System for preventing condensation on refrigerator doors and frames
DCFirst Claim
1. A system for controlling energy usage in a refrigerator having:
- a) a frame;
b) a frame heater attached to the frame;
c) a door attached to the frame; and
d) a door heater attached to the door;
the system comprising a control unit connected to the frame heater and the door heater and configured to activate and deactivate the frame heater independently of activating and deactivating the door heater,wherein the control unit is configured to activate and deactivate the frame heater asynchronously from activating and deactivating the door heater.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved refrigerator energy management system removes condensation from glass refrigerator doors in an energy efficient manner by operating refrigerator frame heaters independently of refrigerator door heaters. Sensors for detecting humidity or condensation transmit data to a control unit that controls electrical current supplied to separate door and frame heater wires. Additional sensors for controlling the refrigerator lighting and monitoring the power consumption of refrigerator fans may transmit data to the control unit. A command unit may receive data from multiple control units, compile the data, and make it available over the internet to a shopkeeper monitoring the system from a remote location. The sensors, control unit, and command unit all communicate on a wireless peer-to-peer network using the ZigBee protocol.
46 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for controlling energy usage in a refrigerator having:
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a) a frame; b) a frame heater attached to the frame; c) a door attached to the frame; and d) a door heater attached to the door; the system comprising a control unit connected to the frame heater and the door heater and configured to activate and deactivate the frame heater independently of activating and deactivating the door heater, wherein the control unit is configured to activate and deactivate the frame heater asynchronously from activating and deactivating the door heater. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification