REFRIGERATOR SUPPLYING HEATED WATER BASED ON THE BODY TEMPERATURE OF A USER AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

• US 20160083238A1
• Filed: 12/12/2014
• Published: 03/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation
• Original Assignee: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation
• Inventors: KOO, Kwan Seo
• Granted Patent: US 9,656,848 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0014 the beverage being supplied from water mains
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0858 using compression systems
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0884 Means for controlling the parameters of the state of the liquid to be dispensed, e.g. temperature, pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0895 Heating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00036 for use with or in refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00099 Temperature control
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/126 Water cooler
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2323/122 the refrigerator is characterised by a water tank for the water/ice dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/04 Sensors detecting the presence of a person
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/16 Sensors measuring the temperature of products
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 31/005 Combined cooling and heating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/20 Clinical contact thermometers for use with humans or animals
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2207/00 Application of thermometers in household appliances

Abstract

A refrigerator capable of dispensing water adapted to an individual user'"'"'s body temperature and a control method thereof. The refrigerator includes a selection unit for the user to select form body temperature water, cold water, and hot water. A temperature detecting unit is configured to detect a temperature of an external object through contact, for example a user'"'"'s finger. The detected object temperature is interpreted as the user'"'"'s body temperature. A controller is configured to receive a signal from the selection unit and a signal from the temperature detecting unit. Water stored in the refrigerator can be heated to the detected external object temperature before dispensing.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising:

a selection unit configured to receive a user selection from;

body temperature water;

cold water; and

hot water;

an input unit configured to receive a user request to dispense water from the refrigerator;

a temperature detecting unit coupled to the input unit and configured to detect a temperature of an external object; and

a controller configured to receive a signal from the selection unit and a signal from the temperature detecting unit, and, responsive thereto, control dispensing water based on the signals.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the temperature detecting unit is configured detect a temperature of the external object when the external object is in contact with the input unit.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to cause water to be heated up to detect the temperature of the external object.

4. The refrigerator of claim 1 further comprising:

a storage unit configured to store water;

a heating unit configured to heat stored water; and

a discharge pipe configured to guide heated water for dispensing.

5. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to control the heating unit until a temperature of the water is equal to the temperature of the external object.

6. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the temperature detecting unit is configured to detect a touch interaction with the external object and to detect a temperature of the external object subsequent to the user selection from the selection unit.

7. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the input unit is configured to display the temperature of the external object, and wherein the temperature detecting unit comprises a temperature sensor.

8. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to render the temperature of the external object detected by the temperature detecting unit for display on the input unit.

9. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the storage unit comprises a sealed container coupled to the discharge pipe, and wherein the heating unit comprises a heat element.

10. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the storage unit comprises a sealed container coupled to the discharge pipe, and wherein the heating unit comprises a compressor.

11. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to control a water supply motor to transport water from the storage unit to an outside of a main body through the discharge pipe.

12. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein if hot water is selected through the selection unit, the controller is configured to control the heating unit to heat the water stored in the storage unit to a predetermined temperature.

13. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein if cold water is selected through the selection unit, the controller performs no control operation over the heating unit.

14. A method of controlling a refrigerator, the method comprising:

receiving a user selection from;

body temperature water;

cold water;

or hot water;

receiving a user request for dispensing water based on the user selection; and

if the user selection selects body temperature water;

detecting a temperature of an external object during said receiving said user request;

heating water based on a detected temperature of the external object; and

delivering heated water to a dispenser of the refrigerator.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, if the user selection selects body temperature water, the heating comprises:

comparing a temperature of stored water in a container of the refrigerator with the detected temperature of the external object; and

heating the stored water to the detected temperature of the external object.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising, if the user selection selects hot water, heating stored water in a container of the refrigerator to a predetermined temperature.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the delivering comprises causing a water supply motor to transport water to an outside of a main body of the refrigerator.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

displaying a detected temperature of the external object.