Refrigerator and door opening reminder method thereof

Abstract

The present invention discloses a refrigerator and a door opening reminder method thereof. The target door of the refrigerator is provided with a human body sensing device for detecting the presence of a person within a preset detection range, and an angle sensor for detecting the opening angle of the target door. When any door of the refrigerator is detected to be opened, a timer is started to count and calculate the door opening time; when the human body sensing device detects a person, the opening result of the target door is determined; when the target door is opened, the opening angle detected by the angle sensor is obtained; if the opening angle is greater than a preset angle threshold, and the door opening time is greater than a preset time threshold, the reminder device in the refrigerator is controlled to issue a reminder message. By using the embodiment of the present invention, an alarm can be triggered when the refrigerator door is not closed for a long time, while improving the detection sensitivity and avoiding false alarms.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of refrigerators, and in particular to a refrigerator and a door opening reminder method thereof. Background Art

[0002] It is not uncommon for users to neglect to close the refrigerator door or not close it securely while using it. Leaving the refrigerator door open for a long time will cause the temperature inside the box to rise rapidly and the refrigeration equipment compressor to run for a long time, which will result in high overall power consumption of the refrigeration equipment, corrosion of food in the storage room, increased wear and tear on the refrigeration equipment compressor, and reduced service life of the refrigeration equipment, causing unnecessary property losses to consumers. Traditional refrigerators with door opening alarm functions usually have a fixed door opening time set. The timer starts when the refrigerator door is opened, and the alarm is triggered after the fixed door opening time is exceeded. However, the method of alarming by simply counting the door opening time is not rigorous enough. If the user needs a long time to take out the food, the alarm will also be triggered. At this time, the user needs to close the door to stop the alarm, causing trouble for the user. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator and a door opening reminder method thereof, which can trigger an alarm when the refrigerator door is not closed for a long time, while improving the detection sensitivity and avoiding false alarms.

[0004] To achieve the above object, an embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigerator, comprising:

[0005] The human body sensing device is installed on the target door of the refrigerator and detects whether there is a person within its preset detection range;

[0006] An angle sensor, provided on the same target door body as the human body sensing device, for detecting the opening angle of the target door body;

[0007] A prompting device, used for issuing a prompt message;

[0008] The controller is configured as:

[0009] When it is detected that any door of the refrigerator is opened, the timer starts counting and calculates the door opening time;

[0010] When the human body sensing device detects a person, determining the opening result of the target door body;

[0011] When the target door body is opened, obtaining the opening angle detected by the angle sensor;

[0012] If the opening angle is greater than a preset angle threshold, and the door opening time is greater than a preset time threshold, the prompt device is controlled to issue a prompt message.

[0013] As an improvement to the above solution, the controller is further configured to:

[0014] When the target door is not opened, controlling the timer to be reset;

[0015] When the opening angle is less than or equal to the angle threshold, the timer is controlled to be reset.

[0016] As an improvement to the above solution, the controller is further configured to:

[0017] When the human body sensing device does not detect anyone, determining whether the door opening time is greater than the time threshold;

[0018] If yes, then the detection range of the human body sensing device is increased; if no, then the timer is controlled to continue timing;

[0019] After the detection range is adjusted, if the human body sensing device does not detect anyone, the prompt device is controlled to issue a prompt message.

[0020] As an improvement to the above solution, the detection range of the human body sensing device is determined by the detection distance and the detection angle.

[0021] To achieve the above-mentioned object, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a refrigerator door opening reminder method, wherein a human body sensing device for detecting whether a person is present within a preset detection range and an angle sensor for detecting the opening angle of the target door are provided on the target door of the refrigerator; the refrigerator door opening reminder method comprises:

[0022] When it is detected that any door of the refrigerator is opened, the timer starts counting and calculates the door opening time;

[0023] When the human body sensing device detects a person, determining the opening result of the target door body;

[0024] When the target door body is opened, obtaining the opening angle detected by the angle sensor;

[0025] If the opening angle is greater than a preset angle threshold, and the door opening time is greater than a preset time threshold, the prompt device in the refrigerator is controlled to issue a prompt message.

[0026] As an improvement to the above solution, the method further includes:

[0027] When the target door is not opened, controlling the timer to be reset;

[0028] When the opening angle is less than or equal to the angle threshold, the timer is controlled to be reset.

[0029] As an improvement to the above solution, the method further includes:

[0030] When the human body sensing device does not detect anyone, determining whether the door opening time is greater than the time threshold;

[0031] If yes, then the detection range of the human body sensing device is increased; if no, then the timer is controlled to continue timing;

[0032] After the detection range is adjusted, if the human body sensing device does not detect anyone, the prompt device is controlled to issue a prompt message.

[0033] To achieve the above purpose, the detection range of the human body sensing device is determined by the detection distance and the detection angle.

[0034] Compared to the prior art, the refrigerator and its door opening reminder method described in the embodiment of the present invention detects whether there is a person within a preset detection range by setting a human body sensing device on the target door of the refrigerator and an angle sensor for detecting the opening angle of the target door. When it is detected that any door of the refrigerator is opened, a timer is started to count and calculate the door opening time; when the human body sensing device detects a person, the opening result of the target door is determined; when the target door is opened, the opening angle detected by the angle sensor is obtained; if the opening angle is greater than a preset angle threshold, and the door opening time is greater than a preset time threshold, the prompt device in the refrigerator is controlled to issue a prompt message. By adopting the embodiment of the present invention, combined with the dual detection results of the human body sensing device and the angle sensor, an alarm can be triggered when the refrigerator door is not closed for a long time, while improving the detection sensitivity and avoiding false alarms. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the detection range of the human body sensing device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 4 The present invention provides a flowchart of a refrigerator door opening reminder method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0040] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 1 is a structural block diagram of a refrigerator 100 provided in an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the refrigerator 100 includes:

[0041] The human body sensing device 10 is installed on the target door of the refrigerator and detects whether there is a person within its preset detection range;

[0042] An angle sensor 20, provided on the same target door body as the human body sensing device 10, for detecting the opening angle of the target door body;

[0043] Prompt device 30, for issuing prompt information;

[0044] The controller 40 is configured to:

[0045] When it is detected that any door of the refrigerator is opened, the timer starts counting and calculates the door opening time;

[0046] When the human body sensing device 10 detects a person, the opening result of the target door is determined;

[0047] When the target door is opened, obtaining the opening angle detected by the angle sensor 20;

[0048] If the opening angle is greater than a preset angle threshold, and the door opening time is greater than a preset time threshold, the prompt device 30 is controlled to issue a prompt message.

[0049] Specifically, the human body sensing device 10 and the angle sensor 20 are installed on the same target door, for example, on the door at the upper right corner of the refrigerator (refrigeration compartment R2). Figure 2 , Figure 2 Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the detection range of the human body sensing device 10 provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The detection range of the human body sensing device 10 is determined by the detection distance and detection angle. In the initial state, the human body sensing device 10 has a default detection distance (sensing radius) r1 of 1 meter and a detection angle a1 of 100°. When the target door is closed, the angle detected by the angle sensor 20 is 0°. As the target door gradually opens, the value detected by the angle sensor 20 gradually increases.

[0050] Exemplarily, the human body sensing device 10 can be a human body sensing switch, which is a switch that can automatically identify the presence of a human to change the switch state. When a human is present within its sensing range, the switch is in the on state. When the human leaves its sensing range for a period of time, it automatically switches to the off state. The human body sensing switch is mainly composed of a pyroelectric infrared sensor, which uses the principle of infrared sensing to identify infrared rays of a specific wavelength emitted by humans. It has the characteristics of simple structure, good performance, and high precision. The angle sensor 20 refers to a sensor that can sense the measured angle and convert it into a usable output signal. There is a hole in the angle sensor that can be matched with the Lego shaft. The angle sensor counts once every 1 / 16 of the shaft rotation. When the shaft rotates in one direction, the count increases, and when the rotation direction changes, the count decreases. The count is related to the initial position of the angle sensor. When the angle sensor is initialized, its count value is set to 0.

[0051] See also Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] When it is detected that any door of the refrigerator 100 is opened, the controller 40 starts the timer to start timing and calculate the door opening time. At this time, the controller 40 controls the human body sensing device 10 to start together, and the human body sensing device 10 starts to detect whether there is a human body within its detection range. When the human body sensing device 10 detects the presence of a person, it does not mean that the user is using the refrigerator. It is necessary to further combine the detection results of the angle sensor 20 to make a judgment. Furthermore, the human body sensing device 10 has other functions. When a person approaches the refrigerator and is detected by the human body sensing device, a signal will be transmitted to the controller 40, and the screen or refrigerator will have a relevant response. For example, if the screen is off after sensing a person, the controller 40 will trigger the screen to light up. Therefore, the detection distance of the human body sensing device 10 cannot be set too far, which will lead to frequent false triggering.

[0053] Exemplarily, the angle threshold is 70°. When the target door is not opened, the human presence sensing device 10 faces the front of the refrigerator, indicating that the user is in front of the refrigerator and that the refrigerator door is open. The controller 40 then resets the timer. When the target door is opened, the controller 40 activates the angle sensor 20, which detects the target door's opening angle. When the target door's opening angle is greater than 70°, the human presence sensing device 10 faces the side of the refrigerator, indicating that the user is typically handling food within the front of the refrigerator. Therefore, even if a person is detected when the target door's opening angle is greater than 70°, the user is likely walking past the refrigerator and may simply exit the kitchen. In this case, the user is unaware that the refrigerator door has been opened and not closed. Further consideration of the door opening time is needed to determine whether to issue a reminder message. The time threshold can be 2 minutes. When the door opening time exceeds the time threshold, the controller 40 controls the reminder device 30 to issue a reminder message. When the door opening time is less than or equal to the time threshold, the timer continues. If the opening angle of the target door body is less than or equal to 70°, it indicates that the user is in front of the refrigerator and it can be known that the refrigerator door is not closed. At this time, the controller 40 controls the timer to be reset.

[0054] Furthermore, when it is detected that any door of the refrigerator is opened, after starting a timer to calculate the door opening time, the controller 40 is further configured to:

[0055] When the human body sensing device 10 does not detect a person, determining whether the door opening time is greater than the time threshold;

[0056] If yes, the detection range of the human body sensing device 10 is increased; if no, the timer is controlled to continue timing;

[0057] After the detection range is adjusted, if the human body sensing device 10 does not detect the presence of a person, the prompt device 30 is controlled to issue a prompt message.

[0058] For example, after the refrigerator door is opened, if the human presence sensing device 10 does not detect a person, and the door opening time reaches the time threshold, the alarm is temporarily deactivated. The detection range of the human presence sensing device is increased, for example, by adjusting the detection distance r2 to 1.2m and the detection angle a2 to 120°. If the human presence sensing device 10 detects a person after the detection range is adjusted, detection is delayed for T minutes, for example, T = 10s, before resuming detection. If the human presence sensing device 10 does not detect a person after the detection range is adjusted, the prompt device 30 is controlled to issue a prompt message and the timer is reset.

[0059] Compared to the prior art, the refrigerator 100 described in the embodiment of the present invention has a human body sensing device 10 and an angle sensor 20 for detecting the opening angle of the target door within a preset detection range, which are provided on the target door of the refrigerator 100. When it is detected that any door of the refrigerator is opened, a timer is started to count and calculate the door opening time; when the human body sensing device detects a person, the opening result of the target door is determined; when the target door is opened, the opening angle detected by the angle sensor is obtained; if the opening angle is greater than a preset angle threshold, and the door opening time is greater than a preset time threshold, the prompt device 30 in the refrigerator 100 is controlled to issue a prompt message. By adopting the embodiment of the present invention, combined with the dual detection results of the human body sensing device 10 and the angle sensor 20, an alarm can be triggered when the refrigerator door is not closed for a long time, while improving the detection sensitivity and avoiding false alarms.

[0060] See also Figure 4 , Figure 4 The flowchart of a refrigerator door opening reminder method provided by an embodiment of the present invention is provided. The target door of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a human body sensing device for detecting the presence of a person within a preset detection range and an angle sensor for detecting the opening angle of the target door; the refrigerator door opening reminder method includes:

[0061] S1. When any door of the refrigerator is detected to be open, a timer is started to count the door opening time;

[0062] S2. When the human body sensing device detects a person, determining the opening result of the target door;

[0063] S3. When the target door is opened, obtaining the opening angle detected by the angle sensor;

[0064] S4. If the opening angle is greater than a preset angle threshold, and the door opening time is greater than a preset time threshold, control a prompt device in the refrigerator to send out a prompt message.

[0065] Specifically, the human body sensing device and the angle sensor are installed on the same target door, such as the door in the upper right corner of the refrigerator (refrigerator compartment). The detection range of the human body sensing device is determined by the detection distance and the detection angle. In the initial state, the default detection distance (sensing radius) r1 of the human body sensing device is 1m, and the detection angle a1 is 100°. When the target door is closed, the angle detected by the angle sensor is 0°. As the target door gradually opens, the value detected by the angle sensor also gradually increases.

[0066] When it is detected that any door of the refrigerator is opened, the start timer starts counting and calculating the door opening time. At this time, the human body sensing device is controlled to start together, and the human body sensing device starts to detect whether there is a human body within its detection range. When the human body sensing device detects the presence of a person, it does not mean that the user is using the refrigerator. It is necessary to further judge based on the detection results of the angle sensor. Furthermore, the human body sensing device has other functions. When a person approaches the refrigerator and is detected by the human body sensing device, a signal will be transmitted to the controller, and the screen or refrigerator will have a relevant response. For example, if the screen is off after sensing a person, the screen will be triggered to light up. Therefore, the detection distance of the human body sensing device cannot be set too far, which will lead to frequent false triggering.

[0067] Exemplarily, the angle threshold is 70°. When the target door is not opened, the human presence sensor faces the front of the refrigerator, indicating that the user is in front of the refrigerator and aware that the door is open. At this point, the timer is reset. When the target door is opened, the angle sensor is activated to detect the target door's opening angle. When the target door's opening angle is greater than 70°, the human presence sensor faces the side of the refrigerator, indicating that the user is typically handling food within the area in front of the refrigerator. Therefore, even if a person is detected when the target door's opening angle is greater than 70°, the user is likely walking past the refrigerator and may simply exit the kitchen. In this case, the user is unaware that the door has been opened and not closed. Further consideration of the door opening time is needed to determine whether to issue a reminder message. The time threshold can be 2 minutes. When the door opening time exceeds the time threshold, the reminder device is controlled to issue a reminder message; when the door opening time is less than or equal to the time threshold, the timer continues. If the opening angle of the target door body is less than or equal to 70°, it indicates that the user is in front of the refrigerator and it can be known that the refrigerator door is not closed. At this time, the timer is controlled to be reset.

[0068] Furthermore, when it is detected that any door of the refrigerator is opened, after starting a timer to calculate the door opening time, the method further includes:

[0069] When the human body sensing device does not detect anyone, determining whether the door opening time is greater than the time threshold;

[0070] If yes, then the detection range of the human body sensing device is increased; if no, then the timer is controlled to continue timing;

[0071] After the detection range is adjusted, if the human body sensing device does not detect anyone, the prompt device is controlled to issue a prompt message.

[0072] For example, after the refrigerator door is opened, if the human body sensing device does not detect a person, and the door opening time reaches the time threshold, the alarm is temporarily deactivated. The detection range of the human body sensing device is increased, for example, by adjusting the detection distance r2 to 1.2m and the detection angle a2 to 120°. If the human body sensing device detects a person after the detection range is adjusted, detection is delayed for T minutes, for example, T = 10s, before re-determining the detection. If the human body sensing device 10 does not detect a person after the detection range is adjusted, the prompt device is controlled to issue a prompt message and the timer is reset.

[0073] Compared to the prior art, the refrigerator door opening reminder method described in the embodiment of the present invention is achieved by setting a human body sensing device on the target door of the refrigerator to detect whether there is a person within a preset detection range and an angle sensor for detecting the opening angle of the target door. When it is detected that any door of the refrigerator is opened, a timer is started to count and calculate the door opening time; when the human body sensing device detects a person, the opening result of the target door is determined; when the target door is opened, the opening angle detected by the angle sensor is obtained; if the opening angle is greater than a preset angle threshold, and the door opening time is greater than a preset time threshold, the prompt device in the refrigerator is controlled to issue a prompt message. By adopting the embodiment of the present invention, combined with the dual detection results of the human body sensing device and the angle sensor, an alarm can be triggered when the refrigerator door is not closed for a long time, while improving the detection sensitivity and avoiding false alarms.

[0074] The above is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present invention. These improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that: include: The human body sensing device is installed on the target door of the refrigerator and detects whether there is a person within its preset detection range; An angle sensor, provided on the same target door body as the human body sensing device, for detecting the opening angle of the target door body; A prompting device, used for issuing a prompt message; The controller is configured as: When it is detected that any door of the refrigerator is opened, the timer starts counting and calculates the door opening time; When the human body sensing device detects a person, determining the opening result of the target door body; When the target door body is opened, obtaining the opening angle detected by the angle sensor; If the opening angle is greater than a preset angle threshold, and the door opening time is greater than a preset time threshold, controlling the prompt device to issue a prompt message; When the human body sensing device does not detect anyone, determining whether the door opening time is greater than the time threshold; If yes, then the detection range of the human body sensing device is increased; if no, then the timer is controlled to continue timing; After the detection range is adjusted, if the human body sensing device does not detect anyone, the prompt device is controlled to issue a prompt message.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein The controller is further configured to: When the target door is not opened, controlling the timer to be reset; When the opening angle is less than or equal to the angle threshold, the timer is controlled to be reset.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein The detection range of the human body sensing device is determined by the detection distance and the detection angle.

4. A refrigerator door opening reminder method, characterized in that: The target door of the refrigerator is provided with a human body sensing device for detecting whether there is a person within a preset detection range and an angle sensor for detecting the opening angle of the target door; then, the refrigerator door opening reminder method includes: When it is detected that any door of the refrigerator is opened, the timer starts counting and calculates the door opening time; When the human body sensing device detects a person, determining the opening result of the target door body; When the target door body is opened, obtaining the opening angle detected by the angle sensor; If the opening angle is greater than a preset angle threshold, and the door opening time is greater than a preset time threshold, controlling a prompt device in the refrigerator to issue a prompt message; When the human body sensing device does not detect anyone, determining whether the door opening time is greater than the time threshold; If yes, then the detection range of the human body sensing device is increased; if no, then the timer is controlled to continue timing; After the detection range is adjusted, if the human body sensing device does not detect anyone, the prompt device is controlled to issue a prompt message.

5. The refrigerator door opening reminder method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The method further comprises: When the target door is not opened, controlling the timer to be reset; When the opening angle is less than or equal to the angle threshold, the timer is controlled to be reset.

6. The refrigerator door opening reminder method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The detection range of the human body sensing device is determined by the detection distance and the detection angle.

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