U.S. patent application number 14/356389 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-16 for refrigerator having frozen food thawing function.
This patent application is currently assigned to ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETI. The applicant listed for this patent is Arcelik Anonim Sirketi. Invention is credited to Aydin Celik, Sabahattin Hocaoglu, Feyzi Alper Soysal.
Application Number | 20140305612 14/356389 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47178629 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140305612 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Celik; Aydin ; et
al. |
October 16, 2014 |
Refrigerator Having Frozen Food Thawing Function
Abstract
The present invention relates to a refrigerator (1) comprising a
fresh food compartment (2) wherein objects to be cooled are placed
and at least one thawing compartment (4) disposed inside the fresh
food compartment (2), wherein the frozen objects are placed and
having at least one heating means (3) providing the interior to be
heated.
Inventors: |
Celik; Aydin; (Istanbul,
TR) ; Hocaoglu; Sabahattin; (Istanbul, TR) ;
Soysal; Feyzi Alper; (Istanbul, TR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Arcelik Anonim Sirketi |
Istanbul |
|
TR |
|
|
Assignee: |
ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETI
Istanbul
TR
|
Family ID: |
47178629 |
Appl. No.: |
14/356389 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
November 2, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2012/071754 |
371 Date: |
May 5, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/11.1 ;
165/287 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 17/062 20130101;
A23L 3/365 20130101; F25B 2400/01 20130101; F25D 2700/121 20130101;
F25D 23/12 20130101; F25D 31/005 20130101; F25B 2700/2104 20130101;
F25D 11/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/11.1 ;
165/287 |
International
Class: |
F25D 11/00 20060101
F25D011/00; F25D 17/06 20060101 F25D017/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 4, 2011 |
TR |
A2011/11065 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator (1) comprising a fresh food compartment (2)
wherein objects to be cooled are placed and at least one thawing
compartment (4) disposed in the fresh food compartment (2), having
at least one heating means (3) providing the interior to be heated
and wherein the frozen objects are placed, and characterized by a
first sensor (5) that detects the temperature of the thawing
compartment (4) interior when a frozen object is placed into the
thawing compartment (4) and a control unit (6) that calculates a
first temperature change rate (dT.sub.1/dt.sub.1) according to the
temperature value (T.sub.1) detected by the first sensor (5), that
compares the calculated first temperature change rate
(dT.sub.1/dt.sub.1) with a determined limit temperature change rate
(dT/dt).sub.limit prerecorded in its memory by the producer,
providing the thawing process to be started and providing the
frozen object to be thawed by activating the heating means (3) if
the calculated first temperature change rate (dT.sub.1/dt.sub.1) is
greater than the limit temperature change rate
(dT/dt).sub.limit.
2. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 1, characterized by the
resistance type heating means (3).
3. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 2, characterized by the thawing
compartment (4) having a base (8) produced from a material with
high thermal conductivity and the heating means (3) disposed on the
bottom surface of the base (8), and the first sensor (5) that
detects the temperature of the base (8).
4. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 3, characterized by at least one
fan (10) providing the air therein to be propelled and at least one
second sensor (7) that detects the temperature of the thawing
compartment (4) interior during the thawing process and the control
unit (6) that controls the operation of the heating means (3) and
the fan (10) during the thawing process by comparing a lower limit
temperature value (T.sub.lower) and an upper limit temperature
value (T.sub.upper) predetermined by the producer recorded in its
memory, with the temperature value (T.sub.2) detected by the second
sensor (7).
5. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 4, characterized by the control
unit (6) that calculates a second temperature change rate
(dT.sub.2/dt.sub.2) according to the temperature value (T.sub.2)
detected by the second sensor (7) and controls the operation of the
heating means (3) and the fan (10) according to the calculated
second temperature change rate (dT.sub.2/dt.sub.2).
6. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 5, characterized by the control
unit (6) that ends the operation of the heating means (3) and the
fan (10) if the second temperature change rate (dT.sub.2/dt.sub.2)
is smaller than the determined limit temperature change rate
(dT/dt).sub.limit prerecorded in its memory by the producer.
7. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 6, characterized by an insulation
element (9) disposed under the heating means (3).
8. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 7, characterized by the first
sensor (5) disposed on the upper surface of the base (8).
9. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 8, characterized by the base (8)
that is produced from metal material.
10. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 9, characterized by at least one
alerter (11) that enables the user to be informed when the thawing
process is started.
11. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 10, characterized by at least
one alerter (11) that enables the user to be informed when the
thawing process is ended.
12. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 1, characterized by the thawing
compartment (4) having a base (8) produced from a material with
high thermal conductivity and the heating means (3) disposed on the
bottom surface of the base (8), and the first sensor (5) that
detects the temperature of the base (8).
13. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 12, characterized by the first
sensor (5) disposed on the upper surface of the base (8).
14. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 12, characterized by the base
(8) that is produced from metal material.
15. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 1, characterized by at least one
fan (10) providing the air therein to be propelled and at least one
second sensor (7) that detects the temperature of the thawing
compartment (4) interior during the thawing process and the control
unit (6) that controls the operation of the heating means (3) and
the fan (10) during the thawing process by comparing a lower limit
temperature value (T.sub.lower) and an upper limit temperature
value (T.sub.upper) predetermined by the producer recorded in its
memory, with the temperature value (T.sub.2) detected by the second
sensor (7).
16. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 15, characterized by the control
unit (6) that calculates a second temperature change rate
(dT.sub.2/dt.sub.2) according to the temperature value (T.sub.2)
detected by the second sensor (7) and controls the operation of the
heating means (3) and the fan (10) according to the calculated
second temperature change rate (dT.sub.2/dt.sub.2).
17. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 15, characterized by the control
unit (6) that ends the operation of the heating means (3) and the
fan (10) if the second temperature change rate (dT.sub.2/dt.sub.2)
is smaller than the determined limit temperature change rate
(dT/dt).sub.limit prerecorded in its memory by the producer.
18. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 1, characterized by an
insulation element (9) disposed under the heating means (3).
19. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 1, characterized by at least one
alerter (11) that enables the user to be informed when the thawing
process is started.
20. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 1, characterized by at least one
alerter (11) that enables the user to be informed when the thawing
process is ended.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator having the
function of thawing frozen foods.
[0002] In refrigerators having freezing and fresh food
compartments, when some of the foodstuffs stored in the freezing
compartment are desired to be consumed, first the food has to be
taken out of the freezing compartment to be thawed and thereafter
prepared for consumption. In order to perform the thawing process,
the fresh food compartment, with a higher temperature than the
freezing compartment, is provided with special cabinets disposed
therein, that are equipped with special heating mechanisms and
whereat only the thawing process is performed. In the state of the
art, realization of the thawing process is actuated by the user in
the special cabinet. The user provides the start of the thawing
process in the special cabinet by means of a start button.
[0003] In the state of the art Japanese Patent Document No.
JP6137739, a refrigerator is described having a de-freezing chamber
wherein operation is controlled depending on the temperature and
weight data of the food placed therein.
[0004] In the state of the art Japanese Patent Document No.
JP7055319, a refrigerator is described comprising a thawing chamber
having a start pushbutton which starts or ends the thawing
process.
[0005] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a
refrigerator that starts the thawing process when the frozen object
is placed into the thawing compartment.
[0006] The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the
present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective
claims thereof, comprises at least one thawing compartment disposed
inside the fresh food compartment, having at least one heating
means providing the interior to be heated and wherein the frozen
objects are placed, at least one first sensor that detects the
temperature of the thawing compartment interior when a low
temperature object is placed into the thawing compartment and a
control unit that calculates a first temperature change rate
(dT.sub.1/dt.sub.1) according to the temperature value (T.sub.1)
delivered from the first sensor, that compares the calculated first
temperature change rate (dT.sub.1/dt.sub.1) with the limit
temperature change rate (dT/dt).sub.limit prerecorded in its
memory, providing the thawing compartment to be heated and the
thawing process to be started by activating the heating means in
case the first temperature change rate (dT.sub.1/dt.sub.1) is
greater than the limit temperature change rate
(dT/dt).sub.limit.
[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator
comprises a resistance type heating means.
[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator
comprises the thawing compartment having a base with high thermal
conductivity, the heating means extending along the bottom surface
of the base and the first sensor that detects the temperature of
the base when a frozen object is placed in the thawing
compartment.
[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator
comprises at least one fan providing the air therein to be
propelled and at least one second sensor that detects the
temperature of the thawing compartment interior after the heating
means starts to operate and the control unit that operates/stops
the heating means and the fan during the thawing process by
comparing a lower limit temperature value (T.sub.lower) and an
upper limit temperature value (T.sub.upper) recorded in its memory
predetermined by the producer, with the temperature value (T.sub.2)
detected by the second sensor.
[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit
calculates a second temperature change rate (dT.sub.2/dt.sub.2)
according to the temperature value (T.sub.2) detected by the second
sensor and provides the operating/stopping of the heating means and
the fan according to the calculated second temperature change rate
(dT.sub.2/dt.sub.2).
[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit
ends the operation of the heating means and the fan if the second
temperature change rate (dT.sub.2/dt.sub.2) is smaller than the
determined limit temperature change rate (dT/dt).sub.limit
prerecorded in its memory by the producer.
[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator
comprises an insulation element that extends along the lower
surface of the heating means.
[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first sensor
is disposed on the base whereon the frozen object is placed.
[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the base is
produced from metal material.
[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator
comprises at least one alerter that informs the user when the
thawing process is started.
[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator
comprises at least one alerter that informs the user when the
thawing process is ended.
[0017] By means of the present invention, a refrigerator is
realized comprising the control unit having the thawing compartment
wherein the thawing process is started automatically when a frozen
object is placed therein. Consequently, any kind of intervention by
the user is not required for starting the thawing process.
[0018] A refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the
present invention is illustrated in the attached figures,
where:
[0019] FIG. 1--is the perspective view of a refrigerator.
[0020] FIG. 2--is the partial perspective view of the refrigerator
having a thawing compartment.
[0021] FIG. 3--is the sideways cross-sectional view of a thawing
compartment.
[0022] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as
follows: [0023] 1. Refrigerator [0024] 2. Fresh food compartment
[0025] 3. Heating means [0026] 4. Thawing compartment [0027] 5.
First sensor [0028] 6. Control unit [0029] 7. Second sensor [0030]
8. Base [0031] 9. Insulation element [0032] 10. Fan [0033] 11.
Alerter
[0034] The refrigerator (1) comprises a fresh food compartment (2)
wherein objects to be cooled are placed and at least one thawing
compartment (4) disposed inside the fresh food compartment (2),
having at least one heating means (3) providing the interior to be
heated and wherein the frozen objects are placed (FIG. 1, FIG.
2).
[0035] The refrigerator (1) of the present invention furthermore
comprises a first sensor (5) that detects the temperature of the
thawing compartment (4) interior when a frozen object is placed
into the thawing compartment (4) and a control unit (6) that
calculates a first temperature change rate (dT.sub.1/dt.sub.1)
according to the temperature value (T.sub.1) detected by the first
sensor (5), that compares the calculated first temperature change
rate (dT.sub.1/dt.sub.1) with a determined limit temperature change
rate (dT/dt).sub.limit prerecorded in its memory by the producer,
providing the thawing process to be started and the frozen object
to be thawed by activating the heating means (3) if the calculated
first temperature change rate (dT.sub.1/dt.sub.1) is greater than
the limit temperature change rate (dT/dt).sub.limit. The
temperature of the thawing compartment (4) is almost equal to the
temperature of the fresh food compartment (2) since the thawing
compartment (4) is disposed inside the fresh food compartment (2).
When the frozen object is placed into the thawing compartment (4),
the interior temperature of the thawing compartment (4) changes due
to temperature difference between the frozen object and the thawing
compartment (4). If the first temperature change rate
(dT.sub.1/dt.sub.1) calculated by the control unit (6) is greater
than a determined limit temperature change rate (dT/dt).sub.limit
prerecorded in its memory by the producer, the heating means (3) is
activated by the control unit (6). The thawing process is provided
to be started by providing the heating of the interior of the
thawing compartment (4). Thus, the process of thawing the object
placed into the thawing compartment (4) is started automatically by
the control unit (6) without requiring user intervention (FIG.
3).
[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator
(1) comprises a resistance type heating means (3). The operation of
the heating means (3) is regulated by the control unit (6). The
frozen object is provided to be thawed effectively by means of the
heating means (3) disposed in the thawing compartment (4).
[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator
(1) comprises the thawing compartment (4) having a base (8)
produced from a material with high thermal conductivity and the
heating means (3) disposed on the bottom surface of the base (8),
and the first sensor (5) that detects the temperature of the base
(8). The temperature of the base (8) falls when the frozen object
is placed on the base (8) due to low temperature of the frozen
object. When the frozen object is placed in the thawing compartment
(4), the control unit (6) activates the heating means (3) and
provides the process of thawing the frozen food to be started by
providing the interior of the thawing compartment (4) to be heated,
in the case the first temperature change rate (dT.sub.1/dt.sub.1)
determined according to the temperature values (T.sub.1) detected
by the first sensor (5) within a certain time interval is greater
than the limit temperature change rate (dT/dt).sub.limit. The first
sensor (5) is provided to precisely detect the temperature decrease
occurring on the base (8) due to the placing of the frozen object
on the base (8) by means of the first sensor (5) being disposed on
the base (8) and on the same surface as the frozen object (FIG.
3).
[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator
(1) comprises at least one fan (10) providing the air therein to be
propelled and at least one second sensor (7) that detects the
temperature of the thawing compartment (4) interior during the
thawing process and the control unit (6) that controls the
operation of the heating means (3) and the fan (10) during the
thawing process by comparing a lower limit temperature value
(T.sub.lower) and an upper limit temperature value (T.sub.upper)
predetermined by the producer, recorded in its memory with the
temperature value (T.sub.2) detected by the second sensor (7). The
interior temperature of the thawing compartment (4) that rises by
means of the heating means (3) is detected by the second sensor
(7). The heating means (3) is stopped by the control unit (6) and
the operation of the fan (10) continues when the temperature value
(T.sub.2) detected by the second sensor (7) is equal to the upper
limit temperature value (T.sub.upper). The cold air dispersed from
the frozen object in the thawing compartment (4) is provided to be
circulated inside the thawing compartment (4) by means of the fan
(10) and thus the temperature of the base (8) decreases. When the
temperature value (T.sub.2) detected by the second sensor (7) is
equal to the lower limit temperature value (T.sub.lower), the
heating means (3) is started to be operated again by the control
unit (6). Thus, the frozen object is provided to be thawed under
optimal conditions (FIG. 2).
[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit
(6) calculates a second temperature change rate (dT.sub.2/dt.sub.2)
according to the temperature value (T.sub.2) detected by the second
sensor (7) and controls the operation of the heating means (3) and
the fan (10) according to the calculated second temperature change
rate (dT.sub.2/dt.sub.2). If the second temperature change rate
(dT.sub.2/dt.sub.2) determined by the control unit (6) is higher
than the limit temperature change rate (dT/dt).sub.limit , the fan
(10) continues to operate while the heating means (3) is stopped.
Thus, the frozen object is provided to be thawed under optimal
conditions without being deteriorated.
[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit
(6) ends the operation of the heating means (3) and the fan (10) if
the second temperature change rate (dT.sub.2/dt.sub.2) is smaller
than the determined limit temperature change rate (dT/dt).sub.limit
prerecorded in its memory by the producer. Consequently, the
process of thawing the frozen object placed into the thawing
compartment (4) is ended by means of the control unit (6) without
requiring user intervention.
[0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator
(1) comprises an insulation element (9) disposed under the heating
means (3). Thus, the interior of the fresh food compartment (2) is
prevented from heating due to the heat radiated during operation of
the heating means (3). Furthermore, energy loss is prevented by
preventing the heat radiated from the heating means (3) from
leaving the thawing compartment (4) (FIG. 3).
[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first sensor
(5) is disposed on the upper surface of the base (8). Thus, the
first sensor (5) is prevented from being affected by the heat while
the heating means (3) operates and the control unit (6) is provided
to determine the first temperature change rate (dT.sub.1/dt.sub.1)
of the frozen object accurately.
[0043] In an embodiment of the present invention, the base (8) is
produced from metal material. The heat sensitivity of the metal
material is high. Thus, time loss in starting the thawing process
is prevented by detecting the temperature of the frozen object.
[0044] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator
(1) comprises at least one alerter (11) that enables the user to be
informed when the thawing process is started. The user is informed
about the start of the thawing process by giving audible or visual
signals by means of the alerter (11).
[0045] In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator
(1) comprises at least one alerter (11) that enables the user to be
informed when the thawing process is ended. The operation of the
heating means (3) is stopped by the control unit (6) when the
thawing process is completed. Meanwhile the user is informed by
giving audible or visual signals by means of the alerter (11) (FIG.
1).
[0046] By means of the present invention, a refrigerator (1) is
realized, having a thawing compartment (4) wherein the first
temperature change rate (dT.sub.1/dt.sub.1) in the thawing
compartment (4) is detected and the thawing process is started
automatically without user intervention when a frozen object is
placed into the thawing compartment (4).
[0047] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in
the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These different
embodiments should also be considered within the scope of the
claims of the present invention.
* * * * *