Condensation prevention feature for lcd tv

Abstract

An appliance, such as a television, may include a heater disposed therein to prevent the formation of condensation on the components of the appliance. The heater may be an existing module of the appliance that is powered up to provide heat when needed or the heater may be a separate, stand-alone heater. A sensor may be provided in the appliance to determine if condensation may form and control the heater accordingly.

1 . An appliance comprising:
 at least one component inside a housing; and   a heater inside the housing, the heater warming a space inside the housing when activated.   
   
   
       2 . The appliance of  claim 1  wherein the appliance is a television. 
   
   
       3 . The appliance of  claim 2  wherein the television is an LCD television. 
   
   
       4 . The appliance of  claim 1  further comprising a sensor inside the housing for determining activation of the heater, the sensor measuring at least one of temperature and humidity. 
   
   
       5 . The appliance of  claim 4  wherein the sensor measures the temperature of the at least one component. 
   
   
       6 . The appliance of  claim 4  wherein the sensor measures the temperature of the air inside the housing. 
   
   
       7 . The appliance of  claim 1  wherein a user interface of the appliance controls activation of the heater. 
   
   
       8 . The appliance of  claim 1  wherein the heater is an existing module of the appliance that is powered up to generate heat. 
   
   
       9 . The appliance of  claim 1  wherein the heater provides condensation-free internal television components without requiring a waterproof television cabinet. 
   
   
       10 . An appliance comprising:
 at least one component inside a housing of the appliance;   a heater inside the housing of the appliance; and   at least one sensor inside the housing of the appliance, the sensor activating the heater prior to formation of condensation inside the housing of the appliance.   
   
   
       11 . The appliance of  claim 10  wherein the sensor measures the temperature of the at least one component. 
   
   
       12 . The appliance of  claim 10  wherein the sensor measures at least one of temperature and humidity of the inside the housing. 
   
   
       13 . The appliance of  claim 10  further comprising a control module for controlling the heater based on measurements taken by the sensor. 
   
   
       14 . The appliance of  claim 10  wherein the heater is powered off when the sensor indicates condensation will not form on the components inside the housing. 
   
   
       15 . A method for controlling condensation in an appliance, the method comprising:
 powering on a heater inside the appliance, the heater being powered on either when a user selects to power on the heater, or when the appliance determines a need for powering on the heater; and   heating a space inside a housing of the appliance.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising determining if condensation will occur on components within the housing of the appliance. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein a sensor is used to measure at least one of temperature and humidity inside the housing of the appliance to make the determination if condensation will occur. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the user activates the heater to heat the space inside the housing of the appliance. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising controlling the heater based on readings from at least one sensor. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the controlling of condensation is performed without the need for a waterproof housing.