Refrigerator and defrost control method thereof
US8033124B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 10, 2008 |
| Grant date | Oct 11, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 5, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25D2700/02
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Disclosed herein are a refrigerator and a defrost control method thereof that are capable of sensing an amount of frost formed on an evaporator based on a change amount of absolute humidity in the refrigerator to control a defrost operation. A defrost control method of a refrigerator including a storage chamber and an evaporator to cool the storage chamber, includes sensing absolute humidity in the storage chamber, determining an estimated amount of frost formed on the evaporator using time segments in which the absolute humidity in the storage chamber decreases, and controlling a defrost operation based on the estimated amount of frost. According to the present embodiments, it is possible to perform the defrost operation at the point of time for optimum defrost, thereby maximizing energy efficiency and cooling efficiency.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.