EP3339773B1 - Excitation based ice detection unit, refrigerator with ice detection unit and method for defrosting of a refrigerator - Google Patents

Excitation based ice detection unit, refrigerator with ice detection unit and method for defrosting of a refrigerator Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3339773B1
EP3339773B1 EP16206196.4A EP16206196A EP3339773B1 EP 3339773 B1 EP3339773 B1 EP 3339773B1 EP 16206196 A EP16206196 A EP 16206196A EP 3339773 B1 EP3339773 B1 EP 3339773B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
excitation
ice
channeling element
detection unit
refrigerator
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP16206196.4A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3339773A1 (en
Inventor
Serhat ÖZKÜCÜK
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Vestel Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
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Vestel Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
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Application filed by Vestel Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS filed Critical Vestel Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Priority to EP16206196.4A priority Critical patent/EP3339773B1/en
Priority to TR2017/02638A priority patent/TR201702638A2/tr
Publication of EP3339773A1 publication Critical patent/EP3339773A1/en
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Publication of EP3339773B1 publication Critical patent/EP3339773B1/en
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D21/00—Defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water
    • F25D21/02—Detecting the presence of frost or condensate

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to an ice detection unit according to claim 1, a refrigerator according to claim 12 and a method for operating a refrigerator according to claim 13.
  • Document US4843830A discloses a differential ice sensing system and method for a cold drink beverage dispenser or the like.
  • the beverage dispenser has an ice bath cooling tank containing a supply of water.
  • a refrigerated cooling surface is provided within the tank so as to freeze a portion of the water into a body of ice.
  • the beverage dispenser has a beverage flow path which is cooled by the liquid in the ice bath.
  • the differential ice sensing system comprises a first conductivity (or impedance) probe which is disposed in the water of the ice bath at a position where it will sense the conductivity of the ice when the body of ice formed on the refrigerated surface attains a predetermined size.
  • a second conductivity probe is disposed within the liquid so that it is maintained in conductivity sensing relationship with the liquid.
  • Each of the probes is responsive to an electric current supplied thereto to measure the electrical conductivity in its vicinity
  • a system is provided for detecting conductivity differences between the first and second probes indicative of the presence of ice at the first probe and for generating a signal indicating presence of ice at the first probe This signal may be utilized to block the flow of refrigerant to the refrigerated surface when the body of ice formed has reached a pre-determined size and to initiate the flow of refrigerant when the body of ice is less than a desired size.
  • a microprocessor based control circuit includes a circuit for sensing line voltage combined with an ice bank sensing circuit.
  • the ice bank sensing circuit is of the conductivity sensing type wherein the electrical conductivity between two probes is sensed.
  • the microprocessor continually monitors the probes to determine if refrigeration is needed or not, and continually senses the line voltage to determine if that voltage is within the design limits of the refrigeration compressor.
  • the voltage sensing circuit can also sense if power has been interrupted where the voltage drops to zero.
  • Document US3782130A discloses a refrigerator, said refrigerator is arranged to cool part of an area for which an indication of the imminence of ice-formation is required.
  • a first temperature sensitive circuit and a first conductivity probe are situated in that part of the area while a second temperature sensitive circuit and a second conductivity probe are situated outside it.
  • a first differential amplifier compares the conductivities of the conductivity probes and a second differential amplifier compares the outputs of the temperature sensitive circuits. The outputs of one of the differential amplifiers controls the refrigerator while the output of the other differential amplifier provides the said indication.
  • Document DE2641600A1 discloses he initiator of a deicing system is used in an evaporator, especially in a heat pump.
  • the initiator has electrode scanning the evaporator surface.
  • the conductivity increased by ice formation switches the deicing device on by a discriminator circuit.
  • the deicing device is started only if the evaporator is actually covered with ice.
  • the deicer is not connected when the environment is cold but dry, nor when the electrode gap is subjected to droplets.
  • the electrode is arranged in front of the end edge of the air baffle plates connected to the evaporator pipe. The effective length of the electrode is short in relation to the end edge.
  • the discriminator circuit switches the deicer on only if the higher conductivity is still present after a delay time.
  • the electrode consists of a head held on a rod fixed on an insulating support on the baffle plate.
  • ice preferably comprises besides ice also snow or the like, but it is possible to limit the term ice also to ice only.
  • Said ice detection unit preferably comprises at least a channeling element for guiding water and/or for holding ice, said channeling element can be a tube ore hose and preferably extends straight in one direction. It is also conceivable that the channeling element has a varying diameter or a constant diameter, in particular the outer surface of the channeling element has a constant diameter.
  • the channeling element has preferably a circular shape or a shape differing form a circular shape.
  • the diameter of said channeling element is preferably between 0,5mm and 20cm, in particular between 5mm and 10cm or between 10 mm and 5cm or between 1mm and 20mm or between 5mm and 15mm.
  • the channeling element preferably has a length of preferably between 0,5mm and 20cm, in particular between 5mm and 10cm or between 10 mm and 5cm or between 1mm and 20mm or between 5mm and 15mm.
  • the ice detection unit further comprises an excitation means for exciting said channeling element. Excitations are preferably vibrations, in particular caused by a vibration source like an ultra sonic unit.
  • An excitation detection means for detecting excitations of the channeling element is also provided, wherein a mechanical connection between the channeling element and at least the excitation means and/or the excitation detection means establishes due to a solidification of a fluid substance, in particular a liquid substance, in particular water, inside the channeling element.
  • the mechanical connection preferably transfers excitations from the excitation means to the excitation detection means.
  • the channeling element has at least to axial ends and at least in sections and preferably completely a tube-like shape.
  • At least the excitation means has an excitation part reaching on one side of the channeling element into the inside of a tube-like shaped section without contacting said channeling element.
  • at least the excitation detection means has an excitation detection part reaching on the other side of the channeling element into the inside of a tube-like shaped section without contacting said channeling element.
  • the excitation part or the excitation detection part is rigidly coupled with said channeling element.
  • the channeling element comprises according to the present invention at least a grid, in particular for water flow, or a structured inner surface to allow solidificated water (ice particles) to grow respectively to accumulate into radial direction. This is beneficial since an ice and/or snow growth or accumulation in radial direction is supported.
  • At least or exactly one holding means for holding said channeling element in a predefined position is provided, wherein said holding means comprises at least one and preferably at least or exactly two spring elements.
  • the holding means comprises at least two spring elements, wherein one first spring element is preferably arranged on a topside of a tube-like shaped connection section of the channeling element and wherein one second spring element is preferably arranged on a bottom side of said tube-like shaped connection section, wherein the tube-like shaped connection section is positioned between the axial ends of said channeling element, wherein each of said spring elements has one further end to be coupled with a surrounding, in particular stationary, wall member, in particular of a refrigerator.
  • This embodiment is beneficial since said channeling element is arranged movable, in particular in one direction respectively up and down or at least partially in a rotating direction. Thus, also very slight excitations can be detected, this allows or supports a stepwise actuation of further means, in particular a heater of a refrigerator.
  • the excitation means for exciting said channeling element comprises a vibration motor, wherein said excitation part is preferably a rotatable pivot, wherein said rotatable pivot is preferably actuated by means of an actuation of said vibration motor.
  • the excitation detection means for detecting excitations of the channeling element is preferably a vibration sensor, wherein the excitation detection part is preferably connected to said vibration sensor and transfers vibrations of the channeling element to the vibration sensor.
  • Said pivot preferably has a spoon-like or scraper-like or stirrer-like shape and is preferably rotated in one direction. It is also conceivable that said pivot is rotated between a first and a second position and vice versa. Due to this embodiment and in dependency of the length of the time slots between each actuation of said excitation means different level excitation intensity can be determined.
  • a control unit is according to a further preferred embodiment also provided respectively also part of said ice detection unit.
  • said control unit is a control unit of a refrigerator.
  • Said control unit preferably operates the excitation means due to predefined rules, wherein the excitation detection means outputs excitation signals in dependency of detected excitations.
  • the control unit preferably provides control signals in dependency of the detected excitation signals for operating of at least one further means.
  • the excitation detection means preferably detects value changes in resistance and/or voltage and/or current.
  • a first value range represents a low level excitation intensity, wherein preferably no signals or a signal up to a threshold A for operating the further means is provided by the control means if a low level excitation intensity is determined.
  • a second value range represents a mid level excitation intensity, in particular between threshold A and B, wherein threshold B represents more respectively stronger excitations than threshold A.
  • Signals for operating the further means are preferably provided by the control means if a mid level excitation intensity is determined.
  • Highly preferably also a third value range is present and represents a high level excitation intensity, in particular between threshold B and C, wherein threshold C represents more respectively stronger excitations than threshold B wherein signals for operating the further means are provided by the control means if a high level excitation intensity is determined.
  • the signals for operating the further means are causing a longer operation of the further means in case a high level excitation intensity is determined in comparison to a case in which a mid level excitation intensity is determined.
  • the excitation means and the excitation detection means are according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention electrically isolated from each other. This solution is beneficial since the detection of excitations is a very exact value for the detection of ice and/or snow.
  • the fluid in particular water, freezes below 5°, in particular below 1° or below 0°, and ambient pressure of 10.1 N/cm 2 .
  • a refrigerator in particular no frost refrigerator.
  • Said refrigerator preferably comprises at least a cooling means for cooling down the atmosphere inside the refrigerator, a heater means for melting of accumulated ice or snow inside the refrigerator, an ice detection unit according to any of the before mentioned claims for detecting ice or snow inside the refrigerator and for actuating the heater means in dependency of detected ice or snow.
  • This embodiment is beneficial since ice or snow can be detected and reduced respectively removed whenever detected and thus not just in dependency of a predefined time slot.
  • the above mentioned object is solved by using properties of solidification of water and good transmission of vibration by solid materials.
  • the inventive system includes a solid pipe with grid surface for transmission of vibration (grid surface for liquid form of water flowing and solid form of water as ice standing), a vibration motor for excitation the system, a vibration sensor for sensing the excitation and two or more springs for flexible fixing the solid pipe.
  • the above mentioned object is also solved by a method for operating a refrigerator.
  • Said method preferably comprises at least the steps: Cooling down a food storage section by means of a cooling means, Detecting ice or snow inside the food storage section by means of operating an ice detection unit according to any of claims 1 to 9, Operating an ice reduction respectively removing means, in particular a heating means, in case the presence of ice or snow is detected.
  • This embodiment is beneficial since ice or snow can be detected and reduced respectively removed whenever detected and thus not just in dependency of a predefined time slot.
  • This method can be used in all cooler devices that include heat-exchanger part.
  • the inventive method and unit, respectively system can be used for all ice detection application.
  • the heating means is operated as long as a mechanical coupling between the excitation means and the excitation detection means is present.
  • the heating means is operated for a predetermined time, wherein the predetermined time depends on the determined level of excitation intensity.
  • the control unit further computes at least on further parameter, in particular an average number of door openings in dependency of daytime and/or calendar day, in particular in dependency of a day planner, and/or a moist sensor, inside and/or outside the refrigerator, and/or a selected temperature or cooling program.
  • Fig. 1 shows an ice detection unit 1 according to the present invention.
  • Said ice detection unit 1 comprises at least a channeling element 2 for guiding water and for holding ice 4, an excitation means 6 for exciting said channeling element 2 and an excitation detection means 8 for detecting excitations of the channeling element 2, wherein a mechanical connection between the channeling element 2 and at least the excitation means 6 and/or the excitation detection means 8 establishes due to a solidification of fluid, in particular water, inside the channeling element 2, wherein the mechanical connection transfers excitations from the excitation means 2 to the excitation detection means 8.
  • Excitation means 6 preferably comprises an excitation part 10, in particular a pivotable longitudinal element.
  • the excitation detection means 8 preferably comprises an excitation detection part 12, which is preferably a longitudinal, in particular flat, element that extends into channeling element 2.
  • Reference number 16 indicates a holding means.
  • Said holding means 16 comprises a first spring 18 and a second spring 20, wherein the first spring 16 is preferably coupled with the top side of channeling element 2 and wherein the second spring 18 is preferably coupled with the bottom side of channeling element 2.
  • Both springs 16, 18 are preferably coupled with a wall member 22, in particular of a refrigerator 25 (cf. Fig. 2 ).
  • Holding means 16 allows a defined positioning and excitation of channeling element 2.
  • Reference number 30 indicates an operation scheme for operating excitation means 6.
  • Said operation scheme can be provided as data.
  • Said operation scheme is preferably provided and executed respectively processed by control unit 24. Therefore, control unit 24 is preferably connected for signal and/or data exchange with excitation means 6 and/or excitation detection means 8.
  • Excitation detection means 8 preferably directly actuates a further means, in particular heater means 26 (cf. fig. 2 ). It is also conceivable that excitation detection means 8 provides data and/or signals representative for detected excitation respectively vibration. Said data and/or signals can be processed or evaluated by control unit 24 and can be used for actuating said further means, in particular heater means 26 (cf. fig. 1 ).
  • the working principle is based on excitation and sensing.
  • heat-exchanger respectively cooling means 26 starts cooling and icing.
  • the vibration motor respectively excitation means 6 is excited by certain time intervals with excitation of ice control signal when heat-exchanger 26 starts cooling.
  • the excitations of vibration motor 6 cannot create any vibration on the solid pipe 2 and/or on vibration sensor respectively vibration detection means 8.
  • Vibrator leg respectively excitation part 10 of motor 6 cannot hit the solid pipe 2.
  • thick layer of ice 4 fills the inside of the solid pipe 2 which preferably has a grid 14 surface.
  • ice filled solid pipe 2 starts the vibration transfer from vibration motor 6 side to vibration sensor side respectively excitation detection means 8.
  • Vibrator leg 10 of motor 6 hit the ice 4 that occurs inside of pipe 2. So excited vibration reaches the inside surface of pipe 2 with help of good transmission of vibration by solid materials (ice).
  • excited vibration reaches perfectly to vibration sensor 8.
  • vibration sensor 8 There are different type vibration sensor 8 that returns from vibration to voltage, current or resistance. The resistance, voltage or current of vibration sensor changes with respect to perceived vibration intensity.
  • This system can be used both with microcontroller respectively control unit 24 or directly hardware system with no microcontroller. This system is also perfectly isolated. There is highly preferably no electrical conductivity between excitation side and sensor side.
  • the invention describes an ice detection unit 1, which at least comprises a channeling element 2 for guiding water and for holding ice 4, an excitation means 6 for exciting said channeling element 2 and an excitation detection means 8 for detecting excitations of the channeling element 2, wherein a mechanical connection between the channeling element 2 and at least the excitation means 6 and/or the excitation detection means 8 establishes due to a solidification of fluid, in particular water, inside the channeling element 2,wherein the mechanical connection transfers excitations from the excitation means 2 to the excitation detection means 8.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Defrosting Systems (AREA)
  • Production, Working, Storing, Or Distribution Of Ice (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Electric Means (AREA)
EP16206196.4A 2016-12-22 2016-12-22 Excitation based ice detection unit, refrigerator with ice detection unit and method for defrosting of a refrigerator Active EP3339773B1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16206196.4A EP3339773B1 (en) 2016-12-22 2016-12-22 Excitation based ice detection unit, refrigerator with ice detection unit and method for defrosting of a refrigerator
TR2017/02638A TR201702638A2 (tr) 2016-12-22 2017-02-22 İkaz temelli̇ buz tespi̇t üni̇tesi̇, buz tespi̇t üni̇teli̇ soğutucu ve bi̇r soğutucunun buz çözme yöntemi̇

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16206196.4A EP3339773B1 (en) 2016-12-22 2016-12-22 Excitation based ice detection unit, refrigerator with ice detection unit and method for defrosting of a refrigerator

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3339773A1 EP3339773A1 (en) 2018-06-27
EP3339773B1 true EP3339773B1 (en) 2020-02-05

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP16206196.4A Active EP3339773B1 (en) 2016-12-22 2016-12-22 Excitation based ice detection unit, refrigerator with ice detection unit and method for defrosting of a refrigerator

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EP (1) EP3339773B1 (tr)
TR (1) TR201702638A2 (tr)

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3641781A (en) * 1970-04-22 1972-02-15 Kiyoichi Nijo Method of detecting temperature for controlling a refrigerator or a freezer
DE2020311A1 (de) * 1970-04-25 1971-11-04 Kiyoichi Nijo Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Temperaturermittlung zwecks Regelung eines Kuehlschranks oder Gefrierers
GB1320251A (en) 1971-05-20 1973-06-13 Findlay Irvine Ltd Apparatus for providing an indication of the imminence of ice- formation
DE2641600A1 (de) 1976-09-16 1978-03-23 Stiebel Eltron Gmbh & Co Kg Ausloeseeinrichtung fuer eine abtauvorrichtung
US4176524A (en) * 1976-11-10 1979-12-04 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Frost detector
US4843830A (en) 1988-10-11 1989-07-04 Emerson Electric Co. Differential ice sensor and method
WO2000009960A2 (en) 1998-08-14 2000-02-24 Imi Cornelius Inc. Ice bank control with voltage protection sensing
JP4165792B2 (ja) * 2000-12-13 2008-10-15 日世冷機株式会社 冷菓製造装置及びその固さ制御方法

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

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Publication number Publication date
TR201702638A2 (tr) 2018-07-23
EP3339773A1 (en) 2018-06-27

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