Cooker Door Proximity-Based Opening to Reduce Sensor Power Consumption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users find automatic door opening in cooker devices non-intuitive, leading to potential accidents and malfunction risks, while existing systems consume excessive energy.
Innovation Solution
A cooker device with a proximity sensor, input interface, and control unit that automatically opens the door based on user proximity, minimizing energy consumption and preventing malfunctions by deactivating sensors when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sensors are continuously activated to enable automatic door opening, then the automatic door opening function is available, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The proximity sensor is activated only during specific periods when door opening is needed (when cooking mode is active or door is closed during operation), and deactivated during other periods, transforming continuous operation into periodic operation to reduce power consumption while maintaining functionality when required
2Speed
If sensors remain activated to detect user proximity, then automatic door opening responsiveness is improved, but sensor malfunction risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system operates in periodic cycles of activation and deactivation based on cooking state and door position, reducing continuous exposure to harsh thermal environments that cause sensor malfunction, while maintaining rapid responsiveness during active cooking operations when the sensor is activated
3Ease of operation
If the door opening assembly is always active, then automatic door opening can be executed immediately, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit prepares the door opening assembly in advance by positioning it ready to operate when cooking mode is activated, but the actual door opening action is only executed when proximity is detected and door opening is deemed safe, avoiding continuous operation while maintaining readiness
Solution Approach 2:
The door opening assembly operates periodically based on detected user proximity and cooking state, remaining inactive during periods when automatic opening would be unsafe or unnecessary, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining functional availability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances user experience by making automatic door opening intuitive, reduces energy consumption, and prevents sensor malfunctions by activating components only when needed.
Implementation Method 1
a proximity sensor configured to sense a proximity of an object located in front of the cooker device
Data Source
AI summary
A cooker device includes a main body that defines a cooking chamber and that defines an opening at a front of the main body, a door configured to open and close at least a portion of the opening, an opening assembly configured to apply force to the door and cause the door to pivot relative to the main body based on the force, a proximity sensor configured to sense a proximity of an object located in front of the cooker device, an input interface configured to receive an opening command based on the proximity of the object sensed by the proximity sensor, a control unit configured to, based on the opening command, control the opening assembly to apply force to the door, and a display that is configured to indicate an operating state of the cooker device.