Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D21/00—Defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water
  • F25D21/14—Collecting or removing condensed and defrost water; Drip trays
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
  • F25D2400/32—Removal, transportation or shipping of refrigerating devices from one location to another

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance, in particular a domestic refrigerator.
• the present invention particularly relates to a refrigeration appliance which has a defrost facility.
• the “no-frost” technology constitutes an effective method of reducing humidity in a refrigeration compartment to prevent formation of frost on the inner walls thereof and on the articles stored therein.
• a refrigeration appliance utilizing the no-frost technology typically includes: a compartment for accommodating the articles to be refrigerated, a refrigeration circuit which includes an evaporator disposed at a location outside the refrigerating compartment and a circulation duct for conveying by means of a fan the air inside the refrigerating compartment towards the evaporator, and for subsequently discharging the air into the refrigerating compartment.
• the moisture in the circulated air freezes on the surface of the evaporator as the refrigerant evaporates.
• a no-frost refrigeration appliance is also provided with a defrost circuit which typically includes a defrost heater for melting the frost accumulated on the evaporator and an evaporator tray for collecting the melted frost.
• the evaporator tray is typically fixed on the compressor of the refrigeration circuit such that the water can be evaporated by the heat which is radiated off from the compressor.
• the control unit of the no-frost refrigeration appliance initiates or terminates a defrost cycle in accordance with settings including a cut_in temperature and a cut_out temperature, wherein a sensor is utilized to monitor the temperature of the evaporator surface.
• a problem with the no frost technology is that after the refrigeration appliance is deenergized by the user or any other person in charge, the frost accumulated on the evaporator starts to melt and to drain into the evaporator tray. During the transportation, the melted frost spills over the evaporator tray. The spilled water potentially poses severe risks to the users and can cause damages to the other household goods. Also the residual moisture in the refrigeration compartments may promote proliferation of microorganisms and formation of bad odors. In general, an interior of a refrigeration compartment can rapidly change into an environment which endangers a user’s health.
• WO 2011/009784 A2 discloses a refrigeration appliance which utilizes the no-frost technology.
• An objective of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration appliance and a method of controlling a refrigeration appliance which overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art and which has improved usability and functionality.
• the refrigeration appliance of the present invention comprises a control unit which includes: a normal mode in which each refrigeration compartment, such as a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment is refrigerated and a user-selectable relocation mode in which the refrigeration circuit, in particular each evaporator thereof such as a freezer evaporator and a fresh food evaporator is completely defrosted and the melted frost i.e water which has been drained into the evaporator tray is completely evaporated.
• the control unit monitors whether the relocation mode is currently set on or off by the user. If it is determined that the relocation mode is set on, then the control unit halts the normal mode and activates the relocation mode. However, if it is determined that the relocation mode is set off then the control unit halts the relocation mode and activates the normal mode.
• the evaporating tray is provided with an auxiliary heater for evaporating the water therein.
• the control unit energizes the auxiliary heater until the water is completely evaporated.
• the auxiliary heater is energized for a predetermined duration which is proven to be sufficient for evaporating the entire water.
• mechanical or electrical sensors are used to detect a remaining water level in the evaporating tray.
• the user is informed that the refrigeration appliance is ready for relocation. Thereafter, the door of each compartment is locked.
• a stepper motor is used to commonly lock the doors of the freezer compartment and the fresh food compartments.
• a freezer fan and/or a fresh food fan are energized to dry the interior of the respective compartments during the relocation mode. Thereby the moisture is initially frozen on the respective evaporator and subsequently melted and drained off to the evaporator tray.
• the refrigeration appliance has a non-volatile memory.
• the non-volatile memory is used to store various type of information.
• the non-volatile memory is used to store a first type of information which indicates whether the relocation mode is currently set on or off.
• the non-volatile memory is also used to store a second type of information which is indicative whether the refrigeration circuit has been completely defrosted and the melted frost in the evaporator tray has been completely evaporated. Thereby, the control unit can easily manage the relocation mode.
• a third type of information indicative of the locking/unlocking of the doors (8, 9) is written into the non-volatile memory.
• the control unit when the use reenergizes the refrigeration appliance and subsequently reenergizes the refrigeration appliance after the relocation, the control unit remains in the relocation mode until the user sets the relocation mode off.
• the above types of information in the non-volatile memory are updated by the control unit in accordance with user inputs.
• control unit of the refrigeration appliance also includes a normal defrost mode in addition to the above mentioned normal mode and the relocation mode.
• any settings for the relocation mode such as the cut_in and cut_out temperatures for the defrost process are different from those of the normal settings used in the normal defrost mode.
• the user interface has means for audible and/or visually informing the user whether the relocation mode is set on, whether refrigeration appliance is ready for relocation, and whether the doors are locked.
• a refrigeration appliance has been provided with a relocation mode which the user can utilize for the purpose of safely transporting the refrigerator during removal.
• the relocation mode When the relocation mode is set on, the refrigeration appliance establishes a state suitable for the transportation thereof.
• the proliferation of microorganisms and formation of bad odors inside the refrigeration appliance can be effectively avoided.
• the doors can be prevented from causing damages for the entire duration of the transportation.
• the lock mechanism By virtue of the lock mechanism, the need of any adhesive tapes or the like which are likely to damage the finish of the refrigeration appliance have been obviated. Thereby, usability and functionality of the refrigeration appliance have been improved.
• Figure 1 – is a schematic perspective view of a refrigeration appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 2 – is a schematic perspective partial view of the refrigeration appliance shown in Fig. 1;
• Figure 3 – is a schematic perspective rear view of the refrigeration appliance shown in Fig. 1;
• Figure 4 – is a flow chart showing the steps of a method for controlling the refrigeration appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention
• Figure 5 is another flow chart showing the steps of the method for controlling the refrigeration appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• the refrigeration appliance (1) comprises one or more than one refrigeration compartment (2, 3) for receiving articles to be refrigerated, a refrigeration circuit for refrigerating each refrigeration compartment (2, 3), a defrost circuit for defrosting the refrigeration circuit and for evaporating the melted frost drained into an evaporator tray (4), a user interface (not shown) for inputting a user selection and a control unit (not shown) for controlling the refrigeration circuit, the defrost circuit and the user interface (Figs. 1 to 3).
• the control unit includes a normal mode and a user-selectable relocation mode.
• the user can set the relocation mode on or off via the user interface.
• each refrigeration compartment (2, 3) is refrigerated.
• the relocation mode the refrigeration circuit is completely defrosted and the melted frost which has been drained into the evaporator tray (4) is completely evaporated (Figs. 4 and 5).
• the method of the present invention for controlling the refrigeration appliance (1) comprises a first step (S2, S14) of monitoring whether the relocation mode is currently set on or off by the user, a step (S4) of halting the normal mode and activating the relocation mode if it is determined in the first monitoring step (S2, S14) that the relocation mode is set on and a step (S1) of halting the relocation mode and activating the normal mode if it is determined in the first monitoring step (S2, S14) that the relocation mode is set off (Figs. 4 and 5).
• the method comprises a step (S3, S15) of writing into a non-volatile memory a first type of information which indicates whether the relocation mode is currently set on or off in accordance with a user input detected in the first monitoring step (S2, S14).
• the first monitoring step (S2, S14) it is also monitored whether the relocation mode is currently set on or off based on the first type of information written into the non-volatile memory (Figs. 4 and 5).
• the refrigeration appliance (1) when the refrigeration appliance (1) is energized, in the first monitoring step (S2, S14) it is immediately monitored whether the relocation mode is currently set on or off based on the first type of information written into the non-volatile memory: if the relocation mode is currently set off then the normal mode is activated, however, if the relocation mode is currently set on then the relocation mode is activated.
• the method comprises: a step (S5, S16) of informing the user via the user interface whether the relocation mode has been activated or deactivated (Fig. 5).
• the method comprises: a second step (S6) of monitoring whether the refrigeration appliance (1) is ready for relocation based on a second type of information written into said non-volatile memory.
• the second type of information written into the non-volatile memory is indicative whether the refrigeration circuit has been completely defrosted and the melted frost in the evaporator tray (4) has been completely evaporated (Fig. 5).
• the step (S4) of activating the relocation mode includes: a step of halting a compressor (13) of the refrigeration circuit, a step (S7) of modifying normal settings for defrosting the refrigeration circuit, wherein the normal settings include cut_in and cut_out temperatures of the defrost circuit, a step (S8) of defrosting the refrigeration circuit in accordance with said modified settings, a step of evaporating the water in the evaporator tray (4) by using an auxiliary heater (4a), a first step (S9a) of determining whether the cut_out temperature according to the modified settings has been reached by using a temperature sensor (5), and a second step (S9b) of determining whether the melted frost in the evaporator tray (4) has been completely evaporated.
• the halting step, the modifying step (S7), the defrosting step (S8), the evaporating step, the first determining step (S9a), and the second determining step (S9) are performed if the second type of information written into the non-volatile memory indicates that the refrigeration appliance is not yet ready for relocation (Fig. 5).
• the cut_in temperature is modified such that the defrost circuit is immediately activated.
• the cut_out temperature is modified such that a complete melting of the frost is ensured.
• the modified cut_out temperature is well above zero degrees centigrade.
• control unit of the refrigeration appliance (1) also includes a normal defrost mode in addition to the above mentioned normal mode and the relocation mode.
• the modified settings for the relocation mode are different from the normal settings used in a normal defrost mode.
• the step (S4) of activating the relocation mode includes: a step of operating a freezer fan (6) and/or fresh food fan (7) during the defrosting step (S8) (Fig. 5). Thereby any residual moisture in the refrigeration compartments (2, 3) can be prevented. Thus, the proliferation of microorganisms and formation of bad odors can be effectively avoided.
• the method comprises: a step (S10) of informing the user via the user interface that the refrigeration appliance (1) is ready for relocation if the results of the first determining step (S9a) and the second determining step (S9b) are both affirmative (Fig. 5).
• the method comprises: a step (S11) of writing into the non-volatile memory a second type of information which indicates whether the refrigeration appliance (1) is ready for relocation based on the results of the first determining step (S9a) and the second determining step (S9b) (Fig. 5).
• the method comprises: a step (S15) of updating the second type of information in the non-volatile memory that the refrigeration appliance (1) is not ready for relocation if the relocation mode is currently set off in accordance with a user input detected in the first monitoring step (S2, S14) (Fig. 5).
• the method comprises: a step (S12) of locking each door (8, 9) of a respective refrigeration compartment (2, 3) by means of a lock mechanism (10) if the refrigeration appliance (1) is ready for relocation and if the relocation mode is currently set on. Thereby, the doors (8, 9) are prevented from opening/closing during the transportation. Hence, the doors (8, 9) are prevented from causing damages.
• the method also comprises: a step (S17) of unlocking each door (8, 9) of a respective refrigeration compartment by means of the lock mechanism (10) if the relocation mode is currently set off by the user (Fig. 5).
• a third information indicative of the locking/unlocking of the doors (8, 9) are also written into the non-volatile memory.
• the third information is also updated each time after a respective change in the state of the doors (8, 9) takes place.
• the method comprises: a step (S13) of suspending operation of the refrigeration appliance (1) after each door (8, 9) of has been locked and if the relocation mode is currently set on.
• the suspending step (S13) i.e., in the suspension state, the defrost process and the refrigeration process are both terminated.
• the refrigeration appliance (1) waits until it is deenergized by the user. Thereafter, the refrigeration appliance (1) can be safely transported, and subsequently energized after installation of the same at its new place (Fig. 5).
• the refrigeration appliance (1) is a domestic refrigerator (1) (Figs. 1 to 3).
• the refrigeration compartments (2, 3) include a freezer compartment (2) and a fresh food compartment (3).
• the freezer compartment (2) and the fresh food compartment (3) are respectively provided with a freezer door (8) and a fresh food door (9) for opening/closing the same.
• the freezer door (8) and the fresh food door (9) are provided with a lock mechanism (10).
• the refrigeration circuit includes: a freezer evaporator (11) arranged to refrigerate the freezer compartment (2), a fresh food evaporator (12) arranged to refrigerate the fresh food compartment (3), a compressor (13), a condenser (14), an expansion valve or the like which are serially connected to circulate a cooling refrigerant.
• the defrost circuit includes, a defrost heater (15), a freezer fan (6) arranged to draw air from the freezer compartment (2) towards the freezer evaporator (11), a fresh food fan (7) arranged to draw air from the fresh food compartment (3) towards the fresh food evaporator (12), an auxiliary heater (4a) arranged to evaporate the melted frost drained off into the evaporating tray (4) and a temperature sensor (5) for sensing a temperature of the surfaces of the freezer evaporator (11) and the fresh food evaporator (12) (Fig. 1 to 3).
• the lock mechanism includes a stepper motor (not shown).
• the lock mechanism is configured to commonly open/close both the freezer door (8) and the fresh food door (9) and is arranged between them (Fig. 1).
• the auxiliary heater (4a) is an electrical resistance (not shown).
• the evaporating tray (4) is provided with a mechanical or electrical sensor such as a buoy, a thermostat or the like for detecting a remaining melted frost level.
• the non-volatile memory (not shown) is flash memory.
• the present invention also provides a program comprising computer-readable codes suitable for causing the refrigeration appliance (1) to execute the method steps of the present invention. Therefore, the control unit of refrigeration appliance (1) includes: a microprocessor or the like for running said program and a computer readable storage medium storing said program. In another embodiment, this storage medium also serves as the above-mentioned non-volatile memory.
• the present invention also provides a computer readable storage medium which stores the program of the present invention.
• a refrigeration appliance (1) has been provided with a relocation mode which the user can utilize for the purpose of relocating.
• the refrigeration appliance (1) establishes a state suitable for transporting it.
• the proliferation of microorganisms and formation of bad odors inside the refrigeration appliance (1) can be effectively avoided.
• the doors (8, 9) can be prevented from causing damages for the entire duration of the transportation.
• the lock mechanism (10) the use of any adhesive tapes or the like which are likely to damage the finish of the refrigeration appliance have been obviated.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Defrosting Systems (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (3)

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ID=49911541

Family Applications (1)

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Cited By (1)

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• 2013
  • 2013-12-30 WO PCT/EP2013/078157 patent/WO2015101401A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2013-12-30 EP EP13815535.3A patent/EP3090224B8/de not_active Not-in-force

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