US-12618596-B2 - Icemaker assembly

Abstract

A refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and a machine compartment positioned proximate the freezer compartment. An icemaker assembly is positioned within the freezer compartment. A fill tube extends from the machine compartment into the icemaker assembly. A first solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube. A second solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube, wherein the first and second solenoid valves are positioned within the machine compartment. A controller is configured to independently open and close the first and second solenoid valves.

Inventors

• Vishal B. Chauhan
• Giulia Marinello
• Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya
• Kevin Y. Zhang

Assignees

• WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20240319

Claims (20)

1. 1 . An icemaker assembly for a refrigerator, comprising: a housing; an ice tray positioned within the housing; a fill tube having first and second ends with first and second portions disposed therebetween, wherein the first end is positioned proximate the ice tray, and further wherein the first portion of the fill tube is positioned within the housing and the second portion of the fill tube is positioned outside the housing; at least one solenoid valve operably coupled to the second end of the fill tube and operable between opened and closed positions, wherein the at least one solenoid valve includes a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve; an outlet tube operably coupled to the fill tube; and a controller operably coupled to the at least one solenoid valve for controlling the at least one solenoid valve, wherein the controller is configured to open the first solenoid valve to drain water from the fill tube via the outlet tube during a drain sequence and open the second solenoid valve during a fill sequence to provide the water to the ice tray.
2. 2 . The icemaker assembly of claim 1 , further comprising: a heating element coupled to an outer surface of the fill tube.
3. 3 . The icemaker assembly of claim 2 , further comprising: a power source coupled to the heating element, wherein the power source is configured to activate the heating element before or after one of the fill sequence and the drain sequence.
4. 4 . The icemaker assembly of claim 3 , wherein the fill tube is constructed of a metal material.
5. 5 . The icemaker assembly of claim 1 , further comprising: a nozzle coupled to the first end of the fill tube, wherein the water is configured to flow through the fill tube and the nozzle to be inserted into the ice tray during the fill sequence.
6. 6 . The icemaker assembly of claim 1 , further comprising: a T-joint coupling operably coupled to the second end of the fill tube and an end of the outlet tube.
7. 7 . The icemaker assembly of claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to open the first solenoid valve to drain the water from the fill tube, along a first path through the T-joint coupling, and through the outlet tube during the drain sequence, and wherein the controller is configured to open the second solenoid valve during the fill sequence to allow the water to flow through the second solenoid valve, along a second path through the T-joint coupling, and through the fill tube to be inserted to the ice tray.
8. 8 . The icemaker assembly of claim 7 , further comprising: an inlet tube coupled to the second solenoid valve for directing the water from a water supply source.
9. 9 . An icemaker assembly for a refrigerator, comprising: a housing; an ice tray positioned within the housing; a fill tube having a first end positioned proximate the ice tray within the housing and a second end positioned outside the housing; at least one solenoid valve operably coupled to the second end of the fill tube, wherein the at least one solenoid valve includes a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve; an outlet tube operably coupled to the fill tube; and a controller operably coupled to the at least one solenoid valve to adjust the at least one solenoid valve between opened and closed positions, and the controller is configured to open the first solenoid valve to drain water from the fill tube and the outlet tube during a drain sequence, and wherein the controller is configured to open the second solenoid valve and close the first solenoid valve during a fill sequence to insert the water into the ice tray.
10. 10 . The icemaker assembly of claim 9 , further comprising: an inlet tube coupled to the second solenoid valve; a T-joint coupling between the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve; and a drain tube coupled to the first solenoid valve.
11. 11 . The icemaker assembly of claim 9 , wherein the fill tube includes a vertical portion within the housing.
12. 12 . An icemaker assembly for a refrigerator, comprising: a housing; a fill tube having a first end positioned within the housing and configured to be positioned proximate to an ice tray and a second end positioned outside the housing; a first solenoid valve operably coupled between the second end of the fill tube and an inlet tube; and an outlet tube operably coupled between the second end of the fill tube and a second solenoid valve, wherein fluid is configured to flow through the first solenoid valve and then the fill tube during a fill sequence, and further wherein the fluid is configured to flow through the fill tube and then the second solenoid valve during a drain sequence.
13. 13 . The icemaker assembly of claim 12 , further comprising: a controller configured to selectively open and close the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve during the fill sequence and the drain sequence.
14. 14 . The icemaker assembly of claim 9 , further comprising: a nozzle coupled to the first end of the fill tube, wherein the water is configured to flow through the fill tube and the nozzle to be inserted into the ice tray during the fill sequence.
15. 15 . The icemaker assembly of claim 9 , further comprising: a drain receptacle disposed proximate to the second solenoid valve to receive the water from the drain sequence.
16. 16 . The icemaker assembly of claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to open the second solenoid valve and close the first solenoid valve during the drain sequence, and further wherein the controller is configured to open the second solenoid valve after a predetermined period of time has elapsed following a completion of the fill sequence.
17. 17 . The icemaker assembly of claim 12 , further comprising: a drain tube operably coupled to the second solenoid valve, wherein the second solenoid valve is between the outlet tube and the drain tube.
18. 18 . The icemaker assembly of claim 12 , wherein the fill tube includes at least one of a hydrophobic coating on an inner surface thereof and a heating element coupled to an outer surface thereof.
19. 19 . The icemaker assembly of claim 12 , further comprising: a T-joint coupling operably coupled to the second end of the fill tube.
20. 20 . The icemaker assembly of claim 12 , further comprising: a drain receptacle disposed proximate to the second solenoid valve to receive the fluid from the drain sequence.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/481,546, filed on Sep. 22, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,953,249, entitled “ICEMAKER ASSEMBLY, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/399,352, filed on Apr. 30, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,226,146, entitled “ICEMAKER ASSEMBLY,” the disclosures to which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. FIELD OF DISCLOSURE The present disclosure generally relates to an icemaker assembly. More specifically, the present disclosure is related to an icemaker assembly for a refrigerator. BACKGROUND Icemaker assemblies are commonly disposed within refrigerated appliances. It is therefore desired to develop an icemaker assembly that drains water remaining within tubing of the icemaker assembly to prevent blockage caused by ice formation, and to provide an unhindered water fill cycle. SUMMARY In at least one aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and a machine compartment positioned proximate the freezer compartment. An icemaker assembly is positioned within the freezer compartment. A fill tube extends from the machine compartment into the icemaker assembly. A first solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube. A second solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube, wherein the first and second solenoid valves are positioned within the machine compartment. A controller is configured to independently open and close the first and second solenoid valves. In at least another aspect of the present disclosure, an icemaker assembly for a refrigerator includes a housing and an ice tray positioned within the housing. A fill tube includes a first portion positioned within the housing and a second portion positioned outside of the housing. An outlet tube is coupled to the second portion of the fill tube. A first solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube, and a second solenoid valve is coupled to the fill tube. The first and second solenoid valves are operable between opened and closed positions. In at least another aspect of the present disclosure, an icemaker assembly for a refrigerator includes a housing and an ice tray positioned within the housing. A fill tube has first and second ends with first and second portions disposed therebetween. The first end is positioned proximate to the ice tray. The first portion of the fill tube is positioned within the housing and the second portion of the fill tube is positioned outside the housing. A solenoid valve is coupled to the second end of the fill tube and is operable between opened and closed positions. An outlet tube is coupled to the fill tube. A controller is operably coupled to the solenoid valve for controlling the same. These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present device will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a refrigerator, according to one example; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1 of a freezer compartment and machine compartment of the refrigerator, according to one example; FIG. 3 is a partial side view of an icemaker assembly within the machine compartment, according to one example; and FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the refrigerator, according to one example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the device as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the device may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. Referring to FIGS. 1-4, reference numeral 10 generally designates a refrigerator including a freezer compartment 14. A machine compartment 18 is positioned proximate to the freezer compartment 14. An icemaker assembly 22 is positioned within the freezer compartment 14. A fill tube 30 extends from the machine compartment 18 into the icemaker assembly 22. A first solenoid valve 34 is coupled to the fill tube 30, and a second solenoid valve 38 is coupled to the fill tube 30. The first and second solenoid valves 34, 38 are positioned within the machine compartment 18. A controller 42 is configured to open and close the first and second solenoid valves 34, 38. Referring to FIG. 1, the r