U.S. patent application number 13/023264 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-02 for refrigerated merchandiser with glass door heat control.
This patent application is currently assigned to HUSSMANN CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Dennis L. Dickerson, Craig Steven Reichert, Ted Wayne Sunderland.
Application Number | 20110126561 13/023264 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39525497 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110126561 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sunderland; Ted Wayne ; et
al. |
June 2, 2011 |
REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER WITH GLASS DOOR HEAT CONTROL
Abstract
A method of operating a refrigerated merchandiser. The
refrigerated merchandiser includes a case that defines a product
display area, and at least one door that provides access to the
product display area. The method includes sensing a parameter of an
ambient environment adjacent the case, delivering a signal
indicative of the sensed parameter to a controller, and determining
a duty cycle using the controller based on the signal indicative of
the sensed parameter. The method also includes detecting a change
in the sensed parameter using the controller, interrupting the duty
cycle by initiating a clearing interval using the controller in
response to the controller receiving the signal indicative of the
change in the sensed parameter, and clearing condensation from the
door during the clearing interval.
Inventors: |
Sunderland; Ted Wayne;
(Troy, MO) ; Reichert; Craig Steven; (St. Charles,
MO) ; Dickerson; Dennis L.; (O'Fallon, MO) |
Assignee: |
HUSSMANN CORPORATION
Bridgeton
MO
|
Family ID: |
39525497 |
Appl. No.: |
13/023264 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11957043 |
Dec 14, 2007 |
7905101 |
|
|
13023264 |
|
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60870152 |
Dec 15, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/85 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 21/02 20130101;
F25D 21/04 20130101; F25D 2700/02 20130101; F25B 2700/02 20130101;
F25D 21/08 20130101; A47F 3/0434 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/85 |
International
Class: |
F25B 47/00 20060101
F25B047/00 |
Claims
1. A method of operating a refrigerated merchandiser including a
case defining a product display area, and at least one door
providing access to the product display area, the method
comprising: sensing a parameter of an ambient environment adjacent
the case; delivering a signal indicative of the sensed parameter to
a controller; determining a duty cycle using the controller based
on the signal indicative of the sensed parameter; detecting a
change in the sensed parameter using the controller; interrupting
the duty cycle by initiating a clearing interval using the
controller in response to the controller receiving the signal
indicative of the change in the sensed parameter; and clearing
condensation from the door during the clearing interval.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising operating the duty
cycle in an "on" state for a first predetermined time; clearing
condensation from the door during the first predetermined time by
applying heat to the door; and operating the duty cycle in an "off"
state for a second predetermined time.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing at least one
of temperature and humidity of the ambient environment.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting a change in the sensed
parameter includes sensing a baseline parameter of the ambient
environment using the controller; and sensing a subsequent
parameter and comparing the subsequent parameter with the baseline
parameter.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting the
occurrence of a door event of the door in response to detecting the
change in the sensed parameter.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising restarting the duty
cycle after the clearing interval is complete.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/957,043, filed Dec. 14, 2007, which claims
priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/870,152, filed Dec.
15, 2006, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to a control system for a
refrigerated merchandiser that heats a glass door of the
merchandiser to eliminate condensation on the glass door. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a control system for
a refrigerated merchandiser that initiates a heating process for a
glass door of a refrigerated merchandiser using a controller in
response to a change in a position of the glass door.
[0003] Existing refrigerated merchandisers display fresh and frozen
food product in a product display area, and include glass doors to
provide visibility of the food product and product accessibility to
consumers. Often, condensed moisture accumulates on the exterior
surface of the cold glass, which obscures viewing of the product in
the merchandiser. The moisture in the relatively warm ambient air
of the store can condense on the outside surface of the glass door.
Similarly, moisture can condense on the cold inside surface of the
glass door when the door is opened. Without heating, the
condensation on the outside and inside of the glass door does not
clear quickly and obscures the food product in the merchandiser.
Long periods of obscured food product caused by condensation may
detrimentally impact sales of the food product.
[0004] Some glass doors include a resistive coating or
semi-conductive film (e.g., tin-oxide) adhered or affixed to the
glass door to remove condensation and fog. The resistive coating
supplies heat to the glass door via current flow through the
coating caused by a supply of electrical potential or electricity
from the merchandiser. Typically, the heat applied to the glass
door is controlled by a controller based on a duty cycle. These
duty cycles are varied between an "on" state (i.e., heat applied to
the glass door) and "off" state to regulate the time that heat is
applied to the glass door, and are generally defined by the
percentage of time that the duty cycle is in the "on" state.
[0005] Some merchandisers employ a knob or other manual control
that can be used by an operator to set the percentage of time that
the duty cycle is in the "on" state based on the experience of the
operator. Other existing merchandisers include a sensor to sense
parameters of the ambient environment surrounding the merchandiser
(e.g., humidity, temperature). A controller is in electrical
communication with the sensor, and determines a duty cycle to
remove condensation from the glass door based on the sensed
parameters.
[0006] Typically, sensors of conventional control systems are
attached to the merchandiser at a relatively large distance from
the glass door and the refrigerated product display area (e.g., on
an exterior wall of the merchandiser, on a wall adjacent the
merchandiser) to avoid an adverse impact on the sensed parameters
caused by infiltration of relatively cold, dry air when the glass
door is opened. However, placement of conventional sensors at
relatively long distances from the glass door limits the
effectiveness of the sensor to accurately measure ambient
conditions adjacent the glass door. As a result, the duty cycle
determined by the controller may not be adequate to clear the glass
door because insufficient heat may be supplied by the resistive
coating. Insufficient heat applied to the glass door can cause poor
dissipation of condensation and fog. Similarly, inaccurate
measurements by the sensor may cause the controller to supply too
much heat to the glass door, resulting in increased energy
costs.
[0007] Existing control systems regulate heat applied to glass
doors based on a predetermined duty cycle. These control systems
supply electrical potential to the glass door based on the
predetermined time that the duty cycle is in the "on" state. The
time that the duty cycle is in the "on" state is regulated to limit
energy use by the merchandiser. Once the duty cycle enters the
"off" state, no electrical potential is supplied to the glass door.
When the glass door is opened during the predetermined time that
the duty cycle is in the "off" state, condensation may readily form
on the interior and/or exterior of the glass door.
[0008] Conventional control systems cannot eliminate condensation
that forms on the glass door when the duty cycle is in the "off"
state. Instead, heat is applied to the glass door to remove
condensation only when the duty cycle is in the "on" state. As
such, the duty cycle regulated by conventional control systems can
adversely affect elimination of condensation from the glass door
due to a relatively long period of time between the glass door
being opened and the duty cycle entering the "on" state. The
inability of existing control systems to actively remove
condensation from glass doors in response to formation of
condensation allows condensation to remain on the glass doors for a
long time, and detrimentally impacts the viewability of the food
product.
[0009] Similarly, conventional control systems cannot compensate
for multiple door openings that occur in a relatively short period
of time to adequately clear condensation and fog from the glass
doors. For example, when multiple door openings occur and the duty
cycle is in the "off" state (i.e., no heat applied to the glass
door), condensation can accumulate on the glass door. The
condensation is not removed by the control system until the duty
cycle enters the "on" state. Depending on the duty cycle, a
relatively long period of time can elapse between the last of the
multiple door openings and entry of the duty cycle into the "on"
state. As a result, the glass door can remain obscured by
condensation for a relatively long time.
SUMMARY
[0010] In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of
operating a refrigerated merchandiser that includes a case that
defines a product display area, and at least one door that provides
access to the product display area. The method includes sensing a
parameter of an ambient environment adjacent the case, delivering a
signal indicative of the sensed parameter to a controller, and
determining a duty cycle using the controller based on the signal
indicative of the sensed parameter. The method also includes
detecting a change in the sensed parameter using the controller,
interrupting the duty cycle by initiating a clearing interval using
the controller in response to the controller receiving the signal
indicative of the change in the sensed parameter, and clearing
condensation from the door during the clearing interval.
[0011] In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of
operating a refrigerated merchandiser that includes a case that
defines a product display area, and at least one door that provides
access to the product display area. The method includes sensing a
parameter of an ambient environment adjacent the case, determining
a duty cycle using the controller based on the signal indicative of
the sensed parameter, detecting the occurrence of a door event of
the door in response to the door moving between a first position to
a second position, interrupting the duty cycle by initiating a
clearing interval using the controller in response to the door
event, and clearing condensation from the door during the clearing
interval.
[0012] In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a
refrigerated merchandiser that includes a case and at least one
door coupled to the case. The case defines a product display area
and includes a casing that has at least one mullion defining an
opening that is in communication with the product display area. The
door provides access to the product display area and substantially
encloses the product display area, and includes a glass member that
has a conductive film. The refrigerated merchandiser also includes
at least one sensor and a controller. The sensor is positioned
adjacent the door, and is in communication with the opening to
detect a door event of the door and to generate a signal indicative
of the door event. The controller is in communication with the
sensor to receive a signal indicative of the door event from the
sensor, and is further in communication with the conductive film to
initiate a clearing interval to clear condensation from the door in
response to the signal indicative of the door event.
[0013] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary refrigerated
merchandiser that includes a plurality of doors and a control
system.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the doors and a casing of
the refrigerated merchandiser of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the refrigerated
merchandiser of FIG. 1, including a sensor of the control system
coupled to the casing adjacent a closed door.
[0017] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the refrigerated
merchandiser of FIG. 1, including the sensor attached to the casing
adjacent an open door.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a process of
the control system for determining a clearing interval for the
doors.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a
process of the control system for determining a clearing interval
for the doors.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sensor of FIG. 3
attached to the casing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including,"
"comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to
encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as
well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise,
the terms "mounted," "connected," "supported," and "coupled" and
variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and
indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further,
"connected" and "coupled" are not restricted to physical or
mechanical connections or couplings.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a refrigerated merchandiser 10 for displaying
food product (not shown) available to consumers in a retail setting
(e.g., a supermarket or grocery store). The refrigerated
merchandiser 10 includes a case 14 that has a base 18, side walls
22, a case top 26, and a rear wall 30. At least a portion of a
refrigeration system (not shown) can be located within the case 14
to refrigerate the food product. The area partially enclosed by the
base 18, the side walls 22, the case top 26, and the rear wall 30
defines a product display area 34. The food product is supported on
shelves 38 within the product display area 34.
[0023] The case 14 includes a casing 42 adjacent a front of the
merchandiser 10. FIG. 2 shows that the casing 42 includes vertical
mullions 46 that define openings 50 to allow access to food product
stored in the product display area 34. The mullions 46 are spaced
horizontally along the case 14 to provide structural support for
the case 14. Each mullion 46 is defined by a structural member that
can be formed from a non-metallic or metallic material. The
mullions 46 are substantially hollow, and can be filled with
insulating foam (not shown). In some constructions, a light
assembly 54 may be attached to a surface of the mullions 46
adjacent the product display area 34 to illuminate the food
product.
[0024] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the case 14 further
includes doors 58 pivotally attached to the casing 42 using upper
and lower hinge assemblies 62. Each door 58 is positioned over a
respective opening 50 to allow access to the food product in the
product display area 34. A handle 66 is positioned along an edge of
the door 58 to move the door 58 between an open position and a
closed position.
[0025] Each door 58 includes a door frame 70 and a glass member 74.
The door frames 70 can be formed from materials (e.g.,
polyurethane) that have relatively low thermal conductivity for
minimizing thermal losses. In other constructions, the door frame
70 may be formed from other suitable material capable of supporting
the glass member 74 (e.g., aluminum, steel, composites, etc.).
[0026] One glass member 74 is secured to each door 58 by a
respective door frame 70 to allow viewing of the food product from
outside the case 14. In some constructions, the glass member 74 may
include three panes of glass. In other constructions, the glass
member 74 may include more or fewer than three glass panes (e.g.,
one pane of glass, four panes of glass). Generally, multiple panes
of glass are spaced apart from each other and held in generally
parallel, face-to-face positions relative to each other by the door
frame 70. In some constructions, one or more of the glass panes may
include a low-emissivity coating.
[0027] Condensation generally forms on a surface of the glass
member 74 when the temperature of the surface is lower than a dew
point of air that is in contact with the surface. Condensation is a
result of a combination of surface temperature and moisture in the
surrounding air. Thus, condensation can form on an interior surface
of the glass member 74 after the door 58 has been opened due to
exposure of the generally cold interior surface to generally warm
ambient conditions. Similarly, condensation can form on an exterior
surface of the glass member 74 when the temperature of the exterior
surface is below the dew point of the ambient air.
[0028] In the illustrated construction, an electrically conductive
film or resistive coating (not shown) is adhered to the interior
surface of each glass member 74. The conductive film is generally
transparent to minimize interference with viewing the food product
stored in the product display area 34. In some constructions, the
conductive film may be adhered to the exterior surface of the glass
member 74, or alternatively, to the interior surface and the
exterior surface.
[0029] FIG. 1 shows that the merchandiser 10 further includes a
control system that has a sensor 86 attached to each mullion 46,
and a controller 90 in electrical communication with the
merchandiser 10 and each sensor 86 via sensor leads 91 (FIG. 7).
The sensors 86 are located on the mullions 46 so that the sensors
86 are in communication with the openings 50 to detect when one or
more doors 58 are opened and closed. The sensors 86 are also in
electrical communication with the controller 90 to deliver signals
indicative of the door positions to the controller 90. In the
construction illustrated in FIG. 7, each sensor 86 is positioned
substantially within the mullions 46 behind a mullion cover 87, and
is in communication with the openings 50 via a hole 88 in each
mullion 46. Each hole 88 generally faces outward from the mullion
46 into the opening 50. In this construction, an insulating washer
89 can be used to secure each sensor 86 to the mullions 46. In
other constructions, the sensors 86 can be adhered to a surface of
the mullions 46. In still other constructions, the sensors 86 can
be attached to the door frames 70 adjacent an edge of the doors
58.
[0030] In some constructions, the sensors 86 are positioned
adjacent the doors 58 and in communication with ambient air to
detect one or more parameters of an environment surrounding the
refrigerated merchandiser 10. In these constructions, the sensors
86 are defined as environmental sensors, and can include a
temperature sensing element and/or a humidity sensing element (not
shown) to detect a temperature and humidity of the environment
surrounding the merchandiser 10. In other constructions, the
sensors 86 can sense other environment parameters. Generally, the
sensors 86 indirectly sense when one or more of the doors 58 are
closed based on the sensed parameter (e.g., temperature and/or
humidity). The temperature and humidity of the ambient air can be
sensed by the sensors 86 at a predetermined time interval (e.g.,
one minute, two minutes, etc.), or alternatively, the measurements
can be made continuously. In some constructions, the sensors are
the SHT1x and SHT7x sensors provided by SENSIRION, which are
described in the attached Appendix. In other constructions, the
sensor 86 may detect other ambient conditions.
[0031] In other constructions, the sensor 86 can be defined as a
door switch sensor that is positioned adjacent each door 58 to
detect a position of the door 58 (i.e., opened and closed). In
these constructions, a different sensing device (not shown) can be
coupled to the case 14 to detect various conditions of the ambient
environment.
[0032] The controller 90 is in electrical communication with the
conductive film through the case 14 to regulate current through the
conductive film (FIG. 1) based on the signals received from the
sensors 86. The current is passed through the conductive film,
which heats the glass member 74 to remove condensation. The
controller 90 is a microcontroller that can be attached to the
merchandiser 10 in any suitable location (e.g., the base 18, on the
case top 26, etc.). Alternatively, the controller 90 may be
remotely located from the merchandiser 10.
[0033] FIGS. 5 and 6 show that the controller 90 determines a duty
cycle or pulse width modulation period 94 to regulate heat applied
to the glass member 74 based on the conditions of the ambient
environment. In constructions that include the sensors 86 defined
as environmental sensors, the signals indicative of the conditions
of the ambient environment are delivered by the sensors 86 to the
controller 90 to establish the duty cycle 94. In constructions that
include the sensors 86 defined as door switch sensors, the
additional sensing device can deliver signals indicative of the
conditions of the ambient environment to the controller 90.
[0034] In some constructions, the control system can include one or
more sensors 86 to detect ambient conditions of the environment,
which send signals indicative of the conditions to the controller
90 for determining the duty cycle 94 for every door 58. In these
constructions, the duty cycle 94 is the same for each door 58. In
other constructions, the control system can include multiple
sensors 86, with one sensor 86 attached to the case 14 adjacent
each door 58 to independently regulate the duty cycle 94 for the
respective door 58. In these constructions, the duty cycle 94 for
one door 58 can be the same or different from the duty cycle 94 for
the remaining doors 58 in a refrigerated merchandiser 10 that
includes multiple doors 58.
[0035] The duty cycle 94 is operated by the controller 90 over a
predetermined time duration (e.g., 10 minutes), and is varied by
the controller 90 between an "on" state 98 and an "off" state 102
to limit energy consumption of the case 14. In some constructions,
the duty cycle 94 can be varied between a first "on" state that
corresponds to a first amount of electrical potential, and a second
"on" state that corresponds to a second amount of electrical
potential that is larger than the first amount of electrical
potential. In other words, the duty cycle 94 in these constructions
increases the electrical potential from a first electrical
potential to a second, increased or higher electrical potential
relative to the first electrical potential to remove condensation
and fog from the glass member 74. After the glass member 74 is
cleared, the amount of electrical potential can be decreased from
the second electrical potential to the decreased or lower first
electrical potential.
[0036] The predetermined time duration represents one complete duty
cycle 94, i.e., the time needed for the duty cycle 94 to cycle
through one "on" state 98 and one "off" 102 state. The duty cycle
94 is operated for a first predetermined time in the "on" state 98
(e.g., 4 minutes), and is operated for a second predetermined time
in the "off" state 102 (e.g., 6 minutes). When the duty cycle 94 is
in the "on" state 98, heat is applied to the glass member 74
through the conductive film to remove or inhibit condensation. When
the duty cycle 94 is in the "off" state 102, current no longer
flows through the conductive film and no heat is applied to the
glass member 74.
[0037] FIGS. 5 and 6 show the duty cycle 94 beginning in the "off"
state 102. In other constructions, the duty cycle 94 may begin in
the "on" state 98. The controller 90 renews the duty cycle 94 in
response to expiration of the predetermined time duration. The duty
cycle 94 is generally defined by the percentage of time that heat
is applied to the glass member 74 (i.e., the first predetermined
time relative to the time period defined by one complete duty cycle
94). For example, a forty percent duty cycle 94 for a predetermined
time duration of ten minutes results in the duty cycle being
operated in the "off" state 102 for six minutes (i.e., the first
predetermined time), and operated in the "on" state 98 for four
minutes (i.e., the second predetermined time). Thus, a relatively
small percentage duty cycle 94 (e.g., 10 percent) corresponds to a
relatively short second predetermined time, and a relatively large
percentage duty cycle 94 (e.g., 90%) corresponds to a relatively
long second predetermined time.
[0038] The controller 90 operates the duty cycle 94 in the "on"
state 98 for the first predetermined time to clear condensation
from the glass member 74. The first predetermined time is generally
a function of the temperature and humidity differential between the
refrigerated product display area 34 and the ambient environment.
When the differential is relatively large, a longer first
predetermined time is needed to clear the condensation from the
glass member 74. When the differential is relatively small, a
shorter first predetermined time is adequate to remove or inhibit
condensation from the glass member 74.
[0039] In operation, the control system periodically senses
conditions of the environment to determine the duty cycle 94. The
controller 90 receives the signals indicative of the temperature
and humidity from the sensor 86, or alternatively from the sensing
device. The duty cycle 94 repeats indefinitely to periodically
apply heat to the glass member to inhibit condensation on the
interior and exterior surfaces of the glass member 74.
[0040] Each sensor 86 delivers a signal indicative of a door event
106 to the controller 90 when one or more doors 58 are opened. In
other constructions, the door event 106 may be defined by one or
more doors 58 in the closed position. The controller 90 selectively
initiates a clearing interval 110 in response to the signal
indicative of the door event 106. The clearing interval 110 is
defined by a predetermined period of time (e.g., 1 minute, 90
seconds, 2 minutes, etc.) that heat is applied to the glass member
74 to remove or inhibit condensation. In other words, the current
flows through the conductive film to heat the glass member 74 when
the controller 90 initiates the clearing interval 110.
[0041] In some constructions, the control system initiates the
clearing interval 110 simultaneously for each door 58 of a multiple
door refrigerated merchandiser 10 without regard to which door 58
experiences the door event 106. In these constructions, when a door
event 106 is detected by one or more sensors 86 for a corresponding
number of doors 58, the clearing interval 110 is initiated for
every door 58. In other constructions, the control system can
initiate the clearing interval 110 independently for each door 58
of a multiple door refrigerated merchandiser 10. In these
constructions, the controller 90 separately initiates the clearing
interval 110 and overrides the duty cycle 94 for each door 58 that
has experienced the door event 106 independent from the remaining
doors 58 that have not experienced a door event 106. The controller
90 continues to regulate condensation on the remaining doors 58
using the determined duty cycle 94.
[0042] FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of the control system that
selectively initiates the clearing interval 110 based on the
humidity sensed by the sensor 86. The controller 90 establishes a
baseline humidity value based on signals from the sensor 86
indicative of the humidity of the ambient environment. The baseline
measurements are generally determined on a rolling average of the
sensed humidity over a period of time, and indicate an average of
the ambient humidity that can be compared with subsequent
measurements by the sensor 86. In other constructions, the control
system selectively initiates the clearing interval 110 based on the
temperature sensed by the sensor 86. In these constructions, the
controller 90 establishes a baseline temperature value based on
signals from the sensor 86 indicative of the temperature of the
ambient environment. The baseline measurements are generally
determined on a rolling average of the sensed temperature over a
period of time, and indicate an average of the ambient temperature
that can be compared with subsequent measurements by the sensor 86.
In still other constructions, the control system can selectively
initiate the clearing interval 110 based on the temperature and
humidity sensed by the sensor 86, or alternatively, other
parameters sensed by the sensor 86. Generally, the controller 90
establishes a baseline humidity value and/or temperature value
based on signals from the sensor 86 indicative of the temperature
and/or humidity of the ambient environment.
[0043] Placement of the sensor 86 in close proximity to the glass
members 74 subjects the sensors 86 to refrigerated air when the
door 58 is opened to access the food product. When the door 58 is
open, the sensor 86 detects the relatively cold, dry air from the
product display area 34 rather than the ambient conditions outside
the case 14. The measurements of the cold, dry air by the sensor 86
are delivered to the controller 90, and are compared with the
baseline measurements.
[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the controller 90 determines the
existence of a door event 106 based on the parameter (e.g.,
temperature, humidity, etc.) of the ambient environment sensed by
the sensor 86. Refrigerated air flows outward from the product
display area 34 when the door 58 is opened, which decreases the
temperature and humidity of the air adjacent the sensors 86. In
some constructions, a relatively large humidity differential
results when the refrigerated air sensed by the sensor 86 is
compared by the controller 90 with the baseline humidity.
Similarly, a relatively large temperature differential can result
when the refrigerated air sensed by the sensor 86 is compared by
the controller 90 with the baseline temperature. After the
relatively large humidity and/or temperature differential is
determined by the controller 90, the controller 90 discards the
measurements of the refrigerated air made by the sensor 86 to avoid
changing the duty cycle 94 in response to the refrigerated air.
[0045] Absent a door event 106, the controller operates the duty
cycle 94 without interruption by the clearing interval 110. The
controller 90 determines the existence of the door event 106 based
on the relatively large humidity differential and/or temperature
differential caused by refrigerated airflow adjacent the sensor 86.
When the door event 106 occurs, the controller 90 interrupts or
overrides the duty cycle 94 and initiates the clearing interval 110
to remove or inhibit condensation on the glass member 74. As
illustrated in FIG. 5, the controller 90 restarts the duty cycle 94
after the clearing interval 110 is complete (i.e., the
predetermined period of time has elapsed). In other constructions,
the controller 90 may restart the duty cycle 94 at the point where
the duty cycle 94 was interrupted by the clearing interval 110.
[0046] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the control system that
initiates the clearing interval 110 in response to a door event 106
based on the signal from the door switch sensor 86. The duty cycle
94 operates normally and without interruption when a door event 106
is not detected by the controller 90 (i.e., the door 58 remains
closed). When the door 58 is opened, the signal indicative of the
door event 106 is delivered to the controller 90 by the door switch
sensor 86. As discussed with regard to FIG. 5, the controller 90
interrupts or overrides the duty cycle 94 and initiates the
clearing interval 110 in response to the signal indicative of the
door event 106 to remove or inhibit condensation on the glass
member 74. The controller 90 restarts the duty cycle 94 after the
clearing interval 110 is complete (i.e., the predetermined period
of time has elapsed). In some constructions, the controller 90 may
restart the duty cycle 94 at the point where the duty cycle 94 was
interrupted by the clearing interval 110. In other constructions,
the clearing interval 110 may be initiated in response to the
closing of the door 58 as sensed by the door switch sensor 86. In
still other constructions, the clearing interval 110 may be
initiated after a predetermined lapse of time after the door 58 is
opened or closed as detected by the sensor 86.
[0047] The control system determines the existence of the position
of the doors 58 such that heat is applied to the glass members 74
immediately or very soon after the doors 58 move between open and
closed positions. Initiation of the clearing interval 106 in
response to door events 106 quickly removes or inhibits
condensation on the glass members 74. Once the clearing interval
106 is complete, the control system returns to normal
operation.
[0048] Various features and advantages of the invention are set
forth in the following claims.
* * * * *