Door sensor device for a domestic refrigeration appliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor systems for household refrigeration appliances lack precision and reliability in determining the opening angle of pivoting doors, which affects the timing of photo capture within the appliance, leading to incomplete or inaccurate representations of stored items.

Innovation Solution

A sensor device equipped with an inertial sensor and processing unit attached to the pivoting door, utilizing rotation rate sensors to determine the pivoting angle and output a signal when a predetermined threshold is reached, ensuring precise photo capture during the closing movement, and featuring a microelectromechanical design for energy efficiency and minimal storage impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a magnetic sensor is used to detect door opening angle, then the system can determine when the door passes a predetermined opening angle, but the system lacks precision and reliability in determining the opening angle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening angle detection precisionVSAvoidopening angle detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the magnetic sensor-based detection system with an inertial sensor (accelerometer) that measures gravitational acceleration components. This substitution allows for more precise and reliable determination of door opening angles by continuously monitoring acceleration data and calculating angle information through integration, rather than relying on discrete magnetic field measurements that may lack precision and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If an inertial sensor is used to determine pivoting angle, then the device becomes more self-sufficient and can be retrofitted with minimum effort, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretrofit capabilityVSAvoidsensor device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inertial sensor serves multiple functions: it detects door opening angles, determines when the door is fully closed, and provides data for photo capture timing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate sensors and components, thereby managing device complexity while enhancing adaptability and retrofit capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The inertial sensor system is self-contained and does not require external calibration or reference points, allowing the sensor device to be retrofitted with minimum effort while maintaining operational independence. The system uses the gravitational field as a natural reference, eliminating the need for external infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If photos are taken when the door reaches a threshold angle, then storage or supply planning can be facilitated, but photos may be incomplete or inaccurate if the door is not fully closed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of stored items representationVSAvoidphoto capture timing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors acceleration data from the inertial sensor and uses integration to track the door's angular position over time. This feedback mechanism allows the system to determine precisely when the door reaches the fully closed position (zero acceleration) and trigger photo capture at the optimal moment, ensuring complete visibility of stored items while maintaining accurate timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

The solution provides precise and energy-efficient determination of the pivoting angle, ensuring that photos are taken only when the door is fully closed, offering a complete view of stored items and reducing energy consumption, while maintaining long-term accuracy through calibration and reduced storage footprint.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor device comprises an inertial sensor for providing a motion signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInertial sensing: Inertia

Implementation Method 2

The inertial sensor can comprise one or more acceleration sensor(s) (translational sensors) and/or one or more rotation rate sensor(s) (rotation sensors)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation rate sensing: Gyroscope

Implementation Method 3

The processing device is adapted to integrate the rotation rate over time in order to determine the pivoting angle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIntegration of rotation rate:

Implementation Method 4

The inertial sensor can comprise a microelectromechanical sensor (MEMS)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicroelectromechanical conversion: Microelectromechanical Systems

Data Source

PatentUS11512890B2Door sensor device for a domestic refrigeration appliance

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

AI summary

A sensor device can be mounted on a pivotable door of a domestic refrigeration appliance. The sensor device includes an inertial sensor for supplying a motion signal as well as a processing device configured to determine a pivoting angle of the pivotable door on the basis of the motion signal and to output a signal when the pivoting angle has reached a predetermined threshold value. A household refrigeration appliance having a sensor device is also provided.