US20070194675A1 - Refrigerator having a door with integrated control panel - Google Patents
Refrigerator having a door with integrated control panel Download PDFInfo
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- US20070194675A1 US20070194675A1 US11/675,331 US67533107A US2007194675A1 US 20070194675 A1 US20070194675 A1 US 20070194675A1 US 67533107 A US67533107 A US 67533107A US 2007194675 A1 US2007194675 A1 US 2007194675A1
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- Prior art keywords
- door
- refrigerator
- cabinet
- wires
- control panel
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D29/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F25D29/005—Mounting of control devices
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D23/00—General constructional features
- F25D23/02—Doors; Covers
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2323/00—General constructional features not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2323/02—Details of doors or covers not otherwise covered
- F25D2323/022—Doors that can be pivoted either left-handed or right-handed
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
- F25D2400/40—Refrigerating devices characterised by electrical wiring
Definitions
- the subject disclosure relates to refrigerators. More particularly, the subject disclosure relates to a refrigerator having a door with an integrated control panel.
- Modern refrigerators including but not limited to absorption refrigerators may include electronic controls.
- the electronic controls may be mounted to the cabinet of the refrigerator. With many such conventional arrangements, it is necessary to open the refrigerator door to access the electronic controls. In other conventional arrangements, the electronic controls extend upwardly from a top of the cabinet and necessarily increase the height of the refrigerator. Positioning of the electronic controls of a refrigerator on a door of the refrigerator would overcome these disadvantages associated with conventional arrangements.
- Such flexibility in mounting of the door provides flexibility to incorporate the refrigerator into various kitchen layouts.
- door carried electronic controls are connected to the refrigerator control panel and a source of power through a cord, incorporation of such a feature into a refrigerator design including a door that can be alternatively mounted becomes problematic.
- a refrigerator having a door carrying electronic controls that may be alternatively mounted to a cabinet of the refrigerator for rotation about a left hand pivot axis or a right hand pivot axis.
- the present teachings provide a refrigerator including a cabinet, a door mounted to the cabinet for pivotal movement about a pivot axis, and a control panel carried by the door.
- a plurality of wires is in electrical communication with the control panel. The plurality of wires passing through the door and exits a lower portion of the door.
- a hinge bracket is carried by the cabinet and supports the door at a hinge pin. The plurality of wires passes immediately below the hinge bracket.
- the present teachings provide a method of selectively mounting a door of a refrigerator to a cabinet for rotation about one of a right hand pivot axis and a left hand pivot axis.
- the door includes a control panel and a plurality of wires in electrical communication with the control panel.
- the method includes mounting a first bracket to a lower portion of the cabinet proximate a right side of the cabinet.
- the method additionally includes mounting a second bracket to the lower portion of the cabinet proximate a left side of the cabinet.
- the method further includes pivotally supporting the door on one of the first and second brackets for rotation about a pivot axis, and routing the plurality of wires immediately below the one of the first and second brackets such that the pivot axis intersects the plurality of wires.
- FIG. 1 shows a portion of a refrigerator having a door with an integrated control panel according to the present teachings, the door mounted for pivoting about a right hand pivot axis.
- FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings.
- FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings.
- FIG. 4 shows another bottom perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings further illustrating a hinge side of the door.
- FIG. 5 shows another bottom perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings, a trim portion of the door removed for purposes of illustration.
- FIG. 6 shows another bottom perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings with a trim portion of the door removed and further illustrating the cord retaining feature of the door.
- FIG. 7 shows another bottom perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings.
- FIG. 8 shows another bottom perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings, a cord retaining member shown displaced from a cooperating bracket for purposes of illustration.
- FIG. 9 shows another bottom perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings, further illustrating a door support member located at the side of the door opposite the hinge.
- FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings, the refrigerator shown partially exploded and with the door removed, the refrigerator further shown to be adapted to mount the door for pivoting about a left hand pivot axis.
- FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a door of the refrigerator according to the present teachings.
- FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a control assembly of the refrigerator according to the present teachings.
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cord support member according to the present teachings.
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a lower hinge bracket according to the present teachings.
- the refrigerator 10 generally includes a door 12 .
- the door 12 has an integrated control panel 14 .
- the control panel 14 is wired to a power board (not particular shown) of the refrigerator 10 .
- the integrated control panel 14 may include an LCD display 16 , a pair of manually operates buttons 17 , and an overlay 19 .
- the body portion 15 of the control panel 14 may be mounted to the remainder of the door 12 with fasteners 21 or in any manner well known in the art.
- the body portion 15 may define a recess for receiving the overlay 19 .
- the body portion 15 may additionally define apertures for receiving the buttons 17 .
- the integrated control panel 14 is carried by the door 12 rather than the cabinet 24 and may otherwise be conventionally used to control particular operations of the refrigerator 10 .
- the control panel 14 may control turning of the refrigerator 10 on and off.
- the control panel 14 may control selection of the power source (e.g., gas or electricity) for the refrigerator 10 and temperature of the refrigerator 10 .
- the control panel 14 may be operative to control these or other operations of the refrigerator 10 . Again, the manner of controlling the particular features of the refrigerator 10 will be considered conventional insofar as the present disclosure is concerned.
- the door 12 of the refrigerator 10 is shown to be mounted for rotation about a right hand pivot axis 18 .
- a door latch 20 is mounted at a left side of the door 12 .
- the door 10 may easily be alternatively mounted such that the pivot axis 18 is a left hand pivot axis.
- An arrangement for left hand mounting is shown in FIG. 10 , for example.
- an upper perspective view of the refrigerator 10 more clearly illustrates an upper hinge bracket 22 .
- the upper hinge bracket 22 may be mounted at a first end 22 A to a cabinet 24 of the refrigerator 10 .
- the upper hinge bracket 22 can be mounted with screws 27 or in any other suitable manner known in the art.
- a second end 22 B of the upper hinge bracket 22 extends from the cabinet 24 and rotatably supports the door 12 for movement between open and closed positions.
- the upper hinge bracket 22 may be constructed of metal or any other suitable material.
- a lower hinge bracket 23 is mounted proximate a lower portion of the cabinet. As illustrated, the lower hinge bracket 23 may be mounted to an underside of the cabinet 24 . As with the upper hinge bracket 22 , the lower hinge bracket 23 may be mounted with screws 27 or in any other suitable manner well known in the art.
- the lower hinge bracket 23 may be constructed of metal and includes an upper surface for rotatably supporting the door 10 . As shown in FIG. 4 , the door 10 may be provided with pivot pins 25 that extend from the door 10 along the pivot axis 18 and cooperate with the upper and lower hinge brackets 22 and 23 . The construction of the lower hinge bracket 23 will be further described below.
- the door 10 may include a frame 26 .
- the frame 26 may include a plurality of discrete parts that are assembled to define the frame 26 .
- the frame 26 may include a top cap 58 and a bottom cap 60 .
- a gasket 62 may be captured between the frame 26 and a door liner 64 .
- the bottom cap 58 is shown removed from the frame 26 in FIGS. 5 through 7 for purposes of illustration.
- a door panel 28 may be snapped to the remainder of the frame 26 or otherwise removable secured thereto.
- the panel 28 may interchangeably provide a wood grain or other appearance as desired for a particular application.
- a plurality of wires 30 extend between control panel 14 and the refrigerator power board.
- the plurality of wires 30 may be encased in a wire harness or cord 32 .
- the plurality of wires 30 downward extend from the control panel 14 , through an interior of the door defined between the panel 28 and the liner 64 , and exit the frame 26 at an opening 34 (see FIG. 5 , for example). From the opening 34 , the plurality of wires 30 extends toward the hinge side of the door 10 .
- the plurality of wires 30 extend through an opening defined between the lower hinge bracket 23 and a cooperating cord support member 36 , shown in FIGS. 8 and 13 , for example.
- the plurality of wires 30 pass immediately below the lower hinge point for the door 12 with the pivot axis 18 intersecting the plurality of wires.
- the pivot axis 18 passes the collection of wires (not necessarily through each wires of the plurality of wires 30 ).
- the cord support member 36 may be constructed of plastic and may include ribs 38 or other retaining features for positively locating the cord 32 relative thereto.
- the cord support member 36 may additionally include tabs 40 or other features to allow a snap fit relationship with the lower hinge bracket 23 .
- the tabs 40 may engage slots 42 defined by the lower hinge bracket 23 .
- the lower hinge bracket 23 and the cord support member 36 cooperatively define a channel through which the cord 32 passes.
- the frame 26 may be integrally formed to include a cord retention portion 44 .
- a lower segment of the frame 26 may be formed to include the cord retention portion 44 through injection molding or otherwise.
- the cord retention portion 44 is perhaps shown most clearly in FIGS. 5 and 6 .
- the cord 32 may be press fit into the cord retention portion 44 .
- the cord retention portion 44 may include a pair of walls 46 between which the cord 32 may be retained.
- the cord retention portion 44 may further include a pair of retention clips 48 .
- the cord 32 may be provided with an increased diameter portion 50 that can be positioned between the clips 48 for positively locating the cord relative to the cord retention portion 44 along its length. Through positive location of the cord relative both the cord retention portion 44 and the lower hinge bracket 23 , sufficient cord is ensured for rotation of the door 10 between the open and closed positions.
- a door support bracket 52 is illustrated.
- the door support bracket 52 may be substantially identical in construction to the lower hinge bracket 23 .
- the door support bracket 52 cooperates with a door support arm 54 .
- the door support arm 54 may be secured to the bracket 23 with screws or other suitable means and may forwardly extend therefrom.
- the door support arm 54 may operate to support a pin 56 that downwardly extends from the door 12 on the side opposite the hinge. In this manner, the door 12 may maintain is proper positioning relative to the cabinet 24 when fully loaded.
- the pin 56 may be similar to the pins 25 .
- FIGS. 1 through 9 While a refrigerator 10 having a right hand side located hinge is particularly illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 9 , for particular applications it may be desirable to open the door 12 with a left hand side hinge. It will be understood that the refrigerator 10 may be quickly and easily so adapted without the need for additional parts.
- an identical cabinet 24 may be used with a similar door 12 constructed such that the latch 20 is positioned on the right hand side of the refrigerator 10 .
- the brackets 23 and 52 mounted to the bottom of the cabinet 24 may simply be exchanged.
- the molded in retention features of the left hand door 10 may be provided on the opposite side to that shown in the drawings. Alternatively, the molded in retention features can be provided on both sides of the frame 26 for part consistency. In either manner, the plurality of wires 30 may be routed in the opposite direction and ultimately to the control board to facilitate opening and closing of the door 10 .
- the present teachings provide for the manufacture of a common cabinet 24 that may selectively receive a door 12 for either right hand or left hand mounting.
- the lower brackets 23 and 52 are identical, these components may be mounted to each of the manufactured cabinets.
- the upper bracket 22 is mounted proximate the right hand side of the cabinet. Conversely, the upper bracket 22 may be moved to the left hand side for left hand mounting.
- a common door 12 or doors of substantially similar construction may be utilized for the alternative right and left hand mounting.
- an upper hand mounting may be utilized for certain applications.
- an upper segment of the frame 26 may be adapted to accommodate mounting of the latch 20 on either the left or right hand side of the door.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Refrigerator Housings (AREA)
Abstract
A refrigerator includes a cabinet, a door mounted to the cabinet for pivotal movement about a pivot axis, and a control panel carried by the door. A plurality of wires is in electrical communication with the control panel. The plurality of wires passing through the door and exits a lower portion of the door. A hinge bracket is carried by the cabinet and supports the door at a hinge pin. The plurality of wires passes immediately below the hinge bracket.
Description
- This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/774,892 filed Feb. 17, 2006. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/774,892 is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
- The subject disclosure relates to refrigerators. More particularly, the subject disclosure relates to a refrigerator having a door with an integrated control panel.
- Modern refrigerators, including but not limited to absorption refrigerators may include electronic controls. The electronic controls may be mounted to the cabinet of the refrigerator. With many such conventional arrangements, it is necessary to open the refrigerator door to access the electronic controls. In other conventional arrangements, the electronic controls extend upwardly from a top of the cabinet and necessarily increase the height of the refrigerator. Positioning of the electronic controls of a refrigerator on a door of the refrigerator would overcome these disadvantages associated with conventional arrangements.
- It is also desirable to provide a refrigerator with a door that can be easily and alternatively mounted to the cabinet for rotation about a right hand pivot axis or a left hand pivot access. Such flexibility in mounting of the door in turn provides flexibility to incorporate the refrigerator into various kitchen layouts. Insofar as door carried electronic controls are connected to the refrigerator control panel and a source of power through a cord, incorporation of such a feature into a refrigerator design including a door that can be alternatively mounted becomes problematic.
- Accordingly, it is desirable in the pertinent art to provide a refrigerator having a door carrying electronic controls that may be alternatively mounted to a cabinet of the refrigerator for rotation about a left hand pivot axis or a right hand pivot axis.
- According to one aspect, the present teachings provide a refrigerator including a cabinet, a door mounted to the cabinet for pivotal movement about a pivot axis, and a control panel carried by the door. A plurality of wires is in electrical communication with the control panel. The plurality of wires passing through the door and exits a lower portion of the door. A hinge bracket is carried by the cabinet and supports the door at a hinge pin. The plurality of wires passes immediately below the hinge bracket.
- According to another aspect, the present teachings provide a method of selectively mounting a door of a refrigerator to a cabinet for rotation about one of a right hand pivot axis and a left hand pivot axis. The door includes a control panel and a plurality of wires in electrical communication with the control panel. The method includes mounting a first bracket to a lower portion of the cabinet proximate a right side of the cabinet. The method additionally includes mounting a second bracket to the lower portion of the cabinet proximate a left side of the cabinet. The method further includes pivotally supporting the door on one of the first and second brackets for rotation about a pivot axis, and routing the plurality of wires immediately below the one of the first and second brackets such that the pivot axis intersects the plurality of wires.
- Further areas of applicability of the present teachings will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
- The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 shows a portion of a refrigerator having a door with an integrated control panel according to the present teachings, the door mounted for pivoting about a right hand pivot axis. -
FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings. -
FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings. -
FIG. 4 shows another bottom perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings further illustrating a hinge side of the door. -
FIG. 5 shows another bottom perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings, a trim portion of the door removed for purposes of illustration. -
FIG. 6 shows another bottom perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings with a trim portion of the door removed and further illustrating the cord retaining feature of the door. -
FIG. 7 shows another bottom perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings. -
FIG. 8 shows another bottom perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings, a cord retaining member shown displaced from a cooperating bracket for purposes of illustration. -
FIG. 9 shows another bottom perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings, further illustrating a door support member located at the side of the door opposite the hinge. -
FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the refrigerator according to the present teachings, the refrigerator shown partially exploded and with the door removed, the refrigerator further shown to be adapted to mount the door for pivoting about a left hand pivot axis. -
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a door of the refrigerator according to the present teachings. -
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a control assembly of the refrigerator according to the present teachings. -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cord support member according to the present teachings. -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a lower hinge bracket according to the present teachings. - The following description of various embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
- With general reference to the drawings, a refrigerator in accordance to the present teachings is illustrated and generally identified at
reference character 10. Therefrigerator 10 generally includes adoor 12. Thedoor 12 has an integratedcontrol panel 14. In a manner that will be more fully appreciated below, thecontrol panel 14 is wired to a power board (not particular shown) of therefrigerator 10. As perhaps best shown in the exploded view ofFIG. 12 , the integratedcontrol panel 14 may include anLCD display 16, a pair of manually operatesbuttons 17, and anoverlay 19. - The
body portion 15 of thecontrol panel 14 may be mounted to the remainder of thedoor 12 withfasteners 21 or in any manner well known in the art. Thebody portion 15 may define a recess for receiving theoverlay 19. Thebody portion 15 may additionally define apertures for receiving thebuttons 17. - The integrated
control panel 14 is carried by thedoor 12 rather than thecabinet 24 and may otherwise be conventionally used to control particular operations of therefrigerator 10. For example, thecontrol panel 14 may control turning of therefrigerator 10 on and off. Additionally, in the case of an absorption refrigerator, thecontrol panel 14 may control selection of the power source (e.g., gas or electricity) for therefrigerator 10 and temperature of therefrigerator 10. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that thecontrol panel 14 may be operative to control these or other operations of therefrigerator 10. Again, the manner of controlling the particular features of therefrigerator 10 will be considered conventional insofar as the present disclosure is concerned. - In
FIGS. 1 through 9 , thedoor 12 of therefrigerator 10 is shown to be mounted for rotation about a righthand pivot axis 18. In this manner, adoor latch 20 is mounted at a left side of thedoor 12. In a manner to be addressed more fully below, thedoor 10 may easily be alternatively mounted such that thepivot axis 18 is a left hand pivot axis. An arrangement for left hand mounting is shown inFIG. 10 , for example. - With particular reference to
FIG. 2 , an upper perspective view of therefrigerator 10 more clearly illustrates anupper hinge bracket 22. Theupper hinge bracket 22 may be mounted at afirst end 22A to acabinet 24 of therefrigerator 10. Theupper hinge bracket 22 can be mounted withscrews 27 or in any other suitable manner known in the art. Asecond end 22B of theupper hinge bracket 22 extends from thecabinet 24 and rotatably supports thedoor 12 for movement between open and closed positions. Theupper hinge bracket 22 may be constructed of metal or any other suitable material. - Referring particularly to
FIGS. 3 , 4 and 14, alower hinge bracket 23 is mounted proximate a lower portion of the cabinet. As illustrated, thelower hinge bracket 23 may be mounted to an underside of thecabinet 24. As with theupper hinge bracket 22, thelower hinge bracket 23 may be mounted withscrews 27 or in any other suitable manner well known in the art. Thelower hinge bracket 23 may be constructed of metal and includes an upper surface for rotatably supporting thedoor 10. As shown inFIG. 4 , thedoor 10 may be provided with pivot pins 25 that extend from thedoor 10 along thepivot axis 18 and cooperate with the upper andlower hinge brackets lower hinge bracket 23 will be further described below. - The
door 10 may include aframe 26. Theframe 26 may include a plurality of discrete parts that are assembled to define theframe 26. Theframe 26 may include atop cap 58 and abottom cap 60. Agasket 62 may be captured between theframe 26 and adoor liner 64. Thebottom cap 58 is shown removed from theframe 26 inFIGS. 5 through 7 for purposes of illustration. Adoor panel 28 may be snapped to the remainder of theframe 26 or otherwise removable secured thereto. Thepanel 28 may interchangeably provide a wood grain or other appearance as desired for a particular application. - A plurality of
wires 30 extend betweencontrol panel 14 and the refrigerator power board. The plurality ofwires 30 may be encased in a wire harness orcord 32. The plurality ofwires 30 downward extend from thecontrol panel 14, through an interior of the door defined between thepanel 28 and theliner 64, and exit theframe 26 at an opening 34 (seeFIG. 5 , for example). From theopening 34, the plurality ofwires 30 extends toward the hinge side of thedoor 10. The plurality ofwires 30 extend through an opening defined between thelower hinge bracket 23 and a cooperatingcord support member 36, shown inFIGS. 8 and 13 , for example. The plurality ofwires 30 pass immediately below the lower hinge point for thedoor 12 with thepivot axis 18 intersecting the plurality of wires. Explaining further, thepivot axis 18 passes the collection of wires (not necessarily through each wires of the plurality of wires 30). - The
cord support member 36 may be constructed of plastic and may include ribs 38 or other retaining features for positively locating thecord 32 relative thereto. Thecord support member 36 may additionally includetabs 40 or other features to allow a snap fit relationship with thelower hinge bracket 23. Thetabs 40 may engageslots 42 defined by thelower hinge bracket 23. Thelower hinge bracket 23 and thecord support member 36 cooperatively define a channel through which thecord 32 passes. - The
frame 26 may be integrally formed to include acord retention portion 44. In this regard, a lower segment of theframe 26 may be formed to include thecord retention portion 44 through injection molding or otherwise. Thecord retention portion 44 is perhaps shown most clearly inFIGS. 5 and 6 . Thecord 32 may be press fit into thecord retention portion 44. Thecord retention portion 44 may include a pair ofwalls 46 between which thecord 32 may be retained. Thecord retention portion 44 may further include a pair of retention clips 48. Thecord 32 may be provided with an increaseddiameter portion 50 that can be positioned between theclips 48 for positively locating the cord relative to thecord retention portion 44 along its length. Through positive location of the cord relative both thecord retention portion 44 and thelower hinge bracket 23, sufficient cord is ensured for rotation of thedoor 10 between the open and closed positions. - With particular reference to
FIG. 9 , adoor support bracket 52 is illustrated. Thedoor support bracket 52 may be substantially identical in construction to thelower hinge bracket 23. Thedoor support bracket 52 cooperates with adoor support arm 54. Thedoor support arm 54 may be secured to thebracket 23 with screws or other suitable means and may forwardly extend therefrom. Thedoor support arm 54 may operate to support apin 56 that downwardly extends from thedoor 12 on the side opposite the hinge. In this manner, thedoor 12 may maintain is proper positioning relative to thecabinet 24 when fully loaded. Thepin 56 may be similar to thepins 25. - While a
refrigerator 10 having a right hand side located hinge is particularly illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 9 , for particular applications it may be desirable to open thedoor 12 with a left hand side hinge. It will be understood that therefrigerator 10 may be quickly and easily so adapted without the need for additional parts. In this regard, anidentical cabinet 24 may be used with asimilar door 12 constructed such that thelatch 20 is positioned on the right hand side of therefrigerator 10. Thebrackets cabinet 24 may simply be exchanged. The molded in retention features of theleft hand door 10 may be provided on the opposite side to that shown in the drawings. Alternatively, the molded in retention features can be provided on both sides of theframe 26 for part consistency. In either manner, the plurality ofwires 30 may be routed in the opposite direction and ultimately to the control board to facilitate opening and closing of thedoor 10. - The present teachings provide for the manufacture of a
common cabinet 24 that may selectively receive adoor 12 for either right hand or left hand mounting. Insofar as thelower brackets right hand door 12 is desired, theupper bracket 22 is mounted proximate the right hand side of the cabinet. Conversely, theupper bracket 22 may be moved to the left hand side for left hand mounting. - A
common door 12 or doors of substantially similar construction may be utilized for the alternative right and left hand mounting. For certain applications, an upper hand mounting. For certain applications, an upper segment of theframe 26 may be adapted to accommodate mounting of thelatch 20 on either the left or right hand side of the door. - The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary arrangements of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings, that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
- While specific examples have been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalence may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present teachings as defined in the claims. Furthermore, the mixing and matching of features, elements and/or functions between various examples may be expressly contemplated herein so that one skilled in the art would appreciate from the present teachings that features, elements and/or functions of one example may be incorporated into another example as appropriate, unless described otherwise above. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the present teachings without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it may be intended that the present teachings not be limited to the particular examples illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode of presently contemplated for carrying out the present teachings but that the scope of the present disclosure will include any embodiments following within the foregoing description and the appended claims.
Claims (10)
1. A refrigerator comprising:
a cabinet;
a door mounted to the cabinet for pivotal movement about a pivot axis;
a control panel carried by the door; and
a plurality of wires adapted to electrically communication the control panel with a power board carried by the cabinet;
wherein the door may be selectively mounted to the cabinet for rotation about one of a right hand pivot and a left hand pivot.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1 , further comprising a hinge bracket carried proximate a lower portion of the cabinet and supporting the door for pivotal movement.
3. The refrigerator of claim 2 , wherein the hinge bracket at least partially defines a channel through which the plurality of wires pass.
4. The refrigerator of claim 3 , wherein the pivot axis passes through the channel.
5. The refrigerator of claim 2 , further comprising a cord support member coupled to the hinge bracket, the cord support member and the hinge bracket defining a channel through which the plurality of wires pass, the pivot axis intersecting the channel.
6. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the door includes a frame, the control panel connected to the frame proximate a tip portion of the frame.
7. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wires extend from the control panel, through the door, and exit at the lower portion of the door.
8. The refrigerator of claim 7 , wherein the door includes a frame having a portion defining a retention feature for retaining the plurality of wires.
9. The refrigerator of claim 8 , wherein the frame further includes a bottom cap secured to a lower portion of the frame and covering the plurality of wires.
10. A method of selectively mounting a door of a refrigerator to a cabinet for rotation about one of a right hand pivot axis and a left hand pivot axis, the door including a control panel and a plurality of wires in electrical communication with the control panel;
mounting a first bracket to a lower portion of the cabinet proximate a right side of the cabinet;
mounting a second bracket to the lower portion of the cabinet proximate a left side of the cabinet;
pivotally supporting the door on one of the first and second brackets for rotation about a pivot axis; and
routing the plurality of wires immediately below the one of the first and second brackets such that the pivot axis intersects the plurality of wires.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US11/675,331 US20070194675A1 (en) | 2006-02-17 | 2007-02-15 | Refrigerator having a door with integrated control panel |
EP07003368A EP1821052A3 (en) | 2006-02-17 | 2007-02-17 | Refrigerator having a door with integrated control panel |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US77489206P | 2006-02-17 | 2006-02-17 | |
US11/675,331 US20070194675A1 (en) | 2006-02-17 | 2007-02-15 | Refrigerator having a door with integrated control panel |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20070194675A1 true US20070194675A1 (en) | 2007-08-23 |
Family
ID=37988990
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US11/675,331 Abandoned US20070194675A1 (en) | 2006-02-17 | 2007-02-15 | Refrigerator having a door with integrated control panel |
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US (1) | US20070194675A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1821052A3 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20110209493A1 (en) * | 2010-02-26 | 2011-09-01 | Electrolux Home Products, Inc. | Refrigeration appliance with hidden user interface |
US10907884B1 (en) | 2019-10-21 | 2021-02-02 | Electrolux Home Products, Inc. | Door end closure assembly with integrated user interface |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102008041975A1 (en) * | 2008-09-10 | 2010-03-11 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Domestic refrigeration appliance with at least one door |
WO2011023822A2 (en) * | 2009-08-31 | 2011-03-03 | Arcelik Anonim Sirketi | A refrigerator |
US9285130B2 (en) * | 2010-12-23 | 2016-03-15 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Air conditioner |
DE102011006266A1 (en) | 2011-03-28 | 2012-10-04 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Household refrigerator, has insulating layer arranged between inner side and outer side of thermally-insulated door leaf, and control device connected with input unit which is arranged at inner side of door leaf |
EP2589881B1 (en) * | 2011-11-02 | 2017-09-13 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Domestic appliance with a pivotable door and an additional linkage arm |
ITTO20130710A1 (en) * | 2013-09-02 | 2015-03-03 | Indesit Co Spa | REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE WITH PASSAGE FOR FLEXIBLE TUBULAR ELEMENT BETWEEN CABINET AND DOOR |
KR102385823B1 (en) * | 2017-01-03 | 2022-04-13 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Refrigerator |
US10544983B2 (en) | 2017-01-03 | 2020-01-28 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator |
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US5787724A (en) * | 1997-06-04 | 1998-08-04 | Maytag Corporation | Dispensing assembly for top mount refrigerator |
US6789392B1 (en) * | 2003-03-12 | 2004-09-14 | Maytag Corporation | Power interrupt system for a refrigerated appliance |
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US4404813A (en) * | 1981-04-20 | 1983-09-20 | Whirlpool Corporation | Door mounted electronic housing assembly for a refrigerator |
TR200202566A2 (en) * | 2002-11-22 | 2004-06-21 | Vestel Beyaz E�Ya Sanay� Ve T�Caret A.�. | Electronically controlled cooler with door opening direction changeable. |
US7322209B2 (en) * | 2004-03-30 | 2008-01-29 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator |
KR20060000340A (en) * | 2004-06-28 | 2006-01-06 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Refrigerator |
-
2007
- 2007-02-15 US US11/675,331 patent/US20070194675A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2007-02-17 EP EP07003368A patent/EP1821052A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5787724A (en) * | 1997-06-04 | 1998-08-04 | Maytag Corporation | Dispensing assembly for top mount refrigerator |
US6789392B1 (en) * | 2003-03-12 | 2004-09-14 | Maytag Corporation | Power interrupt system for a refrigerated appliance |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110209493A1 (en) * | 2010-02-26 | 2011-09-01 | Electrolux Home Products, Inc. | Refrigeration appliance with hidden user interface |
US8011203B1 (en) | 2010-02-26 | 2011-09-06 | Electrolux Home Products, Inc. | Refrigeration appliance with hidden user interface |
US10907884B1 (en) | 2019-10-21 | 2021-02-02 | Electrolux Home Products, Inc. | Door end closure assembly with integrated user interface |
US11280541B2 (en) | 2019-10-21 | 2022-03-22 | Electrolux Home Products, Inc. | Door end closure assembly with integrated user interface |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1821052A3 (en) | 2009-09-09 |
EP1821052A2 (en) | 2007-08-22 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: THETFORD CORPORATION, MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:VAN BEEK, JACCO, MR.;WESSELS, WILCO, MR.;DONDERS, PATRICK, MR.;REEL/FRAME:018924/0951 Effective date: 20070219 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |