Systems and methods for multi-sense control algorithm for atomizers in refrigerators

A control system for actuating a humidifier providing humidification to the interior of a refrigeration compartment, said system including:

• a humidification setting memory for storing a predetermined desired humidity level for the interior of the refrigeration compartment;
• a thermometer for measuring the interior temperature of said refrigeration compartment;
• a defrost timer for measuring the time since last defrost operation in said refrigeration compartment
• a door timer for determining the length of time since door to said refrigeration compartment was last opened;
• a compressor timer determining the length of time a compressor has been operating and determining the length of time since said compressor ended operation, wherein said compressor operates to provide refrigeration for the interior of said refrigeration compartment;
• a humidity estimator, wherein said humidity estimator calculates an estimated humidity level for the interior of said refrigeration compartment based at least in part on said temperature in the interior of said refrigeration compartment, said length of time since the last defrost operation, the length of time since the door to said refrigeration compartment was last opened, and said compressor time;
• a humidity comparator, wherein said humidity comparator retrieves said predetermined desired humidity level from said humidification setting memory and compares it to said estimated humidity level, wherein said humidity comparator generates a humidifier actuation command when said estimated humidity level is less than said predetermined desired humidity level;
• and
• a humidifier actuator for actuating said humidifier in response to said humidifier actuation command.

A humidification system providing humidification to the interior of a refrigeration compartment, said system including:

• a humidifier receiving a humidifier actuation command and providing humidification to the interior of a refrigeration compartment in response to said humidifier actuation command,
• wherein said humidifier actuation command is determined based on a comparison of a predetermined desired humidity level for the interior of said refrigeration compartment to an estimated humidity level,
• wherein said estimated humidity level is determined based at least in part on the temperature in the interior of said refrigeration compartment, the length of time since the last defrost operation, the length of time since a door to said refrigeration compartment was last opened, and a compressor time,
• wherein said compressor time is based on
• the length of time a compressor has been operating, and
• the length of time since said compressor ended operation.