# US 4,392,357 A · Method and means controlling defrost cycles of a cooling unit

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- Number: US 4,392,357 A
- Document ID: US4392357A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/257,870
- Filed: 1981-04-27
- Granted: 1983-07-12
- Earliest claimed: 1981-04-27
- Assignees: Emhart Industries, Inc.
- Inventors: Brian D. Kinsey; Steven W. Smock
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4392357A

## CPC

- F25D 21/004: {Control mechanisms (F25D21/006 takes precedence)}
- F25D 2700/02: Sensors detecting door opening
- F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B)

## Abstract

The time between constant speed defrost cycles is shortened by monitoring the opening and closing of a door of a cooling unit. The control system for doing so includes cam means rotating at a constant speed and electrical switches responsive thereto, a ratchet with missing teeth coupled to the cam means, a pawl engaging the door and the ratchet.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A control system for controlling defrost cycles of a cooling unit comprising:
(a) defrost means,
(b) cam means, constant speed drive means coupled to said cam means, and switch means responsive to said cam means controlling electrical current to said defrost means, and
(c) monitoring means coupled to said cam means and responsive to an opening and closing of a door of said cooling unit to intermittently advance said cam means so as to shorten time lengths between defrost cycles comprising a ratchet having a section void of teeth to prevent advancement of the ratchet during a defrost mode of operation, means coupling said ratchet to said cam means, and a pawl engaging said door and said ratchet to advance same in response to an opening of said door.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A control system according to claim 1 wherein said monitoring means further comprises an axially movable slider engaging said door, means pivotally mounting said pawl on said slider, ramp means engaging said pawl to pivot same upon movement of said slider, and a tension spring connected to said pawl and mounted so as to cause engagement of said pawl with said ratchet and to hold said slider against said door.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A control system according to claim 1 wherein said pawl is mounted to be axially slideable and is axially spring biased.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A control system according to claim 1 further including stop means limiting the travel of said pawl.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

A monitoring means according to claim 2 wherein said ramp means is a tang mounted at an angle to said pawl and wherein a post extends from said pawl and engages each of two opposed surfaces of said tang upon opposite movements of said slider.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

A monitoring means according to claim 2 further including first guide means engaging said slider to insure a sliding at a predetermined level.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

A monitoring means according to claim 2 further including second guide means carried by said slider and engaging a housing member for said monitoring means and said pawl to guide both said slider and said pawl.