Refrigerator mullion assembly with anti-condensation features

A method of controlling condensation on a mullion assembly, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a refrigerator with a mullion assembly having at least one sensor and a heating element;
• collecting data in the form of an ambient air temperature value associated with the mullion assembly and a relative humidity value associated with the mullion assembly using the at least one sensor of the mullion assembly;
• sending the data to a controller for processing and calculating a dew point temperature value from the data using the controller;
• comparing the dew point temperature value with a first temperature value associated with the mullion assembly sensed by the at least one sensor of the mullion assembly to provide a first value differential therebetween using the controller;
• powering the heating element at a first modulated power level in response to the first value differential;
• comparing the dew point temperature value with a second temperature value associated with the mullion assembly sensed by the at least one sensor of the mullion assembly to provide a second value differential therebetween using the controller;
• powering the heating element at a second modulated power level in response to the second value differential, wherein the second modulated power level is less than the first modulated power level;
• comparing the dew point temperature value with a third temperature value associated with the mullion assembly sensed by the at least one sensor of the mullion assembly to provide a third value differential therebetween using the controller;
• and
• powering the heating element at a third modulated power level in response to the third value differential, wherein the third modulated power level is less than the second modulated power level.

A method of controlling condensation on a mullion assembly, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a refrigerator with a mullion assembly, wherein the mullion assembly includes one or more sensors and a heating element;
• collecting data in the form of a temperature value of the mullion assembly, an ambient air temperature value associated with the mullion assembly, and a relative humidity value associated with the mullion assembly using the one or more sensors of the mullion assembly;
• sending the data to a controller for processing;
• calculating a dew point temperature value from the data using the controller;
• comparing the dew point temperature value with the temperature value of the mullion assembly to provide a value differential therebetween using the controller;
• and
• selectively powering the heating element in response to the value differential;
• continuing to compare the dew point temperature value with the temperature value of the mullion assembly to provide multiple value differentials therebetween using the controller;
• selectively powering the heating element at multiple modulated power levels that are inversely proportionate to the multiple value differentials from a beginning to an end of a duty cycle of the heating element.