Apparatuses and methods to improve air flow in on-the-door icemakers

Abstract

On-the-door icemakers having improved air flow are disclosed. An example icemaker includes an ice mold configured to produce ice by removing heat from the ice mold using supplied cold air, and a shaped air flow redirection member disposed at least partially between the icemaker and the door to redirect at least a portion of the cold air away from the door toward the freezer compartment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An on-the-door icemaker for use on a door of a freezer compartment, the icemaker comprising:
 an ice mold configured to produce ice by removing heat from the ice mold using supplied cold air; and   a shaped air flow redirection member disposed at least partially between the icemaker and the door to redirect at least a portion of the cold air away from the door toward the freezer compartment.   
     
     
         2 . An icemaker as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the shaped air flow redirection member comprises at least one of an L-shaped member, a C-shaped member, a U-shaped member, and angle-bracket-shaped member, or a semi-circle shaped member. 
     
     
         3 . An icemaker as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the shaped air flow redirection member comprises:
 a first member positioned at least partially between the icemaker and the door; and   a second curved member curving from beneath the first member toward the freezer compartment.   
     
     
         4 . An icemaker as defined in  3 , wherein a liner of the door comprises the first member, and an upper portion of second curved member attaches the liner. 
     
     
         5 . An icemaker as defined in  3 , wherein the first member is curved. 
     
     
         6 . An icemaker as defined in  3 , wherein the second member extends to a position at least partially beneath the ice mold. 
     
     
         7 . An icemaker as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the Shaped air flow redirection member comprises:
 a first member positioned at least partially between the icemaker and the door; and   a second member extending from the first member toward the freezer compartment.   
     
     
         8 . An icemaker as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the first and second members form substantially a right angle. 
     
     
         9 . An icemaker as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a first flow of the cold air in a first direction is redirected by the Shaped air flow redirection member into a second flow having a second direction generally opposite the first direction, wherein the second flow comprises at least a portion of the first flow. 
     
     
         10 . An icemaker as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a shape of the Shaped air flow redirection member is selected to reduce an amount of cold air flowing into a water feeding zone. 
     
     
         11 . An icemaker as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a shape of the Shaped air flow redirection member is selected to reduce an amount of cold air flowing into an ice storage zone. 
     
     
         12 . An icemaker as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a shape of the Shaped air flow redirection member is selected to reduce an amount of humidity on the door. 
     
     
         13 . An icemaker as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a shape of the Shaped air flow redirection member is selected to reduce an amount of at least one of frost and/or ice on the door. 
     
     
         14 . A method for redirecting air flow in an on-the-door icemaker of an appliance having a freezer compartment, and a door that provides access to the freezer compartment, the method comprising:
 supplying cold air into the icemaker; and   redirecting at least a portion of the cold air from the ice maker back toward the freezer compartment using a generally L-shaped air flow redirection device disposed at least partially between the icemaker and the door.   
     
     
         15 . A method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein redirecting the at least a portion of the cold air from the ice maker back toward the freezer compartment comprises redirecting the at least a portion of the cold air toward the freezer compartment along a curved path defined by a curved portion of the L-shaped air flow redirection device. 
     
     
         16 . A method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein redirecting at least a portion of the cold air from the ice maker back toward the freezer compartment comprises redirecting a first flow of the at least portion different than opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         17 . A method as defined in  claim 14 , further comprising reducing a flow of cold air into a water feeding zone by redirecting the at least portion of the cold air. 
     
     
         18 . A method as defined in  claim 14 , further comprising reduces a flow of cold air into an ice storage zone by redirecting the at least portion of the cold air. 
     
     
         19 . A method as defined in  claim 14 , further comprising reducing humidity on the door by the redirecting the at least portion of the cold air. 
     
     
         20 . A method as defined in  claim 14 , further comprising reducing at least one of frost or ice on the door by the redirecting the at least portion of the cold air reduces.