Refrigerator Door Pressure Sensing for Assisted Partial Opening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing domestic refrigeration appliances lack an efficient mechanism for automatically opening closed door leaves or drawers based on user intent, relying on manual operation or rudimentary sensors that do not accurately detect air pressure changes.
Innovation Solution
A domestic refrigeration appliance equipped with an air pressure sensor and an assisting device that uses a pressure chamber, electric component, and evaluating device to detect changes in air pressure caused by user interaction, automatically opening the door or drawer by moving a control body, such as a plunger, to facilitate easier access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual door opening is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates for users with limited strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensing mechanisms with a pneumatic pressure sensor system. Instead of using mechanical switches or complex linkages to detect door opening intent, the system uses air pressure changes within the refrigerator compartment to trigger automatic door opening assistance, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the refrigerator door to assist its own opening through the pneumatic assistance mechanism. When the user pulls the door, the resulting pressure change is detected and automatically triggers the pneumatic actuator to provide opening force, making the door self-assisting without requiring external control systems
2Ease of operation
If air pressure sensor is added to detect user intent, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic pressure sensor serves multiple functions: it detects user intent to open the door, determines the timing for activation, and controls the duration of the assistance operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensors and control mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while enabling automatic door opening
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a pneumatic pressure sensor and pneumatic actuator system to detect and respond to door opening intent. The air pressure changes within the refrigerator compartment are directly translated into mechanical action through the pneumatic components, providing a simple yet effective sensing and actuation mechanism without requiring complex electronic or mechanical systems
3Ease of operation
If magnetic seal is made elastic to allow door movement, then ease of operation is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic seal is designed with elastic properties that allow it to dynamically adapt during door opening. The seal can elastically deform to accommodate the door's initial movement when assisted by the pneumatic system, then maintains sufficient magnetic force to preserve sealing reliability when the door is fully opened or closed, thus balancing operational flexibility with sealing reliability
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 enables the appliance to accurately detect user intent to open the door or drawer, allowing for automatic partial opening, enhancing user convenience and accessibility while maintaining a sealed environment.
Implementation Method 1
an air pressure sensor which is configured to determine a change of the air pressure within the coolable interior space resulting due to a pushing and/or pulling on the closed door leaf
Implementation Method 2
The electric component has an areal component and an electrically conductive film spaced at a distance from the areal component. The evaluating device is configured to evaluate at least one electrical variable of the electric component associated with the change in the air pressure
Implementation Method 3
an elastic magnetic seal which, with the door leaf closed or with the drawer closed, lies sealingly against the carcass. The magnetic seal is elastic so that in the event of pushing on the closed door leaf or on the closed drawer, the door leaf or drawer moves a little in the direction of the coolable interior space
Data Source
AI summary
A domestic refrigeration appliance has a heat-insulated carcass which has an inner container with a coolable interior space for storing food, a refrigeration device for cooling the coolable interior space, an assisting device, and a door leaf mounted pivotable relative to the carcass for opening and closing the interior space or a drawer which in the closed state is pushed into the coolable interior space in order to close it, and in the open state is at least partially withdrawn from the coolable interior space. The assisting device has an air pressure sensor configured to determine a change of the air pressure within the interior space due to a pushing and/or pulling on the closed door leaf or the closed drawer. The assisting device is configured to open the closed door leaf or the closed drawer automatically at least partially depending on the determined change in the air pressure.