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EP2773226A2 - A refrigerator having a frozen food thawing function - Google Patents

A refrigerator having a frozen food thawing function

Info

Publication number
EP2773226A2
EP2773226A2 EP12786903.0A EP12786903A EP2773226A2 EP 2773226 A2 EP2773226 A2 EP 2773226A2 EP 12786903 A EP12786903 A EP 12786903A EP 2773226 A2 EP2773226 A2 EP 2773226A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
refrigerator
thawing
change rate
heating means
compartment
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP12786903.0A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Aydin Celik
Sabahattin Hocaoglu
Feyzi Alper SOYSAL
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Arcelik AS
Original Assignee
Arcelik AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Arcelik AS filed Critical Arcelik AS
Publication of EP2773226A2 publication Critical patent/EP2773226A2/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • F25D11/00—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L3/00—Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs
    • A23L3/36—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling
    • A23L3/365—Thawing subsequent to freezing
    • 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
    • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
    • F25D17/062—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators
    • 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
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F25D23/12—Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
    • 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
    • F25D31/00—Other cooling or freezing apparatus
    • F25D31/005—Combined cooling and heating devices
    • 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
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
    • F25B2400/01—Heaters
    • 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
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25B2700/21—Temperatures
    • F25B2700/2104—Temperatures of an indoor room or compartment
    • 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
    • F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
    • F25D2700/12—Sensors measuring the inside temperature
    • F25D2700/121—Sensors measuring the inside temperature of particular compartments

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a refrigerator having the function of thawing frozen foods.
  • the fresh food compartment 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.
  • the fresh food compartment 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.
  • 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.
  • a refrigerator comprising a thawing chamber having a start pushbutton which starts or ends the thawing process.
  • 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.
  • 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 1 /dt 1 ) according to the temperature value (T 1 ) delivered from the first sensor, that compares the calculated first temperature change rate (dT 1 /dt 1 ) with the limit temperature change rate (dT/dt) 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 1 /dt 1 ) is greater than the limit temperature change rate (dT/dt) limit .
  • the refrigerator comprises a resistance type heating means.
  • 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.
  • 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 lower ) and an upper limit temperature value (T upper ) recorded in its memory predetermined by the producer, with the temperature value (T 2 ) detected by the second sensor.
  • T lower lower
  • T upper recorded in its memory predetermined by the producer
  • control unit calculates a second temperature change rate (dT 2 /dt 2 ) according to the temperature value (T 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 2 /dt 2 ).
  • control unit ends the operation of the heating means and the fan if the second temperature change rate (dT 2 /dt 2 ) is smaller than the determined limit temperature change rate (dT/dt) limit prerecorded in its memory by the producer.
  • the refrigerator comprises an insulation element that extends along the lower surface of the heating means.
  • the first sensor is disposed on the base whereon the frozen object is placed.
  • the base is produced from metal material.
  • the refrigerator comprises at least one alerter that informs the user when the thawing process is started.
  • the refrigerator comprises at least one alerter that informs the user when the thawing process is ended.
  • a refrigerator 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.
  • Figure 1 – is the perspective view of a refrigerator.
  • Figure 2 – is the partial perspective view of the refrigerator having a thawing compartment.
  • Figure 3 – is the sideways cross-sectional view of a thawing compartment .
  • 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 ( Figure 1, Figure 2).
  • 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 1 /dt 1 ) according to the temperature value (T 1 ) detected by the first sensor (5), that compares the calculated first temperature change rate (dT 1 /dt 1 ) with a determined limit temperature change rate (dT/dt) 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 1 /dt 1 ) is greater than the limit temperature change rate (dT/dt) limit .
  • 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)
  • a control unit (6) that calculate
  • 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).
  • the interior temperature of the thawing compartment (4) changes due to temperature difference between the frozen object and the thawing compartment (4).
  • 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).
  • the process of thawing the object placed into the thawing compartment (4) is started automatically by the control unit (6) without requiring user intervention ( Figure 3).
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • 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 1 /dt 1 ) determined according to the temperature values (T 1 ) detected by the first sensor (5) within a certain time interval is greater than the limit temperature change rate (dT/dt) 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 ( Figure 3).
  • 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 lower ) and an upper limit temperature value (T upper ) predetermined by the producer, recorded in its memory with the temperature value (T 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 2 ) detected by the second sensor (7) is equal to the upper limit temperature value (T 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.
  • the heating means (3) is started to be operated again by the control unit (6).
  • the frozen object is provided to be thawed under optimal conditions ( Figure 2).
  • the control unit (6) calculates a second temperature change rate (dT 2 /dt 2 ) according to the temperature value (T 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 2 /dt 2 ). If the second temperature change rate (dT 2 /dt 2 ) determined by the control unit (6) is higher than the limit temperature change rate (dT/dt) 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.
  • control unit (6) ends the operation of the heating means (3) and the fan (10) if the second temperature change rate (dT 2 /dt 2 ) is smaller than the determined limit temperature change rate (dT/dt) 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.
  • the refrigerator (1) comprises an insulation element (9) disposed under the heating means (3).
  • the interior of the fresh food compartment (2) is prevented from heating due to the heat radiated during operation of the heating means (3).
  • energy loss is prevented by preventing the heat radiated from the heating means (3) from leaving the thawing compartment (4) ( Figure 3).
  • the first sensor (5) is disposed on the upper surface of the base (8).
  • 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 1 /dt 1 ) of the frozen object accurately.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • 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) ( Figure 1).
  • a refrigerator (1) is realized, having a thawing compartment (4) wherein the first temperature change rate (dT 1 /dt 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).

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Nutrition Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
  • Freezing, Cooling And Drying Of Foods (AREA)
  • Defrosting Systems (AREA)

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.

Description

    A REFRIGERATOR HAVING FROZEN FOOD THAWING FUNCTION
  • The present invention relates to a refrigerator having the function of thawing frozen foods.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 (dT1/dt1) according to the temperature value (T1) delivered from the first sensor, that compares the calculated first temperature change rate (dT1/dt1) with the limit temperature change rate (dT/dt)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 (dT1/dt1) is greater than the limit temperature change rate (dT/dt)limit.
  • In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises a resistance type heating means.
  • 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.
  • 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 (Tlower) and an upper limit temperature value (Tupper) recorded in its memory predetermined by the producer, with the temperature value (T2) detected by the second sensor.
  • In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit calculates a second temperature change rate (dT2/dt2) according to the temperature value (T2) 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 (dT2/dt2).
  • 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 (dT2/dt2) is smaller than the determined limit temperature change rate (dT/dt)limit prerecorded in its memory by the producer.
  • In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises an insulation element that extends along the lower surface of the heating means.
  • In an embodiment of the present invention, the first sensor is disposed on the base whereon the frozen object is placed.
  • In an embodiment of the present invention, the base is produced from metal material.
  • In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises at least one alerter that informs the user when the thawing process is started.
  • In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises at least one alerter that informs the user when the thawing process is ended.
  • 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.
  • A refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:
  • Figure 1 – is the perspective view of a refrigerator.
  • Figure 2 – is the partial perspective view of the refrigerator having a thawing compartment.
  • Figure 3 – is the sideways cross-sectional view of a thawing compartment.
  • The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:
    1. Refrigerator
    2. Fresh food compartment
    3. Heating means
    4. Thawing compartment
    5. First sensor
    6. Control unit
    7. Second sensor
    8. Base
    9. Insulation element
    10. Fan
    11. Alerter
  • 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 (Figure 1, Figure 2).
  • 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 (dT1/dt1) according to the temperature value (T1) detected by the first sensor (5), that compares the calculated first temperature change rate (dT1/dt1) with a determined limit temperature change rate (dT/dt)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 (dT1/dt1) is greater than the limit temperature change rate (dT/dt)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 (dT1/dt1) calculated by the control unit (6) is greater than a determined limit temperature change rate (dT/dt)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 (Figure 3).
  • 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).
  • 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 (dT1/dt1) determined according to the temperature values (T1) detected by the first sensor (5) within a certain time interval is greater than the limit temperature change rate (dT/dt)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 (Figure 3).
  • 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 (Tlower) and an upper limit temperature value (Tupper) predetermined by the producer, recorded in its memory with the temperature value (T2) 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 (T2) detected by the second sensor (7) is equal to the upper limit temperature value (Tupper). 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 (T2) detected by the second sensor (7) is equal to the lower limit temperature value (Tlower), 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 (Figure 2).
  • In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit (6) calculates a second temperature change rate (dT2/dt2) according to the temperature value (T2) 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 (dT2/dt2). If the second temperature change rate (dT2/dt2) determined by the control unit (6) is higher than the limit temperature change rate (dT/dt)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.
  • 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 (dT2/dt2) is smaller than the determined limit temperature change rate (dT/dt)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.
  • 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) (Figure 3).
  • 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 (dT1/dt1) of the frozen object accurately.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • 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) (Figure 1).
  • By means of the present invention, a refrigerator (1) is realized, having a thawing compartment (4) wherein the first temperature change rate (dT1/dt1) 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).
  • 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.

Claims (11)

  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 (dT1/dt1) according to the temperature value (T1) detected by the first sensor (5), that compares the calculated first temperature change rate (dT1/dt1) with a determined limit temperature change rate (dT/dt)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 (dT1/dt1) is greater than the limit temperature change rate (dT/dt)limit.
  2. A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the resistance type heating means (3).
  3. A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1 or 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 any one of the Claims 1 to 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 (Tlower) and an upper limit temperature value (Tupper) predetermined by the producer recorded in its memory, with the temperature value (T2) 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 (dT2/dt2) according to the temperature value (T2) 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 (dT2/dt2).
  6. A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 4 or 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 (dT2/dt2) is smaller than the determined limit temperature change rate (dT/dt)limit prerecorded in its memory by the producer.
  7. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 6, characterized by an insulation element (9) disposed under the heating means (3).
  8. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the Claims 3 to 7, characterized by the first sensor (5) disposed on the upper surface of the base (8).
  9. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the Claims 3 to 8, characterized by the base (8) that is produced from metal material.
  10. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above Claims, 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 any one of the above Claims, characterized by at least one alerter (11) that enables the user to be informed when the thawing process is ended.
EP12786903.0A 2011-11-04 2012-11-02 A refrigerator having a frozen food thawing function Withdrawn EP2773226A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
TR201111065 2011-11-04
PCT/EP2012/071754 WO2013064659A2 (en) 2011-11-04 2012-11-02 A refrigerator having frozen food thawing function

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EP2773226A2 true EP2773226A2 (en) 2014-09-10

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US (1) US20140305612A1 (en)
EP (1) EP2773226A2 (en)
CN (1) CN103889251B (en)
WO (1) WO2013064659A2 (en)

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WO2013064659A2 (en) 2013-05-10
US20140305612A1 (en) 2014-10-16
CN103889251A (en) 2014-06-25
CN103889251B (en) 2015-12-02
WO2013064659A3 (en) 2013-08-15

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