Leak detection assembly for use with a filter assembly for a refrigerator appliance

A refrigerator appliance comprising:

• a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber for receipt of food articles for storage;
• a dispensing assembly for providing a flow of water;
• and
• a filter assembly mounted to the cabinet and operably coupled to the dispensing assembly, the filter assembly comprising:
• a filter cartridge for filtering the flow of water;
• a filter housing configured for receiving the filter cartridge, the filter housing at least partially defining a drain trough positioned below the filter cartridge for collecting leaked water;
• a light source positioned proximate the drain trough for directing light through the drain trough;
• a light sensor positioned proximate the drain trough for sensing the light directed through the drain trough;
• and
• a controller operably coupled to the light sensor, the controller being configured for determining that a leak exists when an intensity of sensed light is reduced by the leaked water.

A filter assembly comprising:

• a filter housing configured for receiving a filter cartridge, the filter housing at least partially defining a drain trough positioned below the filter cartridge for collecting leaked water;
• a light source positioned proximate the drain trough for directing light through the drain trough;
• a light sensor positioned proximate the drain trough for sensing the light directed through the drain trough;
• a partition mounted to the filter housing between the light source and the light sensor to prevent the light from transmitting directly from the light source to the light sensor;
• a reflective tag positioned on the filter cartridge for reflecting the light from the light source toward the light sensor when the filter cartridge is properly installed in the filter housing;
• and
• a controller operably coupled to the light sensor, the controller being configured for determining that a leak exists when an intensity of sensed light is reduced by the leaked water.