Defrost control method for refrigerator

• US 5,231,844 A
• Filed: 01/21/1992
• Issued: 08/03/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Park, Yon T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tanner, Harry B.
• Application Number:
  US07/822,917
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 62/153, 62/154, 62/155, 62/156, 62/234, 62/80, 62/81, 62/82
• US Class Current: 62/80
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 21/002 Defroster control
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/02 Sensors detecting door opening
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/12 Sensors measuring the inside temperature

Abstract

A refrigerator is defrosted by comparing a sensed temperature in the refrigerator with a predetermined temperature when a defrost start time is reached. If the sensed temperature is too high, a compressor is caused to operate in order to reduce the temperature to the predetermined temperature. Then, the open/closed conditions of the refrigerator doors are sensed, and the defrost heater is activated if the doors are sensed as being closed.

Claims

1. A method for defrosting a refrigerator, comprising the steps of:

A) comparing a sensed temperature within said refrigerator with a predetermined temperature when a defrost start time is reached,

B) causing a compressor to operate to reduce the temperature in said refrigerator if said sensed temperature is above said predetermined temperature,

C) detecting the open/closed condition of doors of said refrigerator when said sensed temperature is at or below said predetermined temperature, and

D) deactivating said compressor and activating a defrost heater if said doors are sensed to be closed.

2. A method according to claim 1 including prior to step A, the step of sensing whether said compressor is ON, and performing step A if said compressor is sensed to be ON.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensed in step A is the temperature of a refrigeration compartment.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensed in step A is the temperature of a freezer compartment.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the temperatures of a refrigerating compartment and a freezer compartment are sensed in step A.