Ice level sensing system for an ice maker

A refrigerator including a freezer compartment having an access opening and a door for closing the access opening, the refrigerator comprising:

• an ice maker being disposed within the freezer compartment for forming ice pieces;
• an ice storage bin mounted to the door below the ice maker for receiving ice from the ice maker;
• an emitter element supported on a first freezer wall for emitting a beam of light across the upper portion of the bin;
• a receiver element supported on a second freezer wall for receiving the beam of light, the beam of light traveling between the emitter element and the receiver element along a line of sight path;
• means for blocking the line of sight when the door is open.

A refrigerator including a freezer compartment having a plurality of walls and having an access opening and a door for closing the access opening, the refrigerator comprising:

• an ice maker being disposed within the freezer compartment for forming ice pieces;
• an ice storage bin mounted to the door below the ice maker for receiving ice from the ice maker;
• an emitter element supported on one of the freezer walls for emitting a beam of light across the upper portion of the bin;
• a receiver element supported on one of the freezer walls opposite the emitter element for receiving the beam of light, the beam of light traveling between the emitter element and the receiver element along a line of sight path;
• a movable member supported on one of the freezer walls and being selectively movable to block the line of sight.

A refrigerator including a cabinet for defining a freezer compartment having top wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and an access opening, the refrigerator comprising:

• a door for closing the access opening;
• an ice maker being disposed within the freezer compartment adjacent the top wall for forming ice pieces;
• an ice storage bin removably mounted to the door below the ice maker for receiving ice pieces from the ice maker;
• an emitter element supported on the first side wall for emitting a beam of light across the upper portion of the bin;
• a receiver element supported on the second side wall opposite the emitter element for receiving the beam of light, the beam of light traveling between the emitter element and the receiver element along a line of sight path;
• a paddle rotatably supported on the first side wall for blocking the line of sight when the door is open;
• and
• a movable member supported on the second wall and being selectively movable to block the line of sight.

A refrigerator including a freezer compartment having a plurality of walls and an access opening and a door for closing the access opening, the refrigerator comprising:

• an ice maker being disposed within the freezer compartment for forming ice pieces;
• an ice storage bin mounted to the door below the ice maker for receiving ice from the ice maker;
• an emitter element supported on one of the freezer walls for emitting a beam of light across the upper portion of the bin;
• a receiver element supported on one of the freezer walls opposite the emitter element for receiving the beam of light, the beam of light traveling between the emitter element and the receiver element along a line of sight path;
• a cover movably supported adjacent the ice maker such that ice pieces must pass by and move the cover to discharge from the ice maker to the ice storage bin;
• a paddle rotatably supported on one of the freezer walls adjacent the cover and wherein the paddle blocks cover movement when the door is open such that ice pieces can not fall past the cover when the door is open.