US 12,339,051 B2
Refrigerator with a thermally conductive component with heater for ice maker
Vinayak Naik, Louisville, KY (US); and Eric Scalf, Louisville, KY (US)
Assigned to MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD., Guangdong (CN)
Filed by Midea Group Co., Ltd., Foshan (CN)
Filed on Apr. 11, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/717,793.
Prior Publication US 2023/0324097 A1, Oct. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. F25C 5/08 (2006.01); F25C 1/243 (2018.01)
CPC F25C 5/08 (2013.01) [F25C 1/243 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A refrigerator, comprising:
a cabinet including one or more food compartments and one or more doors closing the one or more food compartments;
an ice maker disposed in the cabinet to produce ice, the ice maker including:
a mold body for forming ice, the mold body including a plurality of cups, each cup having an opening for receiving water to be frozen within the cup;
a thermally conductive component constructed of a thermally conductive metal and that includes:
an arcuate top surface disposed proximate the plurality of cups; and
a flat bottom surface;
a plurality of discrete ceramic heaters distinct from the thermally conductive component and coupled to the flat bottom surface of the thermally conductive component along an axis substantially parallel to the plurality of cups;
wherein the plurality of discrete ceramic heaters is configured to provide heat to the plurality of cups; and
wherein the thermally conductive component is configured to distribute heat from the plurality of discrete ceramic heaters such that heat provided from a first discrete ceramic heater of the plurality of discrete ceramic heaters provides heat to at least two of the plurality of cups and thereby facilitates a release of ice from the plurality of cups.
 
16. An ice maker, comprising:
a mold body for forming ice, the mold body including a plurality of cups, each cup having an opening for receiving water to be frozen within the cup;
a plurality of heaters;
a thermally conductive component that includes:
an arcuate top surface disposed proximate a bottom surface of the plurality of cups; and
a flat bottom surface;
wherein the plurality of heaters is distinct from the thermally conductive component and is coupled to the flat bottom surface of the thermally conductive component along an axis substantially parallel to the plurality of cups;
wherein a first heater of the plurality of heaters is configured to provide heat to at least two of the plurality of cups; and
wherein the thermally conductive component is configured to distribute heat from the plurality of heaters and thereby facilitate a release of ice from the plurality of cups.