Detachable Carbonated Water Module With Installation Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators with carbonated water production functions require numerous sensors for pressure and water level monitoring, leading to increased size and potential spoilage of carbonated water due to long storage times.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design incorporating a carbonated water production assembly with a detachable carbonated water container and an installation sensor that senses the container's presence, using a guide rail and seating protrusion system to ensure proper installation and prevent separation, along with a packing member to seal the container opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate carbonated water tank is provided with sensors for pressure and water level monitoring, then carbonated water production function is achieved, but the refrigerator becomes unnecessarily big and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the carbonated water storage function from a separate tank and integrates it into a detachable container that users can fill themselves. This eliminates the need for complex internal sensors and storage mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining the carbonated water production function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to manually fill the detachable container with water, making the system self-service oriented. This removes the need for automated water level monitoring sensors and complex control systems, simplifying the overall device while preserving functionality.
2Ease of operation
If a separate carbonated water tank is provided for storage, then carbonated water can be dispensed, but the carbonated water may be spoiled when kept in the tank for a long time
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed to be detachable and replaceable, allowing users to dynamically refresh the water supply. This dynamic design prevents long-term storage issues by enabling users to remove and replace containers, ensuring carbonated water freshness while maintaining easy dispensing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to discard used containers and recover/reuse the container structure itself. Users can empty and refill the detachable container, discarding the spent carbonated water while recovering the container for continued use, thus maintaining freshness without permanent storage.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are installed to monitor pressure and water level in the carbonated water tank, then production control is improved, but the refrigerator size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for internal pressure and water level sensors by extracting the storage function to a user-filled detachable container. The container's design inherently provides visual water level indication and eliminates the need for electronic sensing systems, reducing refrigerator volume while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces electronic sensor systems with simple mechanical/visual indicators. The detachable container uses transparent or可视izable walls to indicate water level, eliminating the need for electronic sensors and reducing the overall system volume while maintaining functional equivalence.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is a refrigerator which includes a carbonated water production assembly, wherein the carbonated water production assembly includes a structure in which a carbonated water container in which carbonated water is produced is installed as a production module (250), and a structure of a sensor which senses installation of the carbonated water container. Through this, when the carbonated water container is incorrectly installed or not installed, the carbonated water is prevented from being unintentionally produced, and thus efficiency of a carbonated water production may be improved.