Refrigerator and method of operating refrigerator

• US 6,526,766 B1
• Filed: 06/14/2000
• Issued: 03/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Hiraoka, Toshie, Ohya, Keiji
• Primary Examiner(s): Tanner, Harry B.
• Application Number:
  US09/594,441
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 621/25, 621/26, 621/27, 621/29, 621/30, 621/57, 621/58, 622/31, 236/51, 236/94, 165/11.1
• US Class Current: 62/125
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/07 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 11/02 with cooling compartments at different temperatures
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2317/061 through special compartments
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2317/062 along the inside of doors
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2317/0665 from the top
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2317/0671 Inlet ducts
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2317/0672 Outlet ducts
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/02 Refrigerators including a heater
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/04 Refrigerators with a horizontal mullion
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/16 Convertible refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/28 Quick cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/30 Quick freezing
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/361 Interactive visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2500/02 Geometry problems
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2600/02 Timing
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/121 of particular compartments
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/16 Sensors measuring the temperature of products
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices

Abstract

A temperature controller is in a position at a height of 130 cm or more from a base surface settling, of which the refrigerator is settled, on a door of the refrigerator, which position is on an upper side of a handle for opening and closing the door. Further, a minute control depending on a preserving condition of foods, the seasons, a quantity of the foods, and so on is made possible. Further, a quick cooling time can be set; and a heat storage tray is installed inside the refrigerator, whereby a temperature inside the refrigerator and the foods are not affected even though warm or hot foods are stored, whereby checking and setting of the temperature become easy; the temperature controller and a display portion thereof are prevented from destroying; playing with a refrigerator by children and so on are avoidable; the foods can be further stably stored; a labor time for house holding is reduced; an energy saving capability is enhanced; and a food value is maintained to make a person ingest a higher food value.

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising a plurality of stages arranged vertically, and further comprising:

a refrigerating chamber, located in an upper stage of the refrigerator;

a temperature controller located on a door of the refrigerator, said door covering at least a part of a front surface of the refrigerator, said temperature controller having a function of setting a temperature inside the refrigerator;

a secure handle connected to the door;

wherein a height of the temperature controller is at a position above the secured handle and below an uppermost portion of the door, and

said temperature controller is at least about 130 cm above a surface whereon the refrigerator is installed.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

wherein a position of the temperature controller is other than upper and lower ends of the door.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

wherein the temperature controller includes control portions for setting a set temperature and display portions for displaying the set temperature, and said controller is located directly above the secure handle configured to be grasped by hands of the users at times of opening and closing the door of the refrigerator.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

wherein the temperature controller includes portions setting the temperature and display portions displaying the set temperature, and

the secure handle, configured to be grasped by hands of the users at times of opening and closing the door of the refrigerator protrudes from a side of the door more than the temperature controller does.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

wherein the temperature controller has display portions corresponding to a plurality of chambers formed in the refrigerator, and

the display portions of the temperature controller are vertically arranged in an order similar to an arrangement of the chambers.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

said temperature controller comprising control portions and display portions,

wherein said control portions of the temperature controller are arranged at such a position where hands of said users do not hide said display portions of the temperature controller when hands of the users operate the control portions.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

wherein the temperature controller sets a cooling time to obtain a predetermined temperature, and

an end of the cooling time is indicated after a lapse of the time.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

wherein the temperature controller has control portions respectively corresponding to a plurality of chambers, formed in the refrigerator, and

the plurality of chambers are quickly cooled by operating the control portions.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

wherein the temperature controller has control portions and is separable from the refrigerator.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

wherein the temperature controller has control portions setting the temperature inside the refrigerator, and is controlled from an outside by a communication means, such as a telephone line, a lamp circuit, and radio.