Refrigerator and method for controlling the same

US20260168719A1Pending Publication Date: 2026-06-18LG ELECTRONICS INC
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
LG ELECTRONICS INC
Filing Date
2025-11-26
Publication Date
2026-06-18

AI Technical Summary

⚠Technical Problem

Existing refrigerators with automatic drawer-type doors face issues such as blind spots in obstacle detection, leading to potential collisions with users' feet or objects, inefficient energy use due to full door opening, and user inconvenience in closing the door, along with risks of damage to the door or motor from collisions.

⚗Method used

The refrigerator incorporates distance sensing sensors in the lower region of the door to detect obstacles, including users' feet, and includes user-friendly input parts for opening and closing control, allowing partial or full door opening based on user input, and automatic adjustment to prevent collisions and optimize energy use.

🎯Benefits of technology

Enhances user safety by preventing collisions, reduces energy consumption, and improves convenience by allowing customized door opening and closing, minimizing damage to the door and motor, and optimizing energy efficiency.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The refrigerator and the method for controlling the same according to the present invention can sense even lower obstacles, including the user's foot, by disposing one or more distance sensing sensors in the lower region of the door. Through this, it is possible to significantly improve the safety of the user and the refrigerator because when the user uses the door, it is possible to prevent an accident in which an object near the floor, an infant, a companion animal, a foot of the user, or the like collides with the door.
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