Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.

Qianmao Zhou

Bo Yan

Yayu Song

Jun Teng

Lixin Zhou

Xiaoyang Jiang

Jianwu Li

Zhongyang Sun

Jin Wu

Xingde Kang

Robert Charles Pfaffinger, Jr

Shanfeng Ding

A grinding system that includes a grinder attached to a grind size adjustment ring. Also, a potentiometer attached to the grind size adjustment ring, so as to provide a grind size measurement to a controller. The controller selects a grinding duration based upon the selected grind size measured by the potentiometer.

Systems for grind duration adjustment for grinders

A refrigerator appliance or ice making assembly, as provided herein, may include a body and an ejector. The body may include an ice mold for receiving and freezing water. The ice mold may define a discrete first compartment and second compartment within which water freezes. The first compartment may define a first cube profile. The second compartment may be axially-spaced apart from the first compartment and define a second cube profile. The second cube profile may be different from the first cube profile. The ejector may be rotatably disposed above the first cube profile and the second cube profile to motivate ice from the first and second compartments.

Ice making assembly and refrigerator appliance

A refrigerator appliance or ice supply, as provided herein, may include an ice maker, an ice bucket, and a shutter. The ice maker may include a mold body defining a discrete first compartment and second compartment within which water freezes. The ice bucket may define a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber may be separated from the first chamber. The ice bucket may further define an outlet opening having a first portion in fluid communication with the first chamber and a second portion in fluid communication with the second chamber. The shutter may be disposed at the outlet opening and movable between a first position and a second position. The first position may include the shutter covering the second portion and spaced apart from the first portion. The second position may include the shutter covering the first portion and spaced apart from the second portion.

An ice bucket for a refrigerator appliance, includes a bucket body; an auger provided inside the bucket and including an auger shaft rotatable about a first shaft axis and a collet at a first end of the auger shaft and including an axially beveled surface formed circumferentially around the auger shaft; and an agitator provided in the bucket in mechanical communication with the auger, the agitator including an agitator shaft rotatable about a second shaft axis non-parallel to the first shaft axis, a plurality of first tines extending radially from the agitator shaft within the bucket body to engage ice therein, and a projection that extends perpendicularly from the agitator shaft opposite the plurality of tines. The projection engages with the axially beveled surface to oscillate the agitator.

Ice bucket agitator and refrigerator appliance

Growing community of inventors

Shanghai, China

Qianmao Zhou