Injection-molded refrigerator liner with icebox door hinge pins

Abstract

An injection-molded door liner for a refrigerator door is provided. The door liner is injection molded as a single, integral piece and defines an icebox compartment, an upper hinge assembly, and a lower hinge assembly. An icebox door is rotatably mounted to the upper and lower hinge assembly to insulate the icebox compartment from the fresh food chamber. In this manner, the icebox compartment and the icebox door define a sealed chamber for receiving chilled air from a sealed cooling system.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present subject matter relates generally to appliances, such as refrigerator appliances, and liners for the same.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Certain refrigerator appliances utilize sealed systems for cooling chilled chambers of the refrigerator appliances. A typical sealed system includes an evaporator and a fan, the fan generating a flow of air across the evaporator and cooling the flow of air. The cooled air is then provided through an opening into the chilled chamber to maintain the chilled chamber at a desired temperature. Air from the chilled chamber is circulated back through a return duct to be re-cooled by the sealed system during operation of the refrigerator appliance, maintaining the chilled chamber at the desired temperature.[0003]Refrigerator doors may provide access to the chilled chambers of refrigerator appliances. Such refrigerator doors commonly include an outer door frame, a door liner, and foam insulation. The outer door frame...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The present subject matter provides an injection-molded door liner for a refrigerator door and a method for forming such a door liner. More particularly, the door liner is injection molded as a single, integral piece and defines an icebox compartment, an upper hinge assembly, and a lower hinge assembly. An icebox door is rotatably mounted to the upper and lower hinge assembly to insulate the icebox compartment from the fresh food chamber. In this manner, the icebox compartment and the icebox door define a sealed chamber for receiving chilled air from a sealed cooling system. The door liner simplifies assembly, reduces parts, and minimizes the likelihood of leaks. The door liner thereby reduces costs while increasing refrigerator performance and efficiency. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

Problems solved by technology

Notably, the holes in the door liner create leak points that cause issues during the foam insulation process.

For example, foam leaks around the door hinge assemblies can occur and may result in the scrapping of expensive foam door assemblies.

The hinge pin assemblies are also susceptible to misalignment or improper installation.

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