Home appliance and control method therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home appliances with viewing windows face challenges in efficiently detecting user knocks due to limitations in sensor installation, high-temperature malfunctions, and difficulties in distinguishing knock vibrations from other vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A home appliance system that includes a cabinet, a reception space, a door with a viewing window, a lamp, a sensor assembly, and a controller. The sensor assembly detects user knocks and outputs a knock-on signal, while the controller manages the lamp's operation based on the knock-on signal and exceptional situations, such as the door being open or the appliance being in self-clean mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a sound wave sensor is installed on the door to detect knock inputs, then knock detection capability is improved, but the sensor may malfunction due to high-temperature heat transmission in appliances like ovens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from acoustic wave detection to vibration detection, changing the dimension of physical quantity measurement. The vibration sensor detects mechanical vibrations transmitted through the door structure rather than acoustic waves in air, enabling reliable operation in high-temperature environments where acoustic sensors would malfunction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the acoustic wave sensor system with a vibration sensor system. Instead of detecting sound waves through air medium, the system uses vibration sensors to detect mechanical vibrations transmitted through the solid door structure, providing more reliable detection in high-temperature conditions.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a vibration sensor is used to detect knock inputs, then detection capability is improved, but the system cannot distinguish knock vibrations from other vibrations generated by the appliance or external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vibration detection into multiple independent components: a vibration sensor for detecting vibrations, a generator for producing reference vibration signals, and a comparator for matching them. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish genuine knock patterns from other vibrations by comparing against known knock signatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from detecting absolute vibration levels to comparing vibration patterns. By generating reference knock vibration signals and comparing detected vibrations against these references, the system can identify knock events based on pattern matching rather than simple threshold detection, improving discrimination accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If the lamp is turned on automatically upon detecting a knock, then user convenience is improved, but energy is wasted when the door is already open or during self-clean operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by having the controller check the current operational state of the appliance before activating the lamp. The controller receives feedback about door opening status and self-clean operation status, and uses this information to决定是否 activate the lamp, preventing unnecessary energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary checks of the appliance state before executing the lamp activation action. The controller first determines whether the door is open or if self-clean is in progress, and only then decides whether to turn on the lamp. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary energy waste by avoiding lamp activation in situations where it would be pointless.
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 system allows users to illuminate the interior of the appliance without opening the door, accurately detects user knocks, and prevents unnecessary lamp operation in exceptional situations, enhancing user convenience and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor assembly configured to output a knock-on signal based on detecting a user's knock
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed is a home appliance that includes a reception space configured to receive objects therein; a heater configured to heat the reception space; a door configured to open/close an open surface of the reception space, the door having a viewing window provided at the door; a lamp configured to illuminate an inside of the reception space; a sensor assembly configured to output a knock-on signal based on detecting a user's knock; and a controller configured to turn on/off the lamp based on the knock-on signal output by the sensor assembly, wherein based on a present state of the home appliance corresponding to at least any one of a plurality of preset exceptional situations, the controller is configured to not turn on/off the lamp regardless of the knock-on signal being output.