Filter device and refrigerator including the same

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing refrigerator systems face issues with detecting filter replacement completion and initiating the auto flushing mode accurately, leading to potential water leakage and improper installation due to reliance on a switch that detects the cover's attachment status rather than the filter's assembly state.

Innovation Solution

A mechanism involving a filter device with a rotating head cover that interlocks with a switch to ensure complete filter installation before initiating the auto flushing mode, preventing water supply in misassembled states and integrating the filter replacement and auto flushing start signals into a single operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a switch detects cover attachment status to initiate auto flushing mode, then the auto flushing mode can start automatically, but water leakage occurs due to incomplete filter assembly detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic initiation of auto flushing modeVSAvoidwater leakage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical switch detection system with a magnetic field-based detection system. A magnet is attached to the filter assembly, and a magnetic sensor on the control board detects the magnet's position to determine assembly completion. This substitution allows for more precise detection of the filter assembly state without relying on simple mechanical switch contacts that cannot distinguish between cover attachment and proper filter installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnet as an intermediary element between the filter assembly and the control board. The magnet serves as a reliable signal carrier that indicates both the presence and proper installation state of the filter. This intermediary enables the control system to accurately detect filter assembly completion and initiate auto flushing mode only when properly installed, preventing water leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Extent of automation

If the auto flushing mode starts when the cover is attached, then the system operates automatically, but the filter replacement completion cannot be accurately detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic filter replacement detectionVSAvoidfilter installation state detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical switch detection system with a magnetic field-based detection system. A magnet is attached to the filter assembly, and a magnetic sensor on the control board detects the magnet's position to determine assembly completion. This substitution allows for more precise detection of the filter assembly state without relying on simple mechanical switch contacts that cannot distinguish between cover attachment and proper filter installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

While not directly applying color changes, the patent uses magnetic field presence/absence as a detectable state indicator, analogous to using a visible signal. The magnet creates a detectable magnetic field state that clearly indicates filter installation completion, providing precise measurement of the assembly state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Measurement precision

If a separate structure is used to detect filter installation, then detection accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter installation detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection mechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control board integrates multiple functions: it controls water supply, monitors the magnet's position to detect filter installation, and manages the auto flushing mode. By combining these functions into a single control unit, the patent achieves precise filter installation detection without adding separate complex detection structures. The magnetic sensor on the control board serves multiple purposes in the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the filter detection function with the existing control board by adding a magnetic sensor. Instead of creating a separate detection mechanism, the control board is enhanced to perform both control and detection functions. This integration reduces overall device complexity while maintaining high detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4483985A1Filter device and refrigerator including the same

Publication Date: 2025.01.01 LG ELECTRONICS INC

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

Disclosed are a filter device and a refrigerator, in which a switch, which detects whether a filter is installed, is turned on or off interlocking with rotation of a head cover, so that an operation for detecting whether the filter is completely installed and an operation for detecting a replacement completion signal of the filter can be synchronized with each other.