Ice dispenser system for a refrigeration appliance, refrigeration appliance, and method of making ice

Abstract

An ice dispenser system for a refrigeration appliance includes an ice maker located within the refrigeration appliance for making ice cubes. The ice maker has an ice making state and a paused state. An ice bucket is located within the refrigeration appliance located so as to receive the ice cubes from the ice maker. The ice bucket is removably securable in the refrigeration appliance in an ice-making position. A sensor is located within the refrigeration appliance, the sensor sensing and providing a signal as to whether the ice bucket is in the ice making position. The ice maker is placed in the ice making state only when the sensor provides a signal that the ice bucket is in the ice making position. A related refrigeration appliance and method of making ice are also disclosed.

1 . An ice dispenser system for a refrigeration appliance, the system comprising:
 an ice maker located within the refrigeration appliance for making ice cubes, the ice maker having an ice making state and a paused state;   an ice bucket located within the refrigeration appliance located so as to receive the ice cubes from the ice maker, the ice bucket being removably securable in the refrigeration appliance in an ice-making position; and   a sensor located within the refrigeration appliance, the sensor sensing and providing a signal as to whether the ice bucket is in the ice making position, the ice maker being in the ice making state only when the sensor provides a signal that the ice bucket is in the ice making position.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a switch activated by placing the ice bucket in the ice-making position. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a weight sensor activated by placing the ice bucket in the ice-making position. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is an optical sensor activated by placing the ice bucket in the ice-making position. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further including an indicator for providing an indication of whether the ice bucket is in the ice making position. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a controller, the controller receiving the signal from the sensor and, responsive to the signal, signaling the ice maker as to whether the ice maker should be in the ice making state or the paused state. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , further including an indicator for providing an indication of whether the ice bucket is in the ice making position responsive to the signal. 
     
     
         8 . A refrigeration appliance comprising:
 a refrigerated cabinet;   an ice maker located within the refrigerated cabinet for making ice cubes, the ice maker having an ice making state and a paused state;   an ice bucket located within the refrigerated cabinet located so as to receive the ice cubes from the ice maker, the ice bucket being removably securable in the refrigerated cabinet in an ice-making position; and   a sensor located within the refrigerated cabinet, the sensor sensing and providing a signal as to whether the ice bucket is in the ice making position, the ice maker being in the ice making state only when the sensor provides a signal that the ice bucket is in the ice making position.   
     
     
         9 . The freezer of  claim 8 , further including an indicator for providing an indication of whether the ice bucket is in the ice making position. 
     
     
         10 . The freezer of  claim 9 , wherein the indicator is located on the outside of the refrigerated cabinet. 
     
     
         11 . The freezer of  claim 9 , wherein the indicator provides the indication when the ice bucket is not in the ice making position. 
     
     
         12 . The freezer of  claim 9 , wherein the sensor is a weight sensor activated by placing the ice bucket in the ice-making position. 
     
     
         13 . The freezer of  claim 9 , wherein the indicator provides a first indication when the ice bucket is not in the ice making position and a second indication when the ice bucket is in the ice making position. 
     
     
         14 . The freezer of  claim 9 , further including a controller, the controller receiving the signal from the sensor and, responsive to the signal, signaling the ice maker as to whether the ice maker should be in the ice making state or the paused state. 
     
     
         15 . A method of controlling an ice maker for a refrigeration appliance with a removable ice bucket, the method comprising:
 sensing whether the ice bucket is in an ice making position;   operating the ice maker to make ice if the sensing step senses that the ice bucket is in the ice making position; and   halting operation of the ice maker if the sensing step senses that the bucket is not in the ice making position.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising, after the halting step, sensing whether the ice bucket is in an ice making position and resuming operation of the ice maker if the ice bucket is in the ice making position. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further including providing an indication of whether the ice bucket is in the ice making position responsive to the sensing step.