Refrigerator Having Frozen Food Thawing Function

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator ( 1 ) comprising a fresh food compartment ( 2 ) wherein objects to be cooled are placed and at least one thawing compartment ( 4 ) disposed inside the fresh food compartment ( 2 ), wherein the frozen objects are placed and having at least one heating means ( 3 ) providing the interior to be heated.

1 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) comprising a fresh food compartment ( 2 ) wherein objects to be cooled are placed and at least one thawing compartment ( 4 ) disposed in the fresh food compartment ( 2 ), having at least one heating means ( 3 ) providing the interior to be heated and wherein the frozen objects are placed, and characterized by a first sensor ( 5 ) that detects the temperature of the thawing compartment ( 4 ) interior when a frozen object is placed into the thawing compartment ( 4 ) and a control unit ( 6 ) that calculates a first temperature change rate (dT 1 /dt 1 ) according to the temperature value (T 1 ) detected by the first sensor ( 5 ), that compares the calculated first temperature change rate (dT 1 /dt 1 ) with a determined limit temperature change rate (dT/dt) limit  prerecorded in its memory by the producer, providing the thawing process to be started and providing the frozen object to be thawed by activating the heating means ( 3 ) if the calculated first temperature change rate (dT 1 /dt 1 ) is greater than the limit temperature change rate (dT/dt) limit . 
     
     
         2 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as in  claim 1 , characterized by the resistance type heating means ( 3 ). 
     
     
         3 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as in  claim 2 , characterized by the thawing compartment ( 4 ) having a base ( 8 ) produced from a material with high thermal conductivity and the heating means ( 3 ) disposed on the bottom surface of the base ( 8 ), and the first sensor ( 5 ) that detects the temperature of the base ( 8 ). 
     
     
         4 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as in  claim 3 , characterized by at least one fan ( 10 ) providing the air therein to be propelled and at least one second sensor ( 7 ) that detects the temperature of the thawing compartment ( 4 ) interior during the thawing process and the control unit ( 6 ) that controls the operation of the heating means ( 3 ) and the fan ( 10 ) during the thawing process by comparing a lower limit temperature value (T lower ) and an upper limit temperature value (T upper ) predetermined by the producer recorded in its memory, with the temperature value (T 2 ) detected by the second sensor ( 7 ). 
     
     
         5 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as in  claim 4 , characterized by the control unit ( 6 ) that calculates a second temperature change rate (dT 2 /dt 2 ) according to the temperature value (T 2 ) detected by the second sensor ( 7 ) and controls the operation of the heating means ( 3 ) and the fan ( 10 ) according to the calculated second temperature change rate (dT 2 /dt 2 ). 
     
     
         6 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as in  claim 5 , characterized by the control unit ( 6 ) that ends the operation of the heating means ( 3 ) and the fan ( 10 ) if the second temperature change rate (dT 2 /dt 2 ) is smaller than the determined limit temperature change rate (dT/dt) limit  prerecorded in its memory by the producer. 
     
     
         7 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as in  claim 6 , characterized by an insulation element ( 9 ) disposed under the heating means ( 3 ). 
     
     
         8 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as in  claim 7 , characterized by the first sensor ( 5 ) disposed on the upper surface of the base ( 8 ). 
     
     
         9 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as in  claim 8 , characterized by the base ( 8 ) that is produced from metal material. 
     
     
         10 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as in  claim 9 , characterized by at least one alerter ( 11 ) that enables the user to be informed when the thawing process is started. 
     
     
         11 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as in  claim 10 , characterized by at least one alerter ( 11 ) that enables the user to be informed when the thawing process is ended. 
     
     
         12 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as in  claim 1 , characterized by the thawing compartment ( 4 ) having a base ( 8 ) produced from a material with high thermal conductivity and the heating means ( 3 ) disposed on the bottom surface of the base ( 8 ), and the first sensor ( 5 ) that detects the temperature of the base ( 8 ). 
     
     
         13 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as in  claim 12 , characterized by the first sensor ( 5 ) disposed on the upper surface of the base ( 8 ). 
     
     
         14 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as in  claim 12 , characterized by the base ( 8 ) that is produced from metal material. 
     
     
         15 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as in  claim 1 , characterized by at least one fan ( 10 ) providing the air therein to be propelled and at least one second sensor ( 7 ) that detects the temperature of the thawing compartment ( 4 ) interior during the thawing process and the control unit ( 6 ) that controls the operation of the heating means ( 3 ) and the fan ( 10 ) during the thawing process by comparing a lower limit temperature value (T lower ) and an upper limit temperature value (T upper ) predetermined by the producer recorded in its memory, with the temperature value (T 2 ) detected by the second sensor ( 7 ). 
     
     
         16 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as in  claim 15 , characterized by the control unit ( 6 ) that calculates a second temperature change rate (dT 2 /dt 2 ) according to the temperature value (T 2 ) detected by the second sensor ( 7 ) and controls the operation of the heating means ( 3 ) and the fan ( 10 ) according to the calculated second temperature change rate (dT 2 /dt 2 ). 
     
     
         17 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as in  claim 15 , characterized by the control unit ( 6 ) that ends the operation of the heating means ( 3 ) and the fan ( 10 ) if the second temperature change rate (dT 2 /dt 2 ) is smaller than the determined limit temperature change rate (dT/dt) limit  prerecorded in its memory by the producer. 
     
     
         18 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as in  claim 1 , characterized by an insulation element ( 9 ) disposed under the heating means ( 3 ). 
     
     
         19 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as in  claim 1 , characterized by at least one alerter ( 11 ) that enables the user to be informed when the thawing process is started. 
     
     
         20 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as in  claim 1 , characterized by at least one alerter ( 11 ) that enables the user to be informed when the thawing process is ended.