Claims:We claim:

1. A cover (100) for a temperature sensor (10T) in a temperature regulating appliance (10), said cover (100) having,
a base (102); and
at least one non-planar portion (104) extending from the base (102), where said non-planar portion (104) defines a plurality of air inlets (104A),
wherein
said non-planar portion (104) is in at least one of a point contact and a line contact with an article (10V) thereby allowing air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) through the air inlets (104A) in a heavy loaded condition.

2. The cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover (100) is adapted to maintain a predefined space (X) between the article (10V) and the temperature sensor (10T) thereby allowing required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) in the heavy loaded condition in which a plurality of articles (10V) are placed in vicinity of the temperature sensor (10T).

3. The cover (100) as claimed in claim in claim 1, wherein said cover (100) is adapted to maintain a distance of 0.7 to 1 cm between the article (10V) and the temperature sensor (10T) thereby allowing required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) in the heavy loaded condition.

4. The cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said non-planar portion (104) substantially defines at least one of a hemispherical (dome) shape and a semi-cylindrical shape.

5. The cover (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said non-planar portion (104) defines a plurality of arcuate portions (104C), where each of said arcuate portion (104C) extends from said base (102),
wherein
each of said arcuate portion (104C) is spaced away from adjacent arcuate portion (104C);
said plurality of arcuate portions (104C) substantially defines at least one of the hemispherical (dome) shape and the semi-cylindrical shape;
each of said air inlet (104A) is defined in between said two adjacent arcuate portions (104C); and
an air flow area of each air inlet (104A) is same.

6. The cover (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one of said arcuate portion (104C) is in at least one of the point contact and the line contact with at least one article (10A) thereby allowing required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) through the air inlets (104A) in the heavy loaded condition; and
said base (104) of said cover (100) is removably connected to a cover mounting member (10B) which is mounted onto a side wall (10S) of a fresh food compartment (10F) of the temperature regulating appliance (10) thereby protecting the temperature sensor (10T).

7. The cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said non-planar portion (104) substantially defines at least one a conical shape, a prolate type semi-ellipsoid, a semi-polygonal shape and a stepped shape.

8. The cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover (100) defines,
a first-end air inlet (104AF) disposed at or near a first end of said non-planar portion (104); and
a second-end air inlet (104AS) disposed at or near a second end of said non-planar portion (104),
wherein
said first-end inlet (104AF) and said second-end air inlet (104AS) are adapted to allow air flow to the temperature sensor (10T); and
an air flow area of said first-end air inlet (104AF) and said second-end air inlet (104AS) are same.

9. A method (200) for allowing required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) provided in a temperature regulating appliance (10), said method (200) comprising:
allowing by, a cover (100), required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) through air inlets (104A) of the cover (100) by providing the cover (100) with at least one non-planar portion (104) which is in at least one of a point contact and a line contact with corresponding article (10A) in a heavy loaded condition.

10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said allowing by, the cover (100), required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) includes,
providing the non-planar (104) of the cover (100) with a plurality of arcuate portions (104C), where each arcuate portion (104C) extends from a base (102) of the cover (100),
wherein
at least one arcuate portion (104C) is in at least one of the point contact and the line contact with corresponding article (10A) thereby allowing required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) through the air inlets (104A) in the heavy loaded condition in which a plurality of articles (10V) are placed in vicinity of the temperature sensor (10T);
each arcuate portion (104C) is spaced away from adjacent arcuate portion (104C);
said plurality of arcuate portions (104C) defines at least one of a hemispherical (dome) shape and a semi-cylindrical shape;
each of said air inlet (104A) is defined in between the two adjacent arcuate portions (104C); and
an air flow area of each air inlet (104A) is same.

11. The method (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said method (200) includes maintaining by, the cover (100), a predefined space (X) between corresponding article (10V) and the temperature sensor (10T) thereby allowing required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) in the heavy loaded condition,
wherein
the non-planar portion (104) extends from a base (102) of the cover (100);
the non-planar portion (104) substantially defines at least one of a conical shape, prolate type semi-ellipsoid, a semi-polygonal shape and a stepped shape; and
the base (104) of the cover (100) is removably connected to a cover mounting member (10B) which is mounted onto a side wall (10S) of a fresh food compartment (10F) of the temperature regulating appliance (10) thereby protecting the temperature sensor (10T).

12. The method (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said method (200) comprises,
allowing air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) by providing a first-end inlet (104AF) at or near a first end of the non-planar portion (104) and providing a second-end inlet (104AS) at or near a second end of the non-planar portion (104),
wherein
an air flow area of said first-end air inlet (104AF) and said second-end air inlet (104AS) are same.
Dated this 21st day of July 2020

Ajai Kumar Jain
For Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Ltd

To,
The Controller of Patents
The Patent Office, Mumbai , Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to a temperature regulating appliance and more particularly, to a cover for a temperature sensor in the temperature regulating appliance such as but not limited to a refrigerator.

BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, a refrigerator is used for cooling any of eatables, drinkables and any other articles placed inside a fresh food compartment of the refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a temperature sensor which is used for sensing a temperature in the fresh food compartment and sends the information about the detected temperature to an electronic controller unit (ECU). The ECU in turn controls the temperature in the fresh food compartment by switching on/off a compressor and/or an evaporator fan motor. In most refrigerators, the temperature sensor is housed by an elongated channel which is mounted to a back panel of the fresh food compartment. In some refrigerators, the temperature sensor (T, as shown in fig. 1) is provided onto a side panel of the fresh food compartment and a cover (C, as shown in fig. 1) is mounted onto the side panel to protect the temperature sensor (T) from any of vessels, utensils and any other articles which are placed on a shelf in the vicinity of the temperature sensor (T). The cover (C) includes a flat portion (CF, as shown in fig. 1) facing the fresh food compartment, where the flat portion (CF) defines air flow slots (CA, as shown in fig. 1) which allows air flow to the temperature sensor (T) which in turn senses the temperature in the fresh food compartment and the temperature sensor (T) provides the information to the ECU. Required amount of air flows to the temperature sensor (T) in a normal loaded condition in which articles (V), (considered to be any of vessels, utensils and any other items) placed on the shelf is spaced away from the cover (C), (as shown in fig. 2a). The air flow to the temperature sensor (T) is restricted in a heavy loaded condition in which more number of articles (V) are placed on the shelf in the vicinity of the temperature sensor (T) and the corresponding article (V) is in contact with an entirety of the cover (C) thereby blocking the air flow slots (CA) such that the air flow to the temperature sensor (T) is stopped (as shown in fig. 2b). For example, in the heavy loaded condition, the corresponding article (V) is in surface contact with entirety of the flat portion (CF) of the cover (C) thereby restricting air flow to the temperature sensor (T) due to blocking of the air flow slots (CA) by the article (V), (as shown in fig. 2b). The temperature sensor (T) may not be able to measure the correct temperature in the fresh food compartment due to insufficient or restriction of the air flow to the temperature sensor (T) and the ECU may not be able to control the temperature in the fresh food compartment in accordance to a set temperature value required for the fresh food compartment. This in turn leads to overcooling or undercooling of any of drinkables, eatables and any other articles placed in the fresh food compartment. Due to overcooling, ice formation occurs in the fresh food compartment which is undesirable. Further, the ECU may continuously operate the compressor and/or the evaporator fan motor which in turn results in higher energy consumption due to incorrect temperature information sent by the temperature sensor (T) to the ECU.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a cover for a temperature sensor in a temperature regulating appliance, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks. Further, there exists a need for a method for allowing required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor provided in the temperature regulating appliance, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS

[004] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a cover for a temperature sensor in a temperature regulating appliance such as but not limited to a refrigerator.
[005] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a cover for a temperature sensor in a temperature regulating appliance, which facilitates required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor at all times even during a heavy loaded condition in which a plurality of articles (considered to be any of vessels, utensils and any other items) are placed in the vicinity of the temperature sensor provided in at least one compartment (fresh food compartment or freezer compartment) of the temperature regulating appliance.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a method for allowing required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor at all times even during a heavy loaded condition in a temperature regulating appliance.
[007] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide cover for a temperature sensor in a temperature regulating appliance, which enables the temperature sensor to precisely measure the temperature in at least one compartment (fresh food compartment or freezer compartment) of the temperature regulating appliance at all times even during a heavy loaded condition.
[008] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a cover for a temperature sensor in a temperature regulating appliance, which allows required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor at all times even during a heavy loaded condition thereby allowing the temperature regulating appliance to control temperatures as per requirement by controlling ON/OFF time of a compressor and/or an evaporator fan motor.
[009] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a cover for a temperature sensor in a temperature regulating appliance, where the cover is in at least one of a point contact and a line contact with at least one article (considered to be any of vessels, utensils and any other articles) thereby allowing required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor at all times even during a heavy loaded condition.
[0010] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a cover for a temperature sensor in a temperature regulating appliance, which allows air flow from a plurality of directions to the temperature sensor at all times even during a heavily loaded condition thereby providing uniform cooling inside the temperature regulating appliance.
[0011] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a cover for a temperature sensor in a temperature regulating appliance, which provides four-dimensional air flow over the temperature sensor.
[0012] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a cover for a temperature sensor in a temperature regulating appliance, which maintains a predetermined space between least one article (considered to be any of vessels, utensils and any other items) and the temperature sensor thereby allowing required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor at all times even during a heavy loaded condition.
[0013] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a cover for a temperature sensor in a temperature regulating appliance, which enables the temperature sensor to accurately measure the temperature in at least one compartment (fresh food compartment or freezer compartment) thereby enabling the temperature regulating appliance to control the temperature in the compartment as per set temperature value thereby preventing overcooling and ice formation in the compartment.
[0014] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0015] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0016] Fig. 1 depicts an exploded view of a conventional cover and a temperature sensor of a conventional refrigerator;
[0017] Fig. 2a depicts a cross-sectional view of a portion of the conventional refrigerator in a normal loaded condition in which article(s) placed on a shelf is spaced away from the conventional cover;
[0018] Fig. 2b depicts a cross-sectional view of a portion of the conventional refrigerator in a heavy loaded condition in which more number of article(s) are placed on the shelf in the vicinity of the temperature sensor and the article is in surface contact with an entirety of a flat portion of the conventional cover thereby blocking the air flow slots resulting in insufficient or restriction of air flow to the temperature sensor;
[0019] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of a temperature regulating appliance, where a cover is adapted to protect a temperature sensor and allow air flow to the temperature sensor provided in at least one compartment of the temperature regulating appliance, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0020] Fig. 4 depicts an exploded view of the cover, a cover mounting member and a temperature sensor, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0021] Fig. 5 depicts a top view of the cover, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0022] Fig. 6a depicts a front view of the cover, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0023] Fig. 6b depicts a side view of the cover, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0024] Fig. 7 depicts a cross-sectional view of a portion of the temperature regulating appliance, where the cover is in at least one of a point contact and a line contact with an article and the cover maintains a predefined space between corresponding article and the temperature sensor in a heavy loaded condition, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0025] Fig. 8 depicts a flowchart indicating a method for allowing required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor in the temperature regulating appliance, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0027] The embodiments herein achieve a cover for a temperature sensor in a temperature regulating appliance, which facilitates required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor at all times even during a heavy loaded condition in which a plurality of articles (considered to be any of vessels, utensils and any other items) are placed in vicinity of the temperature sensor provided in at least one compartment (fresh food compartment or freezer compartment) of the temperature regulating appliance. Further, embodiments herein achieve a method for allowing required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor at all times even during the heavy loaded condition in the temperature regulating appliance. Referring now to the drawings Figs 3 through 8, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0028] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of a temperature regulating appliance (10), where a cover (100) is adapted to protect a temperature sensor (10T) and allows air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) provided in at least one compartment (10F) of the temperature regulating appliance (10), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Fig. 5 depicts a top view of the cover (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Fig. 6a depicts a front view of the cover (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the cover (100) includes a base (102) and at least one non-planar portion (104), as shown in fig. 4, fig. 5, fig. 6a and fig. 6b). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the cover (100) is explained herein with below reference to protect the temperature sensor (10T) and allow required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) at all times even during a heavy loaded condition in which a plurality of articles (10V), (as shown in fig. 7) are placed in vicinity of the temperature sensor (10T) provided in at least one compartment (10F) of the temperature regulating appliance (10) such as but not limited to a refrigerator, where the compartment (10F) is considered to be a fresh food compartment. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the cover (100) for allowing required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) at all times even during the heavy loaded condition in freezer compartment or any other compartment of any of a freezer, a chiller, a cooling appliance, a food storage system and any other types of temperature regulating appliance (10) without otherwise deterring the intended function of the cover (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0029] The heavy loaded condition is defined as “the plurality of articles (10V) are placed in the vicinity of the temperature sensor (10T) and at least one corresponding article (10V) is in at least one of the point contact and the line contact with the non-planar portion (104) of the cover (100)”, (as shown in fig. 7). The article (10V) is considered to be any of vessels, utensils, eatables, plastic bags and any other items. The eatables or drinkables or any other food items are placed in the article (10V). The articles (10V) are placed on a shelf (10R), (as shown in fig. 3) provided in the compartment (10F). It is also within the scope of the invention to place the articles in a storage box or any other means according to the type and configuration of any of the freezer, the chiller, the cooling appliance, the food storage system and any other types of temperature regulating appliance (10). The cover (100) is adapted to allow required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) in a normal loaded condition. The normal loaded condition is defined as “articles (10V) placed on the shelf (10R) are spaced away from the cover (100). The cover (100) enables the temperature sensor (10T) to precisely measure the temperature in the compartment (10F) of the temperature regulating appliance (100) at all times even during the heavy load condition and accordingly the temperature sensor (10T) sends the information to an electronic controller unit (not shown) to control temperature in the compartment (10F).
[0030] The base (102) of the cover (100) is removably connected to a cover mounting member (10B), (as shown in fig. 4) which is mounted onto a side wall (10S), (as shown in fig. 3) of the compartment (10F) thereby protecting the temperature sensor (10T). It is also within the scope of the invention to mount the cover (100) to a front wall, a rear wall of the compartment and any other location in accordance to any of the requirement, type and configuration of the temperature regulating appliance. The non-planar portion (104) extends from the base (102). The non-planar portion (104) defines a plurality of air inlets (104A), (as shown in fig. 5 and fig. 6a), where each air inlet (104A) is adapted to allow air flow to the temperature sensor (10T). The non-planar portion (104) is in at least one of a point contact and a line contact with at least one article (10A) thereby allowing air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) through at least one air inlet (104A) at all times even in the heavy loaded condition in which the plurality of articles (10V) are placed in vicinity of the temperature sensor (10T).
[0031] In an embodiment, the non-planar portion (104) substantially defines at least one of a hemispherical shape (dome shape) and a semi-cylindrical shape. In an embodiment, the non-planar portion (104) defines a plurality of arcuate portions (104C), as shown in fig. 4 and fig. 6a), where each arcuate portion (104C) extends from the base (102). Each arcuate portion (104C) is spaced away from adjacent arcuate portion (104C). Each air inlet (104A) is defined in between corresponding two arcuate portions (104C). An air flow area of each air inlet (104A) is same. At least one arcuate portion (104C) is in at least one of the point contact and the line contact with at least one article (10A) thereby allowing required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) through the air inlets (104A) at all times even in the heavy loaded condition. The plurality of arcuate portions (104C) defines at least one of the hemispherical (dome) shape and the semi-cylindrical shape, (as shown in fig. 6a). In another embodiment, the non-planar potion (104) substantially defines at least one of a conical shape, prolate type semi-ellipsoid, a semi-polygonal shape and a stepped shape.
[0032] In an embodiment, the cover (100) defines a first-end air inlet (104AF) and a second-end air inlet (104AS), (as shown in fig. 5). The first-end air inlet (104AF) is disposed at or near a first end of the non-planar portion (104). The second-end air inlet (104AS) is disposed at or near a second end of the non-planar portion (104). The first-end inlet (104AF) and the second-end air inlet (104AS) are adapted to allow air flow to the temperature sensor (10T). The air flow area of the first-end air inlet (104AF) and the second-end air inlet (104AS) are same.
[0033] The cover (100) is adapted to maintain a predefined space (X), (as shown in fig. 7) between corresponding article (10V) and the temperature sensor (10T) thereby allowing required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) in the heavy loaded condition. For example, the cover (100) is adapted to maintain a distance of 0.7 to 1 cm between corresponding article (10V) and the temperature sensor (10T) thereby allowing required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) in the heavy loaded condition. It is also within the scope of the invention to maintain any distance between the temperature sensor (10T) and corresponding article (10V) by using the cover (100).
[0034] Fig. 6 depicts a flowchart indicating a method (200) for allowing required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) provided in the temperature regulating appliance (10), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the method (200) is explained herein below with reference to allowing required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) provided in the temperature regulating appliance (10) such as but not limited to a refrigerator. However, it is also within the scope of this invention to practice/implement the entire steps of the method (200) in a same manner or in a different manner or with omission of at least one step to the method (200) or with any addition of at least one step to the method (200) for allowing required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) provided in any of a freezer, a chiller, a cooling appliance, a food storage system and any other types of temperature regulating appliance (10) without otherwise deterring the intended function of the method (200) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, method (200) includes, allowing by, a cover (100), required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) through air inlets (104A) of the cover (100) by providing the cover (100) with at least one non-planar portion (104) which is in at least one of a point contact and a line contact with corresponding article (10A) in a heavy loaded condition in which a plurality of articles (10V) are placed in vicinity of the temperature sensor (10T).
[0035] The method step of allowing by, the cover (100), required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) includes providing the non-planar portion (104) of the cover (100) with a plurality of arcuate portions (104C), where each arcuate portion (104C) extends from a base (102) of the cover (100).
[0036] The method (200) includes maintaining by, the cover (100), a predefined space (X) between corresponding article (10V) and the temperature sensor (10T) thereby allowing required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) in the heavy loaded condition.
[0037] The method (200) includes allowing air flow to the temperature sensor (10T) by providing a first-end inlet (104AF) at or near a first end of the non-planar portion (104) and providing a second-end inlet (104AS) at or near a second end of the non-planar portion (104).
[0038] The technical advantages of the cover (100) are as follows. The cover facilitates required amount of air flow to the temperature sensor at all times even during a heavy loaded condition. The cover allows the temperature sensor to precisely measure the temperature in at least one compartment of the temperature regulating appliance at all times even during a heavy loaded condition. The cover enables temperature regulating appliance to control temperature in compartment as per requirement, control ON/OFF time of a compressor and/or an evaporator fan motor and provide uniform cooling in the compartment and restricts overcooling and ice formation in the compartment. The cover provides four-dimensional air flow over the temperature sensor.
[0039] Therefore, a cover (100) which allows required amount of air flow to a temperature sensor (10T) at all times even during a heavy loaded condition in a temperature regulating appliance (10) is provided.
[0040] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.