Method for defrosting a primary evaporator and an auxiliary evaporator of a refrigerator appliance

Abstract

A method is provided for operating a refrigerator that includes a cabinet defining a primary storage compartment, and an auxiliary unit within the primary storage compartment that defines an auxiliary storage compartment. The refrigerator further includes a primary cooling system having a primary evaporator, a primary airflow system for circulating air between the primary evaporator and primary storage compartment, and a primary heating element for defrosting the primary evaporator. Moreover, the refrigerator includes an auxiliary cooling system having an auxiliary evaporator, an auxiliary airflow system for circulating air between the auxiliary evaporator and auxiliary storage compartment, and an auxiliary heating element for defrosting the auxiliary evaporator. The method includes a main defrost operation that energizes the primary heating element, and an auxiliary defrost operation that energizes the auxiliary heating element.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosure relates to a method for defrosting a primary evaporator and an auxiliary evaporator of a refrigerator appliance and in particular, a method that includes a main defrost operation and an auxiliary defrost operation.BACKGROUND

[0002] A conventional refrigerator appliance typically comprises a cabinet defining one or more storage compartments for storing food items, and a cooling system for providing cooled air to the one or more storage compartments. In particular, the cooling system can include an evaporator that receives cooled refrigerant in liquid form, and an airflow system that circulates air between the storage compartment(s) and the evaporator. As the air flows across the evaporator, it will be cooled by the refrigerant liquid contained therein.

[0003] In some examples, a storage compartment of a refrigerator can be referred to as a “primary” storage compartment, and an auxiliary unit may be provided within the primary storage compartment that defines an auxiliary storage compartment. Moreover, the auxiliary unit may have its own auxiliary cooling system with an auxiliary evaporator that can maintain the auxiliary storage compartment at a lower temperature than the primary storage compartment.

[0004] Over time, it is possible for the evaporators of the primary and auxiliary storage compartments to accumulate frost thereon, which can impair their ability to efficiently remove heat from air flowing across. Accordingly, described herein is a method for defrosting a primary evaporator and an auxiliary evaporator of a refrigerator appliance.SUMMARY

[0005] According to a first aspect, a method is provided for operating a refrigerator that includes a cabinet defining a primary storage compartment, and an auxiliary unit within the primary storage compartment that defines an auxiliary storage compartment. The refrigerator further includes a primary cooling system for providing cooled air to the primary storage compartment, the primary cooling system including a primary evaporator, a primary airflow system for circulating air between the primary evaporator and primary storage compartment, and a primary heating element for defrosting the primary evaporator. Moreover, the refrigerator includes an auxiliary cooling system for providing cooled air to the auxiliary storage compartment, the auxiliary cooling system including an auxiliary evaporator, an auxiliary airflow system for circulating air between the auxiliary evaporator and auxiliary storage compartment, and an auxiliary heating element for defrosting the auxiliary evaporator. The method includes a main defrost operation that energizes the primary heating element; and an auxiliary defrost operation that energizes the auxiliary heating element.

[0006] In one example, the main defrost operation further energizes the auxiliary heating element, and the auxiliary defrost operation does not energize the primary heating element.

[0007] In another example, the auxiliary defrost operation is initiated based on an auxiliary defrost condition being satisfied.

[0008] In yet another example, the auxiliary unit is an ice-making unit that includes a housing defining the auxiliary storage compartment, an ice mold within the auxiliary storage compartment, and a harvest mechanism that is operable to harvest ice from the ice mold. Moreover, the method includes an ice harvesting operation that operates the harvest mechanism to harvest ice from the ice mold.

[0009] In still yet another example, the refrigerator includes a counter configured to count a number corresponding to a number of times the ice harvesting operation has been executed while counting, and the auxiliary defrost condition includes the number counted by the counter being equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

[0010] In another example, the number counted by the counter is reset based on the auxiliary defrost condition being satisfied.

[0011] In yet another example, the ice harvesting operation is initiated based on the auxiliary defrost condition being satisfied.

[0012] In still yet another example, the main defrost operation is initiated based on a first main defrost condition being satisfied, and the auxiliary defrost operation is initiated based on the first main defrost condition not being satisfied.

[0013] In another example, the auxiliary defrost operation is initiated based on a second main defrost condition not being satisfied, the second main defrost condition being different from the first main defrost condition.

[0014] In yet another example, the auxiliary unit is an ice-making unit that includes a housing defining the auxiliary storage compartment, an ice mold within the auxiliary storage compartment, and a harvest mechanism that is operable to harvest ice from the ice mold. Moreover, the method includes an ice harvesting operation that operates the harvest mechanism to harvest ice from the ice mold, and the auxiliary defrost operation is initiated based on a harvest condition being satisfied.

[0015] In still yet another example, the auxiliary defrost operation ceases energizing the auxiliary heating element if a first auxiliary defrosting condition is satisfied.

[0016] In another example, the refrigerator includes a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the auxiliary cooling system, and the first auxiliary defrosting condition includes the temperature detected by the temperature sensor being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold temperature.

[0017] In yet another example, the auxiliary defrost operation ceases energizing the auxiliary heating element if a second auxiliary defrosting condition is satisfied, the second auxiliary defrosting condition being different from the first auxiliary defrosting condition.

[0018] In still yet another example, the refrigerator includes a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the auxiliary cooling system, the first auxiliary defrosting condition includes the temperature detected by the temperature sensor being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold temperature, and the second defrosting condition includes the auxiliary heating element being energized for a predetermined threshold time.

[0019] In another example, the main defrost operation is initiated based on a main defrost condition being satisfied.

[0020] In yet another example, the auxiliary unit is an ice-making unit that includes a housing defining the auxiliary storage compartment, an ice mold within the auxiliary storage compartment, and a harvest mechanism that is operable to harvest ice from the ice mold. Moreover, the method includes an ice harvesting operation that operates the harvest mechanism to harvest ice from the ice mold, and the main defrost operation is initiated based on a harvest condition being satisfied.

[0021] In still yet another example, the refrigerator includes a counter configured to count a number corresponding to a number of times the ice harvesting operation has been executed while counting, and the number counted by the counter is reset based on the main defrost condition being satisfied.

[0022] In another example, the ice harvesting operation is initiated based on the main defrost condition being satisfied.

[0023] In yet another example, the main defrost operation ceases energizing the primary heating element if a first primary defrosting condition is satisfied.

[0024] In still yet another example, the refrigerator includes a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the auxiliary cooling system, and the first primary defrosting condition includes the temperature detected by the temperature sensor being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold temperature. Moreover, the main defrost operation ceases energizing the primary heating element if a second primary defrosting condition is satisfied, the second defrosting condition including the primary heating element being energized for a predetermined threshold time.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The features, examples, and advantages of aspects or examples of the present disclosure are better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a front view of an example refrigerator appliance;

[0027] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an upper compartment of the refrigerator appliance, and an auxiliary unit mounted in an upper-left corner of the upper compartment, wherein the auxiliary unit includes an ice maker;

[0028] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the ice maker;

[0029] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the refrigerator appliance showing a water supply system for supplying water to the ice maker, and cooling systems for cooling the upper compartment and an auxiliary compartment of the auxiliary unit;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for an example ice mold filling operation for the appliance;

[0031] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for an example ice harvest operation for the appliance;

[0032] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for an example main defrost operation for the appliance;

[0033] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for an example auxiliary defrost operation for the appliance; and

[0034] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for an example method of operating the appliance that utilizes the ice mold filling operation, ice harvest operation, main defrost operation for the appliance, and auxiliary defrost operation.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Referring to FIG. 1, an example refrigerator appliance 10 is illustrated having a cabinet 12 that includes an outer shell 14 and a liner 16 provided within the outer shell 14 that defines a plurality of storage compartments 18, 20a, 20b. In particular, the liner 16 defines an upper compartment 18, a lower-left compartment 20a, and a lower-right compartment 20b. A horizontal mullion 22 is provided within the liner 16 to separate the upper compartment 18 from the lower-left and lower-right compartments 20a, 20b. Moreover, a vertical mullion 24 is provided within the liner 16 to separate the lower-left and lower-right compartments 20a, 20b.

[0036] The upper compartment 18 corresponds to a fresh-food compartment of the appliance 10, which can be maintained at a temperature between 0° C. and 4.5° C. for storing fresh food items. Meanwhile, the lower compartments 20a, 20b correspond to freezer compartments, which can be maintained at a temperature below 0° C. for storing frozen food items. Alternatively, at least one of the compartments 18 (e.g., the lower-left compartment 20a) can be a variable temperature compartment (VCZ, also known as a convertible compartment) with a temperature that is user-selectable between fresh food and freezer temperatures (i.e., user selectable to be above-freezing or below-freezing).

[0037] The appliance 10 further includes a plurality of doors 26a-b, 28a-b attached to its cabinet 12 that can be opened and closed to provide selective access to its compartments 18-c. More specifically, the appliance 10 includes a pair of upper French doors 26a, 26b for providing selective access to the upper compartment 18, a lower-left door 28a for providing selective access to the lower-left compartment 20a, and a lower-right door 28b for providing selective access to the lower-right compartment 20b. Each door 26a-b, 28a-b is pivotally attached to the cabinet 12 such that the door 26a-b, 28a-b is rotatable between its open and closed positions. Alternatively, one or more of the doors 26a-b, 28a-b can form a drawer that is slidable with respect to its compartment 18, 20a, 20b.

[0038] The appliance 10 can include any number, type, and arrangement of liners, compartments, and doors without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In one example, the appliance 10 may comprise a liner defining a single storage compartment, which can be opened and closed by a single door. Broadly speaking, the appliance 10 can comprise any configuration that defines at least one storage compartment for storing food items.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the appliance 10 further includes an auxiliary unit 30 mounted in an upper-left corner of the upper compartment 18, which defines an auxiliary storage compartment 34 that will be maintained at a lower temperature than the upper compartment 18.

[0040] In the present example, the auxiliary unit 30 is an ice-making unit comprising a housing 36 that defines the auxiliary storage compartment 34, and an ice maker 40 arranged within the auxiliary storage compartment 34 (for the purposes of illustration, the housing 36 in FIG. 2 is shown with a side panel of the housing 36 removed in order to view an interior of the housing 36). The auxiliary unit 30 further includes an ice bin 42 arranged below the ice maker 40 for collecting ice pieces harvested from the ice maker 40, and an auger 44 within the ice bin 42 that is operable to urge ice pieces stored in the ice bin 42 through an aperture 50 of the ice maker's housing 36 into an inlet 52 (see FIG. 1) of an ice chute 54 on a rear side of the left French door 26a. The ice pieces will then fall through the ice chute 54 and can be dispensed through an ice dispenser outlet on a front side of the left French door 26a (not visible in FIG. 1).

[0041] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the ice maker 40, which includes a carriage 60 and an ice mold 62 movably coupled to the carriage 60 such that the ice mold 62 is rotatable relative to the carriage 60 about an ice mold axis X. The ice mold 62 defines a plurality of cavities 64 such that water can be poured into the cavities 64 and then frozen to form ice. The number and shape of the cavities 64 can vary by embodiment.

[0042] The ice maker 40 further includes a motor 66 that is operable to rotate the ice mold 62 about the ice mold axis X in order to harvest (i.e., remove) ice pieces from the ice mold 62. In particular, the motor 66 has a shaft 68 that can extend through an aperture 70 in the carriage 60 and be coupled to a first end portion 74 of the ice mold 62, such that operation of the motor 66 causes the shaft 68 and ice mold 62 to rotate.

[0043] The ice mold 62 is typically arranged in the upward-facing position shown in FIG. 3, allowing the cavities 64 to be filled with water for making ice. Once the water has been sufficiently cooled to form ice pieces, the motor 66 can be operated to rotate the ice mold 62 (e.g., in direction R1) to a downward-facing position for harvesting the ice pieces. As the ice mold 62 is rotated toward the downward-facing position, an abutment member 76 on a second end portion 80 of the ice mold 62 can engage a corresponding abutment member of the carriage 60, thereby inhibiting further rotation of the second end portion 80 of the ice mold 62 about the ice mold axis X. However, the motor 66 can keep rotating first end portion 74 of the ice mold 62, causing the ice mold 62 to twist about the ice mold axis X. Such twisting of the ice mold 62 can help dislodge ice pieces from the cavities 64 of the ice mold 62. Moreover, the motor 66 will preferably rotate the ice mold 62 a sufficient degree such that the ice mold 62 faces substantially downward and the dislodged ice pieces fall from the ice mold 62 into the ice bin 42 below. The motor 66 can then reverse rotation to return the ice mold 62 to the upward-facing position shown in FIG. 3.

[0044] The motor 66 of the ice maker 40 is thus a harvest mechanism that can be operated to harvest ice from the ice mold 62. However, the ice maker 40 can include additional or alternative harvest mechanisms without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, the ice maker 40 can include a harvest mechanism in the form of an electrically-resistive heating element that can be fixed to the ice mold 62 and can be operated to heat the ice mold 62 and help dislodge ice pieces therefrom. Moreover, the ice maker 40 can include an alternative harvest mechanism that is operable to move the ice mold 62 upward-facing position shown in FIG. 3 to a position for harvesting ice pieces.

[0045] Additional features of the ice maker 40 include a detection lever 80 that is movably coupled to the carriage 60 and can indicate the presence or absence of ice pieces stored below the ice maker 40 in the ice bin 42. In particular, the detection lever 80 is rotatably coupled to the carriage 60 such that the detection lever 80 is pivotable about a detection lever axis Y between a raised position (shown in FIG. 3) and a lowered position. Moreover, the ice maker 40 further includes a spring 82 that is configured to bias the detection lever 80 toward its lowered position.

[0046] When the ice bin 42 is empty or substantially empty, the detection lever 80 will assume its lowered position via gravity and the biasing force of the spring 82. Conversely, when the ice bin 42 is substantially full, the ice pieces within the ice bin 42 will inhibit downward movement of the detection lever 80, such that the detection lever 80 maintains its raised position. In this manner, the lowered and raised positions of the detection lever 80 can indicate the presence or absence of ice pieces stored below the ice maker 40 in the ice bin 42.

[0047] The ice maker 40 can further include one or more sensors for detecting various parameters of the ice maker 40. For example, the ice maker 40 in the present embodiment includes a temperature sensor 84 that can directly abut and be fixed to a bottom side of the ice mold 62 for detecting a temperature of the ice mold 62. The detected temperature can be useful for determining whether any ice pieces in the ice mold 62 are ready for harvesting. In particular, when the detected temperature is greater than the freezing point of water (i.e., 0° C.), this will suggest that ice pieces are not yet formed in the cavities 64 of the ice mold 62. Conversely, when the detected temperature is equal to or less than the freezing point of water, this will suggest that any water in the cavities 64 has been sufficiently cooled to form ice pieces.

[0048] The ice maker 40 in the present embodiment also includes a sensor assembly 90 that is configured to detect whether the detection lever 80 is in its raised position (thus suggesting that the ice bin 42 is full). The sensor assembly 90 includes a sensor 92 in the form of a Hall Effect switch that is fixed to the carriage 60 and can be magnetically actuated between open and closed positions. Moreover, the sensor assembly 90 includes an actuation member 94 in the form of a magnetic body that is fixed to the detection lever 80 and will actuate the sensor 92 when in close proximity thereto. In this manner, the sensor assembly 90 can detect whether the detection lever 80 is in its raised position (thus suggesting that the ice bin 42 is full).

[0049] The ice maker 40 as discussed above is thus operable to make ice pieces, which can be harvested from the ice maker 40 and stored in the ice bin 42 below. Moreover, as discussed further below, the auxiliary unit 30 includes a dedicated cooling system that is operable to cool air within the auxiliary storage compartment 34 to a temperature suitable for making and preserving ice pieces.

[0050] However, it is to be appreciated that the ice maker 40 can comprise a variety of other configurations for making ice pieces without departing from the scope of disclosure. For instance, U.S. Pat. Nos. 11,543,166; 11,719,483; 11,867,445; 11,874,046; 12,085,325; and 12,163,720, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, disclose various ice makers that can be arranged within the auxiliary storage compartment 34 of the auxiliary unit 30.

[0051] It is to be further appreciated that the auxiliary unit 30 may not include any ice maker in some embodiments. For instance, the auxiliary storage compartment 34 of the auxiliary unit 30 may simply be a storage space for maintaining food items at a temperature lower than the temperature of the fresh-food compartment 18. Moreover, the auxiliary unit 30 may be arranged within a different type of storage compartment in other examples, such as one of the lower compartments 20a, 20b described above. Broadly speaking, the appliance 10 can comprise any configuration having a storage compartment that contains the auxiliary unit 30, wherein the auxiliary unit 30 has a dedicated cooling system that is configured to maintain the auxiliary storage compartment 34 at a temperature lower than the surrounding compartment.

[0052] Turning to FIG. 4, additional features of the appliance 10 will now be described, including dedicated cooling systems for the fresh-food compartment 18 and auxiliary storage compartment 34. Hereinafter, the fresh-food compartment 18 will be referred to as a “primary” storage compartment, since it contains the auxiliary unit 30 defining the auxiliary storage compartment 34 and will have a separate cooling system for maintaining the compartment 18 at a temperature greater than a temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment 34.

[0053] As shown schematically in FIG. 4, the appliance 10 includes a primary cooling system 100a and an auxiliary cooling system 100b for respectively cooling the primary storage compartment 18 and auxiliary storage compartment 34. Each cooling system 100a, 100b comprises an evaporator 108a, 108b and an airflow system 110a, 110b for circulating air between the evaporator 108a, 108b and its associated storage compartment 18, 34. In particular, each airflow system 110a, 110b comprises one or more bodies defining an evaporator compartment 114a, 114b for its associated evaporator 108a, 108b, and an airflow path for air to circulate between the evaporator compartment 114a, 114b and its associated storage compartment 18, 34. Moreover, each airflow system 110a, 110b further includes a fan 116a, 116b that is operable to induce airflow along its airflow path.

[0054] For example, the primary airflow system 110a in the present embodiment comprises a rear wall portion 120 of the cabinet liner 16, and a housing 122 that is affixed to a rear side of the rear wall portion 120 to define the primary evaporator compartment 114a therebetween for the primary evaporator 108a and primary fan 116a. Moreover, the primary airflow system 110a further includes an inlet 126 and an outlet 128 (defined by the rear wall portion 120) that enable air to circulate between the primary evaporator compartment 114a and the primary storage compartment 18. In particular, operation of the primary fan 116a will induce air within the primary storage compartment 18 to enter the primary evaporator compartment 114a via the inlet 126, then flow across the primary evaporator 108a, and then be discharged back into the primary storage compartment 18 via the outlet 128.

[0055] Meanwhile, the auxiliary airflow system 110b in the present embodiment comprises a rear portion 140 of the auxiliary unit's housing 36, and a vertical wall 142 within the housing 36 that define the auxiliary evaporator compartment 114b therebetween for the auxiliary evaporator 108a and auxiliary fan 116b. Moreover, the auxiliary airflow system 110b further includes an inlet 146 and an outlet 148 (defined by the vertical wall 142) that enable air to circulate between the auxiliary evaporator compartment 114b and the auxiliary storage compartment 34. In particular, operation of the auxiliary fan 116b will induce air within the auxiliary storage compartment 34 to enter the auxiliary evaporator compartment 114b via the inlet 146, then flow across the auxiliary evaporator 108b, and then be discharged back into the auxiliary storage compartment 34 via the outlet 148.

[0056] It is to be appreciated that the configurations of the primary and auxiliary airflow systems 110a, 110b can vary without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, each airflow system 110a, 110b may or may not include an associated fan in some embodiments. Broadly speaking, each airflow system 110a, 110b can comprise any configuration that enables air to circulate between the evaporator 108a, 108b and its associated storage compartment 18, 34.

[0057] Each cooling system 100a, 100b further includes a heating element 154a, 154b that, as discussed further below, is operable for heating / defrosting its associated evaporator 108a, 108b. In one example, each heating element 154a, 154b can be an electrically-resistive heating element that is located within its associated evaporator compartment 114a, 114b and abuts or is slightly spaced from the evaporator 108a, 108b. However, other types of heating elements can be utilized without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0058] The appliance 10 further includes a refrigerant system 156 that is operable to supply cooled refrigerant to the evaporators 108a, 108b of the primary and auxiliary cooling systems 100a, 100b. The refrigerant system 156 includes a compressor 160, a condenser 162, and a plurality of refrigerant lines 164 for providing fluid communication between components of the refrigerant system 156 and the primary and auxiliary evaporators 108a, 108b. Moreover, the refrigerant system 156 includes primary and auxiliary valves 170a, 170b that are operable to adjust (e.g., open, close, increase, decrease) fluid communication therethrough to the primary and auxiliary evaporators 108a, 108b, respectively.

[0059] Whenever it is desired to cool one of the primary and auxiliary storage compartments 18, 34, the compartment's associated valve 170a, 170b can be adjusted (e.g., opened) to permit or increase fluid flow therethrough to the compartment's evaporator 108a, 108b. Moreover, the compressor 160 can be operated to compress refrigerant gas and deliver the compressed gas to the condenser 162, which will then convert the gas to a cooled liquid. The cooled refrigerant liquid will then be delivered to the compartment's evaporator 108a, 108b, where it will absorb heat from the evaporator 108a, 108b and any air flowing thereby.

[0060] As discussed above, each cooling system 100a, 100b has an airflow system 110a, 110b for circulating air between its associated evaporator 108a, 108b and storage compartment 18, 34. Accordingly, as air flows across the evaporator 108a, 108b, it will be cooled by the refrigerant liquid contained therein. Moreover, as the refrigerant liquid absorbs heat, it will transform back to a gas that returns to the compressor 160 for further cycling.

[0061] In this manner, the refrigerant system 156 is operable to supply cooled refrigerant to the primary and auxiliary evaporators 108a, 108b for cooling the primary and auxiliary storage compartments 18, 34, respectively. Conversely, when it is desired to cease or reduce cooling for one of the primary and auxiliary storage compartments 18, 34, the compartment's associated valve 170a, 170b can be adjusted (e.g., closed) to cease or reduce the flow of cooled refrigerant therethrough to the compartment's evaporator 108a, 108b.

[0062] Additional features of the appliance 10 include primary and auxiliary temperature sensors 176a, 176b that are configured to detect a respective temperature of the primary and auxiliary cooling systems 100a, 100b. In particular, each temperature sensor 176a, 176b is arranged within the evaporator compartment 114a, 114b of its associated cooling system 100a, 100b, downstream from the evaporator 108a, 180b. However, each temperature sensor 176a, 176b may be arranged in alternative positions without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, each temperature sensor 176a, 176b may be arranged upstream of its evaporator 108a, 180b, or directly on its evaporator 108a, 180b or heating element 154a, 154b.

[0063] Moreover, the appliance 10 further includes a water supply system 180 for supplying water to the ice maker 40 of the auxiliary unit 30. The water supply system 180 includes a water source 182, one or more water supply lines 184 for conveying water from the water source 182 to the ice maker 40, and a water valve 186 that is operable to adjust (e.g., open, close, increase, decrease) fluid communication therethrough to the ice maker 40.

[0064] Lastly, the appliance 10 includes a controller 190 (e.g., microcontroller, PLC) that can be operatively coupled to various other components of the appliance 10. For example, the controller 190 in the present embodiment is operatively coupled to the ice maker motor 66, the ice mold temperature sensor 84, the detection lever sensor 92, the primary and auxiliary fans 116a, 116b, the primary and auxiliary heating elements 154a, 154b, the compressor 160, the primary and auxiliary refrigerant valves 170a, 170b, the primary and auxiliary temperature sensors 176a, 176b, and the water valve 186. Moreover, the operative coupling of these features to the controller 190 enables the controller 190 to operate the features to execute various methods of operation described below.

[0065] More specifically, FIGS. 5-9 illustrate flowcharts of various operations that can be executed by the controller 190 of the appliance. Beginning with FIG. 5, an example ice mold filling operation 200 includes an initial step 202 wherein the controller 190 adjusts the water valve 186 from a closed configuration to an open configuration, allowing water to be conveyed from the water source 182 to the cavities 64 of the ice mold 62. The operation 200 further includes a step 204 of determining whether a filling condition Fc has been satisfied. For example, the filling condition Fc can comprise the water valve 186 being open for a predetermined threshold time that is sufficient to fill the ice mold 62. In another example, the ice maker 40 may include a water level sensor in communication with the controller 190 that is configured to detect when the ice mold 62 is full of water, and the filling condition Fc can comprise the water level sensor detecting that the ice mold 62 is full.

[0066] If the filling condition Fc has not been satisfied, the controller 190 will continue to perform step 204 until the filling condition Fc is satisfied, upon which the operation 200 will proceed to step 206. At this step 206, the controller 190 will adjust the water valve 186 from the open configuration back to its closed configuration, thus ceasing the flow of water from the water source 182 to the cavities 64 of the ice mold 62.

[0067] Once the water in the ice mold 62 has been sufficiently cooled to form ice pieces, the controller 190 can perform a harvest operation 300 shown in FIG. 6, which will operate the motor 66 of the ice maker 40 to harvest (i.e., remove) ice pieces therefrom. More specifically, the harvest operation 300 includes a first step 302 in which the controller 190 will operate the motor 66 to rotate its shaft 68 (and the ice mold 62 coupled thereto) in the direction R1 until a first motor condition M1 is satisfied. For example, the first motor condition M1 can comprise the motor 66 rotating a predetermined threshold time that is sufficient to move the ice mold 62 from its upward-facing position shown in FIG. 3 to a downward-facing position in which the ice pieces dislodge and fall from the ice mold 62 into the ice bin 42 below. In another example, the ice maker 40 may include a proximity sensor in communication with the controller 190 that is configured to detect when the ice mold 62 has rotated to the downward-facing position, and the first motor condition M1 can comprise the proximity sensor detecting that the ice mold 62 is in the downward-facing position.

[0068] The harvest operation 300 next includes a step 304 in which the controller 190 will operate the motor 66 to rotate its shaft 68 (and the ice mold 62 coupled thereto) in the direction R2 until a second motor condition M2 is satisfied. For example, the second motor condition M2 can comprise the motor 66 rotating a predetermined threshold time that is sufficient to return the ice mold 62 from its downward-facing position to its upward-facing position shown in FIG. 3. In another example, the ice maker 40 may include a proximity sensor in communication with the controller 190 that is configured to detect when the ice mold 62 has rotated to the upward-facing position, and the second motor condition M2 can comprise the proximity sensor detecting that the ice mold 62 is in the upward-facing position.

[0069] Once the harvest operation 300 is complete, the ice mold filling operation 200 in FIG. 5 can again be performed to refill the ice mold 62 with water to make more ice pieces. Moreover, once that new water has been sufficiently cooled to form ice pieces, the controller 190 can again perform the harvest operation 300 to harvest the new ice pieces from the ice mold 62. In this manner, the ice mold filling operation 200 and harvest operation 300 can be repeatedly performed in an alternating manner to make multiple batches of ice pieces.

[0070] As discussed above, the appliance 10 includes primary and auxiliary cooling systems 100a, 100b for respectively cooling the primary and auxiliary storage compartments 18, 34, wherein each cooling system 100a, 100b comprises an evaporator 108a, 108b. Moreover, the appliance 10 includes a refrigerant system 156 that is operable to supply cooled refrigerant to the primary and auxiliary evaporators 108a, 108b for cooling the primary and auxiliary storage compartments 18, 34, respectively. Over time, it is possible for the primary and auxiliary evaporators 108a, 108b to accumulate frost thereon, which can impair their ability to absorb heat from air flowing thereby. In some cases, the frost accumulated on an evaporator 108a, 108b may even block its associated evaporator compartment 114a, 114b, thus preventing or substantially impeding the flow of air therethrough.

[0071] Accordingly, FIG. 7 shows a main defrosting (MD) operation 400 that is designed to defrost both the primary and auxiliary evaporators 108a, 108b of the appliance 10. In particular, the MD operation 400 has two sub-operations 402a, 402b that can be performed concurrently, consecutively, or in some other combination thereof, wherein the first sub-operation 402a is designed to defrost the primary evaporator 108a and the second sub-operation 402b is designed to defrost the auxiliary evaporator 108b.

[0072] The first sub-operation 402a includes an initial step 404a wherein the controller 190 energizes (i.e., turns ON) the primary heating element 154a associated with the primary evaporator 108a. Moreover, the primary heating element 154a will remain energized until either a first defrosting condition Dx1 is satisfied, or a second defrosting condition Dx2 is satisfied.

[0073] More specifically, the controller 190 will perform a step 406a of determining whether the first defrosting condition Dx1 is satisfied, wherein the first defrosting condition Dx1 comprises a temperature Tm_a measured by the primary temperature sensor 176a being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold temperature Tx (e.g., 10° C.). If the first defrosting condition Dx1 is satisfied, this will indicate that the primary evaporator 108a has been sufficiently defrosted and the primary heating element 154a can be de-energized (i.e., turned OFF). Conversely, if the first defrosting condition Dx1 is not satisfied, the controller 190 can continue to monitor and determine whether the first defrosting condition Dx1 becomes satisfied.

[0074] In some cases, the first defrosting condition Dx1 may not become satisfied, even after an extended period of energizing the primary heating element 154a. This may happen due to, for example, a failure / error of the primary heating element 154a or the primary temperature sensor 176a. In such cases, it may not be desirable to continue energizing the primary heating element 154a indefinitely. Accordingly, the controller 190 will separately perform a step 408a of determining whether the second defrosting condition Dx2 is satisfied, wherein the second defrosting condition Dx2 comprises the primary heating element 154a being energized for a time ta that is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold time tx (e.g., 50 minutes). If the second defrosting condition Dx2 is satisfied, this will mean that the primary heating element 154a should be de-energized, regardless of whether the primary evaporator 108a has been sufficiently defrosted. Conversely, if the second defrosting condition Dx2 is not satisfied, the controller 190 can continue to monitor and determine whether the second defrosting condition D2a becomes satisfied.

[0075] If either of the first and second defrosting conditions Dx1, Dx2 is satisfied, the controller 190 will proceed to step 410a, wherein the controller 190 ceases energizing the primary heating element 154a. This will end the first sub-operation 402a of the MD operation 400.

[0076] The second sub-operation 402b of the MD operation 400 is similar to the first sub-operation 402a except that the second sub-operation 402b is designed to defrost the auxiliary evaporator 108b instead of the primary evaporator 108a. Accordingly, the second sub-operation 402b includes an initial step 404b wherein the controller 190 energizes the auxiliary heating element 154b associated with the auxiliary evaporator 108b. Moreover, the auxiliary heating element 154b will remain energized until either a first defrosting condition Dy1 is satisfied, or a second defrosting condition Dy2 is satisfied.

[0077] More specifically, the controller 190 will perform a step 406b of determining whether the first defrosting condition Dy1 is satisfied, wherein the first defrosting condition Dy1 comprises the temperature Tm_b measured by the auxiliary temperature sensor 176b being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold temperature Ty (e.g., 18° C.). If the first defrosting condition Dy1 is satisfied, this will indicate that the auxiliary evaporator 108b has been sufficiently defrosted and the auxiliary heating element 154b can be de-energized. Conversely, if the first defrosting condition Dy1 is not satisfied, the controller 190 can continue to monitor and determine whether the first defrosting condition Dy1 becomes satisfied.

[0078] In some cases, the first defrosting condition Dy1 may not become satisfied, even after an extended period of energizing the auxiliary heating element 154b. Accordingly, the controller 190 in the second sub-operation 402b will similarly perform a step 408b of determining whether the second defrosting condition Dy2 is satisfied, wherein the second defrosting condition Dy2 comprises the auxiliary heating element 154b being energized for a time tb that is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold time ty (e.g., 35 minutes). If the second defrosting condition Dy2 is satisfied, this will mean that the auxiliary heating element 154b should be de-energized (i.e., turned OFF), regardless of whether the auxiliary evaporator 108b has been sufficiently defrosted. Conversely, if the second defrosting condition Dy2 is not satisfied, the controller 190 can continue to monitor and determine whether the second defrosting condition Dy2 becomes satisfied.

[0079] If either of the first and second defrosting conditions Dy1, Dy2 is satisfied, the controller 190 will proceed to step 410b, wherein the controller 190 ceases energizing the auxiliary heating element 154b. This will end the second sub-operation 402b of the MD operation 400. Moreover, once both sub-operations 402a, 402b are complete, this will end the MD operation 400.

[0080] The MD operation 400 as described above is thus designed to defrost both the primary and auxiliary evaporators 108a, 108b of the appliance 10. Indeed, it is particularly advantageous to defrost the auxiliary evaporator 108b while defrosting the primary evaporator 108a since the process of heating and defrosting the primary evaporator 108a will warm the primary storage compartment 18, which in turn will warm the auxiliary storage compartment 34 and auxiliary evaporator compartment 114b.

[0081] However, it is to be appreciated that the MD operation 400 may only include the first sub-operation 402a in some examples (i.e., without the second sub-operation 402b), such that the MD operation 400 only energizes the primary heating element 154a to defrost the primary evaporator 108a. Moreover, the MD operation 400 may comprise additional, alternative, or fewer conditions for turning OFF the heating element 154a, 154b in either sub-operation 402a, 402b. For example, each sub sub-operation 402a, 402b may simply de-energize its associated heating element 154a, 154b once it has been energized for a predetermined threshold time (e.g., steps 408a, 408b), without any alternative conditions for shutting OFF the heating element 154a, 154b (e.g., steps 406a, 406b). Broadly speaking, the MD operation 400 can be any operation that includes energizing the primary heating element 154a until one or more defrosting conditions is / are satisfied.

[0082] The MD operation 400 is primarily intended to defrost the primary evaporator 108a for the primary storage compartment 18. Accordingly, the MD operation 400 can be initiated based on one or more conditions suggesting that the primary evaporator 108a has accumulated a substantial amount of frost. For example, the MD operation 400 can be initiated based on a temperature of the primary storage compartment 18 or primary cooling system 100a exceeding a predetermined threshold temperature, suggesting that the primary evaporator 108a has accumulated frost and cannot efficiently cool the primary storage compartment 18. Alternatively, the MD operation 400 can be initiated based on a fixed or variable duty cycle.

[0083] Although the MD operation 400 is primarily intended to defrost the primary evaporator 108a, the second sub-operation 402b of the MD operation 400 will also defrost the auxiliary evaporator 108b. Nevertheless, due to the relatively smaller sizes and colder temperatures of the auxiliary storage and evaporator compartments 34, 114b (as compared to the primary storage and evaporator compartments 18, 114a), it may be desirable to defrost the auxiliary evaporator 108b more frequently than the primary evaporator 108a.

[0084] Accordingly, FIG. 8 shows an auxiliary defrosting (AD) operation 500 that is designed to defrost the auxiliary evaporator 108b, without energizing the primary heating element 154a for the primary evaporator 108a. The AD operation 500 is mostly similar to the second sub-operation 402b of the MD operation 400 except that, for reasons discussed below, the predetermined threshold temperature and time for tuning OFF the auxiliary heating 154a under the AD operation 500 are independent of and may differ from the predetermined threshold temperature Ty and time ty for tuning OFF the auxiliary heating 154a under the second sub-operation 402b.

[0085] More specifically, the AD operation 500 includes an initial step 504 wherein the controller 190 energizes the auxiliary heating element 154b associated with the auxiliary evaporator 108b. Moreover, the controller 190 will then perform steps 506, 508 of determining whether first and second defrosting conditions Dz1, Dz2 are satisfied. The first defrosting condition Dz1 comprises the temperature Tm_b measured by the auxiliary temperature sensor 176b being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold temperature Tz (e.g., 6° C.). Meanwhile, the second defrosting condition Dz2 comprises the auxiliary heating element 154b being energized for a time tb that is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold time tz (e.g., 30 minutes). If either of the first and second defrosting conditions Dz1, Dz2 is satisfied, the controller 190 will proceed to step 510, wherein the controller 190 ceases energizing the auxiliary heating element 154b. This will end the AD operation 500.

[0086] It is to be appreciated that the AD operation 500 may comprise additional, alternative, or fewer conditions for turning OFF the heating element 154a, 154b without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the AD operation 500 may simply de-energize the auxiliary heating element 154b once it has been energized for a predetermined threshold time (e.g., step 508), without any alternative conditions for shutting OFF the heating element 154b (e.g., step 506). Broadly speaking, the AD operation 500 can be any operation that includes energizing the auxiliary heating element 154b until one or more defrosting conditions is / are satisfied.

[0087] Various operations have been described above, including an ice mold filling operation 200, harvest operation 300, MD operation 400, and AD operation 500. As discussed above, it may be desirable to defrost the auxiliary evaporator 108b more frequently than the primary evaporator 108a, and thus it may be desirable to perform the AD operation 500 in between executions of the MD operation 400. Moreover, the MD operation 400 and AD operation 500 can cause the temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment 34 to increase, which could melt ice pieces formed in the ice mold 62 of the ice maker 40.

[0088] Accordingly, FIG. 9 shows a method 600 of operating the appliance 10 that is designed to perform the AD operation 500 in between executions of the MD operation 400. Moreover, the method 600 further incorporates the ice mold filling operation 200 and harvest operation 300 to ensure ice pieces are properly harvested before or during the MD operation 400 and AD operation 500.

[0089] The method 600 includes an initial step 602 wherein the controller 190 performs the ice mold filling operation 200 described above in order to fill the cavities 64 of the ice mold 62 with water. The controller 190 then performs a step 604 of determining whether a harvest condition H is satisfied.

[0090] The harvest condition H preferably comprises a condition indicating that the water within the cavities 64 of the ice mold 62 has been sufficiently cooled to form ice pieces. For example, the harvest condition H in the present example comprises a temperature Tm_ice measured by the temperature sensor 84 of the ice machine 40 being equal to or less than a predetermined threshold temperature Tx_ice (e.g., −10° C.). In addition or alternatively, the harvest condition H can comprise the lapsing of a predetermined threshold time since the completion of the ice mold filling operation 200, wherein the predetermined time is a substantial length of time that should be sufficient to freeze water within the cavities 64. Moreover, in some examples, the harvest condition H can further comprise the detection lever sensor assembly 90 indicating that the detection lever 80 is not in its raised position, thereby indicating that the ice bin 42 is not full and can receive more ice pieces.

[0091] The controller 190 continues to perform step 604 until the harvest condition H has been satisfied, thus indicating that ice pieces in the ice mold 62 are ready for harvesting. If the harvest condition H is satisfied, the controller 190 will proceed to the next steps of the method 600, the details of which are described further below.

[0092] Generally speaking, steps 606-610 in the method 600 are designed to determine whether the main defrost (MD) operation 400 or auxiliary defrost (AD) operation 500 should be performed. If not, the method 600 will proceed to step 612 wherein the controller 190 performs the harvest operation 300 described above. However, if steps 606, 608, 610 determine that the MD operation 400 or AD operation 500 should be performed, the method 600 will perform that operation (i.e., at step 616 or step 620) before proceeding to the step 612 of performing the harvest operation 300.

[0093] Notably, performance of the AD operation 500 (i.e., at step 620) in the method 600 is based on how many times ice has been harvested since the last defrost operation, since this has been determined to be an effective indicator for when the auxiliary evaporator 108b should be defrosted. Thus, the controller 190 includes a counter 192 (see FIG. 4) that will count a number n corresponding to a number of times the harvest operation 300 has been executed while counting (i.e., at step 614). Moreover, the method 600 includes steps 618, 622, which will reset the number n counted by the counter 192 to zero whenever a defrost operation is performed.

[0094] The steps 606-622 of the method 600 will now be described in further detail. As previously discussed, the controller 190 in step 604 will determine whether the harvest condition H has been satisfied, thus indicating that ice pieces in the ice mold 62 are ready for harvesting. If the harvest condition H is satisfied, the controller 190 will next perform a step 606 of determining whether a first main defrost condition MD1 is satisfied, wherein the first main defrost condition MD1 comprises a condition indicating that the MD operation 400 should be performed.

[0095] As discussed above, the MD operation 400 is primarily intended to defrost the primary evaporator 108a for the primary storage compartment 18. Accordingly, the first main defrost condition MD1 can comprise a condition suggesting that the primary evaporator 108a has (or may have) accumulated a substantial amount of frost. For example, the first main defrost condition MD1 in the present embodiment comprises the compressor 160 of the refrigerant system 156 being operated for a time tc that is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold time tx_c1 (e.g., 8 hours). In addition or alternatively, the first main defrost condition MD1 can comprise a temperature of the primary storage compartment 18 or primary cooling system 100a exceeding a predetermined threshold temperature.

[0096] If the first main defrost condition MD1 is satisfied in step 606, the controller 190 will proceed to step 616 of the method 600, wherein the controller 190 performs the MD operation 400. Moreover, the controller 190 will separately perform step 618 in which the controller 190 resets the number n counted by the counter 192 to zero, since the MD operation 400 will be performed. After the counter 192 has been reset, the controller 190 will perform the harvest operation 300 at step 612 and then increment (i.e., add 1 to) the number n counted by the counter 192. Accordingly, the number n counted by the counter 192 will be 1, meaning that one harvest operation 300 has been performed since initiation of the last defrost operation (i.e., the MD operation 400 at step 616). The method 600 will then restart at step 602, wherein the controller 190 performs the ice mold filling operation 200.

[0097] In some cases, the first main defrost condition MD1 may not yet be satisfied at step 616, meaning that the controller 190 will not proceed to step 616 of performing the MD operation 400 and step 612 of performing the harvest operation 300. However, the first main defrost condition MD1 may be close to satisfaction, and it may be preferable to wait a little further for the first main defrost condition MD1 to be satisfied. Thus, if the first main defrost condition MD1 is not yet be satisfied at step 616, the controller 190 can perform a step 608 of determining whether a second main defrost condition MD2 is satisfied, wherein the second main defrost condition MD2 corresponds to a condition that is relatively close to the first main defrost condition MD1 and suggests that the method should wait a little further for the first main defrost condition MD1 to be satisfied.

[0098] For example, the first main defrost condition MD1 in the present embodiment comprises the compressor 160 of the refrigerant system 156 being operated for a time tc that is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold time tx_c (e.g., 8 hours). Accordingly, the second main defrost condition MD2 comprises the time tc of operating the compressor 160 being greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold time tx_c2 (e.g., 7.5 hours), wherein the second predetermined threshold time tx_c2 is relatively close to (e.g., 90% or more than) the first predetermined threshold time tx_c1. If the second main defrost condition MD2 is satisfied at step 608, the controller 190 will return to the step 606 of determining whether the first main defrost condition MD1 is satisfied. Moreover, the controller 190 will continue to cycle between steps 606 and 608 until either the first main defrost condition MD1 becomes satisfied, or the second main defrost condition MD2 becomes unsatisfied. If the first main defrost condition MD1 eventually becomes satisfied at step 606, the controller 190 will proceed to step 616 as discussed above.

[0099] If the controller 190 determines that the first main defrost condition MD1 is not satisfied at step 606 and then determines that the second main defrost condition MD2 is also not satisfied at step 608, this means that the appliance 10 is not ready (or close to ready) for the MD operation 400. Accordingly, the controller 190 will next perform the step 610 of determining whether an auxiliary defrost condition AD is satisfied, wherein the auxiliary defrost condition AD comprises a condition indicating that the AD operation 500 should be performed.

[0100] As noted above, it has been determined that the number of times ice has been harvested since the last defrost operation can be an effective indicator for when the auxiliary evaporator 108b should be defrosted. Moreover, the controller 190 includes a counter 192 (see FIG. 4) that will count a number n corresponding to a number of times the harvest operation 300 has been executed while counting (i.e., at step 614). Accordingly, the auxiliary defrost condition AD at step 610 can comprise the number n counted by the counter 192 being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold number nx (e.g., 3).

[0101] If the controller 190 determines that the auxiliary defrost condition AD is not satisfied at step 610, this means that the appliance 10 is not ready for the AD operation 500. Accordingly, the controller 190 will perform the harvest operation at step 612, increment the counter 192 at step 614, and then restart the method 600 at step 602, wherein the controller 190 performs the ice mold filling operation 200.

[0102] However, if the controller 190 determines that the auxiliary defrost condition AD is satisfied at step 610, the controller 190 will proceed to step 620 of the method 600, wherein the controller 190 performs the AD operation 500. Moreover, the controller 190 will separately perform step 622 in which the controller 190 resets the number n counted by the counter 192 to zero, since the AD operation 500 will be performed. After the counter 192 has been reset, the controller 190 will perform the harvest operation 300 at step 612 and then increment (i.e., add 1 to) the counter 192 at step 614. Accordingly, the number n counted by the counter 192 will be 1, meaning that one harvest operation 300 has been performed since initiation of the last defrost operation (i.e., the AD operation 500 at step 620). The method 600 will then restart at step 602, wherein the controller 190 performs the ice mold filling operation 200.

[0103] As can be realized by the method 600 described above, the MD operation 400 and AD operation 500 will only be performed if the harvest condition H has been satisfied at step 604, meaning that ice pieces in the ice mold 62 are ready for harvesting. Moreover, the method 600 can perform the harvest operation 300 at step 612 either before or contemporaneously with the MD operation 400 at step 616 or the AD operation 500 at step 620, such that the ice pieces are harvested before having a chance to melt from the MD operation 400 or AD operation 500.

[0104] In the present embodiment, the MD operation 400 is designed to be performed whenever the first main defrost condition MD1 is satisfied, wherein the first main defrost condition MD1 comprises the compressor 160 of the refrigerant system 156 being operated for a time tc that is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold time tx_c (e.g., 8 hours). It is possible that the method 600 may perform two MD operations 400 without any intervening AD operation 500, in which case the auxiliary evaporator 108b will have accumulated frost for the entire predetermined threshold time tx_c (e.g., 8 hours) between MD operations 400. Thus, the MD operation 400 in the present embodiment is designed to provide a greater amount of heat to the auxiliary evaporator 108b than the AD operation 500, to ensure the auxiliary evaporator 108b is sufficiently defrosted in such situations. In particular, the predetermined threshold temperature Ty (e.g., 18° C.) and predetermined threshold time ty (e.g., 35 minutes) for operating the auxiliary heating element 154b during the MD operation 400 are respectively greater than the predetermined threshold temperature Tz (e.g., 6° C.) and predetermined threshold time tz (e.g., 30 minutes) for operating the auxiliary heating element 154b during the AD operation 500. Of course, these predetermined thresholds can vary by embodiment, and in some examples the predetermine thresholds Ty, ty of the MD operation 400 may be equal to or less than the predetermine thresholds Tz, tz of the AD operation 500.

[0105] It is to be appreciated that any step in the operations 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 described above can be referred to as “based on” a preceding step that leads to its operation, even if other steps are performed therebetween. For example, the step 612 of the performing the harvest operation 300 in the method 600 described above is based on the step 602 of performing the ice mold filling operation 200 and the step 604 of determining whether the harvest condition H is satisfied, since those steps 602, 604 must be performed (and satisfied) in the example method 600 to perform the step 612 of the performing the harvest operation 300. Likewise, the step 612 of the performing the harvest operation 300 can be based on the determination step 606 if that step determines that the first main defrost condition MD1 is satisfied, thus causing the harvest operation 300 to be performed later in the method 600.

[0106] It also should be appreciated that any of the conditions described above can be predetermined and stored in a memory of the controller 190. Moreover, the conditions described herein are open-ended, meaning that the conditions may include other parameters than those described. For instance, the auxiliary defrost condition AD at step 608 of the method 600 comprises the number n counted by the counter 192 being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold number nx (e.g., 3). However, the auxiliary defrost condition AD may comprise additional parameters such as, for example, the lapsing of a predetermined threshold time since the last defrost operation was performed.

[0107] Finally, it is to be appreciated that any of the operations 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 described above can comprise fewer, additional, and / or alternative steps without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, in some examples, the method 600 described above can exclude the step 608 of determining whether the second main defrost condition MD2 is satisfied. In such examples, if the controller 190 determines that the first main defrost condition MD1 is not satisfied at step 606, the controller 190 can proceed directly to the step 610 of determining whether an auxiliary defrost condition AD is satisfied.

[0108] The invention has been described with reference to example embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplary embodiments be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A method of operating a refrigerator that includes:a cabinet defining a primary storage compartment,an auxiliary unit within the primary storage compartment that defines an auxiliary storage compartment,a primary cooling system for providing cooled air to the primary storage compartment, the primary cooling system comprising a primary evaporator, a primary airflow system for circulating air between the primary evaporator and primary storage compartment, and a primary heating element for defrosting the primary evaporator, andan auxiliary cooling system for providing cooled air to the auxiliary storage compartment, the auxiliary cooling system comprising an auxiliary evaporator, an auxiliary airflow system for circulating air between the auxiliary evaporator and auxiliary storage compartment, and an auxiliary heating element for defrosting the auxiliary evaporator,wherein the method includes:a main defrost operation that energizes the primary heating element; andan auxiliary defrost operation that energizes the auxiliary heating element.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein:the main defrost operation further energizes the auxiliary heating element, andthe auxiliary defrost operation does not energize the primary heating element.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary defrost operation is initiated based on an auxiliary defrost condition being satisfied.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein:the auxiliary unit is an ice-making unit that includes a housing defining the auxiliary storage compartment, an ice mold within the auxiliary storage compartment, and a harvest mechanism that is operable to harvest ice from the ice mold, andthe method includes an ice harvesting operation that operates the harvest mechanism to harvest ice from the ice mold.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein:the refrigerator includes a counter configured to count a number corresponding to a number of times the ice harvesting operation has been executed while counting, andthe auxiliary defrost condition includes the number counted by the counter being equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the number counted by the counter is reset based on the auxiliary defrost condition being satisfied.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the ice harvesting operation is initiated based on the auxiliary defrost condition being satisfied.

8. The method according to claim 3, wherein:the main defrost operation is initiated based on a first main defrost condition being satisfied, andthe auxiliary defrost operation is initiated based on the first main defrost condition not being satisfied.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the auxiliary defrost operation is initiated based on a second main defrost condition not being satisfied, the second main defrost condition being different from the first main defrost condition.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein:the auxiliary unit is an ice-making unit that includes a housing defining the auxiliary storage compartment, an ice mold within the auxiliary storage compartment, and a harvest mechanism that is operable to harvest ice from the ice mold,the method includes an ice harvesting operation that operates the harvest mechanism to harvest ice from the ice mold, andthe auxiliary defrost operation is initiated based on a harvest condition being satisfied.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary defrost operation ceases energizing the auxiliary heating element if a first auxiliary defrosting condition is satisfied.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein:the refrigerator comprises a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the auxiliary cooling system, andthe first auxiliary defrosting condition comprises the temperature detected by the temperature sensor being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold temperature.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the auxiliary defrost operation ceases energizing the auxiliary heating element if a second auxiliary defrosting condition is satisfied, the second auxiliary defrosting condition being different from the first auxiliary defrosting condition.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein:the refrigerator comprises a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the auxiliary cooling system,the first auxiliary defrosting condition comprises the temperature detected by the temperature sensor being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold temperature, andthe second defrosting condition comprises the auxiliary heating element being energized for a predetermined threshold time.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the main defrost operation is initiated based on a main defrost condition being satisfied.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein:the auxiliary unit is an ice-making unit that includes a housing defining the auxiliary storage compartment, an ice mold within the auxiliary storage compartment, and a harvest mechanism that is operable to harvest ice from the ice mold,the method includes an ice harvesting operation that operates the harvest mechanism to harvest ice from the ice mold, andthe main defrost operation is initiated based on a harvest condition being satisfied.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein:the refrigerator includes a counter configured to count a number corresponding to a number of times the ice harvesting operation has been executed while counting, andthe number counted by the counter is reset based on the main defrost condition being satisfied.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the ice harvesting operation is initiated based on the main defrost condition being satisfied.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the main defrost operation ceases energizing the primary heating element if a first primary defrosting condition is satisfied.

20. The method according to claim 11, wherein:the refrigerator comprises a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the primary cooling system,the first primary defrosting condition comprises the temperature detected by the temperature sensor being equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold temperature,the main defrost operation ceases energizing the primary heating element if a second primary defrosting condition is satisfied, the second defrosting condition comprising the primary heating element being energized for a predetermined threshold time.

Images