METHOD OF OPERATING AN ICEMAKER OF A REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE

Abstract

A refrigerator appliance includes an icemaker mounted to a door within a chilled chamber, a sealed system for regulating a chamber temperature within the chilled chamber, an ambient humidity sensor, and a controller in operative communication with the icemaker, the sealed system, and the ambient humidity sensor. The controller is configured to obtain an ambient humidity using the ambient humidity sensor, determine, based on the ambient humidity, a dewpoint temperature where sweat will be produced on an outer surface of the refrigerator appliance, determine a target temperature that maintains an outer surface temperature to equal or greater than the dewpoint temperature, operate the sealed system to regulate the chamber temperature to the target temperature, and operate the icemaker to produce ice at an increased icemaking rate.

Claims

1. A refrigerator appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, comprising: a cabinet defining a chilled chamber; an icemaker mounted within the chilled chamber; a sealed system for regulating a chamber temperature within the chilled chamber; an ambient humidity sensor; and a controller in operative communication with the icemaker, the sealed system, and the ambient humidity sensor, the controller being configured to: obtain an ambient humidity using the ambient humidity sensor; determine, based on the ambient humidity, a dewpoint temperature where sweat will be produced on an outer surface of the refrigerator appliance; determine a target temperature that maintains an outer surface temperature to equal or greater than the dewpoint temperature; operate the sealed system to regulate the chamber temperature to the target temperature; and operate the icemaker to produce ice at an increased icemaking rate.

2. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the target temperature is between about 0.5 and 10 degrees above a temperature that maintains the outer surface temperature equal to the dewpoint temperature.

3. The refrigerator appliance of claim 2, wherein the target temperature is between about 1 and 3 degrees above the temperature that maintains the outer surface temperature equal to the dewpoint temperature.

4. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the increased icemaking rate is determined based at least in part on the target temperature.

5. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to: operate the icemaker to produce ice at a standard icemaking rate; receive a request to operate the icemaker at the increased icemaking rate; and operate the sealed system to regulate the chamber temperature to the target temperature in response to receiving the request to operate the icemaker at the increased icemaking rate.

6. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein determining the target temperature comprises: determining that the ambient humidity falls below a relative humidity threshold; and setting the target temperature to a lowered target temperature in response to determining that the ambient humidity falls below the relative humidity threshold.

7. The refrigerator appliance of claim 6, wherein the lowered target temperature is determined as a function of the ambient humidity.

8. The refrigerator appliance of claim 7, wherein a relationship between the lowered operating temperature and the ambient humidity is stored in a lookup table, a regression equation, or a mathematical model.

9. The refrigerator appliance of claim 6, wherein the relative humidity threshold is between about 60% and 90%.

10. The refrigerator appliance of claim 9, wherein the relative humidity threshold is about 75%.

11. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein determining the target temperature comprises: determining that the ambient humidity exceeds a relative humidity threshold; setting the target temperature to a standard target temperature in response to determining that the ambient humidity exceeds the relative humidity threshold; and operating the sealed system to regulate the chamber temperature to the standard target temperature to produce the ice at the standard icemaking rate.

12. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the ambient humidity sensor is mounted on the outer surface of the refrigerator appliance.

13. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the refrigerator appliance is a side-by-side refrigerator appliance and the chilled chamber is a freezer chamber.

14. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, further comprising: a door rotatably mounted to the cabinet and rotatable between a closed position enclosing the chilled chamber and an open position providing access to the chilled chamber, wherein the icemaker is mounted to the door.

15. A method of operating a refrigerator appliance, the refrigerator appliance comprising an icemaker positioned within a chilled chamber, a sealed system for regulating a chamber temperature within the chilled chamber, and an ambient humidity sensor, the method comprising: obtaining an ambient humidity using the ambient humidity sensor; determining, based on the ambient humidity, a dewpoint temperature where sweat will be produced on an outer surface of the refrigerator appliance; determining a target temperature that maintains an outer surface temperature to equal or greater than the dewpoint temperature; operating the sealed system to regulate the chamber temperature to the target temperature; and operating the icemaker to produce ice at an increased icemaking rate.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the target temperature is between about 0.5 and 10 degrees above the dewpoint temperature.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: operating the icemaker to produce ice at a standard icemaking rate; receiving a request to operate the icemaker at the increased icemaking rate; and operating the sealed system to regulate the chamber temperature to the target temperature in response to receiving the request to operate the icemaker at the increased icemaking rate.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein determining the target temperature comprises: determining that the ambient humidity falls below a relative humidity threshold; and setting the target temperature to a lowered target temperature in response to determining that the ambient humidity falls below the relative humidity threshold.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein determining the target temperature comprises: determining that the ambient humidity exceeds a relative humidity threshold; setting the target temperature to a standard target temperature in response to determining that the ambient humidity exceeds the relative humidity threshold; and operating the sealed system to regulate the chamber temperature to the standard target temperature to produce the ice at the standard icemaking rate.

20. A refrigerator appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, comprising: a cabinet defining a chilled chamber; an icemaker mounted to within the chilled chamber; a sealed system for regulating a chamber temperature within the chilled chamber; an ambient humidity sensor; and a controller in operative communication with the icemaker, the sealed system, and the ambient humidity sensor, the controller being configured to: operate the icemaker to produce ice at a standard icemaking rate; receive a request to operate the icemaker at an increased icemaking rate; obtain an ambient humidity using the ambient humidity sensor; determine that the ambient humidity is less than a predetermined humidity threshold, the predetermined humidity threshold being a function of the chamber temperature; and operate the sealed system to reduce the chamber temperature to a lowered target temperature.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] 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.

[0011] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a refrigerator appliance according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0012] FIG. 2 provides a front view of the example refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1, with the doors of the fresh food chamber and freezer chamber shown in an open position.

[0013] FIG. 3 provides a method of operating a refrigerator appliance and an icemaker according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0014] FIG. 4 provides a temperature adjustment algorithm for a refrigerator appliance including an icemaker according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0015] Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] 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.

[0017] As used herein, the terms first, second, and third may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms includes and including are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising. Similarly, the term or is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., A or B is intended to mean A or B or both). The term at least one of in the context of, e.g., at least one of A, B, and C refers to only A, only B, only C, or any combination of A, B, and C. In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms a, an, and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0018] Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as generally, about, approximately, and substantially, are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components and/or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin, i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction, e.g., generally vertical includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V.

[0019] The word exemplary is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. In addition, references to an embodiment or one embodiment does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Any implementation described herein as exemplary or an embodiment is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, 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 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.

[0020] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a refrigerator appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Refrigerator appliance 100 includes a cabinet or housing 102 that extends between a top 104 and a bottom 106 along a vertical direction V, between a first side 108 and a second side 110 along a lateral direction L, and between a front side 112 and a rear side 114 along a transverse direction T. Each of the vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular to one another.

[0021] Housing 102 defines chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. In particular, housing 102 defines fresh food chamber 122 positioned at or adjacent second side 110 of housing 102 and a freezer chamber 124 arranged at or adjacent first side 108 of housing 102. As such, refrigerator appliance 100 is generally referred to as a side-by-side refrigerator. It is recognized, however, that the benefits of the present disclosure apply to other types and styles of refrigerator appliances such as, e.g., a top mount refrigerator appliance, a bottom mount refrigerator appliance, or a single door refrigerator appliance. Consequently, the description set forth herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting in any aspect to any particular refrigerator chamber configuration.

[0022] A refrigerator door 128 is rotatably hinged to an edge of housing 102 for selectively accessing fresh food chamber 122. In addition, a freezer door 130 is rotatably hinged to an edge of housing 102 for selectively accessing freezer chamber 124. Refrigerator door 128 and freezer door 130 are shown in the closed configuration in FIG. 1. One skilled in the art will appreciate that other chamber and door configurations are possible and within the scope of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 provides a front view of refrigerator appliance 100 shown with refrigerator door 128 and freezer door 130 in the open position. As shown in FIG. 2, various storage components are mounted within fresh food chamber 122 to facilitate storage of food items therein as will be understood by those skilled in the art. In particular, the storage components may include bins 134 and shelves 136. Each of these storage components are configured for receipt of food items (e.g., beverages and/or solid food items) and may assist with organizing such food items. As illustrated, bins 134 may be mounted on refrigerator door 128 and freezer door 130 or may slide into a receiving space in fresh food chamber 122 or freezer chamber 124. It should be appreciated that the illustrated storage components are used only for the purpose of explanation and that other storage components may be used and may have different sizes, shapes, and configurations.

[0024] Referring now generally to FIG. 1, a dispensing assembly 140 will be described according to exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. Dispensing assembly 140 is generally configured for dispensing liquid water and/or ice. Although an exemplary dispensing assembly 140 is illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made to dispensing assembly 140 while remaining within the present subject matter.

[0025] Dispensing assembly 140 and its various components may be positioned at least in part within a dispenser recess 142 defined on freezer door 130. In this regard, dispenser recess 142 is defined on a front side 112 of refrigerator appliance 100 such that a user may operate dispensing assembly 140 without opening freezer door 130. In addition, dispenser recess 142 is positioned at a predetermined elevation convenient for a user to access ice and enabling the user to access ice without the need to bend-over. In the exemplary embodiment, dispenser recess 142 is positioned at a level that approximates the chest level of a user.

[0026] Dispensing assembly 140 includes an ice dispenser 144 including a discharging outlet 146 for discharging ice from dispensing assembly 140. An actuating mechanism 148, shown as a paddle, is mounted below discharging outlet 146 for operating ice or water dispenser 144. In alternative exemplary embodiments, any suitable actuating mechanism may be used to operate ice dispenser 144. For example, ice dispenser 144 can include a sensor (such as an ultrasonic sensor) or a button rather than the paddle. Discharging outlet 146 and actuating mechanism 148 are an external part of ice dispenser 144 and are mounted in dispenser recess 142.

[0027] Referring again to FIG. 2, inside refrigerator appliance 100, freezer door 130 may define an icebox 150 housing one or more icemakers and ice storage bins 152 that are configured to form ice. In this regard, for example, icebox 150 may define an ice making chamber 154 for housing ice making assemblies, storage mechanisms, and dispensing mechanisms. According to the illustrated embodiment, icebox 150 may include dispensing assembly 140 and may have a main icemaker 156. In addition, icebox 150 may include an icemaker for forming craft ice that is commonly large, clear cubes or spheres of ice for alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks. For example, a user may access this craft ice by opening freezer door 130 and accessing storage bin 152 directly.

[0028] A control panel 160 is provided for controlling the mode of operation. For example, control panel 160 includes one or more selector inputs 162, such as knobs, buttons, touchscreen interfaces, etc., such as a water dispensing button and an ice-dispensing button, for selecting a desired mode of operation such as crushed or non-crushed ice. In addition, inputs 162 may be used to specify a fill volume or method of operating dispensing assembly 140. In this regard, inputs 162 may be in communication with a processing device or controller 164. Signals generated in controller 164 operate refrigerator appliance 100 and dispensing assembly 140 in response to selector inputs 162. Additionally, a display 166, such as an indicator light or a screen, may be provided on control panel 160. Display 166 may be in communication with controller 164 and may display information in response to signals from controller 164.

[0029] As used herein, processing device or controller may refer to one or more microprocessors or semiconductor devices and is not restricted necessarily to a single element. The processing device can be programmed to operate refrigerator appliance 100 and dispensing assembly 140. The processing device may include, or be associated with, one or more memory elements (e.g., non-transitory storage media). In some such embodiments, the memory elements include electrically erasable, programmable read only memory (EEPROM). Generally, the memory elements can store information accessible processing device, including instructions that can be executed by processing device. Optionally, the instructions can be software or any set of instructions and/or data that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations.

[0030] Referring again briefly to FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment, cabinet 102 also defines a mechanical compartment 170 at or near the bottom 106 of the cabinet 102 for receipt of a hermetically sealed cooling system 172. In general, sealed cooling system 172 is configured for transporting heat from the inside of refrigerator appliance 100 to the outside (e.g., by executing a vapor-compression cycle or another suitable refrigeration cycle). As is generally understood by those of skill in the art, the hermetically sealed system 172 contains a working fluid, e.g., refrigerant, which flows between various heat exchangers of the sealed system 172 where the working fluid changes phases while transferring thermal energy.

[0031] In this regard, as understood by one having ordinary skill in the art, sealed system 172 may include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and one or more evaporators connected in series by a fluid conduit that is charged with a refrigerant. Within sealed system 172, refrigerant flows into the compressor, which operates to increase the pressure of the refrigerant. This compression of the refrigerant raises its temperature, which is lowered by passing the refrigerant through the condenser. Within the condenser, heat exchange with ambient air takes place so as to cool the refrigerant. A condenser fan may be used to pull air across the condenser, so as to provide forced convection for a more rapid and efficient heat exchange between the refrigerant within the condenser and the ambient air. Thus, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, increasing air flow across the condenser can, e.g., increase the efficiency of the condenser by improving cooling of the refrigerant contained therein.

[0032] An expansion device (e.g., an electronic expansion valve, capillary tube, or other restriction device) receives refrigerant from the condenser. From the expansion device, the refrigerant enters the evaporator. Upon exiting the expansion device and entering the evaporator, the refrigerant drops in pressure. Due to the pressure drop and/or phase change of the refrigerant, the evaporator is relatively cool. An evaporator fan is typically provided at each the evaporator, e.g., to force air across and around the at least one evaporator to transfer thermal energy from the air to the evaporator (and more particularly, to the working fluid or refrigerant therein).

[0033] In this manner, a flow of cooling air exits the evaporator and may be distributed to one or more of the chilled chambers 122 and/or 124. Specifically, one or more ducts may extend between the mechanical compartment 170 and the chilled chambers 122 and/or 124 to provide fluid communication therebetween, e.g., to provide the chilled air from the hermetically sealed cooling system 172, e.g., from an evaporator thereof, to one or more of the chilled chambers 122 and/or 124.

[0034] The sealed system 172 described herein is provided by way of example only. Thus, it is within the scope of the present subject matter for other configurations of the refrigeration system to be used as well. For example, according to alternative embodiments, sealed system 172 may include additional components, e.g., at least one additional evaporator, compressor, expansion device, and/or condenser. For example, refrigerator appliance 100 may have two or more split evaporators, e.g., one dedicated primarily to cooling fresh food chamber 122 and one dedicated primarily to cooling freezer chamber 124. In addition, alternative plumbing configurations, valves, and flow regulators may be used to route refrigerant throughout sealed system 172.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, refrigerator appliance 100 may further include one or more temperature and humidity sensors to facilitate improved operation of refrigerator appliance 100 and icemaker 156. For example, humidity sensor 180 may be mounted to an outer surface 182 of refrigerator appliance 100, e.g., for measuring an ambient humidity of the environment surrounding refrigerator appliance. As used herein, the terms humidity sensor or the equivalent may be intended to refer to any suitable type of humidity measuring system or device positioned at any suitable location for measuring the desired humidity. Thus, for example, humidity sensor may refer to any suitable type of humidity sensor, such as capacitive digital sensors, resistive sensors, and thermal conductivity humidity sensors. In addition, humidity sensor 180 may be positioned at any suitable location and may output a signal, such as a voltage, to a controller that is proportional to and/or indicative of the humidity being measured. Although exemplary positioning of humidity sensors is described herein, it should be appreciated that refrigerator appliance 100 may include any other suitable number, type, and position of temperature/humidity sensors according to alternative embodiments.

[0036] Now that the construction and configuration of refrigerator appliance 100 and icemaker 180 have been presented according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, an exemplary method 200 for operating a refrigerator appliance 100 and icemaker 156 is provided. Method 200 can be used to operate icemaker 156, or to operate any other suitable refrigerator including an icemaker. In this regard, for example, controller 164 may be configured for implementing method 200. However, it should be appreciated that the exemplary method 200 is discussed herein only to describe exemplary aspects of the present subject matter, and is not intended to be limiting.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, method 200 includes, at step 210, operating an icemaker of a refrigerator appliance to produce ice at a standard ice making rate. In this regard, for example, icemaker 156 may operate to produce ice at a standard, normal, or non-accelerated rate associated with standard operation. Similarly, sealed system 172 may operate to regulate a chamber temperature of freezer chamber 124 to a standard operating temperature. As explained above, users may commonly desire to produce ice at an accelerated or increased rate. Method 200 provides a method for producing ice at such an increased rate while reducing the likelihood of the formation of sweat on an exterior surface of refrigerator appliance 100.

[0038] In this regard, step 220 may include receiving a request to operate the icemaker at an increased icemaking rate. This request may be received by controller 164 of refrigerator appliance 100 from the user or consumer of refrigerator appliance 100. For example, a user may request the increased icemaking rate by using control panel 160 or by using a remote device that is in operative communication with controller 164 (e.g., such as a cell phone via an external network).

[0039] Step 230 may generally include obtaining an ambient humidity using an ambient humidity sensor. In this regard, humidity sensor 180 may be used to obtain the relative ambient humidity of an environment surrounding refrigerator appliance 100. Notably, this ambient humidity may be used to make informed decisions as to how cold freezer chamber 124 may be maintained without producing sweat on exterior surfaces (e.g., such as outer surface 182) of refrigerator appliance 100.

[0040] Specifically, step 240 may include determining, based on the ambient humidity, a dewpoint temperature where sweat will be produced (or is likely to be produced) on an outer surface of refrigerator appliance 100. In this regard, the dewpoint temperature may be the temperature of air (e.g., assuming relatively constant ambient pressure) at which point the relative humidity reaches or approaches 100%. At this dewpoint temperature, air cannot hold any more water in gas form and may have a tendency to sweat or produce liquid from water vapor within the air. Accordingly, method 200 may use the dewpoint temperature to ensure that the freezer chamber temperature is not decreased to a point where the surfaces of refrigerator appliance 100 reach the dewpoint temperature.

[0041] Method 200 may further include, at step 250, determining a target temperature that maintains an outer surface temperature to equal or greater than the dewpoint temperature. In this regard, the target temperature may be a temperature of freezer chamber 124 that does not drop an outer surface temperature of refrigerator appliance 100 below the dewpoint temperature. In other words, the target temperature may be an offset from the dewpoint temperature that is determined empirically based on the appliance design, insulation, and other factors.

[0042] According to example embodiments, determining the target temperature that maintains the outer surface temperature to equal to or greater than the dewpoint temperature may include comparing the measured ambient humidity to a relative humidity threshold. In this regard, for example, a relative humidity threshold may be estimated based on the freezer chamber temperature during the ice production mode. In this regard, the estimated relative humidity may be an ambient relative humidity that is high enough to produce sweat given the target temperature and the associated outer surface temperature.

[0043] For example, determining the target temperature may include determining that the measured ambient humidity falls below the relative humidity threshold (e.g., indicating that there is not sufficient moisture in the air to form sweat at the present freezer temperature). In response to this determination, the target temperature may be set to a lowered target temperature. This process may be repeated until the measured ambient humidity reaches or approaches the relative humidity threshold, at which time the target temperature may be maintained to reduce the likelihood of sweat formation.

[0044] Notably, the lowered target temperature may generally be a function of ambient humidity. In this regard, a relationship between the lowered operating temperature and the ambient humidity may be stored within controller 164 in the form of a lookup table, a regression equation, or a mathematical model. According to example embodiments, the relative humidity threshold may be between about 60% and 90%, between about 70% and 80%, or about 75%. It should be appreciated that other variations in the relative humidity threshold the mathematical models relating the target temperature and the ambient humidity may be used remaining within the scope of the present subject matter.

[0045] According to example embodiments, determining the target temperature may further include determining that the ambient humidity exceeds the relative humidity threshold. According to such an embodiment, the humidity in the air may have a tendency to form sweat on outer surface 182 of refrigerator appliance 100. Accordingly, such an instance, the target temperature may be set to a standard target temperature and the sealed system may be operated to regulate chamber temperature to the standard target temperature. According to still other embodiments, the target temperature may be increased until the ambient humidity no longer exceeds the relative humidity threshold.

[0046] Step 260 may include operating the sealed system to regulate a chamber temperature to the target temperature. In this regard, sealed system 172 may regulate freezer temperature to the target temperature such that the ice production rate may be increased without increasing the likelihood of forming sweat on an outer surface of refrigerator appliance 100 or freezer door 130. In order to ensure that no sweat is formed on the outer surface 182, the target temperature may be increased slightly relative to the precise temperature that maintains the outer surface 182 at the dewpoint temperature. For example, the target temperature is between about 0.5 and 10 degrees above a temperature that maintains the outer surface temperature equal to the dewpoint temperature. According to still other embodiments, the target temperature is between about 1 and 3 degrees above the temperature that maintains the outer surface temperature equal to the dewpoint temperature.

[0047] Step 270 may further include operating icemaker to produce ice at the increased icemaking rate. In this regard, because the freezer chamber temperature has been reduced, icemaker 156 may increase the ice making rate, e.g., by reducing cycle time, increasing harvest rate, increasing fill rate, etc. It should be appreciated that the increased icemaking rate may be determined based at least in part on the target temperature. In this regard, the ice making rate may be increased in proportion to the decrease in the target temperature.

[0048] Referring now briefly to FIG. 4, a temperature adjustment algorithm for a refrigerator appliance including an icemaker is provided according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter. In this regard, method 300 may begin at step 302, where the sealed system is operating at a standard operating temperature and the icemaker is producing ice at a standard operating rate. Step 304 may include obtaining the ambient relative humidity (RH) and estimating a relative humidity threshold or level (RH.sub.est) that is defined by the freezer chamber temperature. Step 304 may further include determining whether the ambient relative humidity (RH) exceeds the relative humidity threshold (RH.sub.est).

[0049] If step 304 results in a determination that the ambient humidity (RH) does not exceed the relative humidity threshold (RH.sub.est), step 306 may include making zero adjustments to the freezer chamber temperature and maintaining operation at the standard icemaking rate and chamber temperature. In this regard, it may be undesirable to lower the freezer chamber temperature when the ambient humidity (RH) is equal to or exceeds the relative humidity threshold (RH.sub.est), as lowering such temperature may result in sweat formation.

[0050] By contrast, if step 304 results in a determination that the ambient humidity (RH) is lower than the relative humidity threshold (RH.sub.est), step 308 may include determining whether the user has requested an increased icemaking rate. If the ice making rate was not requested, method 300 may proceed to step 306 as described above. By contrast, if the ambient humidity (RH) is lower than the relative humidity threshold (RH.sub.est) and the user has requested an increased ice rate, step 310 may include making freezer chamber adjustments to a predetermined value, e.g., by lowering the freezer chamber temperature and thus facilitating an increased icemaking rate. According to example embodiments, this process may be repeated until the ambient humidity (RH) reaches or approaches the relative humidity threshold (RH.sub.est), at which point it may be undesirable to further lower the freezer chamber temperature.

[0051] FIGS. 3 and 4 depict example control methods having steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion. Those of ordinary skill in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will understand that the steps of any of the methods discussed herein can be adapted, rearranged, expanded, omitted, or modified in various ways without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, although aspects of these methods are explained using refrigerator appliance 100 and icemaker 156 as an example, it should be appreciated that these methods may be applied to the operation of any suitable refrigerator including an icemaker.

[0052] As explained herein, aspects of the present subject matter are generally directed to a refrigerator with an ice maker that includes features for accelerated ice production. For example, whenever the ambient humidity is lower than a humidity level at which external sweat is expected to be present on the outer surface of the refrigerator, the freezer cabinet temperature value is set lower than the normal freezer operating temperature to increase the rate of ice production. This method gives an opportunity to trigger the accelerated ice production mode, when the refrigerator outer surface temperature is far from reaching the dew point temperature and causing sweat.

[0053] 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 language of the claims.