REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE AND A METHOD FOR DEFROSTING A FOOD ITEM

Abstract

A method for defrosting a food item within a freezer chamber of a refrigerator appliance is provided. The method includes positioning the food item within a defrosting chamber of an insulated housing within the freezer chamber of the refrigerator appliance, initiating a defrosting operation and activating a heater during the defrosting operation in order to heat the food item within the defrosting chamber. A related refrigerator appliance is also provided.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to refrigerator appliances and methods for defrosting food items therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Several methods are presently available to defrost frozen food items. However, the presently available methods to defrost food items generally suffer from certain drawbacks. As an example, frozen food items can be left on a countertop for an extended period of time in order to thaw the food items. While exposed to ambient conditions on the countertop, the food items can enter a food “danger zone” and harmful bacteria can grow within the food items. As another example, frozen food items can be heated in a microwave in order to thaw the food items. Heating the food items within the microwave can also partially cook the food items and negatively affect a taste of the food items. As yet another example, frozen food items can be placed within a fresh food chamber of a refrigerator appliance in order to thaw the food items. Defrosting food items within the fresh food chamber can be time consuming and inconvenient.

Accordingly, a method for conveniently defrosting frozen food items would be useful. In addition, a method for quickly defrosting frozen food items would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter provides a method for defrosting a food item within a freezer chamber of a refrigerator appliance. The method includes positioning the food item within a defrosting chamber of an insulated housing within the freezer chamber of the refrigerator appliance, initiating a defrosting operation and activating a heater during the defrosting operation in order to heat the food item within the defrosting chamber. A related refrigerator appliance is also provided. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that defines a fresh food chamber and a freezer chamber. An insulated housing is disposed within the freezer chamber of the cabinet. The insulated housing defines a defrosting chamber therein. A heater is positioned adjacent the insulated housing. A controller is in operative communication with the heater. The controller is configured for operating the heater during a defrosting operation in order to heat the defrosting chamber of the insulated housing.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a method for defrosting a food item within a freezer chamber of a refrigerator appliance is provided. The method includes positioning the food item within a defrosting chamber of an insulated housing. The insulated housing is disposed within the freezer chamber of the refrigerator appliance. The method also includes initiating a defrosting operation and activating a heater during the defrosting operation in order to heat the food item within the defrosting chamber.

In a third exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that defines a fresh food chamber and a freezer chamber. The refrigerator appliance also includes means for defrosting food items within the freezer chamber of the cabinet.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a front, elevation view of a refrigerator appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a front, elevation view of certain components of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of an insulated housing of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 provides a schematic view of certain components of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method for defrosting a food item according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 provides a front, elevation view of a refrigerator appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. FIG. 2 provides a front, elevation view of certain components of refrigerator appliance 100. Refrigerator appliance 100 defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L and a transverse direction T (FIG. 3). The vertical direction V, lateral direction L and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system. Refrigerator appliance 100 extends between an upper portion 101 and a lower portion 102 along the vertical direction V. Refrigerator appliance 100 also extends between a first side portion 105 and a second side portion 106 along the lateral direction L.

Refrigerator appliance 100 includes a cabinet or housing 120 that defines chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. In particular, refrigerator appliance 100 defines fresh food chamber 122 at upper portion 101 of refrigerator appliance 100 and a freezer chamber 124 arranged below fresh food chamber 122 on the vertical direction V, e.g., at lower portion 102 of refrigerator appliance 100. As such, refrigerator appliance 100 is generally referred to as a bottom mount refrigerator appliance. However, using the teachings disclosed herein, one of skill in the art will understand that the present subject matter may be used with other types of refrigerator appliances (e.g., side-by-side style or top mount style) or a freezer appliance as well. Consequently, the description set forth herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the present subject matter to any particular chilled chamber arrangement.

Refrigerator doors 126 and 128 are rotatably hinged to an edge of housing 120 for accessing fresh food compartment 122. In particular, refrigerator doors 126 and 128 are rotatably mounted to housing 120 at an opening 121 that permits access to fresh food chamber 122. A freezer door 130 is arranged below refrigerator doors 126 and 128 for accessing freezer chamber 124. Freezer door 130 is coupled to a freezer drawer (not shown) slidably mounted within freezer chamber 124.

Refrigerator appliance 100 also includes a dispensing assembly 110 for dispensing liquid water and/or ice. Dispensing assembly 110 includes a dispenser 114 positioned on or mounted to an exterior portion of refrigerator appliance 100, e.g., on refrigerator door 126. Dispenser 114 includes a discharging outlet 134 for accessing ice and liquid water. An actuating mechanism 132, shown as a paddle, is mounted below discharging outlet 134 for operating dispenser 114. In alternative exemplary embodiments, any suitable actuating mechanism may be used to operate dispenser 114. For example, dispenser 114 can include a sensor (such as an ultrasonic sensor) or a button rather than the paddle. A user interface panel 136 is provided for controlling the mode of operation. For example, user interface panel 136 includes a plurality of user inputs 137, such as a water dispensing button (not labeled) and an ice-dispensing button (not labeled), for selecting a desired mode of operation such as crushed or non-crushed ice. User interface panel 136 also includes a display 139 for presenting information to a user of refrigerator appliance 100. User inputs 137 may be any suitable user inputs. For example, user inputs 137 include buttons, switches, touchscreens, voice inputs, scanners, etc.

Discharging outlet 134 and actuating mechanism 132 are an external part of dispenser 114 and are mounted in a dispenser recess 138 defined by a dispenser body 166 of dispenser 114. Dispenser body 166 is mounted to refrigerator door 126, e.g., at an outside surface of refrigerator door 126. Dispenser recess 138 is positioned at a predetermined elevation convenient for a user to access ice or water and enabling the user to access ice without the need to bend-over and without the need to access freezer chamber 124. In the exemplary embodiment, dispenser recess 138 is positioned at a level that approximates the chest level of a user. An ice maker (not shown) may be positioned within housing 120 or on one of refrigerator doors 126 and 128 to provide ice cubes or nuggets to dispenser recess 138 when actuating mechanism 128 is operated.

Turning now to FIG. 2, refrigerator appliance 100 includes various storage components for assisting with storing food items within fresh food chamber 122 and freezer chamber 124. In particular, refrigerator appliance 100 includes shelves 140 and a drawer 144 within fresh food chamber 122 and bins 142 within freezer chamber 124. Food items may be disposed within and/or on shelves 140, bins 142 and/or drawer 144 in order to assist with storing such food items within refrigerator appliance 100.

Refrigerator appliance 100 also includes an insulated housing 150. Insulated housing 150 is disposed or positioned within freezer chamber 124 of housing 120. Insulated housing 150 defines a defrosting chamber 151 therein. As discussed in greater detail below, a user of refrigerator appliance 100 may place a frozen food item within defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150 and activate certain features of refrigerator appliance 100 in order to defrost the frozen food item within defrosting chamber 151. Thus, refrigerator appliance 100 includes features for defrosting frozen food item within freezer chamber 124 (e.g., within defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150).

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of insulated housing 150 of refrigerator appliance 100. As may be seen in FIG. 3, insulated housing 150 extends between a top portion 152 and a bottom portion 154, e.g., along the vertical direction V. A top wall 155 of insulated housing 150 is positioned at or adjacent top portion 152 of insulated housing 150, and a bottom wall 156 of insulated housing 150 is positioned at or adjacent bottom portion 154 of insulated housing 150. Thus, top and bottom walls 155 and 156 of insulated housing 150 may be spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Insulated housing 150 also includes side walls 157 that extend between top and bottom walls 155 and 156 of insulated housing 150, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Top wall 155, bottom wall 156 and side walls 157 may assist with defining defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150. Insulated housing 150 also includes a door 158 that permits selective access to defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150. Door 158 may be clear in order to permit a user of refrigerator appliance 100 to view defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150 and food items therein.

Insulated housing 150 (e.g., top wall 155, bottom wall 156 and side walls 157 of insulated housing 150) is insulated such that defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150 and food items positioned therein may be heated, e.g., without significantly heating freezer chamber 124 of housing 120. As an example, top wall 155, bottom wall 156 and/or side walls 157 of insulated housing 150 may include vacuum insulation panels, insulating foam, fiberglass insulation, etc. to assist with insulating insulated housing 150. Thus, defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150 may be thermally isolated from freezer chamber 124 of housing 120 with insulated housing 150, and heat transfer between defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150 and freezer chamber 124 of housing 120 may be limited or hindered by insulated housing 150.

Insulated housing 150 also includes a damper 164, e.g., positioned at top portion 152 of insulated housing 150. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, damper 164 is selectively adjustable between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, damper 164 hinders or prevents fluid flow through damper 164. Conversely, damper 164 permits or facilitates fluid flow through damper 164 in the open position. Thus, air may from freezer chamber 124 may flow through damper 164 into defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150 and vice versa with damper 164 in the open position while damper 164 hinders or prevents air from flowing between freezer chamber 124 and defrosting chamber 151 in the closed position. Adjusting damper 164 between the open and closed positions assists with selectively permitting fluid flow between freezer chamber 124 and defrosting chamber 151. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, selectively actuating damper 164 may limit heat transfer between freezer chamber 124 and defrosting chamber 151. Damper 164 may be manually actuated or may include a motor (not shown) for actuating damper 164 between the open and closed positions.

FIG. 4 provides a schematic view of certain components of refrigerator appliance 100. As may be seen in FIG. 4, refrigerator appliance 100 includes a controller 160. Operation of the refrigerator appliance 100 may be regulated by controller 160. Thus, controller 160 is operatively coupled to various components of refrigerator appliance 100. For example, controller 160 is in operative communication with user interface panel 136 and actuating mechanism 132. User interface panel 136 provides selections for user manipulation of the operation of refrigerator appliance 100 such as e.g., selections between whole or crushed ice, chilled water, and/or other options as well. In response to user manipulation of the user interface panel 136, controller 160 operates various components of the refrigerator appliance 100.

Controller 160 may include a memory and one or more microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of refrigerator appliance 100. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 160 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.

Controller 160 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout refrigerator appliance 100. For example, controller 160 may be located within a control panel area of refrigerator door 126. In such an embodiment, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between controller 160 and various operational components of refrigerator appliance 100. As an example, the various operational components of refrigerator appliance 100 may be in communication with controller 160 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.

As may be seen in FIG. 4, refrigerator appliance 100 also includes a weight sensor 162. Weight sensor 162 may be positioned at or adjacent bottom portion 154 of insulated housing 150 and mounted to insulated housing 150. For example, weight sensor 162 may be positioned at and mounted to bottom wall 156 of insulated housing 150. Weight sensor 162 is configured and/or positioned for weighing food items disposed within defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150, e.g., on bottom wall 156 of insulated housing 150. Controller 160 is in operative communication with weight sensor 162. Thus, weight sensor 162 may signal controller 160, and the signal from weight sensor 162 may correspond to or indicate the weight of the food item within defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150. Thus, controller 160 may be configured for weighing food items within defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150 with weight sensor 162. Weight sensor 162 may be any suitable sensor. For example, weight sensor 162 may be a transducer, such as a load cell, a strain gauge, a linear variable differential transformer, etc.

Refrigerator appliance 100 also includes a fan 166, such as an axial fan or centrifugal fan. As an example, fan 166 may be positioned at or adjacent defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150 and mounted to insulated housing 150. Thus, fan 166 may be configured for circulating air within defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150, e.g., in order to convectively heat food items therein. As another example, fan 166 may be positioned adjacent a duct 146 (FIG. 2). Duct 146 may extend between fresh food chamber 122 and defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150. Thus, fan 166 may be configured for drawing air from fresh food chamber 122 to defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150, e.g., in order to assist with heating food items within defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150. Controller 160 is in operative communication with fan 166. Thus, controller 160 may selectively operate fan 166 in order to move air with fan 166.

Refrigerator appliance 100 further includes a heater 168. Heater 168 may be positioned at or adjacent defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150 and mounted to insulated housing 150. Thus, heater 168 may be configured and operable to heat defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150. In addition, food items within defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150 may be heated with heater 168, e.g., in order to thaw the food items. Controller 160 is in operative communication with heater 168. Thus, controller 160 may selectively operate heater 168, e.g., during a defrosting operation of refrigerator appliance 100, in order to heat defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150 with heater 168. Heater 168 may be any suitable heater. For example, heater 168 may be an electric resistance heating element, a heat pump, a microwave emitting element, an induction heating element, etc.

A temperature sensor 170 is configured for measuring a temperature of insulated housing 150, e.g., defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150. Temperature sensor 170 can be positioned at any suitable location within refrigerator appliance 100. For example, temperature sensor 170 may be positioned within defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150 or may be mounted to insulated housing 150 outside of defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150. When mounted to insulated housing 150 outside of defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150, temperature sensor 170 may be configured for indirectly measuring the temperature of air within defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150. For example, temperature sensor 170 may measure the temperature of insulated housing 150 and correlate the temperature of insulated housing 150 to the temperature of air within defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150. Temperature sensor 170 may be any suitable temperature sensor. For example, temperature sensor 170 may be a thermocouple or a thermistor.

Controller 160 may also be in operative communication with damper 164. Controller 160 may actuate damper 164 between the open and closed positions. As an example, controller 160 may operate a motor (not shown) of damper 164 to actuate damper 164 between the open and closed positions.

As may be seen in FIG. 4, refrigerator appliance 100 also includes a network connection or interface 172. Network interface 172 is configured for establishing communication with a network device 176 via a network 174. Thus, controller 160 may communicate with network device 176 via network interface 172 and network 174. In addition, a user of refrigerator appliance 100 may utilize network device 176 to remotely input commands to controller 160 and regulate operation of refrigerator appliance 100. Network interface 172 of refrigerator appliance 100 may include any suitable components for interfacing with one more networks, such as network 174. For example, network interface 172 of refrigerator appliance 100 may include transmitters, receivers, ports, controllers, antennas, or other suitable components.

The network 174 may be any type of communications network, such as a local area network (e.g. intranet), wide area network (e.g. Internet), or some combination thereof. The network 174 can also include a direct connection between refrigerator appliance 100 and network device 176. In general, communication between refrigerator appliance 100 and network device 176 may be carried via network interface 172 using any type of wired and/or wireless connection, using a variety of communication protocols (e.g. TCP/IP, HTTP), encodings or formats (e.g. HTML, XML), and/or protection schemes (e.g. VPN, secure HTTP, SSL). In certain exemplary embodiments, network 174 may be a cellular network, and network device 176 may include a cellular phone, such as a smartphone. In other exemplary embodiments, network device 176 may be a tablet, a laptop, a wearable wireless computer device, etc.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method 500 for defrosting a food item according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Method 500 may be used to defrost food items in any suitable refrigerator appliance. For example, method 500 may be used in or with refrigerator appliance 100 (FIG. 1), e.g., to defrost food items within freezer chamber 124. Controller 160 may be programmed or configured for implementing method 500. Utilizing method 500, food items may be defrosted, e.g., without removing the food items from a freezer chamber of the associated refrigerator appliance.

At step 510, a food item is positioned or disposed with defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150. As an example, a user of refrigerator appliance 100 may place a frozen food item, such as chicken, soup, etc., within defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150 at step 510. As discussed above, insulated housing 150 is positioned or disposed within freezer chamber 124. Thus, a temperature of defrosting chamber 151 may be about equal to (e.g., equal to) a temperature of freezer chamber 124 at step 510. In such a manner, the food item may remain frozen within defrosting chamber 151 of insulated housing 150, e.g., until a defrosting operation is started at a later time.

At step 520, a defrosting operation is initiated or started. As an example, a user of refrigerator appliance 100 may initiate the defrosting operation at step 520 with the user interface panel 136. Thus, the user of refrigerator appliance 100 may initiate the defrosting operation locally at the refrigerator appliance 100 during step 520. As another example, the user of refrigerator appliance 100 may utilize network device 176 to initiate the defrosting operation at step 520. In particular, the user may operate network device 176 such that network device 176 generates and transmits a defrosting operation initiation command to network interface 172 and controller 160 via network 174 at step 520. Thus, the user may utilize his or her smartphone (in exemplary embodiments where network device 176 is a smartphone) in order to initiate the defrosting operation remotely from the refrigerator appliance 100 during step 520.

In certain exemplary embodiments, a duration or period of the defrosting operation is also established at step 520, e.g., by controller 160. For example, a user of refrigerator appliance 100 may utilize the user interface panel 136 or network device 176 to manually input or establish the period of the defrosting operation to controller 160 at step 520. As another example, controller 160 may establish the weight of the food item within defrosting volume 151 of insulated housing 150 with weight sensor 162 and establish the period of the defrosting operation based at least in part on the weight of the food item at step 520. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the period of the defrosting operation may be directly proportional to the weight of the food item within defrosting volume 151 of insulated housing 150. For example, heavier food items may require longer to defrost than lighter food items, or a temperature of the defrosting operation may need to be increased in order to defrost heavy food items within the same period as lighter food items.

In certain exemplary embodiments, a category or type of the food item within the defrosting volume 151 of insulated housing 150 is also established at step 520. For example, a user of refrigerator appliance 100 may utilize the user interface panel 136 or network device 176 to manually input or establish the category of the food item within the defrosting volume 151 of insulated housing 150 to controller 160 at step 520. In particular, the user may identify the food item within the defrosting volume 151 of insulated housing 150 as a meat, such as chicken, beef or fish, a soup, bread, a casserole, etc. Based upon the identity or category of the food item within the defrosting volume 151 of insulated housing 150, controller 160 may establish the period of the defrosting operation. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the period of the defrosting operation may be directly proportional to the identity or category of the food item within the defrosting volume 151 of insulated housing 150. For example, beef may require longer than chicken to defrost, or a temperature of the defrosting operation may need to be increased in order to defrost beef within the same period as chicken.

Method 500 may also include establishing or ascertaining a desired completion time for the defrosting operation, e.g., at or before step 520. For example, a user of refrigerator appliance 100 may utilize the user interface panel 136 or network device 176 to manually input or establish the desired completion time for the defrosting operation to controller 160. Controller 160 may be configured or programmed to initiate the defrosting operation at step 520 such that the defrosting operation is complete and the food item within the defrosting volume 151 of insulated housing 150 is suitably defrosted by the desired completion time for the defrosting operation, e.g., prior to a time a user of the refrigerator appliance 100 would like to start cooking the food item within the defrosting volume 151 of insulated housing 150.

At step 530, various components of refrigerator appliance 100 are activated or operated, e.g., to heat and defrost the food item within defrosting volume 151 of insulated housing 150. As an example, controller 160 may activate heater 168 at step 530. Thus, heater 168 may be operated to heat the food item within defrosting chamber 151 at step 530. As another example, controller 160 may activate fan 166 at step 530, e.g., to circulate air within defrosting chamber 151 and/or draw air from fresh food chamber 122 into defrosting chamber 151. Thus, fan 166 may assist with heating the food item within defrosting chamber 151 at step 530. As yet another example, controller 160 may close damper 164 at step 530. Thus, damper 164 may hinder or prevent air from flowing from freezer chamber 124 into defrosting chamber 151 and vice versa at step 530.

Prior to step 530, a temperature of defrosting chamber 151 may be about equal to a temperature of freezer chamber 124, e.g., due to damper 164 being open, fan 166 being off and/or heater 168 being deactivated. Conversely, the temperature of defrosting chamber 151 may be greater than the temperature of freezer chamber 124 during the defrosting operation, e.g., due to damper 164 being closed, fan 166 being on and/or heater 168 being activated. In such a manner, the food item within defrosting volume 151 of insulated housing 150 may be defrosted during the defrosting operation and stored at a suitable temperature prior to the defrosting operation.

At step 540, controller 160 determines whether the defrosting operation is complete. As an example, controller 160 may determine that the defrosting operation is complete if the period of the defrosting operation has elapsed. The defrosting operation is continued until the defrosting operation is complete at step 540. When the defrosting operation is complete, controller 160 alerts the user of refrigerator appliance 100 at step 550. The user may be alerted using any suitable method or mechanism at step 550. As an example, controller 160 may present a message on display 139 of refrigerator appliance 100 at step 550 to alert the user that the defrosting operation is complete. As another example, controller 160 may transmit a message to network device 176 via network interface 172 and network 174 at step 550 to alert the user that the defrosting operation is complete.

Utilizing method 500, the food item may be positioned within insulated housing 150 at any suitable time. Further, the food item may be stored within insulated housing 150 at a suitable temperature (e.g., below the freezing temperature of water) until the defrosting operation is initiated. During the defrosting operation, the food item is defrosted within the insulated housing 150, e.g., without significantly heating freezer chamber 124 due to insulated housing 150. Thus, the user need not remove the food item from freezer chamber 124 in order to defrost the food item.

Method 500 may also include other steps form alerting or informing the user of refrigerator appliance 100 regarding the status of the defrosting operation. For example, method 500 may include steps for alerting or informing the user of refrigerator appliance 100 regarding a remaining time for the period of the defrosting operation. The remaining time may be presented on display 139 of refrigerator appliance 100 or may be transmitted to network device 176 via network interface 172 and network 174.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. A refrigerator appliance, comprising:

a cabinet defining a fresh food chamber and a freezer chamber;

an insulated housing disposed within the freezer chamber of the cabinet, the insulated housing defining a defrosting chamber therein;

a heater positioned adjacent the insulated housing; and

a controller in operative communication with the heater, the controller configured for operating the heater during a defrosting operation in order to heat the defrosting chamber of the insulated housing.

2. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, further comprising a fan positioned adjacent the insulated housing, the controller in operative communication with the fan and further configured for working the fan in order to circulate air within the defrosting chamber of the insulated housing during the defrosting operation.

3. The refrigerator appliance of claim 2, further comprising a duct extending between the fresh food chamber of the cabinet and the defrosting chamber of the insulated housing, the fan positioned at the duct such that the fan draws air from the fresh food chamber of the cabinet to the defrosting chamber of the insulated housing during the defrosting operation.

4. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the insulated housing includes a damper, the damper selectively disposed between the freezer chamber of the cabinet and the defrosting chamber of the insulated housing, the controller being in operative communication with the damper and further configured for actuating the damper between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the controller adjusting the damper to the closed configuration during the defrosting operation.

5. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, further comprising a network connection, the controller in operative with the network connection and further configured for receiving a defrosting operation initiation command from a network device via the network connection.

6. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, further comprising a door mounted to the cabinet and a user interface mounted to the door, the controller in operative communication with the user interface and further configured for receiving a defrosting operation initiation command from the user interface.

7. The refrigerator appliance of claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured for receiving a defrosting operation time interval from the user interface.

8. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, further comprising a weight sensor positioned adjacent the insulated housing, the controller in operative communication with the weight sensor and further configured for weighing a food item within the defrosting chamber of the insulated housing and establishing a defrosting operation time interval based at least in part on the weight of the food item within the defrosting chamber of the insulated housing.

9. A method for defrosting a food item within a freezer chamber of a refrigerator appliance, comprising:

positioning the food item within a defrosting chamber of an insulated housing, the insulated housing disposed within the freezer chamber of the refrigerator appliance;

initiating a defrosting operation; and

activating a heater during the defrosting operation in order to heat the food item within the defrosting chamber.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising establishing a period of the defrosting operation, said step of establishing comprising inputting the period of the defrosting operation on a user interface of the refrigerator appliance.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising establishing a period of the defrosting operation, said step of establishing comprising weighing the food item within the defrosting volume of the insulated housing and establishing the period of the defrosting operation based at least in part on the weight of the food item.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising establishing a period of the defrosting operation, said step of establishing comprising determining a category for the food item within the defrosting chamber of the insulated housing and establishing the period of the defrosting operation based at least in part on the category of the food item.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising closing a damper of the insulated housing during the defrosting operation, the damper of the insulated housing being open prior to said step of closing.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein a temperature of the defrosting chamber is about a temperature of the freezer chamber prior to said step of initiating and the temperature of the defrosting chamber is greater than the temperature of the freezer chamber during at least a portion of the defrosting operation.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising circulating air within the defrosting chamber of the insulating housing with a fan of the refrigerator appliance during the defrosting operation.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of initiating comprises transmitting a defrosting operation initiation command to the refrigerator appliance from a network device.

17. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining a desired completion time for the defrosting operation, wherein said step of initiating the defrosting operation comprises initiating the defrosting operation such that the defrosting operation is complete by the desired completion time for the defrosting operation.

18. The method of claim 9, further comprising notifying a user of the refrigerator appliance when the defrosting operation is complete.

19. The method of claim 9, further comprising displaying a remaining time of the defrosting operation to a user of the refrigerator appliance during the defrosting operation.

20. A refrigerator appliance, comprising:

a cabinet defining a fresh food chamber and a freezer chamber; and

means for defrosting food items within the freezer chamber of the cabinet.