US5268811A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of controlling and controller for a refrigerator
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
•
Filing: 1991-12-09
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Granted: 1993-12-07
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Expires: 2011-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A refrigerator controller which can positively lock and unlock a door thereof in accordance with a command signal from a host-computer connected therewith. The refrigerator controller includes a power supply voltage indicating device. A DC power supply is charged by a DC power source and energizes a door lock mechanism activating device to lock and unlock the door. DC voltage generated by the DC power supply rises as it is charged by the DC power source. The door lock mechanism activating device can be energized to positively lock and unlock the door by being fed with a predetermined lower limit voltage. Only when the DC voltage generated by the DC power supply is no lower than the predetermined lower limit voltage is the door lock mechanism activating device energized by the DC power supply to lock and unlock the door of the refrigerator in accordance with the command signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Masahiko Maeda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:08
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/00174; G07C9/00571; G07C9/00896; G07C9/00904; G07C9/20; G07C9/27; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/70; Y10T70/7051; Y10T70/7062; Y10T70/7113
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
A refrigerator with a controller including a transmission circuit to receive a command signal from a host-computer external to and electrically connected therewith, comprising: at least one refrigerator having a door; electronic lock means for activating a door lock mechanism to lock a door of the refrigerator; electronic unlock means for activating the door lock mechanism to unlock the door of the refrigerator; power supply means for energizing the electronic lock means and the electronic unlock means with a DC voltage, the power supply means being charged by a DC power source; voltage indicating means for generating an operation allowance signal when the power supply means is charged to generate a DC voltage no lower than a predetermined lower limit DC voltage below which at least the electronic lock means and the electronic unlock means can not operate the door lock mechanism; switching means for permitting the power supply means to energize the electronic lock means and the electronic unlock means; and processing means for operating the switching means in accordance with the command signal only after the operation allowance signal is generated by the voltage indicating means; wherein said power supply means includes a capacitor between the DC power source and a ground line, the DC voltage stored thereon being no lower than the predetermined lower limit voltage when the capacitor is fully charged; and wherein the voltage indicating means includes a timer, the operation allowance signal being generated when the capacitor is fully charged.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
246 words
A refrigerator with a controller including a transmission circuit to receive a command signal from a host-computer external to and electrically connected therewith, comprising: at least one refrigerator having a door; electronic lock means for activating a door lock mechanism to lock a door of the refrigerator; electronic unlock means for activating the door lock mechanism to unlock the door of the refrigerator; power supply means for energizing the electronic lock means and the electronic unlock means with a DC voltage, the power supply means being charged by a DC power source; voltage indicating means for generating an operation allowance signal when the power supply means is charged to generate a DC voltage no lower than a predetermined lower limit DC voltage below which at least the electronic lock means and the electronic unlock means can not operate the door lock mechanism; switching means for permitting the power supply means to energize the electronic lock means and the electronic unlock means; and processing means for operating the switching means in accordance with the command signal only after the operation allowance signal is generated by the voltage indicating means; wherein said power supply means includes a capacitor between the DC power source and a ground line, the DC voltage stored thereon being no lower than the predetermined lower limit voltage when the capacitor is fully charged; and wherein the voltage indicating means includes a timer, the operation allowance signal being generated when the capacitor is fully charged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A refrigerator controller according to claim 1, wherein the processing means includes an output terminal, an operation signal being output therefrom to the switching means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A refrigerator controller according to claim 2, wherein the electronic lock means and the electronic unlock means each include an electromagnetic solenoid for activating the door lock mechanism to lock and unlock the door of the refrigerator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A refrigerator controller according to claim 3, wherein the switching means includes a transistor to be turned on and off in accordance with the operation signal, an emitter thereof being connected to the ground line, a collector thereof being connected with the power supply means through the electromagnetic solenoid, a base thereof being connected with the output terminal of the processing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A refrigerator controller according to claim 1 further including a door condition detecting means for generating a door condition signal in response to a condition of the door, the door condition signal being applied to the processing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A refrigerator controller according to claim 5, wherein the processing means includes an input terminal to which the door condition signal is input, the processing means operating the switching means when the door condition signal corresponding to the command signal is not input thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A refrigerator controller according to claim 5, wherein the processing means includes an input terminal to which the door condition signal is input.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A refrigerator controller according to claim 1, wherein the processing means further includes an output terminal, an operation signal being output therefrom to the switching means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A refrigerator controller according to claim 8, wherein the electronic lock means and the electronic unlock means each include an electromagnetic solenoid for activating the door lock mechanism to lock and unlock the door of the refrigerator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A refrigerator controller according to claim 9, wherein the switching means includes a transistor to be turned on and off in accordance with the operation signal, an emitter thereof being connected to the ground line, a collector thereof being connected with the power supply means through the electromagnetic solenoid, a base thereof being connected with the output terminal of the processing means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-12-06 | 1997-06-07 | 1997-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-12-06 | 2001-06-07 | 2001-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-12-06 | 2005-06-07 | 2005-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |