Alarm System for Refrigerator

Abstract

An alarm system for refrigerator includes a sensor, a display, an alarm device, and a controller. The sensor is provided in the refrigerator for sensing temperature of a cooling chamber. The display is provided in the refrigerator for displaying operational information of the refrigerator, and the operational information includes the temperature detected by the sensor. The alarm device is for determining alarming situations using the temperature of the refrigerator detected by the sensor and issuing an alarm such that a user is notified of problems determined by the alarm device. The controller is provided in the refrigerator for controlling operation of the refrigerator, the sensor, the display, and the alarm device. The alarm device is controlled and operated by the controller in determining the alarming situations and issuing the alarm.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An alarm system for refrigerator or freezer comprising:
 a sensor provided in the refrigerator or the freezer for sensing temperature of a cooling chamber of the refrigerator or the freezer;   a display provided in the refrigerator or the freezer for displaying operational information of the refrigerator or the freezer, wherein the operational information includes the temperature detected by the sensor;   an alarm device for determining alarming situations using the temperature of the refrigerator or the freezer detected by the sensor and issuing an alarm such that a user is notified of problems determined by the alarm device; and   a controller provided in the refrigerator or the freezer for controlling operation of the refrigerator or the freezer, the sensor, the display, and the alarm device,   wherein the alarm device is controlled and operated by the controller in determining the alarming situations and issuing the alarm,   wherein at least one of the alarming situations is determined when the temperature in the cooling chamber is not lowered to or does not fall into a predetermined temperature range even though a compressor of the refrigerator is in operation.   
     
     
         2 . 
     
     
         4 . The alarm system of claim  3 , wherein the predetermined temperature range is from about 33 degrees in Fahrenheit to about 40 degrees in Fahrenheit for the refrigerator. 
     
     
         5 . The alarm system of  claim 4 , wherein the predetermined time period is from about one hour to about two hours. 
     
     
         6 . The alarm system of  claim 5 , wherein the predetermined temperature range and the predetermined time period are input to the alarm device through the controller. 
     
     
         7 . The alarm system of  claim 6 , wherein the predetermined temperature range, the predetermined time period, and the temperature in the cooling chamber are displayed in the display. 
     
     
         8 . The alarm system of  claim 1 , wherein the alarm issued by the alarm device includes audible, visible, or audible and visible signals lasting for a predetermined controllable alarming time period. 
     
     
         9 . The alarm system of  claim 8 , wherein the alarm device comprises a buzzer. 
     
     
         10 . The alarm system of  claim 8 , wherein the alarm device comprises a warning lamp for emitting a constant or blinking light. 
     
     
         11 . The alarm system of  claim 1 , further comprising an silencing means for cutting off the issued alarm, wherein the silencing means comprises one of temperature-setting buttons provided in the controller. 
     
     
         12 . The alarm system of  claim 1 , wherein the alarm device is detachable from the controller. 
     
     
         13 . The alarm system of  claim 12 , wherein the controller comprises a computer program for controlling the alarm device and the display. 
     
     
         14 . The alarm system of  claim 13 , wherein the temperature is detected by the sensor in a predetermined time period after a specific operation of the refrigerator or the freezer, and wherein the specific operation includes changing of the predetermined temperature range, opening and shutting of door of the refrigerator or the freezer, and turning on the refrigerator or the freezer.