REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE WITH ADJUSTABLE SCREEN

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit and priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/683,087, filed on Aug. 14, 2024, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a refrigerator with an integrated display, and more specifically to a refrigerator with an adjustable, door-mounted display and assembly thereof.

BACKGROUND

Refrigerators often incorporate display screens to display control features of the unit, and in some cases incorporate larger format display screens on the exterior of refrigerator doors to display digital images and video content, among other various visual controls and information, such as interior video feed, stored recipes, digital calendars, pictures, or entertainment content. These display screens are typically mounted slightly recessed into the face of the refrigerator door or behind a clear door face panel, such as to provide a seamless transition between the display and the surrounding door surface. Accordingly, these display screens are fixed with the door structure and have a viewing angle dependent upon the door position.

SUMMARY

According to the disclosure, a refrigerator may include a cabinet body having a storage compartment, a door pivotable attached to the cabinet body and configured to open and at least partially close the storage compartment. The door may have an inner side facing the storage compartment and outer side that includes a cavity portion. A mount assembly may be connected to the cavity portion of the door. A display may be connected to the mount assembly. The mount assembly may be configured to move the display between a stored position with the display disposed in the cavity portion and an extended position with the display positioned outward of the cavity portion. In moving the display relative to the door to the extended position via the mount assembly, the display can be positioned at a desirable viewing orientation, such as for a viewer located away from the immediate area in front of the refrigerator.

Accordingly to one aspect, a refrigerator includes a cabinet body having a storage compartment and a door pivotably attached to the cabinet body, such as in a hinged manner, to open and at least partially close the storage compartment. The inner side of the door faces the storage compartment and an outer side includes a cavity portion. A mount assembly is connected to the cavity portion of the door, such that a display is connected to the mount assembly. The mount assembly is configured to move the display between a stored position with the display disposed in the cavity portion and an extended position with the display positioned outward of the cavity portion.

In some examples, the display includes a display housing and a display screen disposed on a front portion of the display housing. The mount assembly may be connected to a rear portion of the display housing. In some implementations, in the stored position, the display screen is generally flush with an exterior surface of the outer side of the door.

In some aspects, the mount assembly includes an upper arm and a lower arm, where the upper arm and the lower arm are connected at a first end to a first mounting bracket and at a second end to a second mounting bracket. The first mounting bracket is then coupled to the cavity portion of the door and the second mounting bracket is connected to the display. In some examples, the first mounting bracket is fixedly coupled to a lower section of the cavity portion, and the upper arm and the lower arm may each be configured to pivot about a separate horizonal axis on the first mounting bracket between the stored position and the extended position. The second ends of the upper arm and the lower arm may, in some implementations, be disposed in the cavity portion above the first mounting bracket in the stored position. The upper arm may be implemented as a first arm portion and a second arm portion, where the first arm portion is separated from the second arm portion, such that in the stored position, the lower arm is positioned between the first arm portion and the second arm portion.

In some implementations, the mount assembly includes an adjustable joint coupled between the display and the cavity portion of the door. The adjustable joint may be configured to allow the display to rotate between a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation. Also or alternatively, the adjustable joint may be configured to allow the display to pivot between a left tilted position, a centered position, and a right tilted position. In some examples, the adjustable joint includes a ball joint that is configured to allow the display, in the extended position, to rotate and/or tilt between a plurality of positions. The adjustable joint may be configured to prevent rotation beyond 90 degrees.

In some examples, the mount assembly includes a counterbalance arm extending between the cavity portion of the door and the display. Also, in some implementations, a magnet is disposed at the door or the display to magnetically engage the other in the stored position.

According to another aspect, a refrigerator door has an outer side and a mount assembly attached to the outer side of the door. A display is connected to the mount assembly, such that the mount assembly is configured to adjustably support the display between a stored position against the outer side of the door and an extended position away from the outer side of the door. In some examples, the mount assembly is fixed to a cavity in the outer side of the door, and the mount assembly may be deployable to move the display from the stored position with the display disposed in the cavity to the extended position with the display positioned outward of the cavity.

In some implementations, the mount assembly includes an articulation joint configured, with the display in the extended position, to angle and/or rotate the display relative to the door. The mount assembly may also include an arm connected between the door and the display that is configured to move between a vertical orientation with the display in the stored position and an angled orientation with the display in the extended position. In some examples, the mount assembly includes a counterbalance arm that is configured to support the display in the stored position and a plurality of adjusted orientations in the extended position.

The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, advantages, purposes, and features will be apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator with a door mounted display.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a refrigerator door assembly having a display in a retracted or stored position.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the display shown in FIG. 2A in an extended position.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the door assembly shown in FIG. 2A exposing a mount assembly with the display removed.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the display shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective exploded view of the display.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective exploded view of the display.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective exploded view of the door assembly and screen frame.

FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of the mount assembly shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8B is a front perspective view of the mount assembly shown in FIG. 8A moved to support a display in an extended position.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a counterbalance arm of the mount assembly.

FIG. 10A is a side section view of the counterbalance arm of FIG. 9 in a retracted or stored position.

FIG. 10B is a side section view of the counterbalance arm of FIG. 9 in an extended or deployed position.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the counterbalance arm of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12A is a side sectional view of the door assembly with the display in the stored position.

FIG. 12B is a side sectional view of the door assembly with the display in the extended position.

FIG. 13A is an enlarged side section view of an articulation joint of the mount assembly taken at section 13A of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13B is an enlarged side section view of an articulation joint of the mount assembly taken at section 13B of FIG. 12B.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the door assembly with the display in an extended position and with a cut-away of the display showing a portion of the mount assembly.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the exposed portion of the mount assembly shown in FIG. 14 at section 15 with the mounting plate hidden to show a ball joint with the display in a vertical orientation.

FIG. 16 is a front view of the door assembly with the display in an extended position and with a cut-away of the display showing a portion of the mount assembly.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the exposed portion of the mount assembly shown in FIG. 16 at section 17 with the mounting plate hidden to show a ball joint with the display in a horizontal orientation.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a mounting plate of the mount assembly fixed to the cavity portion of the door.

FIG. 19 is an upper perspective view of the mounting plate of the mount assembly shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a rear perspective view of the mount assembly and plate shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21A is a front view of the door with the display in an extended vertical position.

FIG. 21B is a front view of the door with the display in an extended horizontal position.

FIG. 22A is a top section view of the door with the display in the retracted position.

FIG. 22B is a top section view of the door with the display in the extended position.

FIG. 23A is a top view of the door with the display is the extended position and articulated to a left tilted position.

FIG. 23B is a top view of the door with the display is the extended position and articulated to a right tilted position.

FIG. 24A is side view of the door with the display in the extended position and articulated to a down-ward facing tilted position.

FIG. 24B is side view of the door with the display in the extended position and articulated to an up-ward facing tilted position.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A refrigerator is a household appliance with a refrigeration compartment, and in some instances may also have a freezer compartment. The refrigerator may include a cabinet body having a storage compartment, such as a refrigeration compartment or a freezer compartment or a hybrid compartment capable of having a temperature set by the user to meet either temperature range and thereby select the compartment to function as a refrigerator or freezer compartment. A door may be movably attached to the cabinet body, such as via a pivoting attachment or sliding attachment, and configured to open and at least partially close the storage compartment. The door has an inner side that faces the storage compartment and an outer side facing outward from the storage compartment. The outer facing side of the door may include a cavity portion. According to the disclosure, a display may be mounted to a mount assembly that is connected to the cavity portion of the door, such that the mount assembly may be configured to move the display from a stored position at least partially in the cavity portion to an extended position outward from the stored position. In the extended position, the display may assume a desired viewing orientation, thereby increasing viewing angles of the display.

Referring to FIG. 1, an example of a refrigerator 100 is provided, showing a cabinet body 102 having a storage compartment enclosed by two front access doors 104 in a French-door configuration. In other examples, a refrigerator may include a single access door to the refrigeration compartment. The doors 104 are pivotably attached to the cabinet body 102 with door hinges and configured to open and at least partially close the storage compartment. As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 100 includes an access door 104 having an integrated display screen 106, which may also be referred to as a display, disposed in the door 104. The display 106 may be configured to provide a variety of digital information, including control features of the refrigerator, videos of the content in the refrigeration compartment, photos, calendars, or entertainment content. The display 106 is illustrated in a stored position such that the display screen 106 is positioned with its outer surface generally flush to the exterior surface of the door 104. In other examples, the display could be integrated into a different access door 104 or exterior surface of the refrigerator.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the display screen 106 is coupled to a mount assembly 108 for moving the display screen 106 between a stored position 110 (FIG. 2A) and an extended position 112 (FIG. 2B). In the stored position 110, the display screen 106 is disposed in a cavity 116 provided on the exterior surface 120 of the door 104. The outer surface of the display 106 is generally flush with the exterior surface 120. In other examples, a small bezel may be provided around the edge of the display. A monitor shell 114 is provided having a display housing 118 for supporting the display screen 106. The display screen 106 may be positioned on a front portion of the monitor shell 114 facing outward. The rear portion of the monitor shell 114 (i.e., the housing 118) is shaped to be disposed and accommodated in the cavity 116 in the stored position 110. In the extended position 112, the mount assembly 108 is configured to move outward of the plane of the door 104, positioning the monitor shell 114 and the display screen 106 outward of the front surface 120 of the door 104 to provide a greater range of screen positions relative to the refrigerator surface. The illustrated embodiment provides a rectangular display oriented in a vertical position. However, in other examples, the display may be of a different shape or provided in a different orientation in the stored position. The cavity may be shaped to correspond to the display and monitor shell.

Referring to FIG. 3, a mount assembly is shown on the door 104 with the display and corresponding monitor shell 114 removed. The mount assembly 108 is shown stowed and retracted in the cavity 116, corresponding to the stored position of the display when attached. The mount assembly 108 is connected to the cavity 116 by a first mounting bracket 122. In the stored position, the mount assembly 108 is folded in a vertical orientation to fit in the volume of the cavity 116. The cavity 116 on the door 104 shown in FIG. 3 includes an upper portion and a lower portion with a shallower depth than the upper portion, or, in other words, the upper portion of the cavity 116 is has a greater depth extending inward toward the interior of the refrigerator compartment with the door in a closed position, as shown in FIG. 1. The first mounting bracket 122 of the mount assembly 108 is attached to the lower portion of the cavity with fasteners extending into the body of the door 104. The mount assembly 108 extends upward in the cavity to the upper portion of the cavity 116 to provide additional depth for engaging the display, which is done with an articulation assembly 200 in the illustrated example.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear portion 124 of the display housing 118 and the monitor shell 114. The housing 118 includes a rear portion 124 having a monitor shell cavity 126 that extends into the display housing 118. The monitor shell cavity 126 is contoured to conform to the shape of the mount assembly 108. Thus, in the stored position, the monitor shell cavity 126 partially surrounds the mount assembly 108 inside the monitor shell cavity 126. A spherical projection 130 extends out of the rear portion 124 of the display housing 118 within the monitor shell cavity 126. The spherical projection 130 is configured as a component of an articulation assembly for attaching the mount assembly 108 to the monitor shell 114. As described in further detail below, the spherical projection 130 (i.e., a ball joint) is configured to allow a user to rotate and pivot the display 106 relative to the stored orientation once the display 106 is in the extended position.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, an exemplary monitor shell 114 is illustrated in a front exploded (FIG. 5) and a rear exploded (FIG. 6) view. The monitor shell 114 may include a plurality of components located in the display housing 118 for connecting the shell 114 to the mount assembly 108 and for operating the display screen 106. As described above, the monitor shell 114 may include a spherical projection 130 extending through the rear portion 124 of the display housing 118 for connecting the monitor shell 114 to the mount assembly 108. The spherical projection 130 may be mounted to a third mounting bracket 134 inside the display housing 118 for securing the projection 130 and providing additional support to the connection between the shell 114 and the mount assembly 108. The display housing 118 also includes an electronics frame 136 for supporting the digital screen 106 and a control board that operates the digital screen 106. A gasket 138 may be provided between the control board and the display screen 106. In other examples, additional electrical components or mounting brackets may be provided within the monitor shell 114. The electronics frame 136 may have a length and width which extend beyond the edge of the display housing 118, creating a rim or ridge which may be utilized by a user to grip the monitor shell 114 to move the screen 106 to a desired position. In some examples, the ridge may further include an enlarged surface or structure for a user to touch and manipulate the screen, such as finger grips or handles. Grips may be positioned in a central location on a first side and a second side of the frame. In other examples, a single handle or multiple handles may be provided in other locations along the ridge.

Referring to FIG. 7, the door 104 may include a finishing frame 140 that surrounds the peripheral edge of the cavity 116. The finishing frame 140 includes angled surfaces 142 which align the monitor shell 114 with the cavity 116 as the monitor shell 114 is inserted into the cavity 116 as the shell moves to the stored position (FIG. 2A). In some examples, the finishing frame 140 creates a bezel interface between the exterior surface 120 of the door 104 and the display screen 106 in the stored position 110, such that the display and any corresponding handles may be situated slightly prod of the exterior surface 120 of the door 104 in the stored position. In other examples, the finishing frame 140 may create a flush interface between the exterior surface 120 of the door 104 and the display screen 106. In some examples, the finishing frame 140 may be secured to the edge of the cavity via a plurality of accommodating grooves 144 and corresponding accommodating protrusions to create a snap-fit of the frame 140 around the edge.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the mount assembly 108 is illustrated in a stored position (FIG. 8A) and in the extended position (FIG. 8B). The mount assembly 108 consists of a four-bar linkage having a pair of arms. The pair of arms includes an upper arm 146 and a lower arm 148 extending between the first mounting bracket 122 connected to the cavity 116 and a second mounting bracket 150 connected to the monitor shell 114. The upper arm 146 may include a first arm portion 152 and a second arm portion 154 which are separated from each other and move with one another. The first arm portion 152 may extend from a first side of the first mounting bracket 122 to a first side of the second mounting bracket 150. The second arm portion 154 may extend from a second side of the first mounting bracket 122 to a second side of the second mounting bracket 150. The first arm portion 152 and the second arm portion 154 have the same configuration. The first arm portion 152 and the second arm portion 154 may be configured in a zig-zag configuration, each having a first longitudinal portion 170, a second longitudinal portion 172 and an angled portion 174 between the first longitudinal 730 and the second longitudinal portion 172. The first arm portion 152 and the second arm portion 154 of the upper arm 146 may be connected to the first mounting bracket 122 via a first pair of hinges 156. The first arm portion 152 and the second arm portion 154 of the upper arm 146 may be connected to the second mounting bracket 150 via a second pair of hinges 158. The first pair of hinges 156 and the second pair of hinges 158 allow the upper arm 146 to rotate about axes of the first and second pair of hinges 156, 158 to move the mount assembly 108 from the stored position to the extended position.

The lower arm 148 may be connected to the first mounting bracket 122 at a third hinge 160 and connected to the second mounting bracket 150 at a fourth hinge 162. The third hinge 160 and the fourth hinge 162 allow the lower arm 148 to rotate about axes of the third and fourth hinge 160, 162 simultaneously as the upper arm 146 rotates about axes of the first and second pair of hinges 156, 158 to move the mount assembly 108 from the stored position to the extended position. The lower arm may include a third longitudinal portion 176 and a second angled portion 178. In the extended position (FIG. 8B), the first longitudinal portions 1701, 1702 of the first arm portion 152 and the second arm portion 154 may extend parallel to each other in a first direction, and the third longitudinal portion 176 may run parallel to the first longitudinal portions 1701, 1702 in a second direction. In the stored position (FIG. 8A), the first arm portion 152 and the second arm portion 154 of the upper arm 146 are separated such that the lower arm 148 may be nested in the space between the first arm portion 152 and the second arm portion 154. As such, the first longitudinal portions 1701, 1702 and the third longitudinal portion 176 may all run parallel to each other in the first direction while in the stored position. Similarly, in the extended position, the first angled portions 1741, 1742 of the first arm portion 152 and the second arm portion 154 may extend parallel to each other in a first direction, and the second angled portion 178 may run parallel to the first angled portions 1741, 1742 in a second direction. In the stored position, the first angled portions 1741, 1742 and the second angled portion 178 may all run parallel to each other in the first direction.

In some examples, a wire harness 164 is provided to connect electricity from the refrigerator 100 to the control board of the display screen 106. The wire harness 164 may extend from the door 104 through the mount assembly 108 via one of the pair of arms. As illustrated, the upper arm 146 may include a trough 166 defined by a plurality of supports 168 along the first arm portion 152 and the second arm portion 154 for routing the wire harness 164 to the monitor shell 114. In other examples, the wire harness 164 may be routed to the monitor shell 114 via the lower arm 148 or via only one portion of the upper arm 146.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 9-11, the mount assembly 108 further includes a counterbalance arm 180 extending between a first end 182 coupled to the first mounting bracket 122 at a rotating hinge 184 and a second end 186 coupled to the lower arm 148 approximate the connection between the third longitudinal portion 176 and the second angled portion 178 at a second rotating hinge 188. The counterbalance arm 180 may be a coil spring 190 with a pre-tensioning adjustment such as a turnbuckle 192. The coil spring 190 and the turnbuckle 192 may be provided in a spring enclosure 194 such as a flexible sheath. In other examples, the counterbalance arm may be a gas spring or a combination of both. As illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, in a stored position (FIG. 10A), the turnbuckle 192 and the coil spring 190 are loose and provide less stiffness to the mount assembly 108. By extending the mount assembly 108, the turnbuckle 192 provides tension adjustment to the coil spring 190, thus providing added stiffness to the mount assembly 108 to hold the monitor shell 114 in different extensions outward from the door 104.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A, 8B, and FIGS. 12A-13B, the mount assembly 108 further includes an articulation assembly 200 at the second mounting bracket 150 configured to allow angling or rotating of the display 106 and monitor shell 114 relative to the refrigerator door 104. To achieve additional degrees of movement from the monitor shell 114, the spherical projection 130 is configured as a ball joint for engaging a socket 132. The ball joint 128 is configured to allow the display 106 to pivot between a left tilted position, a right tilted position, and a centered position. The ball joint 128 is also configured to allow the display 106 to pivot between an upward tilted position, a downward tilted position, and the centered position. Additionally, the ball joint 128 is configured to allow the display 106 to rotate between a vertical position and a horizontal position. The second mounting bracket 150 includes the socket 132 on an outward facing side extending towards the monitor shell 114. The second mounting bracket 150 may be coupled to the monitor shell 114 by encasing the ball joint 128 substantially in the socket 132 which includes a spherically concave cup 202 with a corresponding concave surface. The socket 132 may include a socket cover 204 which includes an aperture 206 to allow the ball joint 128 to pass through the cover 204 into the socket cup 202. In some examples, the socket 132 may include socket base screws or clamps that can be adjusted to loosen or tighten the clamping between the cover 204 and the socket 132 of the articulation assembly 200. This clamping action can be used to adjust friction between the ball 130 and socket 132 and provide counter resistance to maintain the monitor shell 114 at a desired combination of tilt and rotational angle. FIGS. 11 and 13 illustrate the articulation assembly 200 in a stored position located in the cavity 116 of the door 104. FIGS. 12B and 13B illustrate the articulation assembly 200 in an extended position.

Referring now to FIGS. 14-17, and FIG. 21A-21B, the articulation assembly 200 allows a user to rotate the monitor shell 114 from a vertical position (FIG. 21A) to a horizontal position (FIG. 21B). In examples, the articulation assembly 200 may allow for approximately 90 degrees of rotation for one of either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction from the stored orientation (i.e., the vertical position), thus allowing a rectangular screen 106 that is taller than the width while in the stored position to rotate from a portrait (i.e., vertical) to a landscape (i.e., horizontal) viewing position. Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the socket cover 204 may include a pair of first protrusions 2161, 2162 extending outward form the circumference of the cover 204 on opposite sides of the socket 132. The pair of first protrusions 2161, 2162 are configured to selectively engage a pair of second protrusions 2181, 2182 which are provided on the rear portion 124 of the monitor shell 114. The pair of first protrusions 2161, 2162 engage the pair of second protrusions 2181, 2182 at a first limit (FIG. 15) and at a second limit (FIG. 17) to limit rotation of the monitor shell 114 beyond approximately 90 degrees in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction to protect the shell 114 and joint assembly 200 and harness 164 integrity from tensile and torsion strain.

Referring now to FIGS. 23A-23B and FIGS. 24A-24B, the articulation assembly 200 allows a user to pivot the monitor shell 114 about a horizontal axis of the ball joint 128 (FIGS. 23A-23B) or pivot the monitor shell 114 about a vertical axis of the ball joint 128 (FIGS. 24A-24B). In examples, the articulation assembly 200 allows for movement in at least three degrees of freedom, thus providing multiple viewing angles of the screen 106 to a user. As illustrated in FIGS. 23A and 23B, the ball joint 128 is configured to allow the monitor shell 114 to pivot between a left tilted position (FIG. 23A), a centered position, and a right tilted position (FIG. 23B). As illustrated in FIGS. 24A and 24B, the ball joint 128 is configured to allow the monitor shell 114 to pivot between a downward tilted position (FIG. 24A), a centered position, and an upward tilted position (FIG. 24B). The pair of first protrusions 2161, 2162 and the pair of second protrusions 2181, 2182 may also engage one another to prevent pivoting of the monitor shell beyond approximately 25 degrees in either direction of the horizontal and vertical axes of the ball joint 128 to prevent tensile and torsion strain to the mount assembly 108 and harness 164.

Referring now to FIG. 18-20, the first mounting bracket 122 may be mounted directly to the cavity 116 within the door 104 structure (FIG. 18). In examples, the first mounting bracket 122 may be coupled to the cavity 116 surface via screws, adhesives, or by being foamed into the door 104 structure. In other examples, the first mounting bracket 122 may include an intermediate plate attached to the first mounting bracket 122, such as via a vertical pin joint. In examples, the intermediate plate may be coupled to the cavity 116 surface via screws, adhesives, or by being foamed into the door 104 structure. The vertical pin joint may allow the mount assembly 108, including the first mounting bracket 122, to pivot side to side about a vertical axis of the joint. This provides an additional means to increasing the viewing angle of the digital screen 106 to a user.

Referring now to FIGS. 22A-22B, a top section view of the door 104 is provided in the stored position (FIG. 22A) and in the extended position (FIG. 22A). The door 104 may include a door housing 208 with a metallic outer door panel 210 which surround the exterior surface of the door 104 and extends into the door housing 208 at an edge of the cavity 116. The finishing frame 140 is configured to affix to the edge of the cavity 116. The finishing frame 140 may include a pair of first magnets 212 provided on the front surface of the finishing frame 140 on either side of the cavity 116. The electronics frame 136 and housing of the monitor shell 114 are configured to be accommodated in the finishing frame 140 and the cavity 116 in the stored position. The electronics frame 136 may include a pair of second magnets 214 provided on a rear surface of the frame 136 on either side of the monitor shell 114. The pair of first magnets 212 may be aligned with the pair of second magnets 214 to engage one another in the stored position, thus preventing the monitor shell 114 from extending outward when not desired. In other examples, the finishing frame may include at least a first magnet, but may include more magnets in other locations, and the electronics frame may include at least a second magnet, but may include more magnets in other locations.

Thus, according to the disclosure a refrigerator including a cabinet body having a storage compartment and a door pivotably attached to the cabinet body and configured to open and at least partially close the storage compartment. The door includes a cavity portion defined in an outer side of the door. A mount assembly is connected to the cavity portion of the door and includes a display connected to the mount assembly. The mount assembly is configured to move the display between a stored position with the display disposed in the cavity portion and an extended position with the display positioned outward of the cavity portion. The mount assembly includes an articulation assembly connected to the mount assembly and configured to allow angling or rotating of the display relative to the refrigerator door.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature; may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components; and may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature, unless otherwise stated.

The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements in the preceding descriptions. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional implementations that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, the terms “first,” “second,” and the like, as used herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to denote element from another.

Numbers, percentages, ratios, or other values stated herein are intended to include that value, and also other values that are “about” or “approximately” the stated value, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassed by implementations of the present disclosure. A stated value should therefore be interpreted broadly enough to encompass values that are at least close enough to the stated value to perform a desired function or achieve a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of a stated amount.

Further, it should be understood that any directions or reference frames in the preceding description are merely relative directions or movements. For example, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the orientation shown in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that various alternative orientations may be provided, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in this specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments may be carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law. The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.