REFRIGERATOR DEFROST COMPARTMENT

摘要

Embodiments described herein relate to a refrigerator comprising a defrost chamber for defrosting food. The defrost chamber is fluidly coupled to the ambient air surrounding the refrigerator so that the chamber can be selectively returned to ambient temperature during a defrost cycle in order to defrost food. A control module can be included to activate a defrost cycle after a predetermined amount of time, or in advance of a desired meal time. The control module can automatically determine an anticipated defrost duration, given an input weight and type of stored food. Therefrom, the control module can activate the defrost cycle sufficiently in advance of the desired meal time to ensure that food has adequately defrosted for use. Further, after the defrost cycle has elapsed, cooling can be automatically reactivated in order to avoid food spoilage.

主权项

1. A defrost chamber for receiving food comprising:
a. two or more heat transfer conduits, one of said conduits selectively fluidly coupled to an ambient air source and another of said conduits selectively fluidly coupled to refrigeration equipment for cooling air in the defrost chamber; b. a user input module for receiving user input; and c. a control module configured to:
i. determine a weight of the food stored in the defrost chamber;ii. receive user input indicating a desired meal time;iii. automatically generate an anticipated defrost duration corresponding to an expected length of time for the food to defrost; andiv. selectively control, for a period corresponding to the anticipated defrost duration in advance of the desired meal time, the heat transfer conduits to supply ambient air to the food.