Methods and apparatus to provide lighting in refrigerators

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9377578-B2
Application number	US-201414207982-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 13, 2014
Priority date	Mar 15, 2013
Publication date	Jun 28, 2016
Grant date	Jun 28, 2016

Abstract

Example methods and apparatuses to provide lighting in appliances are disclosed. An example refrigerator includes a compartment disposed within the refrigerator having first and second opposite side walls, a movable component disposed in the compartment, the movable component having a front edge, a light pipe extending along the front edge of the movable component, and a first light source positioned at the first side wall to emit light into a first end of the light pipe.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A refrigerator comprising:
a compartment disposed within the refrigerator having first and second opposite side walls;
a movable component disposed in the compartment, the movable component having a front edge;
a light pipe extending along the front edge of the movable component;
a first light source positioned at the first side wall to emit light into a first end of the light pipe; and
a first light reflector positioned between the first light source and the first end of the light pipe; wherein the first light reflector comprises a first portion mounted to the movable component and a second portion mounted to the first side wall, wherein the first and second portions are configured to be mated based on a location of the movable component and wherein the first light reflector hides the first light source from being visible to a user of the refrigerator when the first and second portions are mated;
and wherein the first and second portions are each generally semicircular in shape, which when mated form a generally circular connector.

2. A refrigerator as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first light reflector is configured to direct light between the first light source and the first end of the light pipe.

3. A refrigerator as defined in claim 1 , wherein the movable component is a shelf, a basket or a bin.

4. A refrigerator as defined in claim 1 , wherein the light pipe comprises at least one of a reflector longitudinally extending along the light pipe, or a diffuser for directing light.

5. A refrigerator as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first end of the light pipe comprises at least one of a lens, a concave surface, a convex surface, a highly reflective surface or a flat surface.

6. A refrigerator as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a second light module positioned at the second side wall to emit light into a second end of the light pipe.

7. A refrigerator as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first light source comprises a light emitting diode.

8. A refrigerator as defined in claim 1 , wherein when the movable component is fully positioned within the compartment the first light source is aligned with the first end of the light pipe.

9. A refrigerator as defined in claim 1 , wherein when the movable component is partially positioned within the compartment the first light source is aligned with the first end of the light pipe.

10. A refrigerator as defined in claim 1 , wherein the compartment comprises a refrigerated food compartment or a freezer compartment.

11. A refrigerator as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a control system operatively connected to the first light source and adapted to operate the first light source in response to an event.

12. A refrigerator as defined in claim 11 , wherein the event comprises at least one of a user action, an opening of the refrigerator, a proximity of a person to the movable component, or a contact of the user with the movable component.

13. A refrigerator as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first light source is embedded in the first side wall.

14. A movable component for use in a refrigerated appliance, comprising:
a main body disposed in the refrigerated appliance;
a light pipe extending along a front edge of the main body, the light pipe comprising:
a diffuser; and
first and second opposite ends; a first light source configured to be embedded in a wall of the refrigerated appliance; and
a first light reflector configured to direct light between the first light source and the first end of the light pipe; wherein the first light reflector comprises a first portion mounted to the main body and a second portion configured to be mounted to a first side wall of the refrigerated appliance, wherein the first and second portions are configured to be mated based on a location of the movable component and wherein the first light reflector hides the first light source from being visible to a user of the refrigerated appliance when the first and second portions are mated;
and wherein the first and second portions are each generally semicircular in shape, which when mated form a generally circular connector.

15. A movable component as defined in claim 14 , wherein the light pipe is at least one of attached beneath the front edge, attached in front of the front edge, attached above the front edge, attached beneath trim attached to the main body at the front edge, attached to a handle attached to the main body at the front edge, embedded in the main body at the front edge, or formed as part of the main body.

16. A movable component as defined in claim 14 , wherein the movable component is a shelf, a bin, or a basket.

17. A method for lighting a portion of a refrigerator, the method comprising:
emitting light from a side wall of the refrigerator into a light pipe positioned along a front edge of a movable component of the refrigerator; and
emitting the light from the light pipe into the portion of the refrigerator;
directing light through a first light reflector between a first light source embedded in a wall of the refrigerator and a first end of the light pipe; wherein the first light reflector comprises a first portion mounted to a main body of the refrigerator and a second portion mounted to a first side wall of the refrigerator, mating the first and second portions based on a location of the movable component and wherein the first light reflector hides the first light source from being visible to a user of the refrigerator when the first and second portions are mated;
and wherein the first and second portions are each generally semicircular in shape, which when mated form a generally circular connector.

Assignees

• Whirlpool Co

Inventors

• Gooden Corey M

Classifications

• F25D25/02

  by shelves · CPC title

• F21V33/0044

  Household appliances, e.g. washing machines or vacuum cleaners · CPC title

• F21K9/61

  using light guides · CPC title

• F25D11/00

  Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators · CPC title

• F25D27/00

  Lighting arrangements (in general F21) · CPC title