Induction device and refrigerator therefor

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of household appliance technology, and in particular to a sensing device and a refrigerator thereof. The sensing device includes a housing assembly, a trigger assembly, and a sensing assembly. The housing assembly is installed in the refrigerator; the trigger assembly is installed inside the housing assembly and connected to it, and cooperates with the inner wall of the housing assembly to form a first cavity, which communicates with the internal compartments of the refrigerator; the sensing assembly is installed inside the housing assembly and connected to it; the trigger assembly includes a metal sheet configured to deform in response to changes in air pressure in the first cavity; the sensing assembly includes a sensing circuit board, which is triggered in response to the deformation of the metal sheet. Its advantage lies in that by triggering the deformation of the metal sheet through changes in air pressure, the sensing circuit board responds, realizing the automatic opening of the refrigerator door. The response is sensitive, accurate, and reliable, significantly improving the user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of household appliance technology, and in particular to a sensing device and its refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] Built-in refrigerators are usually installed in cabinets, forming a more unified style with the outer surface of the cabinets. In order to ensure the beauty and simplicity of home decoration, handles are usually not installed. Therefore, built-in refrigerators often use automatic door opening.

[0003] Currently, automatic door opening systems typically come in two types: push-button and voice-activated. Voice-activated systems require users to remember specific keywords and have a slower response time, while push-button systems usually require pressure sensors. Sometimes, the pressure sensors are not sensitive enough, requiring users to press harder to trigger the system, which affects the user experience. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides a sensing device.

[0005] A sensing device, applied in a refrigerator, includes: a housing assembly installed in the refrigerator; a triggering assembly installed within the housing assembly and connected to the housing assembly, and cooperating with the inner wall of the housing assembly to form a first cavity, the first cavity communicating with an internal compartment of the refrigerator; and a sensing assembly installed within the housing assembly and connected to the housing assembly; wherein the triggering assembly includes a metal sheet configured to deform in response to a change in air pressure in the first cavity, and the sensing assembly includes a sensing circuit board capable of being triggered in response to the deformation of the metal sheet.

[0006] With this design, since the first cavity is connected to the internal compartments of the refrigerator, when the user presses the refrigerator door, the space inside the refrigerator is compressed, causing the air pressure to rise. This rise in pressure also causes the air pressure in the first cavity to increase, resulting in deformation of the metal plate. This deformation triggers the sensing circuit board, which transmits an electrical signal to the refrigerator's control center, enabling the automatic door opening function. This triggering method, which uses air pressure changes to deform the metal plate, is more sensitive, and the sensing circuit board responds quickly to the metal plate.

[0007] In one embodiment, the sensing component includes an inductor chip and an inductor coil, the inductor chip being electrically connected to the inductor coil and capable of generating a first magnetic field in the inductor coil, and the metal sheet being spaced apart from the inductor coil and capable of generating a second magnetic field in response to the first magnetic field.

[0008] In one embodiment, the housing assembly includes a first housing and a second housing, the first housing being detachably connected to the second housing, the second housing being used for connection to a refrigerator.

[0009] In one embodiment, a connecting groove is formed on the inner wall of the second housing, and a connecting hole is formed on the connecting groove to communicate with the internal compartment of the refrigerator. The triggering component is covered on the groove opening of the connecting groove away from the connecting hole and cooperates with the groove wall of the connecting groove to form the first cavity.

[0010] In one embodiment, the triggering component further includes a sealing ring that abuts against the wall of the communicating groove, and the metal sheet abuts against the side of the sealing ring away from the communicating hole.

[0011] In one embodiment, the second housing includes an integrally formed body segment, a mounting segment, and a connecting segment. The connecting groove extends from the body segment to the mounting segment. The connecting segment is hollow and communicates with the connecting hole. The inner diameter of the portion of the connecting groove formed by the body segment is larger than the inner diameter of the portion of the connecting groove formed by the mounting segment, and a step is formed. The sealing ring abuts against the step.

[0012] In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the connecting hole gradually decreases along the direction away from the sensing component until it is the same as the inner diameter of the connecting segment.

[0013] In one embodiment, the sensing component further includes a spacer with a hollowed-out design and connected to the metal sheet. The sensing circuit board is connected to the side of the spacer away from the metal sheet, and the metal sheet, the hollowed-out design of the spacer, and the sensing circuit board cooperate to form a second cavity.

[0014] In one embodiment, the housing assembly includes a first housing and a second housing, the first housing and the second housing being detachably connected, the second housing being used to connect to a refrigerator, and a first limiting block and a second limiting block being constructed on the inner wall of the second housing, the first limiting block and the second limiting block respectively abutting against both sides of the sensing circuit board.

[0015] This utility model also provides a refrigerator, including the sensing device as described above, and the refrigerator further includes an automatic door opening device, wherein the sensing circuit board is electrically connected to the automatic door opening device.

[0016] Compared to existing technologies, the sensing device provided by this invention triggers the deformation of a metal sheet through changes in air pressure, thereby causing the sensing circuit board to respond and automatically open the refrigerator door. This results in a sensitive, accurate, and reliable response, significantly improving the user experience. Utilizing changes in inductive magnetic fields to detect deformation ensures stable signal transmission and strong anti-interference capabilities. Structurally optimized for sealing, assembly, and stability, the overall structure is compact, durable, and suitable for embedded refrigerator applications. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 A structural cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the sensing device provided by this utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 A perspective view of one embodiment of the sensing device provided by this utility model;

[0019] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment of the second housing provided by this utility model;

[0020] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment of the sensing circuit board provided by this utility model;

[0021] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the magnetic field of the induction device provided by this utility model.

[0022] The symbols in the diagram represent the following meanings:

[0023] 100. Sensing device; 10. Housing assembly; 11. First housing; 12. Second housing; 121. Communicating groove; 122. Communicating hole; 123. Body section; 124. Mounting section; 125. Communicating section; 126. Step; 127. First limiting block; 128. Second limiting block; 20. Triggering assembly; 21. First cavity; 22. Second cavity; 23. Metal sheet; 24. Sealing ring; 30. Sensing assembly; 31. Inductor chip; 32. Sensing circuit board; 33. First magnetic field; 34. Second magnetic field; 35. Gasket; 36. Inductor coil. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0025] It should be noted that when a mechanism is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another mechanism, it can be directly on the other mechanism or there may be an intervening mechanism. When a mechanism is considered to be "connected to" another mechanism, it can be directly connected to the other mechanism or there may be an intervening mechanism. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this application's specification are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0026] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0027] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature and the second feature are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The term "and / or" as used in this application includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0029] This invention provides a sensing device 100, which is applied in a refrigerator. The metal sheet 23 in the sensing device 100 is deformed by the change in air pressure in the internal compartment of the refrigerator, and the sensing circuit board 32 is triggered to transmit a door opening signal. The response is fast and accurate.

[0030] Please see Figures 1-5 The sensing device 100 includes a housing assembly 10, a trigger assembly 20, and a sensing assembly 30. The housing assembly 10 is installed in the refrigerator. The trigger assembly 20 is installed inside the housing assembly 10 and connected to the housing assembly 10, and cooperates with the inner wall of the housing assembly 10 to form a first cavity 21, which communicates with the internal compartment of the refrigerator. The sensing assembly 30 is installed inside the housing assembly 10 and connected to the housing assembly 10. The trigger assembly 20 includes a metal sheet 23, which is configured to deform in response to changes in air pressure in the first cavity 21. The sensing assembly 30 includes a sensing circuit board 32, which is triggered in response to the deformation of the metal sheet 23.

[0031] Thus, since the first cavity 21 is connected to the internal compartments of the refrigerator, when the user presses the refrigerator door, the internal compartment space is compressed, the air pressure rises, and the air pressure in the first cavity 21 also rises, causing the metal sheet 23 to deform. This deformation of the metal sheet 23 triggers the sensing circuit board 32, which transmits an electrical signal to the refrigerator's control center to achieve the automatic door opening function. This triggering method, which uses air pressure changes to deform the metal sheet 23, is more sensitive, and the sensing circuit board 32 responds quickly to the metal sheet 23.

[0032] Specifically, the sensing component 30 includes an inductor chip 31 and an inductor coil 36. The inductor chip 31 is electrically connected to the inductor coil 36 and enables the inductor coil 36 to generate a first magnetic field 33. The metal sheet 23 is spaced apart from the inductor coil 36 and can generate a second magnetic field 34 in response to the first magnetic field 33. Thus, the inductor chip 31 applies an excitation signal to the inductor coil 36 on the sensing circuit board 32 to generate the first magnetic field 33, thereby causing an eddy current effect in the metal sheet 23. Therefore, a second magnetic field 34 is generated on the metal sheet 23. When the user presses the embedded refrigerator door, the strength of the second magnetic field 34 on the metal sheet 23 will affect the strength of the first magnetic field 33, making the first magnetic field 33 of the inductor coil 36 smaller. The formula for storing magnetic field energy in the inductor is W=L×I. 2 / 2. When the magnetic field decreases, i.e., the inductance storage capacity W decreases, the change in current I can be detected to determine if the user has pressed the door. This signal is then sent to the control center via the communication port, and the control center controls the push rod motor installed on the refrigerator body to open the door.

[0033] Of course, it is understandable that in other embodiments, the sensing circuit board 32 has various linkage triggering methods for the deformation of the metal sheet 23. For example, the metal sheet 23 can be used as a capacitor plate, and another electrode can be arranged on the sensing circuit board 32 to form a capacitor structure. When the metal sheet 23 deforms due to changes in air pressure, the distance or relative area between it and the electrode on the sensing circuit board 32 changes, resulting in a change in capacitance. The capacitance detection circuit (such as an RC oscillator or a capacitance-to-digital converter) on the sensing circuit board 32 detects the capacitance change, thereby triggering a signal. Alternatively, a photoelectric sensor can be used to detect the distance between the two, which will not be elaborated here. In this application, the triggering is achieved by the aforementioned change in the induced magnetic field.

[0034] The housing assembly 10 includes a first housing 11 and a second housing 12, which are detachably connected. The second housing 12 is used to connect to the refrigerator. Thus, the housing assembly 10 can be assembled by separately processing the first housing 11 and the second housing 12, simplifying the processing and assembly process.

[0035] Furthermore, a connecting groove 121 is constructed on the inner wall of the second housing 12, and a connecting hole 122 is formed on the connecting groove 121 to communicate with the internal compartment of the refrigerator. The trigger component 20 is placed on the opening of the connecting groove 121 away from the connecting hole, and cooperates with the groove wall of the connecting groove 121 to form a first cavity 21. In this way, by setting the connecting groove 121 and the connecting hole 122 on the inner wall of the second housing 12, the first cavity 21 is effectively connected to the internal compartment of the refrigerator, so that changes in air pressure can be accurately transmitted to the metal plate 23, thereby improving the sensing sensitivity and response accuracy.

[0036] Furthermore, the trigger assembly 20 also includes a sealing ring 24, which abuts against the wall of the connecting groove 121, and a metal sheet 23 abuts against the side of the sealing ring 24 away from the connecting hole. Thus, the sealing ring 24 enhances the sealing performance of the first cavity 21, prevents gas leakage, ensures that pressure changes are fully applied to the metal sheet 23, and improves trigger reliability and overall device stability.

[0037] Preferably, the second housing 12 includes an integrally formed body segment 123, a mounting segment 124, and a connecting segment 125. A connecting groove 121 extends from the body segment 123 to the mounting segment 124. The connecting segment 125 is hollow and communicates with a connecting hole. The inner diameter of the portion of the connecting groove 121 formed by the body segment 123 is larger than the inner diameter of the portion of the connecting groove 121 formed by the mounting segment 124, forming a step 126. The sealing ring 24 abuts against the step 126. Thus, the second housing 12 adopts an integrally formed multi-segment structure, and the sealing ring 24 is fixed by the step 126, making the installation of the sealing ring 24 more stable, increasing the contact area, simplifying the assembly process, improving structural strength and sealing performance, and reducing the risk of leakage.

[0038] In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the connecting hole gradually decreases along the direction away from the sensing component 30 until it is the same as the inner diameter of the connecting section 125. This gradually decreasing inner diameter design optimizes the airflow path, reduces energy loss during pressure transmission, and improves sensing response speed and accuracy.

[0039] The sensing component 30 also includes a spacer 35, which is hollowed out and connected to the metal sheet 23. The sensing circuit board 32 is connected to the side of the spacer 35 away from the metal sheet 23. The metal sheet 23, the hollowed-out spacer 35, and the sensing circuit board 32 work together to form a second cavity 22. In this way, the hollowed-out spacer 35, the metal sheet 23, and the sensing circuit board 32 together form the second cavity 22, which protects the circuit board and allows the deformation of the metal sheet 23 to be effectively transmitted, thereby enhancing the sensing sensitivity and structural rationality.

[0040] In this embodiment, both the gasket 35 and the sealing ring 24 are made of rubber, which can provide sufficient protection and durability while being insulating and non-conductive.

[0041] Furthermore, the housing assembly 10 includes a first housing 11 and a second housing 12, which are detachably connected. The second housing 12 is used to connect to the refrigerator. A first limiting block 127 and a second limiting block 128 are constructed on the inner wall of the second housing 12, respectively abutting against both sides of the sensing circuit board 32. The first limiting block 127 and the second limiting block 128 provide double-sided limiting for the sensing circuit board 32, preventing displacement or vibration during operation, ensuring stable transmission of the sensing signal, and improving system reliability.

[0042] Specifically, in this embodiment, the first limiting block 127 is disposed at the bottom of the inner wall of the second housing 12 and is constructed as a rib structure, extending along the width direction of the second housing 12 and abutting against the sensing circuit board 32. There are multiple second limiting blocks 128, which are evenly spaced and abut against the side of the sensing circuit board 32 away from the second housing 12, thereby further improving the limiting effect on the sensing circuit board 32.

[0043] This utility model also provides a refrigerator, including the sensing device 100 as described above. The refrigerator also includes an automatic door opening device. The sensing circuit board 32 is electrically connected to the automatic door opening device. When the sensing circuit board 32 is triggered by the magnetic field change brought about by the deformable metal sheet 23, the automatic door opening device can open the refrigerator door.

[0044] Optionally, the automatic door opening device includes a motor and a push rod, with the motor driving the push rod to extend and thus complete the door opening action.

[0045] Preferably, the refrigerator, as a smart appliance carrying the sensing device 100, has a smart voice control module. The smart voice control module includes a controller, a voice receiving module, and a voice parsing module. The voice receiving module receives user commands, and the voice parsing module parses the commands. Based on the parsed commands, the controller controls the sensing device 100 to perform corresponding operations, thereby realizing intelligent control of the refrigerator and improving the user experience of using the smart appliance.

[0046] Compared to existing technologies, the sensing device 100 provided by this invention triggers the deformation of the metal sheet 23 through changes in air pressure, thereby causing the sensing circuit board 32 to respond and realize the automatic opening of the refrigerator door. The response is sensitive, accurate, and reliable, significantly improving the user experience. It utilizes changes in inductive magnetic field to detect deformation, ensuring stable signal transmission and strong anti-interference capabilities. Structurally optimized for sealing, assembly, and stability, the overall structure is compact, durable, and suitable for embedded refrigerator applications.

[0047] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0048] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An inductive device applied to a refrigerator, characterized in that, include: Housing assembly (10), installed in the refrigerator; A trigger component (20) is installed inside the housing assembly (10) and connected to the housing assembly (10), and cooperates with the inner wall of the housing assembly (10) to form a first cavity (21), the first cavity (21) communicating with the internal compartment of the refrigerator; The sensing component (30) is installed inside the housing assembly (10) and connected to the housing assembly (10); The triggering component (20) includes a metal sheet (23) configured to deform in response to a change in air pressure in the first cavity (21), and the sensing component (30) includes a sensing circuit board (32) which is triggered in response to the deformation of the metal sheet (23).

2. The inductive device of claim 1, wherein, The sensing component (30) includes an inductor chip (31) and an inductor coil (36). The inductor chip (31) is electrically connected to the inductor coil (36) and can enable the inductor coil (36) to generate a first magnetic field (33). The metal sheet (23) is spaced apart from the inductor coil (36) and can generate a second magnetic field (34) in response to the first magnetic field (33).

3. The inductive device of claim 1, wherein, The housing assembly (10) includes a first housing (11) and a second housing (12), the first housing (11) and the second housing (12) being detachably connected, and the second housing (12) being used to connect to the refrigerator.

4. The inductive device of claim 3, wherein, A connecting groove (121) is constructed on the inner wall of the second housing (12). A connecting hole (122) communicating with the internal compartment of the refrigerator is provided on the connecting groove (121). The trigger component (20) is covered on the groove of the connecting groove (121) away from the connecting hole (122) and cooperates with the groove wall of the connecting groove (121) to form the first cavity (21).

5. The inductive device of claim 4, wherein, The triggering component (20) also includes a sealing ring (24), which abuts against the wall of the connecting groove (121), and the metal sheet (23) abuts against the side of the sealing ring (24) away from the connecting hole (122).

6. The inductive device of claim 5, wherein, The second housing (12) includes an integrally formed body section (123), a mounting section (124) and a connecting section (125). The connecting groove (121) extends from the body section (123) to the mounting section (124). The connecting section (125) is hollow and communicates with the connecting hole (122). The inner diameter of the part of the connecting groove (121) formed by the body section (123) is larger than the inner diameter of the part of the connecting groove (121) formed by the mounting section (124), and a step (126) is formed. The sealing ring (24) abuts against the step (126).

7. The inductive device of claim 6, wherein, Along the direction away from the sensing component (30), the inner diameter of the connecting hole (122) gradually decreases until it is the same as the inner diameter of the connecting segment (125).

8. The inductive device of claim 1, wherein, The sensing component (30) also includes a pad (35), which is hollowed out and connected to the metal sheet (23). The sensing circuit board (32) is connected to the side of the pad (35) away from the metal sheet (23). The metal sheet (23), the hollowed-out pad (35), and the sensing circuit board (32) cooperate to form a second cavity (22).

9. The inductive device of claim 1, wherein, The housing assembly (10) includes a first housing (11) and a second housing (12). The first housing (11) and the second housing (12) are detachably connected. The second housing (12) is used to connect to the refrigerator. A first limiting block (127) and a second limiting block (128) are constructed on the inner wall of the second housing (12). The first limiting block (127) and the second limiting block (128) respectively abut against both sides of the sensing circuit board (32).

10. A refrigerator characterized by comprising: The refrigerator includes the sensing device as described in any one of claims 1-9, and further includes an automatic door opening device, wherein the sensing circuit board (32) is electrically connected to the automatic door opening device.

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