Motorized ice dispenser door
An ice dispenser includes an ice chute door. The dispenser further includes a shaft coupled to the door, a motor coupled to the shaft, and a biasing device, such as a spring, coupled to the door. The motor rotates the shaft to open the door. To close the door, the motor is de-energized after a predetermined time period, and the biasing device then closes the door with a strong sealing force.
1 . An ice dispenser comprising:
an ice chute door;
a shaft coupled to said door;
a motor coupled to said shaft; and
a biasing device coupled to said door.
2 . The ice dispenser of claim 1 , further comprising:
a relay coupled to said motor, said relay adapted to remove power to said motor after a pre-determined time delay.
3 . The ice dispenser of claim 1 , wherein said biasing device is a spring.
4 . The ice dispenser of claim 1 , wherein said biasing device is a counter balance weight.
5 . The ice dispenser of claim 1 , wherein said motor is an alternating current asynchronous motor.
6 . The ice dispenser of claim 1 , further comprising a lever coupled to a switch, wherein said motor, when activated by a force on the lever, rotates said shaft to open said door.
7 . The ice dispenser of claim 6 , wherein said relay removes power to said motor after a predetermined time delay when the force is removed.
8 . A method of operating an ice dispenser having an ice chute door comprising:
receiving a first indication to dispense ice;
energizing a motor that is coupled to the ice door, said motor rotating a shaft to open the ice door;
receiving a second indication to stop dispensing ice; and
de-energizing the motor after a predetermined time delay from receiving the second indication.
9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
biasing the ice door in a closed position using a spring.
10 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
biasing the ice door in a closed position using a counter balance weight.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the first indication is a force on a lever, and the second indication is a removal of the force.
12 . A refrigerator comprising:
a freezer section door; and
a refrigerator section door;
said freezer section door having an ice dispenser comprising:
an ice chute;
an ice chute door coupled to said ice chute;
a shaft coupled to said door;
a motor coupled to said shaft; and
a biasing device coupled to said door.
13 . The refrigerator of claim 12 , further comprising:
a relay coupled to said motor, said relay adapted to remove power to said motor after a pre-determined time delay.
14 . The refrigerator of claim 12 , wherein said biasing device is a spring.
15 . The refrigerator of claim 12 , wherein said biasing device is a counter balance weight.
16 . The refrigerator of claim 12 , wherein said motor is an alternating current asynchronous motor.
17 . The refrigerator of claim 12 , further comprising a lever coupled to a switch, wherein said motor, when activated by a force on the lever, rotates said shaft to open said door.
18 . The refrigerator of claim 17 , wherein said relay removes power to said motor after a predetermined time delay when the force is removed.