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US 9,175,904 B2Granted
Chilling device for a domestic refrigerator
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsPaul B. Allard, Douglas D. Leclear, Karen J. Querfurth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A refrigerator includes a cabinet having a refrigerated compartment defined therein, a motor coupled to the cabinet, and a chilling device sized to receive a food container. The chilling device is moveable between an engaged positioned in which the chilling device is spaced apart from a drive shaft of the motor and a disengaged position the chilling device is coupled to the drive shaft. The drive shaft is configured to operate the chilling device.
Claims13
A refrigerator comprising:
- a cabinet having a refrigerated compartment defined therein, wherein the cabinet has a back wall defined between a front side and a back side;
- a motor coupled to the back side of the back wall of the cabinet, the motor having a drive shaft that extends through the back wall into the refrigerated compartment,
- a drawer positioned in the refrigerated compartment, the drawer having a storage chamber defined therein, the drawer includes a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, and a plurality of side walls that define the storage chamber, and
- a chilling device comprising a support shaft positioned in the storage chamber of the drawer, wherein the support shaft comprises a longitudinal axis and the support shaft is rotationally coupled to the front wall and the rear wall, wherein the support shaft extends through the rear wall of the drawer,
- wherein the drawer is moveable between an open position in which user access to the storage chamber is permitted and the chilling device is spaced apart from the drive shaft and a closed position in which user access to the storage chamber is prevented and the chilling device is coupled to the drive shaft, and the drive shaft is configured to operate the chilling device when the drawer is in the closed position wherein the chilling device includes a plurality of cams that are coupled to the support shaft, wherein the chilling device includes:
- a support arm extending from one of the side walls of the drawer, and a plate defining a storage tray sized to receive a food container, the plate having a first end pivotally coupled to the support arm and a second end in contact with the plurality of cams of the support shaft.
3 more elements
A chilling device for a refrigerator comprising:
- a housing of a refrigerator, the housing having a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment,
- a motor secured to an exterior of the housing of the fresh food compartment,
- a frame movably coupled to the housing of the fresh food compartment,
- a first shaft pivotally coupled to the frame, and
- wherein the frame is moveable between a first position in which the first shaft is connected to the motor, and a second position in which the first shaft is spaced apart from the motor, and
- wherein the frame, and the first shaft are disposed within the fresh food compartment wherein the chilling device includes a plurality of cams that are coupled to the first shaft, wherein the chilling device includes:
- a support arm extending from a side wall of the frame, and a plate defining a storage tray sized to receive a food container, the plate having a first end and pivotally coupled to the support arm and a second end in contact with the plurality of cams of the first shaft.
4 more elements
A chilling device for a refrigerator comprising:
- a refrigerator cabinet,
- a refrigerator shell within the refrigerator cabinet,
- a refrigerated compartment within the refrigerator shell,
- a motor disposed between the refrigerator cabinet and the refrigerator shell, the motor having a drive shaft that extends through the refrigerator shell into the refrigerated compartment,
- a frame movably coupled to the refrigerator shell, the frame having a rear wall;
- a shaft pivotally coupled to the frame and extending through the rear wall of the frame a plurality of cams coupled to the shaft, and
- a plate defining a storage tray sized to receive a food container, the plate having a first end pivotally coupled to the frame and a second end engaged with the plurality of cams,
- wherein the frame is moveable between a first position in which the shaft is connected to the drive shaft of the motor, and a second position in which the shaft is spaced apart from the drive shaft of the motor, and
- wherein the frame, the shaft, and the plate are disposed within the refrigerated compartment.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.