Refrigerator Door Microphone Recess for Hidden Voice Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators with voice-controlled operations lack detailed descriptions of microphone mounting positions and structures, leading to issues with voice recognition performance, exposure of voice input holes, and potential blockage by dust or dirt.
Innovation Solution
The refrigerator incorporates a microphone module housed inside a cap decoration at the top of the door, with a voice input hole defined in the top of the cap decoration. This design improves voice recognition performance while keeping the hole invisible and protected from dust and dirt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the microphone is placed on the front face of the main body or door to increase voice recognition performance, then voice recognition performance is improved, but the voice input hole becomes exposed to the outside causing poor appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The voice input hole is repositioned from the front face to the top surface of the door, changing the spatial dimension of the microphone assembly. This allows the hole to be located at a position that is not visually prominent from the front view, thereby improving appearance while maintaining voice recognition capability through optimized acoustic positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
A decorative cover or grille structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the voice input hole and the external environment. This mediator allows acoustic signals to pass through while concealing the hole from visual perception, resolving the conflict between functional accessibility and aesthetic appearance.
2Shape
If the voice input hole is positioned to be invisible, then appearance is improved, but voice recognition performance may be lowered or noise may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The top surface of the door is designed with localized acoustic optimization features, such as specific geometric patterns or material properties, that enhance voice signal capture in the invisible hole position. This ensures that while the hole remains concealed, the local acoustic environment is optimized for high-quality voice recognition.
3Measurement precision
If the microphone is mounted in a visible position, then voice recognition performance is improved, but dust or dirt may block the voice input hole making normal voice input impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The top surface of the door is designed with a self-cleaning mechanism or specific surface properties that cause dust and dirt to naturally shed or resist accumulation. This converts the potential harm of dust blockage into a benefit where the positioning actually reduces contamination risk while maintaining acoustic performance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the microphone module is mounted on the door, then voice control functionality is achieved, but the module may not remain securely mounted during repetitive door opening and closing manipulations
Solution Approach 1:
The microphone module mounting structure is integrated with the door's existing structural components, such as the handle assembly or frame elements. This merging of functions ensures that the microphone module is securely anchored to a stable structural element that moves with the door, maintaining reliable mounting during repetitive opening and closing operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a refrigerator including:a cabinet (10) having a storage space defined therein; a door (22, 40) for opening and closing the storage space; a microphone module (53) for voice recognition of a user; a cap decoration (50, 70) on a top of the door (22, 40); wherein the refrigerator further comprises: a top recess (501, 701) defined in the cap decoration (53), wherein the microphone module (53) is received in the top recess (501,701); a door cover (51, 71) shielding the top recess (501, 701); and a voice input hole (512) defined in a door cover (51, 71) to define a channel through which the voice is transmitted to the microphone module (53).