Patent Grant
11698223
The device is in the field of refrigerating appliances, and more specifically, a refrigerating appliance having a convertible compartment configured to rapidly change in temperature.
In at least one aspect, a refrigerating appliance is disclosed. The appliance comprises a plurality of storage compartments comprising a first compartment comprising a first evaporator configured to absorb heat energy. A first heating element is disposed in a first compartment. A temperature sensor also disposed in the first compartment and configured to identify a temperature signal. A controller is configured to control a cooling routine for the first compartment. To control the cooling routine, the controller controls a flow of a thermal exchange media to the first evaporator. The controller is further configured to receive an indication of a temperature setting comprising a setpoint and identify a temperature of the first compartment in response to the temperature signal from the temperature sensor. The controller is further configured to control a heating routine in response to the setpoint being greater than the temperature of the first compartment. The heating routine comprises a first interval wherein the controller is configured to activate the first heating element and a second interval wherein the controller is configured to deactivate the first heating element. The controller is configured to activate the first interval and the second interval over alternating time periods until the temperature of the first compartment is greater than or equal to a target temperature associated with the setpoint.
In another aspect, a method for controlling an operation of a refrigeration appliance is disclosed. The method comprises controlling a first cooling routine for a first compartment via a flow of a thermal exchange media to a first evaporator. The method further comprises controlling a heating routine in response to a setpoint temperature being greater than the temperature of the first compartment. The heating routine comprises activating a heating element and a fan in the first compartment over a first interval and deactivating the heating element and the fan over a second interval. The heating routine continues by activating the first interval and the second interval over alternating time periods. In response to the temperature of the first compartment being greater than or equal to a target temperature associated with the setpoint, the method may control the operation of the appliance by returning to the cooling routine.
In yet another aspect, a refrigerating appliance is disclosed. The appliance comprises a plurality of storage compartments comprising a convertible compartment comprising a first heating element, a first evaporator, and a first fan disposed therein. The plurality of compartments further comprises a freezer compartment adjacent to the convertible compartment. The freezer compartment comprises a second heating element, a second evaporator, and a second fan disposed therein. At least one temperature sensor is disposed in the convertible compartment and configured to identify a temperature signal. A controller is configured to control a cooling routine for the first compartment and the second compartment. The controller selectively controls a flow of a thermal exchange media to the first evaporator and the second evaporator to process the cooling routines. The controller is further configured to receive an indication of a temperature setting comprising a setpoint of the convertible compartment and identify a temperature of the convertible compartment in response to the temperature signal from the temperature sensor.
The controller is further configured to control a heating routine in response to the setpoint being greater than the temperature of the convertible compartment. The heating routine comprises a first interval wherein the controller is configured to activate the first heating element and the first fan and a second interval wherein the controller is configured to deactivate the first heating element and the first fan. The controller is configured to activate the first interval and the second interval over alternating time periods until the temperature of the convertible compartment is greater than or equal to a target temperature associated with the setpoint.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present device will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
In the drawings:
For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the device as oriented in
Referring generally to
Though the convertible compartment 12b is depicted in
As depicted in
In order to control the operation of the system 20, a controller 40 may be incorporated into a portion of the refrigeration appliance 10 and configured to control the various operations of the system 20 as discussed herein. In particular, the controller 40 may be configured to control the activation, duty cycle, and operation of the compressor 28 and each of the valves 26, 44 and/or fans 50 discussed herein. Additionally, the controller 40 may be configured to monitor temperature indications communicated via temperature sensors 42 disposed in each of the compartments 12 (e.g. a first temperature sensor 42a, a second temperature sensor 42b, a third temperature sensor 42c). The temperature sensors 42 may correspond to a variety of temperature sensing devices including but not limited to thermistors, thermocouples, diode semiconductor sensors, etc. The controller 40 may comprise one or more logic control devices, integrated circuits, processors, and/or memory devices, which may be programmed with and/or configured to provide for the operation of the various control routines and methods of operation discussed herein.
In operation, the controller 40 may control the multi-directional outlet valve 26 to supply the thermal exchange media 24 directly to a multi-directional inlet valve 44, which may then be supplied to the freezer compartment evaporator 22c. Accordingly, a charged thermal exchange media 24 may be supplied from the multi-directional outlet valve 26 to the freezer compartment evaporator 22c bypassing the refrigerator evaporator 22a and/or the convertible compartment evaporator 22b. Additionally, a partially spent thermal exchange media 24 may be supplied to the freezer compartment evaporator 22c from the refrigerator evaporator 22a and/or the convertible compartment evaporator 22b via the multi-directional inlet valve 44 based on the control position of the multi-directional outlet valve 26. In this way, the system may provide for independent cooling of each of the compartments 12. Further detailed description of an appliance comprising multi-directional valves 26, 44 similar to those discussed herein is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 10,514,194, entitled, “MULTI-EVAPORATOR APPLIANCE HAVING A MULTI-DIRECTIONAL VALVE FOR DELIVERING REFRIGERANT TO THE EVAPORATORS”, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
In various implementations of the system 20, a fan 50 is disposed proximate to each of the evaporators 22 such that heat energy in each of the compartments is distributed and effectively absorbed by the evaporators 22. In this way, the heat energy may be evenly distributed in each of the compartments 12 to provide for a consistent temperature and an improved cooling rate. More specifically, the refrigerator compartment 12a may comprise a first fan 50a disposed proximate to the first evaporator 22a, and the convertible compartment 12b may comprise a second fan 50b disposed proximate to the second evaporator 22b. Additionally, the freezer compartment 12c may comprise a third fan 50c disposed proximate to the third evaporator 22c. In this configuration, the controller 40 of the system may control the multi-directional valves 26 and 44 to control the path of the charged thermal exchange media 24 to each of the evaporators 22 to absorb heat energy in each of the corresponding compartments 12. Additionally, the controller 40 may be configured to activate the fans 50 to distribute the heat energy in response to the cooling of each of the compartments 12.
In some implementations, one or more of the compartments 12 may be equipped with a heating element 52 or heater, which may correspond to a resistive electric heating element. For example, a first heating element 52a (e.g. a defrost heating element) may be disposed in the freezer compartment 12c proximate to the third evaporator 22c and the third fan 50c. In this configuration, the controller 40 of the system may be configured to selectively activate the first heating element 52a to increase the temperature of the freezer compartment 12c. Such operation may be implemented in the system 20 to limit or prevent the build-up of frozen material in the freezer compartment 12c to achieve frost-free operation. In this configuration, the controller 40 may be configured to melt and drain frozen liquids from the freezer compartment 12c.
A second heating element 52b may further be incorporated in the convertible compartment 12b. Similar to the first heating element 52a, the second heating element 52b may also be activated by the controller 40 to provide for frost-free operation of the convertible compartment 12b. Each of the heating elements 52 may be positioned proximate to the fans 50 to distribute the heat energy in the corresponding compartment 12. Though discussed in reference to a single fan and heating element disposed in the compartments 12, a number of heaters and/or fans may be used in combination or distributed in the compartments 12. Accordingly, the system 20 may comprise heating elements 52 in one, two, or each of the compartments 12 to implement the temperature control routines and operations as discussed herein.
Still referring to
As previously discussed, the controller of the appliance 10 may be configured to control the temperature of the convertible compartment and rapidly adjust the temperature over a range of setpoints, which may vary from approximately −25° C. to 15° C. Such a temperature range may correspond to temperatures that may be implemented to store a variety of goods. However, other temperatures or ranges of temperatures may be implemented and achieved via the control routines and apparatuses described herein. Though such flexible temperature control may be implemented in one, two, or each of the compartments 12, the exemplary operations are discussed in reference to the convertible compartment 12b for clarity. Accordingly, the specific devices shown and described herein shall be considered to provide an informative and enabling description of the novel operations of the system and shall not be considered limiting to the scope of the disclosure.
In an exemplary implementation, the system 20 may provide for rapid heating of the convertible compartment 12b by controlling the second heating element 52b. The controller 40 may control the second heating element 52b in coordination with the multi-directional outlet valve 26 and the second fan 50b. More specifically, the controller 40 may be configured to increase the temperature of the convertible compartment 12b by selectively activating the second heating element 52b in coordination with the operation of the second fan 50b while controlling the multi-directional outlet valve 26 to suppress or stop the flow of charged thermal exchange media 24 through the second evaporator 22b. In this configuration, the controller 40 may be operable to increase and decrease the temperature of the convertible compartment 12b to rapidly achieve a variety of setpoint temperatures as identified and monitored via the second temperature sensor 42b disposed in the convertible compartment 12b. Though discussed in reference to the second fan 50b and the second heating element 52b being implemented to control the temperature, a plurality of fans and/or heating elements may be incorporated each of the compartments 12 in a variety of arrangements to suit the desired operating configuration.
As discussed in further detail in reference to
In order to control the temperature of the convertible compartment 12b, the controller 40 may be configured to monitor and control the temperature to achieve a plurality of predetermined setpoint temperatures, which may be set or identified by a user of the appliance 10. For example, the controller 40 may be configured to control the temperature of the convertible compartment 12b to a plurality of predetermined temperature setpoints (e.g. 0° C., 4° C., 10° C.). In response to an input adjusting the temperature of the convertible compartment 12b, the controller 40 may compare a setpoint temperature of the convertible compartment 12b to a measured temperature identified by the second temperature sensor 42b. In response to the temperature of the convertible compartment 12b less than a selected setpoint, the controller 40 may activate the second heating element 52b and the fan 50b for alternating intervals of on-periods (e.g. 1 minute) over a first predetermined time followed by off-periods over a second predetermined time (e.g. 2 minutes). Following each interval, the controller 40 may compare the temperature in the convertible compartment 12b with a target temperature (e.g. 2.5° C., 6.5° C., 12.5° C.), which may be associated with each of the temperature setpoints. Based on the comparison of the target temperature to the measured temperature identified by the second temperature sensor 42b, the controller 40 may either initiate an additional heating cycle or conclude the heating routine.
Though discussed in reference to the specific setpoints and target temperatures, the system 20 may comprise almost any number of predetermined temperature setpoints and corresponding target temperatures based on a desired accuracy or resolution of temperature settings for the system 20. In general, the target temperatures may be greater than the temperature setpoints by an offset temperature. The offset temperature discussed herein may be approximately 2.5° C. but may vary based on the geometry and residual cooling properties of the convertible compartment 12b. As may be understood by those skilled in the art, the residual cooling of the convertible compartment 12b may be related to the proportions of an interior surface area of the convertible compartment 12b, the material properties of the enclosure forming the convertible compartment 12b, the mass of the food products stored in the convertible compartment 12b, and additional properties that may affect the dissipation or absorption of heat therein. Accordingly, the offset temperature may vary based on the specific application of the temperature control routine and a capacity of the compartment in which the control routine is applied.
For clarity, an example of a number of temperature setpoints and corresponding target temperatures is shown in Table 1 and may be referred to in reference to the exemplary operation of the system 20 as discussed in reference to
Accordingly, for each of the setpoints, the controller 40 may monitor the temperature identified by the second temperature sensor 42b to determine if the measured temperature is greater than or equal to the target temperature for the setpoint (e.g. Setpoint A, Setpoint B, Setpoint C, etc.). In this way, the controller 40 may be configured to activate the cycles of alternating heating intervals and idle intervals of the second heating element 52b and/or the second fan 50b. In general, a first duration of the heating intervals (e.g. on-periods) may be less than a second duration of the idle intervals (e.g. off-periods) of the second heating element 52b. In some instances, the second duration of the idle intervals may be 1.5, 2, 2.5, or even 3 times longer than the first duration of the heating intervals. In the specific examples discussed herein, the second duration of the idle intervals is twice as long as the first duration of the heating intervals.
In general, the predetermined time periods for the on-periods and off-periods may correspond to periods wherein the second heating element 52b is supplied with current followed by idle periods wherein the current flow is disconnected or otherwise suppressed by the controller 40 (e.g. via a switching circuit). These time periods may be co-extensive with the activation periods of the second fan 50b but may also be applied independently or over different time intervals from the operation of the second fan 50b. For example, the controller 40 may control the second fan 50b to continue to operate over all or part of the off-periods of the second heating element 52b. In a particular example, the controller 40 may be configured to maintain the activation of the second fan 50b over a third predetermined time period following the deactivation of the second heating element 52b by the controller 40. The third predetermined time period may be less than the second predetermined time period such that the fan is deactivated for a portion of the second predetermined time period. For clarity, the heating routine and results shown in
Referring now to
In response to the activation of the heating routine, the controller 40 may control the multi-directional outlet valve 26 to suppress or stop the thermal exchange media 24 from being delivered to the second evaporator 22b (72). Additionally, the controller 40 may control the second fan 50b and the second heating element 52b to activate to heat the convertible compartment 12b according to an alternating sequence of heating intervals followed by idle or non-heating intervals of the second heating element 52b. As demonstrated in
Referring still to
As depicted in
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described device and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the device disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials unless described otherwise herein.
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. Such joining 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. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the device as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present device. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.
It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present device, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodiments only. Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the device, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20210222946 A1 | Jul 2021 | US |
