Tube routing system for a cooling appliance

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12474110-B2
Application number	US-202318149259-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 3, 2023
Priority date	Jan 3, 2023
Publication date	Nov 18, 2025
Grant date	Nov 18, 2025

Abstract

A cooling appliance includes a body defining a vacuum-insulated chamber. A cooling device is configured to regulate a temperature in the vacuum-insulated chamber. A partition is adjacent to the vacuum-insulated chamber and a compartment is spaced from the vacuum-insulated chamber by the partition. A compressor and a condenser are located in the compartment and at least one coolant tube is in fluid communication with the compressor, the condenser, and the cooling device. A conduit provides power to and extends between the compressor and the condenser. A shroud bracket is located between the compressor and the condenser and defines at least one slot that retains the at least one coolant tube. A drainage routing tube extends from the cooling device to a drain tube mount and the drain tube mount includes a retention feature connected to a drainage receptacle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A cooling appliance comprising:
a body defining a vacuum-insulated chamber; a cooling device configured to regulate a temperature in the vacuum-insulated chamber; a partition adjacent to the vacuum-insulated chamber; a compartment spaced from the vacuum-insulated chamber by the partition; a compressor and a condenser located in the compartment; at least one coolant tube in fluid communication with the compressor, the condenser, and the cooling device; a conduit providing power to and extending between the compressor and the condenser; a shroud bracket located between the compressor and the condenser defining at least one slot that retains the at least one coolant tube and a bay that retains the conduit; and an air separator plate connected to the shroud bracket over an outer perimeter of the bay.

2 . The cooling appliance of claim 1 , wherein the at least one slot includes a port for inserting the at least one coolant tube and each port defines an outward taper to facilitate insertion of the at least one coolant tube.

3 . The cooling appliance of claim 2 , wherein the outward taper terminates at a collar portion that retains the at least one coolant tube within the at least one slot.

4 . The cooling appliance of claim 1 , wherein the air separator plate defines an opening smaller than the bay and the conduit extends through the opening.

5 . The cooling appliance of claim 4 , wherein the opening includes a slit portion to facilitate insertion of the conduit and an aperture portion that retains the conduit.

6 . The cooling appliance of claim 5 , wherein the shroud bracket is formed of a first material and the air separator plate is formed of a second material that is more flexible than the first material.

7 . The cooling appliance of claim 1 , wherein the bay extends vertically from an upper perimeter surface of the shroud bracket and the at least one slot extends horizontally from a side perimeter surface of the shroud bracket.

8 . The cooling appliance of claim 1 , wherein the vacuum-insulated chamber includes a freezer vacuum-insulated chamber and a refrigeration vacuum-insulated chamber and the at least one coolant tube includes a first coolant tube routed to the freezer vacuum-insulated chamber and a second coolant tube routed to the refrigeration vacuum-insulated chamber.

9 . The cooling appliance of claim 8 , wherein the at least one slot includes a first slot and a second slot and the first coolant tube is located in the first slot and the second coolant tube is located in the second slot.

10 . The cooling appliance of claim 9 , wherein each of the first and second slots extend horizontally and are vertically spaced.

11 . A cooling appliance comprising:
a body defining a vacuum-insulated chamber; a cooling device configured to regulate a temperature in the vacuum-insulated chamber; a partition adjacent to the vacuum-insulated chamber; a compartment spaced from the vacuum-insulated chamber by the partition; a compressor and a condenser located in the compartment; at least one coolant tube in fluid communication with the compressor, the condenser, and the cooling device; a conduit providing power to and extending between the compressor and the condenser; and a drainage routing tube extending from the cooling device to a drain tube mount, the drain tube mount including a retention feature connected to a drainage receptacle and a cup defining a top surface and a bottom surface, the cup including a stepped region defining the retention feature.

12 . The cooling appliance of claim 11 , wherein the retention feature includes a flange and at least one tab spaced from the flange.

13 . The cooling appliance of claim 12 , wherein the drainage receptacle is located adjacent to the drain tube mount and defines an upwardly extending rim located between the flange and the at least one tab via press-fit engagement.

14 . The cooling appliance of claim 11 , wherein a drainage release tube is in fluid communication with the drainage routing tube and defines a duckbill opening for releasing drainage into the drainage receptacle.

15 . A cooling appliance comprising:
a body defining a vacuum-insulated chamber; a cooling device configured to regulate a temperature in the vacuum-insulated chamber; a partition adjacent to the vacuum-insulated chamber; a compartment spaced from the vacuum-insulated chamber by the partition; a compressor and a condenser located in the compartment; at least one coolant tube in fluid communication with the compressor, the condenser, and the cooling device; a conduit providing power to and extending between the compressor and the condenser; a shroud bracket located between the compressor and the condenser defining at least one slot that retains the at least one coolant tube; a drainage routing tube extending from the cooling device to a drain tube mount, the drain tube mount including a retention feature connected to a drainage receptacle; and a three-way valve is mounted to an interior surface of the compartment by a valve bracket, the valve bracket is connected to the interior surface of the compartment and extends to a clip that connects to an underside connection plate of the three-way valve.

16 . The cooling appliance of claim 15 , wherein the valve bracket is connected to an interior ceiling of the compartment with connection rods.

Assignees

• Whirlpool Co

Inventors

• Chhajed Rahul Subhash
• Kumbhare Rahul Sadanand
• Sarma Abinash

Classifications

• F25D2400/40

  Refrigerating devices characterised by electrical wiring · CPC title

• F25D2201/14

  using subatmospheric pressure · CPC title

• F25D17/02

  for circulating liquids, e.g. brine · CPC title

• F25D23/061

  with conduit means · CPC title

• F25D23/06

  Walls (F25D23/08 takes precedence; containers with thermal insulation B65D81/38) · CPC title