Title:
ICE DETECTION ARRANGEMENT FOR DETECTING THE QUANTITY OF ICE IN THE ICE COMPARTMENT OF A REFRIGERATOR
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2010/060172
Kind Code:
A2
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an ice detection arrangement for detecting the quantity of ice blocks in an ice compartment (8) of a refrigerator, fridge or freezer. The arrangement comprises a compartment for receiving and storing ice blocks (8) and having at least one protuberance (9) in the external surface thereof, and an elastic means (10) arranged on one of the internal walls (11) of the refrigerator. The elastic means (10) interacts with a protuberance (9), varying between a tensioned configuration and a slack configuration, depending on the quantity of ice remaining inside the ice compartment. The change of the elastic means (10) from a tensioned configuration to a slack configuration actuates an ice shortage indicator circuit that warns the user that the compartment is running out of ice blocks.
Inventors:
DALCHAU JEAN CARLOS (BR)
HUBNER ROBERTO JONAS (BR)
HUBNER ROBERTO JONAS (BR)
Application Number:
PCT/BR2009/000391
Publication Date:
June 03, 2010
Filing Date:
November 27, 2009
Export Citation:
Assignee:
WHIRLPOOL SA (BR)
DALCHAU JEAN CARLOS (BR)
HUBNER ROBERTO JONAS (BR)
DALCHAU JEAN CARLOS (BR)
HUBNER ROBERTO JONAS (BR)
International Classes:
F25C5/18
Foreign References:
| US3885400A | 1975-05-27 | |||
| US4007602A | 1977-02-15 | |||
| US4872318A | 1989-10-10 | |||
| US20070103940A1 | 2007-05-10 | |||
| JP2003329348A | 2003-11-19 | |||
| BR9610565A | 1999-07-06 |
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
BONAN DE AGUIAR, Rodrigo Sérgio (Av. República do Chile 230, 3° andar, Centro,Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Cep: -170, BR)
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