Adaptive defrost

Abstract

Adaptive defrost systems, computer program products, and methods are provided. A defrost cycle is initiated, and an actual time of defrost (TOD) is determined based on the defrost cycle. Additionally, a first time between defrost (TBD) between defrost cycles is determined. A variable increment time between defrost (TBDInc) is calculated based at least partially on the ideal time of defrost and the actual time of defrost. The TBD is incremented by TBDInc, resulting in a new TBD, which may be used to initiate the next defrost cycle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for adaptive defrost comprising:
 initiating a defrost cycle;   determining an actual time of defrost (TOD) of the defrost cycle;   determining a first time between defrost (TBD) as a time period for which a compressor should be operated between defrost cycles;   calculating, by a computer, a variable increment time between defrost (TBDInc) based at least partially on a preset ideal time of defrost (ITOD) and the actual time of defrost, the increment time between defrost being a time to adjust the first TBD;   incrementing the first TBD by TBDInc, resulting in a second TBD; and   initiating a defrost cycle after the second TBD has elapsed.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the calculating the TBDInc comprises calculating the TBDInc using the following equation: ((ITOD−TOD)/ITODrfactor), where the factor comprises a constant value. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the calculating the TBDInc comprises calculating the TBDInc based on TOD and the ITOD. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the calculating the TBDInc comprises calculating the TBDInc by subtracting the TOD from the ITOD and then dividing the ITOD. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising setting the second TBD to be a minimum desired TBD in response to a run time of the compressor being greater than a maximum set value. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the TOD comprises a time period where a defrost heater is activated. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising setting the second TBD to be a minimum desired TBD in response to the second TBD being less than the minimum desired TBD. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising setting the second TBD to be a maximum desired TBD in response to the second TBD being greater than the maximum desired TBD. 
     
     
         9 . A control mechanism in a refrigerator configured for removing frost by a method comprising:
 initiating a defrost cycle;   determining an actual time of defrost (TOD) of the defrost cycle;   determining a first time between defrost (TBD) as a time between defrosting cycles;   calculating, by a computer, a variable increment time between defrost (TBDInc) based at least partially on a preset ideal time of defrost (ITOD) and the actual time of defrost, the increment time between defrost being a time to adjust the first TBD;   incrementing the first TBD by TBDInc, resulting in a second TBD in response to the second TBD being less than a maximum desired TBD but greater than a minimum desired TBD; and   initiating a defrost cycle after the second TBD has elapsed.   
     
     
         10 . The control mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises setting the second TBD to be a maximum desired TBD in response to the second TBD being greater than the maximum desired TBD. 
     
     
         11 . The control mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises setting the second TBD to be a minimum desired TBD in response to the second TBD being less than the minimum desired TBD. 
     
     
         12 . The control mechanism of  claim 10 , wherein the calculating the TBDInc comprises calculating the TBDInc based on TOD and the ITOD. 
     
     
         13 . A computer program product embodying a instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform a method, the method comprising:
 initiating a defrost cycle;   determining an actual time of defrost (TOD) of the defrost cycle;   determining a first time between defrost (TBD) as a time between defrosting cycles;   calculating a variable increment time between defrost (TBDInc) based at least partially on a preset ideal time of defrost (ITOD) and the actual time of defrost, the increment time between defrost being a time to adjust the first TBD;   incrementing the first TBD by TBDInc, resulting in a second TBD; and   initiating a defrost cycle after the second TBD has elapsed.