Hydrophilic structures for condensation management in appliances
An appliance that includes a cabinet having an exterior surface; a refrigeration compartment located within the cabinet; and a hydrophilic structure disposed on the exterior surface. The hydrophilic structure is configured to spread condensation. The appliance further includes a wicking structure located in proximity to the hydrophilic structure, and the wicking structure is configured to receive the condensation.
1. An appliance, comprising:
a cabinet having an exterior surface;
a refrigeration compartment located within the cabinet;
a hydrophilic structure disposed on the exterior surface, the hydrophilic structure configured to spread condensation; and
a wicking structure located in proximity to the hydrophilic structure, wherein the wicking structure is configured to receive the condensation.
2. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic structure has a water affinity gradient configured to direct the condensation toward the wicking structure.
3. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the wicking structure is disposed within a receptacle.
4. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic structure comprises anti-microbial material.
5. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the wicking structure comprises anti-microbial material.
6. The appliance of claim 3 , wherein the receptacle is configured for evaporation of the condensation.
7. An appliance, comprising:
a cabinet having an exterior surface;
a refrigeration compartment located within the cabinet;
a hydrophilic structure disposed on the exterior surface, the hydrophilic structure configured to spread condensation; and
a wicking finger in contact with the hydrophilic structure, wherein the wicking finger transfers the condensation from the hydrophilic structure to a wicking structure located on the cabinet that is configured to receive the condensation from the wicking finger.
8. The appliance of claim 7 , wherein the hydrophilic structure has a water affinity gradient configured to direct the condensation toward the wicking finger.
9. The appliance of claim 7 , wherein the hydrophilic structure comprises anti-microbial material.
10. The appliance of claim 7 , wherein the wicking structure comprises anti-microbial material.
11. The appliance of claim 7 , wherein the wicking structure is further configured for evaporation of the condensation.
12. The appliance of claim 11 , wherein the wicking structure is located on a bottom surface of the cabinet.
13. An appliance, comprising:
a cabinet having an exterior surface;
a refrigeration compartment located within the cabinet;
a hydrophilic structure disposed on the exterior surface, the hydrophilic structure configured to spread condensation; and
a wicking structure comprising a sponge-like material, the wicking structure configured to receive the condensation from the hydrophilic structure.
14. The appliance of claim 13 , wherein the hydrophilic structure has a water affinity gradient configured to direct the condensation toward the wicking structure.
15. The appliance of claim 13 , wherein the wicking structure comprises a transfer structure for transferring the condensation and a wicking medium for receiving the condensation.
16. The appliance of claim 13 , wherein the wicking structure comprises a wicking medium for receiving the condensation.
17. The appliance of claim 13 , wherein the hydrophilic structure comprises anti-microbial material.
18. The appliance of claim 13 , wherein the wicking structure comprises anti-microbial material.
19. The appliance of claim 13 , wherein the refrigeration compartment further comprises a refrigeration compartment door, and the wicking structure is a retractable wicking bulb within the compartment door that extends to contact the hydrophilic structure when the door is in a closed position.
20. The appliance of claim 16 , wherein the wicking medium is further configured for evaporation of the condensation.