A method for detecting malfunctioning within a refrigerator

Abstract

[0029] A method for detecting malfunctioning within a refrigerator is provided. The method comprising steps of: sensing variation in data associated with one or more parameters within the refrigerator via a plurality of sensors. Obtaining, via a microcontroller, predefined operational range data associated with one or more detected parameters from a memory associated with the microcontroller. Comparing, via a microcontroller, the sensed data with the predefined operational range data. Alerting at least one of: a user associated with the refrigerator and a service center associated with the refrigerator upon ascertaining that the sensed data is one of: more or less than the predefined operational range data.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to arefrigerator. In particular, the present inventionrelates to a method for detecting malfunctioning withinthe refrigerator based on an artificial intelligence(AI) module.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Conventionally, household appliances compriseone or more components responsible for theelectromechanical operations. For example, arefrigerator includes an element management unit. Theelement management unit usually has a user-interface,such as a control panel, display or keypad, through whicha user issue commands to the refrigerator and getinformation about the operations of the refrigerator.The refrigerator generates an error signal through thedisplay of the user-interface when any malfunctioningmay be detected within the refrigerator. Sometimes usercannot be able to fix the malfunctioning problem insidethe refrigerator. Therefore, the user needs to call aservice center to fix the problem.

[0003] Further, in some refrigerators light emittingdiodes (LEDs) are used to indicate the faults inside therefrigerator. Sometime a user cannot be able to see theindication of the LEDs due to bad intensity level of theLED lights inside the refrigerator.

[0004] In light of the above, there is a need for amethod to monitor the refrigerator that canautomatically send malfunctioning information to theservice center and manage the intensity of the LEDsinside the refrigerator simultaneously.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, a method for detecting malfunctioningwithin a refrigerator is provided. The method comprisingsteps of: sensing variation in data associated with oneor more parameters within the refrigerator via aplurality of sensors. Obtaining, via a microcontroller,predefined operational range data associated with one ormore detected parameters from a memory associated withthe microcontroller. Comparing, via a microcontroller,the sensed data with the predefined operational rangedata. Alerting at least one of: a user associated withthe refrigerator and a service center associated withthe refrigerator upon ascertaining that the sensed datais one of: more or less than the predefined operationalrange data.

[0006] Further, the method includes the one or moredetected parameters are at least one of: a freezercompartment temperature, a refrigeration compartmenttemperature, pressure inside the refrigerator, anevaporator temperature, humidity inside the refrigeratorand current supply to a compressor. The parameters thesensed data are varies due to at least one of: gasleakage inside the refrigerator, less cooling inside therefrigerator, high cooling inside the refrigerator, lesspressure inside the refrigerator, no cooling inside therefrigerator, normal cooling, less supply current intothe compressor, condenser temperature, power consumptionand defrost failure inside the refrigerator. Thepredefined operational range data associated with one ormore detected parameters is obtained via an ArtificialIntelligence (AI) module. The method further includesafter comparing the sensed data of one or more parameterswith the operational range data of the one or moreparameters from an Artificial Intelligence (AI) module,the microcontroller activates a light dependent resister(LDR) to detect intensity of light inside therefrigerator to control the intensity of one or morelight emitting diodes (LEDs). A transmitter fortransmitting signal to the service center is activatedwhen the operational range data of the one or moreparameters are more than the sensed data of the one ormore parameters by the plurality of sensors.

[0007] Further, a red color LED is triggered via themicrocontroller, when the sensed data of the one or moreparameters by the plurality of sensors may be less ormore than the operational range data of the one or moreparameters to alert the user. Furthermore, a white colorlight is triggered via the microcontroller, when thesensed data of the one or more parameters by theplurality of sensors is within the range of theoperational range data of the one or more parameters.

[0008] The red color LED glows at its 50% to 80%intensity when the darkness level inside therefrigerator is ≤ 50%. The red color and white colorLEDs glow at its 80% to 100% intensity when the darknesslevel inside the refrigerator is ≥ 50%. At 50% darknesslevel the LED light intensity is 150 Lux. the intensityLEDs is changed according to the darkness level insidethe refrigerator which is detected by the LDR.

[0009] Further, the method includes detecting thetemperature inside the refrigeration compartment and thefreezer compartment of the refrigerator, one or moretemperature sensors are provided inside therefrigeration compartment and the freezer compartment ofthe refrigerator respectively. To detect the humidityinside the refrigeration compartment and the freezercompartment of the refrigerator, one or more humiditysensors which are provided inside the refrigerationcompartment and the freezer compartment of therefrigerator respectively.

[0010] Furthermore, the colors of the LEDs arechanged after the detection of malfunctioning inside therefrigerator. Through a wireless channel, thetransmitter of the refrigerator transmit signal to theservice center.

[0011] Other aspects, advantages, and salientfeatures of the present invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription read in conjunction with the drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The present invention is described by way ofembodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawingwherein:

[0013] Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating a methodfor detecting malfunctioning inside a refrigerator inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The following disclosure is provided in orderto enable a person having ordinary skill in the art topractice the invention. Exemplary embodiments areprovided only for illustrative purposes and variousmodifications will be readily apparent to personsskilled in the art. The general principles defined hereinmay be applied to other embodiments and applicationswithout departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Also, the terminology and phraseology used isfor the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments andshould not be considered limiting. Thus, the presentinvention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassingnumerous alternatives, modifications and equivalentsconsistent with the principles and features disclosed.For the purpose of clarity, details relating to technicalmaterial that is known in the technical fields relatedto the invention have not been described in detail so asnot to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

[0015] The present invention would now be discussedin the context of embodiments as illustrated in theaccompanying drawing.

[0016] Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating a methodfor detecting malfunctioning within a refrigerator inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.The refrigerator may have a freezer compartment and arefrigeration compartment. Both the compartments of therefrigerator may comprise a plurality of sensors fordetecting one or more parameters. The one or moredetected parameters may be at least one of: freezercompartment temperature, refrigeration compartmenttemperature, pressure inside the refrigerator,evaporator temperature, humidity inside therefrigerator, normal cooling, condenser temperature andcurrent supply to a compressor. The one or moreparameters may vary due to one or more factors occurringwithin the refrigerator. These one or more factors maycomprise, without any limitation, gas leakage in thefreezer and refrigeration compartments, less cooling inthe freezer and refrigeration compartments, high coolingin the freezer and refrigeration compartments, lesspressure in the freezer and refrigeration compartments,no cooling and defrost failure in the freezer, powerconsumption and refrigeration compartments.

[0017] At step (102), a variation in data associatedwith one or more parameters is sensed within therefrigerator via the plurality of sensors. In anembodiment of the present invention, the data associatedwith one or more parameters may be sensed at predefinedintervals of time. The temperature inside therefrigeration compartment and the freezer compartmentmay be detected by one or more temperature sensors. Thetemperature sensors may be provided inside therefrigeration compartment and the freezer compartment ofthe refrigerator respectively. Further, the humidityinside the refrigeration compartment and the freezercompartment of the refrigerator may be detected by oneor more humidity sensors. The humidity sensors may beprovided inside the refrigeration compartment and thefreezer compartment of the refrigerator respectively. Atemperature sensor may be provided over an evaporatorfor detecting the temperature of the evaporator.Further, a current sensor may be provided in a compressorfor detecting the current supply in the compressor.Furthermore, a voltage sensor may be provided in acompressor for detecting the voltage supply in thecompressor. It may be apparent to a person of ordinaryskill in the art that the one or more sensors deployedwithin the refrigerator may be known in the art.

[0018] Further, the one or more sensors may becommunicatively coupled to a microcontroller that mayfetch signals from one or more temperature sensors,humidity sensors, pressure sensors, voltage sensors andcurrent sensors associated with the refrigerator todetermine the operational data associated with the oneor more parameters.

[0019] At step (104), predefined operational rangedata associated with one or more detected parameters isobtained from a memory associated with themicrocontroller. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, the memory may be associated with themicrocontroller. The operational range data of the oneor more parameters defines a threshold value. Thethreshold value of the temperature inside the freezercompartment may be in a range from 0°C to 5°C and thethreshold value of the temperature inside therefrigeration compartment may be in a range from 10°C to12°C. Further, the threshold value of the pressure insidethe refrigerator at a suction point may be 1.0Kgf / cm.sq.and at a discharging point may be 6.0 Kgf / Cm.sq.

[0020] At step (106), the sensed data's compared withthe predefined operational range data associated withthe one or more parameters. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, the comparison of the sensed datawith the predefined operational range data may beachieved using one or more artificial intelligencetechniques known in the art.

[0021] Further, at step (108), after the comparisonprocess, when it is ascertained that there is a variationin the sensed data from the predefined operational rangedata, a user and a service center associated with therefrigerator may get alerted of the variation. Thevariation may correspond to malfunctioning of therefrigerator. In embodiments of the present invention,the variation may be due to, without any limitation, gasleakage in the freezer and refrigeration compartments,less cooling in the freezer and refrigerationcompartments, high cooling in the freezer andrefrigeration compartments, less pressure in the freezerand refrigeration compartments, no cooling, normalcooling and defrost failure in the freezer andrefrigeration compartments.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, theuser associated with the refrigerator may be alertedthrough one or more light emitting diode (LED) lightswithin the refrigerator. The LED lights glow at differentintensity level to alert the user. The intensity levelof the LED lights may vary according to the darknesslevel inside the refrigerator. The darkness level insidethe refrigerator may be detected by a light dependentresister (LDR) when a door of the refrigerator is openedby the user. The LDR and the LED lights may becommunicatively coupled to the microcontroller. The LDRmay control the intensity level of the LED lights afterdetecting the darkness level inside the refrigerator. Itmay be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the artthat the mechanism of LDR is known in the art and hasnot been explained in detail here to maintain brevity ofthe specification.

[0023] Further, the LED lights may be triggered bythe microcontroller, when the operational range dataassociated with the one or more parameters may be morethan or less than the sensed data of the one or moreparameters to alert the user. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, colors of the LED lights may changeafter any malfunctioning within the refrigerator. A redcolor LED may have triggered when the sensed data of theone or more parameters may be less or more than theoperational range data associated with the one or moreparameters.

[0024] The red color LED may glow at their80% to 100%intensity when the darkness level inside therefrigerator is≥ 50%. The red color LED and the whitecolor LED may glow at their 50% to 80% intensity whenthe darkness level inside the refrigerator is≤ 50%. Inan exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at the50% darkness level, the intensity of the LED light maybe 150 Lux. The LEDs intensity change according to thedarkness level inside the refrigerator, which isdetected by the LDR. In another embodiment of the presentinvention, a white color LED may indicate a normaloperation of the refrigeration. The temperature and thepressure inside the freezer compartment and therefrigeration compartment of the refrigeration may be atthe standard level in the normal operation.

[0025] In another embodiment of the presentinvention, the service center associated with therefrigerator may get alerted regarding malfunctioningwithin the refrigerator. The refrigerator may bewirelessly connected with the service center. Therefrigerator may transmit alert signal to the servicecenter after detection of the malfunctioning within therefrigerator though a transmitter. The transmitter isactivated via the microcontroller, when the operationalrange data associated with the one or more parameters ismore than the sensed data of the one or more parameters.The refrigerator is connected continuously with theservice center after switching on the refrigerator. Inan embodiment of the present invention, whenmalfunctioning detection function is enabled in theRefrigerator by the user, the one or more parametersdata start uploading on a cloud server. The one or moredetected parameters may be at least one of: freezercompartment temperature, refrigeration compartmenttemperature, pressure inside the refrigerator,evaporator temperature, humidity inside therefrigerator, normal cooling, condenser temperature andcurrent supply to a compressor.

[0026] Accordingly, the present invention providesthe following effects or advantages.

[0027] The refrigerator continuously predicts themalfunctioning within the refrigerator by using the AImodule. The service center can directly get theinformation about any malfunctioning inside therefrigerator. Further, after the malfunctioning theerror signal is displayed on a dash board of the servicecenter to indicate a service engineer to resolve themalfunctioning. Furthermore, an automatic call / reporttransmitted to the user. Thereby, the present inventionmakes the refrigerator more efficient and smarter.

[0028] While the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention are described and illustrated herein, it willbe appreciated that they are merely illustrative. Itwill be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious modifications in form and detail may be madetherein without departing from or offending the scope ofthe invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for detecting malfunctioning within a refrigerator, the method comprising steps of: sensing variation in data associated with one or more parameters within the refrigerator via a plurality of sensors; obtaining, via a microcontroller, predefined operational range data associated with one or more detected parameters from a memory associated with the microcontroller; comparing, via the microcontroller, the sensed data with the predefined operational range data; and alerting at least one of: a user associated with the refrigerator and a service center associated with the refrigerator upon ascertaining that the sensed data is one of: more or less than the predefined operational range data.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more sensed parameters are at least one of: freezer compartment temperature, refrigeration compartment temperature, pressure inside the refrigerator, evaporator temperature, humidity inside the refrigerator, voltage supply to a compressor and current supply to the compressor.

3. The method as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein the one or more parameters are varying due to at least one of: gas leakage in the freezer and refrigeration compartments, less cooling in the freezer and refrigeration compartments, high cooling in the freezer and refrigeration compartments, less pressure in the freezer and refrigeration compartments, no cooling, normal cooling and defrost failure in the freezer and refrigeration compartments.

4. The method as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, wherein to detect the temperature inside the refrigeration compartment and the freezer compartment of the refrigerator, one or more temperature sensors are provided within the refrigeration compartment and the freezer compartment of the refrigerator respectively.

5. The method as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, wherein to detect the humidity inside the refrigeration compartment and the freezer compartment of the refrigerator, one or more humidity sensors which are provided inside the refrigeration compartment and the freezer compartment of the refrigerator respectively.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more light emitting diodes (LED) lights alert the user associated with the refrigerator about the malfunctioning within the refrigerator.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein triggering, via the microcontroller, a red color LED light to alert the user when the sensed data of the one or more parameters by the plurality of sensors is less or more than the operational range data of the one or more parameters.

8. The method as claimed in one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the red color LED light and the white color LED light glow at its 50% to 80% intensity when darkness level inside the refrigerator is ≤ 50%.

9. The method as claimed in one of claims 6to 8, wherein the red color LED light and the white color LED light glow at its 80% to 100% intensity when the darkness level inside the refrigerator is ≥ 50%.

10. The method as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, wherein triggering, via the microcontroller, a white color light when the sensed data of the one or more parameters by the plurality of sensors is within the range of the operational range data of the one or more parameters.

11. The method as claimed in claims 8 and 10, wherein at 50% darkness level the LED light intensity is 150 Lux.

12. The method as claimed in one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the intensity of the LED lights is changed according to the darkness level inside the refrigerator which is detected by alight dependent resister (LDR).

13. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein activating, via the microcontroller, a transmitter for transmitting signal to the service center when the operational range data of the one or more parameters are more than the sensed data of the one or more parameters.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein colors of the LEDs are changed after the detection of malfunctioning inside the refrigerator.

15. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein through a wireless channel, the transmitter of the refrigerator transmits signal to the service center.