WO2015185094A1

WO2015185094A1 - Refrigeration appliance having an ice cream making apparatus and an improved method of controlling the same

Info

Publication number: WO2015185094A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/061378
Authority: WO
Inventors: Irem AKINCI; Samet AKAN; Yigit OZSACMACI; Ayse Nur TIRASCI
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2014-06-02
Filing date: 2014-06-02
Publication date: 2015-12-10
Also published as: EP3148347A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance (2) comprising an ice cream making apparatus (1) which comprises a container (3) for holding ice cream, a stirrer (4) for agitating the ice cream, and a motor (5) for driving the stirrer (4), a freezer compartment (6) accommodating the ice cream making apparatus (1), a control unit for controlling the motor (5), and a user-interface. In the refrigeration appliance (2) of the present invention, the control unit has one or more than one ice cream mode, each ice cream mode being selectable via the user-interface.

Description

REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE HAVING AN ICE CREAM MAKING APPARATUS AND AN IMPROVED METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME

The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance, in particular a domestic refrigerator which has an ice cream making apparatus. The present invention also relates to a method of controlling the ice cream making apparatus of the refrigeration appliance.

Conventional domestic refrigerators have been endowed with various functionalities in order to improve their user convenience. Conventional domestic refrigerators which are provided with a conventional built-in ice cream making apparatus for supplying the user with ice cream are commonly known. A conventional built-in ice cream making apparatus typically comprises a container for holding ice cream to be agitated, a stirrer for agitating the ice cream inside the container, and a motor for driving the stirrer. The container is usually arranged inside a freezer compartment of the conventional domestic refrigerator.

In a conventional method of making ice cream, a timer is set to a prescribed duration, and the mixture in the container is constantly stirred while being cooled by the air blown into the freezer compartment. At the end of the prescribed duration the timer stops the motor to terminate the stirring operation.

JP 2008-142017 (A) discloses a conventional domestic refrigerator which has an ice cream maker. The ice cream maker is arranged inside the freezer compartment. The ice cream maker has a container for holding the ice cream, stirring blades for stirring the ice cream inside the container, a motor for driving the stirring blades, a control unit for controlling the motor, and an operation panel for starting an ice cream production by pressing a start button.

A drawback of this conventional domestic refrigerator is that the heat generated by the motor of the ice cream maker raises a temperature of the cool air inside the freezer compartment. The rise of the temperature badly influences the quality of the ice cream production. Thus, a consumer satisfaction may easily decrease.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration appliance which has an ice cream making apparatus and a method of controlling the same which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in a cost effective way and which enables production of ice cream without compromising quality.

This objective has been achieved by the control method as defined in claim 1, and the refrigeration appliance as defined in claim 10. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.

In the refrigeration appliance of the present invention the control unit has one or more than one ice cream mode. Each ice cream mode is selectable by the user via a user-interface.

In the method for controlling the refrigeration appliance according to the present invention, a desired ice cream mode is initiated in accordance with a user selection which is input via the user interface. In the ice cream mode, the motor of the ice cream making apparatus is controlled in accordance with an ON/OFF regime prescribed by the ice cream mode by successively switching the motor ON and OFF for a prescribed plural number of cycles in order to complete the process of ice cream production.

In an embodiment, the prescribed plural number of cycles, a prescribed duration of each cycle, a prescribed ON duration and a prescribed OFF duration of the motor within each cycle, a prescribed speed of the motor during the prescribed ON duration in each cycle are based on the ice cream mode which is selected by the user. The ice cream modes differ from each other, for example in a consistency (creaminess) of the ice cream to be produced.

In another embodiment, the cycles are monitored by the control unit. The user is audibly and/or visually informed for a prescribed first duration T1, for example, for about 1 minute that the process of ice cream production is completed when the prescribed plural numbers of cycles have elapsed.

In another embodiment, the opening/closing of the door is monitored by means of a detecting unit. The user is audibly and/or visually reinformed for a prescribed second duration T2, for example for about 1 minute that the process of ice cream production is completed when the user has not opened the door within a prescribed third duration, for example within the last 1 hour after the process of ice cream production has been completed.

In another embodiment, the container of the ice making apparatus is cooled by the freezer fan of the freezer compartment during the process of ice cream production.

By virtue of the ON/OFF regime applied in the control method of present invention, the motor is prevented from excessively heating up, and its operating temperature is kept below a desired critical level. In particular, during the OFF duration of the motor, the rise of temperature of the cool air which is blown towards the container by the freezer fan is suppressed and, thereby a cooling performance of the ice cream by the cool air is effectively improved. In addition, by virtue of the ON/OFF regime, the ice cream is maintained at target quality during the process of the ice cream production. In particular during the ON duration of the motor, due to the effect of the stirring, the ice cream is rendered voluminous and the formation of frost in the ice cream is prevented. In particular with the OFF duration of the motor, excessive stirring is prevented. Thus, by the method of the present invention a quality of the ice cream is optimized and the adverse effects of the radiant heat emanated from the motor on the ice cream are practically eliminated. With the present invention the user is enabled to select a desired ice cream mode among a plurality of ice cream modes which have different creaminess levels. Also with the present invention the user is informed when the ice cream production is completed or when the ice cream is unintentionally left in the freezer compartment for longer periods. Thereby, a consumer satisfaction can be further increased.

Additional advantages of the control method according to the present invention and the refrigeration appliance according to the present invention will become apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 – is a schematic partial side view of a refrigeration appliance which has an ice cream making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 2 – is a flow chart showing the steps of a method for controlling the refrigeration appliance of Fig. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

Ice cream making apparatus
Refrigeration appliance
Container
Stirrer
Motor

5a. Transmission unit
6. Freezer compartment
7. Door

7a. Casing
8. Fresh food compartment

N: Prescribed plural number of cycles
T_cycle: Prescribed duration of each cycle
T_on: Prescribed ON duration of the motor (5) in each cycle
T_off: Prescribed OFF duration of the motor (5) in each cycle

V: Prescribed speed of the motor (5)

T1: Prescribed first duration
T2: Prescribed second duration
T3: Prescribed third duration

The refrigeration appliance (2) comprises an ice cream making apparatus (1) which comprises a container (3) for holding ice cream to be agitated, a stirrer (4) for agitating the ice cream inside the container (3), and a motor (5) for driving the stirrer (4) (Fig. 1). The refrigeration appliance (2) further comprises a freezer compartment (6) which accommodates the ice cream making apparatus (1), a door (7) for accessing the container (4) of the ice cream making apparatus (1), a control unit (not shown) for controlling the motor (5) of the ice cream making apparatus (1), and a user-interface (not shown) for receiving a user input.

In the refrigeration appliance (2) of the present invention, the control unit has one or more than one ice cream mode. Each ice cream mode is selectable by the user via the user-interface.

The present invention provides a method for controlling the ice cream making apparatus (1) of the refrigeration appliance (2). In the method according to the present invention, in an initiating step (S1) an ice cream mode is initiated in accordance with a user selection which is input via the user interface. In a controlling step (S2), the motor (5) of the ice making apparatus is controlled in accordance with an ON/OFF regime prescribed by the ice cream mode by successively switching the motor (5) ON and OFF for a prescribed plural number N of cycles in order to complete the process of ice cream production.

In an embodiment, in the controlling step (S1), the prescribed plural number N of cycles, a prescribed duration T_cycle of each cycle, a prescribed ON duration T_on of the motor (5) and a prescribed OFF duration T_off of the motor (5) within each cycle, a prescribed speed V of the motor (5) during the prescribed ON duration T_on in each cycle are based on the ice cream mode which is selected by the user via the user interface (Fig. 2). The ice cream modes differ from each other, for example through a consistency (creaminess) of the ice cream to be produced.

In another embodiment, in a first determining step (S3) it is determined whether the motor (5) has been turned ON and OFF for the prescribed plural number N of cycles (Fig. 2). In this embodiment, in an informing step (S4) the user is audibly and/or visually informed via the user-interface that the process of ice cream production is completed if the determination result in the first determining step (S3) is affirmative (Fig. 2).

In another embodiment, in the informing step (S4) the user is informed for a prescribed first duration T1 that the process of ice cream production is completed.

In another embodiment, in the informing step (S4) the prescribed first duration T1 is about one minute.

In another embodiment, the refrigeration appliance (2) further comprises a detecting unit (not shown) for detecting an opening/closing of the door (7) (Fig. 1). In this embodiment, in a second determining step (S5), it is determined whether the door (7) has been opened within a prescribed second duration T2 which commences immediately after an elapse of the prescribed plural number of cycles (Fig. 2). In this embodiment, in a reinforming step (S6) the user is reinformed that the process of ice cream production is completed if the determination result in the second determining step (S5) is negative. In this embodiment, in a terminating step (S7), the ice cream mode is terminated if the determination in the second determining step (S5) is affirmative or if the user has been reinformed in the reinforming step (S6) (Fig. 2).

In another embodiment, in the second determining step (S5) said prescribed second duration T2 is about one hour.

In another embodiment, in the reinforming step (S6) the user is reinformed for a prescribed third duration T3 that the process of ice cream production is completed.

In another embodiment, in the reinforming step (S6) the prescribed third duration T3 is about one minute.

In the refrigeration appliance (2) of the present invention, the control unit is programmed to execute the method steps of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the refrigeration appliance (2) of the present invention is provided in form of a domestic refrigerator which has a fresh food compartment (8) in addition to the freezer compartment (6) (Fig. 1).

In another embodiment, the ice cream making apparatus (1) comprises a casing (7a) which is installed into the freezer compartment (6). The container (3) can be removably attached to a seat inside the casing (7a).

In another embodiment, the motor (5) is connected with the stirrer (4) by means of a transmission unit (5a) for transmitting the rotary motion generated by the motor (5) to the stirrer (4) (Fig. 1).

In another embodiment, the control unit has at least one ice cream mode for which the prescribed plural number N of cycles is 6, the prescribed duration T_cycle of each cycle is 15 minutes, a prescribed ON duration T_on of the motor (5) and a prescribed OFF duration T_off of the motor (5) within each cycle are 10 minutes and 5 minutes respectively.

In another embodiment, the freezer compartment (6) has a fan (not shown) which is arranged to blow cool air towards the container (3) of the ice cream making apparatus (1) (Fig. 1). The freezer fan is controlled by the control unit.

The present invention also provides a computer readable program which comprises codes for causing a refrigeration appliance (2) to execute the method steps of the present invention.

The present invention also provides a computer readable recording medium which stores the computer readable program of the present invention.

With the control method of present invention, by virtue of the ON/OFF regime the motor (5) is prevented from excessively heating up, and its operating temperature is kept within desired limits. In particular, during the OFF duration T_off, the temperature rise in the cool air blown by the freezer fan towards the container (4) has been suppressed, and a cooling performance of the ice cream by the cool air is thereby improved. In addition, by virtue of the ON/OFF regime, the ice cream m is maintained at a target quality during the process of ice cream production. In particular during the ON duration T_on, the ice cream is rendered voluminous and the formation of frost in the ice cream is prevented. Thus, by the method of the present invention a quality of the ice cream is improved and the adverse effects of the radiant heat emanated from the motor (5) on the ice cream are practically eliminated. With the present invention the user is enabled to select via the user interface a desired ice cream mode among a plurality of ice cream modes which have different creaminess levels. With the present invention the user can be audibly and/or visually informed when the ice cream production is completed or when the ice cream is unintentionally left inside the container (3) for longer periods. Thereby, a consumer satisfaction can be further increased.

Claims

A method for controlling an ice cream making apparatus (1) of a refrigeration appliance (2), in particular a domestic refrigerator, wherein the ice cream making apparatus (1) comprises a container (3) for holding the ice cream to be agitated, a stirrer (4) for agitating the ice cream inside the container (3), and a motor (5) for driving the stirrer (4), and wherein the refrigeration appliance (2) further comprises: a freezer compartment (6) which accommodates the ice cream making apparatus (1), a door (7) for accessing the container (3), a control unit for controlling the motor (5), and a user-interface for receiving a user input, wherein the control unit has an one or more than one ice cream mode, each ice cream mode being selectable by the user via the user-interface,

the method being characterized by comprising:

- a step (S1) of initiating an ice cream mode in accordance with a user selection which is input via the user interface and

- a step (S2) of controlling in the ice cream mode the motor (5) in accordance with an ON/OFF regime which is prescribed by the ice cream mode by successively switching the motor (5) ON and OFF for a prescribed plural number N of cycles in order to complete the process of ice cream production.
The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the controlling step (S1), the prescribed plural number N of cycles, a prescribed duration T_cycle of each cycle, a prescribed ON duration T_on of the motor (5) and a prescribed OFF duration T_off of the motor (5) within each cycle, a prescribed speed V of the motor (5) during the ON duration T_on in each cycle are based on the ice cream mode which is selected by the user via the user interface.
The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by further comprising:

- a first step (S3) of determining whether the motor (5) has been turned ON and OFF for the prescribed plural number N of cycles and

- a step (S4) of informing the user audibly and/or visually via the user-interface that the process of ice cream production is completed if the determination result in the first determining step (S3) is affirmative.
The method according to claim 3, characterized in that in the informing step (S4) the user is informed for a prescribed first duration T1 that the process of ice cream production is completed.
The method according to claim 4, characterized in that in the informing step (S4) the prescribed first duration T1 is about one minute.
The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the refrigeration appliance (2) further comprises a detecting unit for detecting an opening/closing of the door (7),

the method being characterized by further comprising:

- a second step (S5) of determining whether the door (7) has been opened within a prescribed second duration T2 which commences immediately after an elapse of the prescribed plural number N of cycles,

- a step (S6) of reinforming the user that the process of ice cream production is completed if the determination result in the second determining step (S5) is negative, and

- a step (S7) of terminating the ice cream mode if the determination result in the second determining step (S5) is affirmative or if the user has been reinformed in the reinforming step (S6).
The method according to claim 6, characterized in that in the second determining step (S5) said prescribed second duration T2 is about one hour.
The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that in the reinforming step (S6) the user is reinformed for a prescribed third duration T3 that the process of ice cream production is completed.
The method according to claim 8, characterized in that in the reinforming step (S6) the prescribed third duration T3 is about one minute.
A refrigeration appliance (2), in particular a domestic refrigerator, comprising:

- an ice cream making apparatus (1) which comprises: a container (3) for holding ice cream to be agitated, a stirrer (4) for agitating the ice cream inside the container (3), and a motor (5) for driving the stirrer (4),

- a freezer compartment (6) which accommodates the ice cream making apparatus (1),

- a door (7) for accessing the container (4),

- a control unit for controlling the motor (5) and

- a user-interface for receiving a user input,

characterized in that

the control unit has one or more than one ice cream mode, each ice cream mode being selectable by the user via the user-interface, and the control unit is programmed to execute the method steps as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9.
The refrigeration appliance (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that a detecting unit for detecting an opening/closing of the door (7).
The refrigeration appliance (2) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the control unit has at least one ice cream mode for which the prescribed plural number N of cycles is 6, a prescribed duration T_cycle of each cycle is about 15 minutes, a prescribed ON duration T_on of the motor (5) and a prescribed OFF duration T_off of the motor (5) within each cycle are about 10 minutes and about 5 minutes respectively.
The refrigeration appliance (2) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the freezer compartment (6) has a fan which is configured to blow cool air towards the container (3) of the ice cream making apparatus (1).
A computer readable program comprising codes for causing a refrigeration appliance (2) to execute the method steps defined in any one of claims 1 to 9.
A computer readable recording medium which stores the computer readable program as defined in claim 14.