# US 8,464,543 B2 · Door mounted ice level detection device

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- Number: US 8,464,543 B2
- Document ID: US8464543B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/719,045
- Filed: 2010-03-08
- Published: 2011-09-08
- Granted: 2013-06-18
- Earliest claimed: 2010-03-08
- Assignees: Whirlpool Corporation
- Applicants: Jerold M. Visin; Guolian Wu
- Inventors: Jerold M. Visin; Guolian Wu
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464543B2

## CPC

- F25C 5/187: with ice level sensing means
- F25D 2700/02: Sensors detecting door opening
- F25C: PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B)

## Abstract

An ice level detection device of a refrigerator includes an ice level detection arm and an ice storage container detection arm, the ice level detection arm operatively connected to a mechanical motor for movement between an ice sensing position with the ice level detection arm extending at least partially into the ice storage container and an ice harvest position with the ice level detection arm being clear of the ice storage container, the ice storage container detection arm abutting the ice storage container while the ice storage container is mounted at the door. The ice level detection arm transitions from the ice sensing position to the ice harvest position for ice harvest by the ice maker. Opening the door disables ice harvest by the ice maker. Upon removal of the ice storage container the ice level detection arm transitions to the ice harvest position and disables ice harvest.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A refrigerator comprising:
a refrigerator cabinet;
a door for providing access to a compartment within the refrigerator cabinet;
an ice maker disposed in the compartment;
an ice storage container removably mounted about an inside of the door; and
an ice level detection device operatively mounted on the inside of the door adjacent the ice storage container and having an ice level detection arm and an ice storage container detection arm, the ice level detection arm being operatively connected to a mechanical motor for movement between an ice sensing position with the ice level detection arm extending at least partially into the ice storage container and an ice harvest position with the ice level detection arm being clear of the ice storage container, the ice storage container detection arm abutting the ice storage container while the ice storage container is mounted about the inside of the door;
wherein the ice level detection arm transitions from the ice sensing position to the ice harvest position for ice harvest by the ice maker;
wherein opening the door disables ice harvest by the ice maker;
wherein upon removal of the ice storage container the ice level detection arm transitions to the ice harvest position and disables ice harvest by the ice maker.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein the mechanical motor is a wax motor.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein the door is a freezer door and the compartment is a freezer compartment.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein the mechanical motor has a piston operatively connected to the ice level detection arm.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The refrigerator of claim 1 further comprising a first switch associated with the ice level detection arm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The refrigerator of claim 1 further comprising a second switch associated with the ice storage container detection arm.

### Claim 7

An ice level detection device for use on an inside of a refrigerator door and adjacent to an ice storage container, the ice level detection device comprising:
an ice level detection arm;
an ice storage container detection arm;
the ice level detection arm being operatively connected to a mechanical motor for movement between an ice sensing position with the ice level detection arm extending at least partially into the ice storage container and an ice harvest position with the ice level detection arm being clear of the ice storage container;
the ice storage container detection arm abutting the ice storage container while the ice storage container is mounted about the inside of the door;
wherein the ice level detection arm transitions from an ice sensing position to the ice harvest position for ice harvest by the ice maker;
wherein opening the door disables ice harvest by the ice maker;
wherein upon removal of the ice storage container the ice level detection arm transitions to the ice harvest position and disables ice harvest by the ice maker.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The ice level detection device of claim 7 wherein the mechanical motor is a wax motor.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The ice level detection device of claim 7 wherein the mechanical motor has a piston operatively connected to the ice level detection arm.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The ice level detection device of claim 7 further comprising a first switch associated with the ice level detection arm.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The ice level detection device of claim 7 further comprising a second switch associated with the ice storage container detection arm.

### Claim 12

A refrigerator comprising:
a refrigerator cabinet;
a door for providing access to a compartment within the refrigerator cabinet;
an ice storage container removably mounted on the inside of the door;
an ice level detection arm;
an ice storage container detection arm;
a mechanical motor;
the ice level detection arm being operatively connected to the mechanical motor for movement between an ice sensing position with the ice level detection arm extending at least partially into the ice storage container and an ice harvest position with the ice level detection arm being clear of the ice storage container;
the ice storage container detection arm abutting the ice storage container while the ice storage container is mounted about the inside of the door;
a first switch associated with the ice level detection arm;
a second switch associated with the ice storage container detection arm;
wherein the ice level detection arm transitions from the ice sensing position to the ice harvest position for ice harvest by an ice maker;
wherein opening the door disables ice harvest by the ice maker;
wherein upon removal of the ice storage container the ice level detection arm transitions to the ice harvest position and disables ice harvest by the ice maker.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The refrigerator of claim 12 wherein the mechanical motor is a wax motor.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The refrigerator of claim 12 wherein the door is a freezer door and the compartment is a freezer compartment.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The refrigerator of claim 12 wherein the mechanical motor has a piston operatively connected to the ice level detection arm.