18649073. REFRIGERATOR AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME simplified abstract (LG Electronics Inc.)
REFRIGERATOR AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME
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REFRIGERATOR AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18649073 titled 'REFRIGERATOR AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME
The abstract describes a refrigerator with a unique ice making feature that includes a tray with a heater controlled by a temperature sensor and a controller.
- Storage chamber for food
- Cold air supply part for supplying cold air to the storage chamber
- Tray forming an ice making cell for phase-changing water into ice
- Temperature sensor to monitor water or ice temperature
- Heater to aid in separating ice from the tray
- Controller to manage the heater's operation based on temperature readings
Potential Applications: - Household refrigerators - Commercial refrigeration units - Ice making machines
Problems Solved: - Simplifies the process of removing ice from the tray - Ensures ice is easily separated without sticking - Prevents ice from melting and refreezing in the tray
Benefits: - Convenient ice making process - Reduced effort in removing ice from the tray - Improved efficiency in ice production
Commercial Applications: Title: Innovative Ice Making Refrigerator Technology for Home and Commercial Use This technology can be used in various refrigeration units for both household and commercial purposes, enhancing the ice making process and overall efficiency.
Questions about the technology: 1. How does the controller determine when to turn the heater on and off? The controller uses temperature readings from the sensor to decide when to activate the heater for ice separation. 2. What makes this refrigerator's ice making process different from traditional methods? The inclusion of a heater controlled by a temperature sensor sets this refrigerator apart by simplifying the ice removal process.
Original Abstract Submitted
A refrigerator according to the present invention includes a storage chamber configured to store food, a cold air supply part configured to supply cold air to the storage chamber, a tray configured to form an ice making cell being a space in which water is phase-changed into ice by the cold air, a temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of water or ice in the ice making cell, a heater configured to provide heat to the tray, and a controller configured to control the heater, in which the controller controls the heater to be turned on so that ice can be easily separated from the tray when the ice making is completed, and the controller controls the heater to be turned off when a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor reaches a first turn-off reference temperature greater than zero after a first reference time elapses in a state in which the heater is turned on.