigerating chamber;

an evaporator located within an evaporator housing in the fresh food compartment;

a door pivotally coupled to the cabinet structure for selectively providing access to the fresh food compartment, wherein the door includes an ice maker operably coupled to the door for pivotal movement therewith; and

a duct assembly disposed within the fresh food compartment and having an ice maker feed duct operatively coupled at a first end to the evaporator housing and further coupled at a second end to the ice maker, wherein the duct assembly further includes an ice maker return duct operatively coupled at a first end to the evaporator housing and further coupled at a second end to the ice maker.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, comprising:

a liner disposed in the refrigerated compartment, the liner including a top wall, first and second side walls, a bottom wall and a rear wall; and

a wall covering assembly having a top wall disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from the top wall of the liner, wherein the wall covering assembly further comprises a back wall disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from the back wall of the liner; and

a cavity formed between the liner and the wall covering assembly, the cavity including a first portion disposed between the back wall of the liner and the back wall of the wall covering assembly and a second portion disposed between the top wall of the liner and the top wall of the wall covering assembly.

3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the ice maker feed conduit comprises a first portion disposed in the first portion of the cavity, and wherein the ice maker feed conduit comprises a second portion disposed in the second portion of the cavity.

4. The refrigerator of any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the ice maker return duct comprises a first portion disposed in the first portion of the cavity, and wherein the ice maker return duct comprises a second portion disposed in the second portion of the cavity.

5. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the duct assembly comprises one or more ducts interconnecting the evaporator housing and the fresh food compartment, wherein the one or more ducts are separate from the ice maker feed duct and the ice maker return duct.

6. The refrigerator of claim 5, comprising:

a first fan disposed within the evaporator housing, wherein the first fan is fluidly connected to the one or more ducts of the duct assembly, the first fan configured to move cooled air from the evaporator to the refrigerated compartment via the one or more ducts of the duct assembly.

7. The refrigerator of claim 6, comprising:

a second fan disposed within the ice maker feed duct, wherein the second fan is fluidly connected to the evaporator housing via the first end of the ice maker feed duct, the second fan configured to move cooled air from the evaporator to the ice maker via the ice maker feed duct of the duct assembly.

8. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the ice maker feed conduit and the ice maker return conduit are insulated conduits.

9. A refrigerator, comprising:

a liner defining a refrigerated compartment and having a top wall and a rear wall;

a refrigerator evaporator disposed within an evaporator housing within the refrigeration compartment;

a wall covering assembly having a top wall and a rear wall, wherein the wall covering assembly is spaced apart from the liner to form a cavity therebetween;

an ice maker; and

a conduit assembly disposed within the cavity and having an ice maker feed conduit interconnecting the evaporator housing and the ice maker, wherein the conduit assembly further comprises an ice maker return conduit interconnecting the evaporator housing and the ice maker.

10. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the duct assembly comprises one or more ducts interconnecting the evaporator housing and the fresh food compartment, wherein the one or more ducts are separate from the ice maker feed duct and the ice maker return duct.

11. The refrigerator of claim 10, comprising:

a first fan disposed within the evaporator housing, wherein the first fan is fluidly connected to the one or more ducts of the duct assembly and configured to move cooled air from the refrigerator evaporator to the fresh food compartment through the one or more ducts of the duct assembly.

12. The refrigerator of claim 11, comprising:

a second fan disposed within the ice maker feeding duct and configured to move cooled air from the refrigerator evaporator to the ice maker through the ice maker feeding duct of the duct assembly.

13. The refrigerator of claim 12, comprising:

a controller for controlling the refrigerator evaporator to provide a refrigerating compartment cooling cycle and an ice making cycle.

14. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the refrigerator evaporator provides cooled air at a first temperature level during the fresh food compartment cooling cycle, and wherein the refrigerator evaporator provides cooled air at a second temperature level lower than the first temperature level during the ice making cycle.

15. The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein the first fan is configured to operate during the fresh food compartment cooling cycle.

16. The refrigerator of any one of claims 14 and 15, wherein the second fan is configured to operate during the ice-making cycle.

17. A refrigerator, comprising:

a refrigerated compartment defined by a liner, wherein the liner includes a top wall, a back wall, first and second side walls, and a bottom wall;

a door operatively coupled to the fresh food compartment between an open position and a closed position, wherein the door includes an ice maker;

a wall cover assembly having a top wall disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from the top wall of the liner and a back wall disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from the back wall of the liner, wherein the liner and the wall cover assembly cooperate to define a cavity therebetween;

a refrigerator evaporator disposed within the cavity; and

a duct assembly disposed within the cavity and fluidly coupled to the refrigerator evaporator, the duct assembly including an ice maker feed duct operatively coupled to the ice maker when the door is in the closed position, wherein the duct assembly further includes an ice maker return duct operatively coupled to the ice maker when the door is in the closed position.

18. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the refrigerator includes a fresh food compartment cooling cycle and a separate ice making cycle.

19. The refrigerator of claim 18 wherein during the fresh food compartment cooling cycle, the refrigerator evaporator provides cooled air at a first temperature level to the fresh food compartment through the duct assembly.

20. The refrigerator of claim 19, wherein the refrigerator evaporator provides cooled air at a second temperature level, lower than the first temperature level, to the ice maker through the ice maker feed conduit during the ice making cycle.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a refrigeration apparatus, and more particularly, to a refrigeration apparatus in the form of a refrigerator having a duct that guides cooled air from a fresh food compartment to an ice maker provided on a refrigerator door.

Background

The vacuum insulated refrigerator must include a passage for circulating cooled air to the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber. In addition, other refrigerator functions, such as an ice maker, require a supply of cooled air to operate properly. In a standard refrigerator, air ducts within the refrigerator panel are used to provide the necessary paths for circulating cooled air to the proper destination. In vacuum insulated refrigerators, it is undesirable to have a duct system with channels arranged through the vacuum insulation panels due to potential vacuum pressure losses. Insulated ducts may be used to supply cooled air from the freezer compartment to the fresh food compartment and the ice maker, but extracting cooled air from the freezer compartment results in greater heat loss and pressure drop, and further increases the cost of the ducts and insulation. The present invention seeks to provide efficient cooling of the fresh food compartment, freezer compartment and icemaker components by providing a duct system connected to the evaporator in the fresh food compartment, wherein the duct system includes an icemaker feed duct and an icemaker return duct. When it is desired to provide cooled air to the ice maker, the controller of the evaporator of the present invention will produce cooler air and the return air from the ice maker can be used to cool the fresh food compartment to provide greater refrigeration efficiency.

Disclosure of Invention

In at least one aspect, a refrigerator includes a cabinet structure having a refrigeration compartment. The evaporator is located within an evaporator housing in the fresh food compartment. A door is pivotally coupled to the cabinet structure for selectively providing access to the fresh food compartment, wherein the door includes an ice maker operatively coupled to the door for pivotal movement therewith. A duct assembly is disposed in the fresh food compartment and includes an ice maker feed duct operatively coupled at a first end to the evaporator housing and further coupled at a second end to the ice maker. The conduit assembly further includes an ice maker return conduit operatively coupled to the evaporator housing at a first end and further coupled to the ice maker at a second end.

In at least another aspect, a refrigerator includes a liner defining a fresh food compartment and having a top wall and a rear wall. The refrigerator evaporator is disposed within an evaporator housing within the refrigeration compartment. The wall covering assembly includes a top wall and a back wall, and is spaced apart from the liner to form a cavity therebetween. The ice maker is disposed in the refrigerating chamber. A conduit assembly is disposed within the cavity and includes an ice maker feed conduit interconnecting the evaporator housing and the ice maker. The conduit assembly further includes an ice maker return conduit interconnecting the evaporator housing and the ice maker.

In at least another aspect, a refrigerator includes a fresh food compartment having a liner, wherein the liner includes a top wall, a back wall, first and second side walls, and a bottom wall. The door is operatively coupled to the fresh food compartment between an open position and a closed position and includes an ice maker. The wall covering assembly includes a top wall disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from the top wall of the liner and a back wall disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from the back wall of the liner. The liner and the wall covering assembly cooperate to define a cavity therebetween. The refrigerator evaporator is disposed in the cavity. A conduit assembly is disposed within the cavity and is fluidly coupled to the refrigerator evaporator. The duct assembly includes an ice maker feed duct operatively coupled to the ice maker when the door is in the closed position. The conduit assembly further includes an ice maker return conduit operatively coupled to the ice maker when the door is in the closed position.

These and other features, advantages and objects of the present device will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by studying the following specification, claims and appended drawings.

Drawings

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a bottom front perspective view of a refrigerator;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 with doors and drawers removed to show the fresh food and freezer compartments;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the conduit assembly when coupled to the ice maker;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the wall covering assembly;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the catheter assembly of FIG. 3 disposed on the wall covering assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 taken along line VIA;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 taken along line VIB;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of a catheter assembly disposed on the wall covering assembly of FIG. 4 according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of a catheter assembly disposed on the wall covering assembly of FIG. 4 according to another embodiment.

Detailed Description

For purposes of the description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the device as oriented in fig. 1. It is to be understood, however, that the apparatus may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring to the embodiment shown in fig. 1, reference numeral 10 generally designates a refrigerator having a cabinet structure 13 with a front surface 14 generally disposed about a front opening 16 (fig. 2) of a refrigerated compartment 12 (fig. 2). As described further below, the cabinet structure 13 may comprise a vacuum insulated cabinet structure. The refrigerating compartment 12 is envisaged as an insulated part of the cabinet structure 13 for storing fresh food. A first door 18 and a second door 20 are rotatably coupled to the cabinet structure 13 near the front surface 14 thereof for selectively providing access to the refrigerated compartment 12. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the freezer drawer 22 is configured to selectively provide access to a freezer compartment 24 (fig. 2) disposed below the fresh food compartment 12. The refrigerator 10 shown in fig. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of a refrigerator for use with the present concept and is not meant to limit the scope of the present concept in any way.

As further shown in fig. 1, the first door 18 includes a dispensing station 2, which may include one or more paddles 4, 6 configured to initiate dispensing of water and/or ice from outlets (such as outlets 8, 9). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the dispensing station 2 is shown as being accessible from outside the refrigerator 10 outside the first door 18, but may also be disposed along any portion of the refrigerator 10, including the interior of the fresh food compartment 12, for dispensing ice and/or water. The dispensing station 2 is envisaged to be coupled to an ice maker 30, which is shown in dotted lines in fig. 1 as being disposed within the first door 18. When disposed within first door 18, ice maker 30 is operatively coupled to first door 18 and pivotally moves with first door 18 between open and closed positions.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a refrigerator 10 is shown with first and second doors 18 and 20 and a freezer drawer 22 removed to reveal a fresh food compartment 12 and a freezer compartment 24 separated by a mullion 26. In the embodiment of fig. 2, a plurality of shelves 28 are shown disposed in the refrigerated compartment 12 and are contemplated as being vertically adjustable therein. The refrigerated compartment 12 also includes a plurality of drawers 29 for storing various items, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, in a particular temperature controlled environment. The refrigerator 10 includes an outer package 32 including first and second side walls 34, 36, a top wall 38 and a rear wall 40 (fig. 6A). The outer package 32 is contemplated to be a metal component formed from a sheet metal material. As further shown in fig. 2, the refrigerator 10 further includes a refrigerator liner 42 including first and second side walls 44, 46, a top wall 48, a rear wall 50 (fig. 6A), and a bottom wall 52. The freezer compartment 24 also includes a freezer liner 54 having first and second side walls 56, 58 and a top wall 60. The refrigerator liner 42 and the freezer liner 54 are also contemplated as metal components made from sheet metal material that is bent and welded to the specifications of the refrigerator 10. As enclosed by the overpack 32, the refrigerator liner 42 and the freezer liner 54 are spaced apart from the overpack 32 to define an insulating space 220 (fig. 6A) therebetween, which may comprise a vacuum insulating space. Thus, the overpack 32 and refrigerator liner 42 and freezer liner 54 may be interconnected with knock-out strips to define the cabinet structure 13 of the refrigerator 10.

As further shown in fig. 2, the wall covering assembly 62 includes a rear wall 64 and a top wall 66 disposed on and adjacent to the rear wall 50 (fig. 6A) and the top wall 48 of the refrigerator liner 42. In this way, the wall covering assembly 62 defines the last and uppermost parameters of the fresh food compartment 12 at the rear wall 64 and the top wall 66 thereof, which is visible to the user and can be used for storing fresh food items. As described further below, the wall covering assembly 62 is configured to conceal a rearmost portion of the fresh food compartment 12, in which are housed the cooling components of the refrigerator 10 and the air distribution system for cooling the fresh food compartment 12 and for specifically directing the cooled air to the ice maker 30. As shown in fig. 2, the rear wall 64 of the wall covering assembly 62 is a vented wall having a plurality of ports 172 disposed therethrough. As described further below, in use, the rear wall 64 of the wall covering assembly 62 is configured to provide cooled air to the refrigerated compartment 12.

Referring now to fig. 3, a catheter assembly 70 is shown. As shown in fig. 2, the duct assembly 70 is configured to be concealed behind the wall covering assembly 62. The catheter assembly 70 includes a lower portion 72 having a lower opening 74 disposed therethrough and shown in phantom in fig. 3. In assembly, the lower opening 74 is configured to align with a housing for a radial fan to provide air to the duct assembly 70 when powered by the radial fan (fig. 5). Extending upwardly from the lower portion 72 are a first vertical conduit 76 and a second vertical conduit 78 that define a vertical portion of the duct assembly 70. The first and second vertical conduits 76, 78 each include a first side wall 80 and a second side wall 82, the first and second side walls 80, 82 being spaced apart and interconnected by a front wall 84. Thus, the first and second side walls 80, 82 and the front wall 84 of the first and second vertical conduits 76, 78 define a vertical channel that, when assembled, opens outwardly toward the rear wall 50 of the refrigerator liner 42.

As further shown in FIG. 3, at the uppermost portions of the first and second vertical conduits 76, 78, first and second upper conduits 90, 92 extend outwardly in a substantially horizontal manner to define lateral portions of the conduit assembly 70. The upper conduits 90, 92 each include a first side wall 94 and a second side wall 96, the first side wall 94 and the second side wall 96 being interconnected by a bottom wall 98 to form an upwardly open horizontal channel. Thus, the air flow is configured to flow upwardly in the vertical channels of the first and second vertical conduits 76, 78, respectively, in the directions shown by arrows 104, 106, and then directed outwardly in the directions shown by arrows 108, 110 along the horizontal channels of the first and second upper conduits 90, 92, respectively. As the air flows along the path of the first and second upper ducts 90, 92 toward the end walls 112 thereof, the air is directed out through the vents 114, 116. The horizontal channels of the first and second upper ducts 90, 92 are configured to direct airflow to vents 114, 116 for cooling the front of the refrigerated compartment 12 and/or for cooling shelves and storage bins located inside the first and second doors 18, 20.

With further reference to FIG. 3, the first and second vertical conduits 76, 78 of the conduit assembly 70 are shown with the outwardly extending upper conduits 90, 92 extending in a substantially perpendicular manner relative to the first and second vertical conduits 76, 78. The configuration of the conduit assembly 70 is configured to compliment the configuration of the wall covering assembly 62, as best shown in fig. 5, 7 and 8. The configuration of the duct assembly 70 is also configured to complement the configuration of the refrigerator liner 42, as best shown in fig. 6A, 6B. As further shown in fig. 3, the first and second vertical conduits 76, 78 include a plurality of access holes 85 disposed through the front wall 84 thereof. The inlet holes 85 are configured to allow air to pass through the vertical conduits 76, 78 as it is directed in a path of travel as shown by arrows 104 and 106. In this manner, upwardly directed air may escape through the access holes 85 to provide cooled air to the refrigerated compartment 12 through the vented rear wall 64 of the wall covering assembly 62. Accordingly, as described further below, the vertical conduits 76, 78 and the upper conduits 90, 92 interconnect the refrigerated compartment 12 with the refrigerator evaporator 160 to define one or more conduits of the duct assembly 70 configured to supply cooled air to the refrigerated compartment 12.

With further reference to fig. 3, the duct assembly 70 also includes an ice maker feed duct 120 and an ice maker return duct 122. The ice maker feed conduit 120 includes a first portion 120A having a first side wall 124 and a second side wall 126, the first side wall 124 and the second side wall 126 being spaced apart and interconnected by a front wall 128. Thus, the first and second side walls 124, 126 and the front wall 128 of the first portion 120A of the ice maker feed conduit 120 define a vertical channel that, when assembled, opens outwardly toward the rear wall 50 of the refrigerator liner 42, as best shown in fig. 5. The ice maker feed conduit 120 further includes a second portion 120B extending outwardly from the first portion 120A in a substantially horizontal manner to partially define a lateral portion of the conduit assembly 70. The second portion 120B of the ice maker feed duct 120 includes a first side wall 130 and a second side wall 132, the first side wall 130 and the second side wall 132 being interconnected by a bottom wall 134 and a top wall 136 to define a horizontal channel. Thus, the air flow is configured to flow upwardly in the first portion 120A of the ice maker feed duct 120 in the direction indicated by arrow 140, and then the air is directed outwardly along the horizontal path of the second portion 120B of the ice maker feed duct 120 in the direction indicated by arrow 142. The air flowing from the first portion 120A to the second portion 120B of the ice maker feed duct 120 is finally guided to the ice maker 30 conceived to be disposed in the first door 18 (fig. 1). In fig. 3, the first door 18 has been removed to show where the ice maker 30 is disposed with respect to the ice maker feed duct 120 when the door in which the ice maker 30 is disposed is in the closed position. Thus, the present concept provides a supply duct for the ice maker 30 via the ice maker feed duct 120, wherein the cooled air of the ice maker 30 comes from the refrigerating compartment 12 (i.e., the refrigerator evaporator 160) instead of the freezing compartment such as the freezing compartment 24.

With further reference to fig. 3, the duct assembly 70 also includes an ice maker return duct 122. The ice maker return conduit 122 includes a first portion 122A having a first sidewall 144 and a second sidewall 146, the first sidewall 144 and the second sidewall 146 being spaced apart and interconnected by a front wall 148 and a rear wall 150 (fig. 5). Accordingly, the first and second sidewalls 144 and 146, the front wall 148 and the rear wall 150 of the first portion 122A of the ice maker return duct 122 define a vertical passage. The ice maker return conduit 122 further includes a second portion 122B extending outwardly from the first portion 122A in a substantially horizontal manner to partially define a lateral portion of the conduit assembly 70. In use, air is configured to flow rearwardly in the second portion 122B of the ice maker return conduit 122 in the direction indicated by arrow 152, and then the air is directed downwardly along the vertical path of the first portion 122A of the ice maker return conduit 122 in the direction indicated by arrow 154. The air flowing from the second portion 122B to the first portion 122A of the ice maker return duct 122 is finally guided to the lower portion 232 of the evaporator case 230 (fig. 7). In fig. 3, air exits the ice maker return duct 122 at the outlet 156 in the direction shown in arrow 158 to enter the lower portion 232 of the evaporator housing 230. In fig. 3, the refrigerator evaporator 160 is shown above the location where the ice maker return duct 122 directs the air flow. The refrigerator evaporator 160 provides cooled air that is drawn into the duct assembly 70 in the direction shown in arrow 162 in a manner described further below. As used herein, the term "refrigerator evaporator" refers to an evaporator located within the fresh food compartment 12. Both the ice maker feed duct 120 and the ice maker return duct 122 are contemplated as insulated ducts because they are configured to carry cooler air when compared to the fresh food compartment ducts 76, 78 and 90, 92. The ice maker feed conduit 120 and the ice maker return conduit 122 are contemplated to be insulated by an air-tight barrier having an insulating material such that the subcooled air entrained in the ice maker feed conduit 120 and the ice maker return conduit 122 does not diffuse to other components of the refrigerator 10 along the travel path between the evaporator housing 230 and the ice maker 30. The refrigerator evaporator 160 is contemplated to have multiple temperature settings for various cooling cycles such that a first temperature level is provided to the fresh food compartment ducts 76, 78 and 90, 92 during the fresh food compartment cooling cycle and a second temperature level, lower than the first temperature level, is provided to the ice maker supply duct 120 during the ice making cycle. Further, it is contemplated that the cooled air returning from the ice maker 30 via the ice maker return conduit 122 will have a controlled flow rate so as not to mix directly with the cooled air intended for the fresh food compartment 12. However, it is further contemplated that the cooled air returned from the ice maker 30 via the ice maker return duct 122 may be used to cool the fresh food compartment 12 in a mixed fresh food compartment cooling cycle to conserve energy.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the wall covering assembly 62 is shown having a rear wall 64 and a top wall 66, wherein the rear wall 64 is substantially vertical and the top wall 66 extends outwardly therefrom in a substantially vertical or horizontal manner. As shown in fig. 4, the rear wall 64 includes a vent portion 170 that is a substantially flat portion having a plurality of ports 172 disposed therethrough. Specifically, the ports 172 define vent holes interspersed on the vent portion 170 such that the entire vent portion 170 includes the ports 172 disposed therethrough. The venting portion 170 includes an outer surface 176 and an inner surface 178. The inner surface 178 of the vent portion 170 is contemplated to contact the front walls 84 of the vertical conduits 76, 78 of the conduit assembly 70 shown in fig. 3. Further, it is contemplated that the plurality of ports 172A (fig. 5) will be aligned with the access apertures 85 of the vertical ducts 76, 78 such that the air flow will not only be directed in the vertical ducts 76, 78 in an upward direction as shown by arrows 104, 106 in fig. 3, but will also be directed outwardly from the access apertures 85 of the vertical ducts 76, 78 toward the refrigerated compartment 12 in a direction as shown by arrow 180 in fig. 4.

As further shown in fig. 4, the top wall 66 of the wall covering assembly 62 includes an inner surface 184 and an outer surface 186. As shown in fig. 4, a front lip portion 188 is provided at the front edge of the top wall 66. The front lip portion 188 of the top wall 66 is a sloped portion that further includes vent slots 190, 192, the vent slots 190, 192 configured to align with the vent openings 114, 116 of the upper conduits 90, 92 shown in fig. 3. In this manner, air directed through the fresh food compartment ducts 76, 78 and 90, 92 of the duct assembly 70 is directed through the vents 114, 116 for distribution into the fresh food compartment 12 through the vent slots 190, 192 of the wall covering assembly 62. Thus, the ports 172 open outwardly into the refrigerated compartment 12 for cooling the refrigerated compartment 12 with a vertically directed air flow emanating from the vent portion 170 of the wall covering assembly 62, as indicated by arrows 180. Further, the air directed through the ventilation slots 190, 192 may be used as an air curtain, or to cool shelves and boxes provided on the inner surfaces of the first and second doors 18, 20 (fig. 1). As shown in fig. 3, front lip portion 188 of top wall 66 further includes vent slots 194, 196, vent slots 194, 196 configured to align with second portions 120B, 122B of ice maker feed conduit 120 and ice maker return conduit 122, respectively. In this way, the air guided through the ice maker feeding duct 120 is guided through the ventilation groove 194 of the wall cover assembly 62 and enters the ice maker 30. Air flows from the ice maker 30 back to the ice maker return duct 122 through the vent groove 196 of the wall cover assembly 62.

As further shown in FIG. 4, the wall covering assembly 62 also includes an angled portion 200 that generally defines a receiving area 202 for receiving and concealing components for cooling air to cool the refrigerated compartment 12. Such components may include fans, evaporators, condensers for directing cooled air, and other components of the refrigerator 10 (i.e., electrical components). As best shown in fig. 5-8, the wall covering assembly 62 provides a false wall for the fresh food compartment 12 that is spaced from the refrigerator liner 42 so that the duct assembly 70 and other components of the refrigerator 10 can be concealed behind the false wall of the wall covering assembly 62.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the refrigerator 10 is illustrated with the overpack 32 and liner 42 removed to show the conduit assembly 70 disposed along the wall covering assembly 62. Specifically, vertical conduits 76, 78 are disposed along the rear wall 64 of the wall covering assembly 62. Similarly, first portions 120A, 122A of the ice maker feed duct 120 and the ice maker return duct 122, respectively, are disposed along the rear wall 64 of the wall covering assembly 62. As further shown in fig. 5, upper conduits 90, 92 are disposed along the top wall 66 of the wall covering assembly 62. Similarly, second portions 120B, 122B of the ice maker feed duct 120 and the ice maker return duct 122, respectively, are disposed along the top wall 66 of the wall covering assembly 62. In this way, the configuration of the catheter assembly 70 follows the configuration of the wall covering assembly 62.

As further shown in fig. 5, a first fan 206 is shown positioned within the fan housing 204 for providing cooled air to the duct assembly 70. In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the first fan 206 is a radial fan disposed above the refrigerator evaporator 160 within the evaporator housing 230. The refrigerator evaporator 160 is configured to provide cooled air to the evaporator housing 230 behind the wall covering assembly 62 for propagation into the fresh food compartment 12 via the ports 172A provided on the ventilation portion 170 of the wall covering assembly 62. Thus, as shown in fig. 5, the first fan 206 is fluidly coupled to the duct assembly 70. Further, the second fan 210 is disposed within the ice maker feed duct 120, and thus is fluidly coupled to the evaporator housing 230. The second fan 210 is configured to draw cooled air provided by the refrigerator evaporator 160 into the ice maker feed duct 120 of the duct assembly 70 for moving the supercooled air in an upward direction indicated by an arrow 140. In this way, not only is the cooled air supplied to the refrigerating chamber 12 by the ventilation part 170 of the wall covering assembly 62 through the refrigerator evaporator 160 using the first fan 206, but also the cooled air from the refrigerator evaporator 160 is supplied to the ice maker 30 (fig. 3) via the ice maker feed duct 120 using the second fan 210. Thus, both the first fan 206 and the second fan 210 are in thermal communication with the refrigerator evaporator 160 and are fluidly connected to the duct assembly 70 within the housing area 202. As shown in fig. 5, the evaporator 160, the first fan 206, and the second fan 210 are substantially concealed within the refrigerated compartment 12 by the wall covering assembly 62 when assembled. In fig. 5, it is contemplated that first door 18 (fig. 1) is in a closed position such that ice maker feed conduit 120 and ice maker return conduit 122 may be coupled to ice maker 30.

In use, it is contemplated that the refrigerator evaporator 160 will provide cooled air at a first temperature level to the fresh food compartment cooling cycle, wherein the first fan 206 draws the cooled air from the refrigerator evaporator 160 to the fresh food compartment 12 via the duct assembly 70. It is further contemplated that during the ice making cycle, the refrigerator evaporator 160 will provide cooled air at a second temperature level that is cooler than the first temperature level, wherein the cooled air at the second temperature level is provided to the ice maker 30 via the ice maker feed duct 120 using the second fan 210. Accordingly, a controller of the refrigerator 10 is contemplated for use with the present concept of controlling the refrigerator evaporator 160 and the first and second fans 206, 210. Specifically, the controller may be located anywhere on the refrigerator 10, such as the machine room, and may instruct the refrigerator evaporator 160 at which temperature level to provide cooled air, and which fan to use to draw or push air through the duct assembly 70. By controlling the first fan 206 and the second fan 210 to be used separately during different cooling cycles, the controller of the refrigerator 10 of the present concept provides a refrigerator evaporator 160 that can provide cooled air to both the fresh food compartment 12 and the ice maker 30 at separate and different cycle times so that the supercooled air intended for the ice maker 30 is not introduced into the fresh food compartment 12, and vice versa.

Referring now to FIG. 6A, the refrigerator 10 is shown with the overpack 32 disposed around the refrigerator liner 42 to create a vacuum insulation space 220 therebetween. As particularly shown in fig. 6A, the refrigerator liner 42 includes a rear wall 50 adjacent a rear wall 64 of the wall covering assembly 62 and spaced apart from the rear wall 64 of the wall covering assembly 62. Thus, as shown in fig. 6A, a cavity 222 is formed between the spaced apart portions of the refrigerator liner 42 and the wall cover assembly 62. The cavity 222 includes a first portion 224 that extends between the rear wall 64 of the wall cover assembly 62 and the rear wall 50 of the refrigerator liner 42. As shown in fig. 6A, the first portion 224 of the cavity 222 receives the vertical section of the conduit assembly 70, which includes the vertical conduits 76, 78 and the first portion 120A of the ice maker feed conduit 120 and the first portion 122A of the ice maker return conduit 122.

Referring now to fig. 6B, the top wall 48 of the refrigerator liner 42 is disposed adjacent to the top wall 66 of the wall cover assembly 62 and spaced apart from the top wall 66 of the wall cover assembly 62. Accordingly, the cavity 222 further includes a second portion 226 that extends outwardly in a substantially horizontal manner relative to the first portion 224 (fig. 6A) of the cavity 222. The second portion 226 of the cavity 222 is configured to receive the upper conduits 90, 92 of the conduit assembly 70 as well as the second portion 120B of the ice maker feed conduit 120 and the second portion 122B of the ice maker return conduit 122. As shown in fig. 6A and 6B, the wall covering assembly 62 is disposed within the fresh food compartment 12 defined by the refrigerator liner 42. In this manner, the duct assembly 70 and the refrigerator evaporator 160, as well as any other components housed in the cavity 222, are also housed in the refrigerated compartment 12.

Referring now to fig. 7, the duct assembly 70 is shown disposed on the wall covering assembly 62 with another embodiment of the ice maker feed duct 120 having a second fan 210A, wherein the second fan 210A is disposed within the ice maker feed duct 120 between the first and second portions 120A and 120B of the ice maker feed duct 120. Thus, when the second fan 210 is disposed at the upper portion of the duct assembly 70, the refrigerator evaporator 160 will provide cooled air (presumably below freezing) during the ice making cycle, which will be drawn upward toward the second fan 210A along the first portion 120A of the icemaker feed duct 120 on the path indicated by arrow 140 when the second fan 210A is activated. Further, considering the position of the second fan 210A in the embodiment shown in fig. 7, the second fan will push air along the second portion 120B of the ice maker feed duct 120 along the path shown by arrow 142 to provide cooled air to the ice maker 30 during the ice making cycle. As shown in fig. 7, the ice maker feed conduit 120 is operatively coupled to the evaporator housing 230 at a first end 120C thereof. The ice maker feed duct 120 is further coupled to the ice maker 30 at a second end 120D thereof. In this way, the ice maker feed conduit 120 fluidly interconnects the refrigerator evaporator 160 and the evaporator housing 230 with the ice maker 30 by providing a direct air path therebetween. As further shown in the embodiment of fig. 7, ice maker return conduit 122 is shown operatively coupled to evaporator housing 230 at a first end 122C of ice maker return conduit 122 for distributing cooled air returning from ice maker 30 to a lower portion 232 of evaporator housing 230. The ice maker return conduit 122 is further coupled to the ice maker 30 at a second end 122D thereof. In this manner, ice maker return conduit 122 fluidly interconnects refrigerator evaporator 160 and evaporator housing 230 with ice maker 30 by providing a direct air path therebetween.

The evaporator housing 230 is configured to house the refrigerator evaporator 160 and is operatively coupled to and in fluid communication with the fan housing 204 in which the first fan 206 is disposed. Specifically, the fan housing 204 is considered an upper portion of the evaporator housing 230. In fig. 7, the vertical ducts 76, 78 and the upper ducts 90, 92 are shown interconnecting the refrigerated compartment 12 with the evaporator housing 230 to define one or more ducts of the duct assembly 70 configured to supply cooled air to the refrigerated compartment 12. As further shown in fig. 7, the vertical ducts 76, 78 and the upper ducts 90, 92 are separate and distinct from the ice maker feed duct 120 and the ice maker return duct 122 such that the refrigerator 10 can cool the fresh food compartment 12 and the ice maker 30 at separate times using separate cooling cycles, as further described below.

Referring now to fig. 8, another embodiment of the present concept is shown wherein a fan housing 204 is disposed below the refrigerator evaporator 160 and includes another embodiment of a first fan 206A. In this embodiment, it is contemplated that the first fan 206A will be used to push air through the refrigerator evaporator 160 into the first and second vertical ducts 76, 78 for cooling the fresh food compartment 12.

It is contemplated to provide a controller for the refrigerator 10 that controls the first fans 206 and 206A and the second fans 210 and 210A so that they can be operated at different times during different cooling cycles (i.e., a fresh food compartment cooling cycle and an ice making cycle). Thus, in the embodiment shown in fig. 5, 7 and 8, it is contemplated that the first fan 206 or 206A will be operated during a fresh food compartment cooling cycle, wherein the temperature is provided at a first temperature level via the refrigerator evaporator 160. It is contemplated that the second fan 210 or 210A will not be operated during the fresh food compartment cooling cycle and will therefore not draw air intended for the fresh food compartment 12 into the ice maker 30. Further, in the embodiments shown in fig. 5, 7 and 8, it is contemplated that the second fan 210 or 210A will be operated during an ice-making cycle, wherein the temperature is provided via the refrigerator evaporator 160 at a second temperature level, wherein the second temperature level is less than the first temperature level. The second temperature level is contemplated to be a sub-freezing temperature level to provide a suitable temperature for ice making in ice maker 30. It is contemplated that the first fan 206 or 206A will not be operated during this ice-making cycle, and thus will not draw air intended for the ice maker 30 into the fresh food compartment 12 during the ice-making cycle.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the configuration of the device and other components is not limited to any particular material. Other exemplary embodiments of the devices disclosed herein may be formed from a variety of materials, unless otherwise described.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "couple" (including all variations that couple, are coupled, etc.) generally refers to the direct or indirect connection of two components (electrical or mechanical). Such connections may be fixed or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved by way of integral formation of the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members as a single unitary body, or by way of the two components alone. Unless otherwise specified, such connections may be permanent in nature, or may be removable or releasable in nature.

It should also be noted that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the devices shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or other elements of the connectors or systems may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or components of the system may be constructed of any of a variety of materials, in a variety of colors, textures, and combinations that provide sufficient strength or durability. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this innovation. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

It should be understood that any of the described processes or steps may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present apparatus. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not to be construed as limiting.

It should also be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the above-described structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present apparatus, and further it should be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodiments only. Modifications to the apparatus will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the apparatus. It is, therefore, to be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the apparatus, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.