Home Appliance Hinge-Based Knock Detection for High-Temperature Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Home appliances, especially those with high-temperature doors like ovens, face challenges in accurately detecting knock inputs due to limited sensor installation positions and heat-related issues, leading to potential malfunction or damage of sensors and reduced knock detection performance.
Innovation Solution
A home appliance design featuring a hinge that transmits vibrations from the door to the main body, allowing a sensor installed on the main body to detect knock inputs, and using a second front panel with low thermal conductivity to position the sensor away from heat sources, improving knock detection accuracy and reducing heat-related risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor is installed close to the door to improve knock detection performance, then the knock detection accuracy is improved, but the sensor is exposed to high temperature heat from the door
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat-insulating panel as an intermediary component between the door and the sensor. This panel is positioned at the front surface of the door, creating a thermal barrier that prevents direct heat transmission to the sensor while still allowing vibration transmission for knock detection. The panel acts as a mediator that selectively transmits mechanical vibrations while blocking thermal energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The door assembly is segmented into distinct functional layers: the door structure itself, the heat-insulating panel, and the sensor mounting structure. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the door provides structural support and vibration source, the panel provides thermal insulation, and the sensor provides detection - while minimizing interference between functions.
2Ease of operation
If the sensor is installed on the door to detect knock inputs, then the knock detection function is enabled, but the sensor may malfunction or be damaged due to high temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The heat-insulating panel serves as a protective intermediary that shields the sensor from high temperature exposure. The panel is positioned between the heat source (door) and the sensor, blocking thermal energy while allowing the sensor to remain functional and reliable in the protected zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful high temperature environment into a benefit by using the temperature difference to create a functional zoning - the hot zone for the door and the cool zone for the sensor. The heat-insulating panel exploits this temperature gradient to protect the sensor while maintaining the high temperature operation of the door.
3Illumination intensity
If a see-through window is mounted on the door to check the inside of the appliance, then visibility is improved, but it becomes difficult to locate and operate the operation switch in dark environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lighting function with the knock detection function by using the same sensor and control circuitry. The sensor that detects knock vibrations is also used to detect the user's knocking action, which then triggers the lighting system. This eliminates the need for a separate operation switch, and the lighting is activated automatically through the knock gesture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service lighting activation through the knock detection mechanism. When the user knocks on the door to activate the lighting, the same knock detection system automatically triggers the light, eliminating the need for the user to manually operate a separate switch in the dark. The system serves itself by using the knock input for both detection and activation purposes.
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
This configuration enhances knock detection performance by reducing the distance between the door and sensor, minimizing heat's impact on the sensor, and improving vibration transmission efficiency, thus ensuring accurate and reliable operation even in high-temperature environments.
Implementation Method 1
a hinge configured to rotatably support a door is connected to the door and a main body so that a vibration generated at the door can be transmitted to the main body through the hinge
Implementation Method 2
using a second front panel with low thermal conductivity to position the sensor away from heat sources, improving knock detection accuracy and reducing heat-related risks
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is an appliance. In the present disclosure, a hinge configured to rotatably support a door is connected to the door and a main body so that a vibration generated at the door is able to be transmitted to the main body through the hinge, and a sensor installed at the main body detects the vibration transmitted to the main body through the hinge.