Systems and methods for temperature control in refrigeration systems and heating systems
First Claim
1. A system for controlling an appliance, wherein the appliance comprises a temperature control device, the system comprising:
- a use sensor that generates a signal based on use of the appliance; and
a control unit that is in communication with the use sensor and that generates a control signal to be provided to the temperature control device, wherein the control signal is based at least partially on historical signals received from the user sensor;
wherein the control unit stores a plurality of signals received from the use sensor, and determines a usage pattern for the appliance based on the stored signals.
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Abstract
The present invention provides systems and methods for temperature control in refrigeration systems, such as beverage coolers, and heating systems, such as coffee dispensers. In an embodiment of the present invention, a control unit of a refrigeration system in accordance with the present invention receives and records activity data such as door openings and/or human presence detection in the vicinity of the refrigeration system, and then establishes the beginning and end times of an energy saving mode for the refrigeration system over a period of time, such as a week. The control unit calculates the time to restart the compressor cycle at the end of the energy saving mode so that the product will be at the correct temperature at the time of first usage. As part of the energy saving function, the lamps and fans in the refrigeration system are controlled independently by the control unit according to the activity data.
39 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for controlling an appliance, wherein the appliance comprises a temperature control device, the system comprising:
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a use sensor that generates a signal based on use of the appliance; and
a control unit that is in communication with the use sensor and that generates a control signal to be provided to the temperature control device, wherein the control signal is based at least partially on historical signals received from the user sensor;
wherein the control unit stores a plurality of signals received from the use sensor, and determines a usage pattern for the appliance based on the stored signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for controlling a refrigeration system, wherein the refrigeration system comprises a storage compartment accessible by a door and a cooling device, the system comprising:
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a human presence detector that generates first signals based on the presence of a human in a proximity of the detector;
a door sensor that generates second signals based on openings of the door; and
a control unit that is in communication with the human detector and door sensor and that generates a control signal to be provided to the cooling device, wherein the control signal is based at least partially on a historical first and second signals received from the human detector and door sensor. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for controlling a refrigeration system, wherein the refrigeration system comprises a cooling device, the method comprising:
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receiving human detector status signals from a human detector based on the presence of a human in a proximity of the human detector;
receiving door open signals from a door sensor based on the opening of a door of the refrigeration system; and
controlling the cooling device based on a control signal, wherein the control signal is based at least partially on historical human detector status and door open signals received from the human detector and door sensor. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification