Kitchen Appliance Optical Range Sensing Using Reflector Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Incorporating optical range sensors into domestic kitchen appliances is challenging due to the confined space within the food chamber, which can result in the food being closer to the sensor than the minimum detection distance, leading to sensing difficulties, especially when the chamber is full.
Innovation Solution
The use of a reflector assembly to increase the path length between the optical sensing element and the food by reflecting light from the food chamber onto the sensor, allowing the sensor to operate within its detection range, even when the food is close to the sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the optical range sensor is positioned close to the food chamber to enable compact appliance design, then the appliance size is reduced, but the sensor cannot detect food when it is too close (below minimum detection distance)
Solution Approach 1:
A reflector assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the optical range sensor and the food. The reflector extends the optical path length, allowing the sensor to detect food at distances below its minimum detection distance by reflecting light back to the sensor, thus enabling accurate range sensing in compact appliance configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The optical path is extended by introducing a reflective surface that changes the dimensionality of the light path. Instead of a direct linear path, light travels from the food to the reflector and then back to the sensor, effectively increasing the path length without increasing the physical distance between sensor and food
2Measurement precision
If the optical range sensor is positioned far from the food to ensure detection accuracy, then range sensing works reliably, but the appliance becomes larger and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector assembly serves as a compact intermediary that enables the optical sensor to achieve reliable detection ranges without requiring physical separation. The reflector creates an extended optical path within a compact physical footprint, maintaining measurement precision while simplifying the overall appliance structure
3Device complexity
If the optical range sensor is used without a reflector in a compact food chamber, then the appliance remains simple, but the sensor fails to detect food when the chamber is full
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector assembly is a relatively simple component that dramatically improves detection reliability. By adding this single reflective element, the system ensures that light from food always reaches the sensor regardless of food position or chamber fullness, making the detection system reliable without significantly increasing complexity
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 solution enables effective optical range sensing in domestic kitchen appliances with limited space, allowing for accurate measurement of food volume and identification, even when the food is at a distance closer than the sensor's minimum detection distance, thereby improving the appliance's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector assembly, wherein the reflector assembly is arranged to reflect light directed from the food received in the food chamber onto the at least one optical sensing element
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a domestic kitchen apparatus (100) comprising a food chamber (104) for receiving food. The domestic kitchen apparatus includes an optical range sensor (140) configured for optical range sensing. The optical range sensor has at least one optical sensing element. The domestic kitchen apparatus comprises, as a separate component provided in addition to the optical range sensor, a reflector assembly (142A). The reflector assembly is arranged to reflect light directed from the food received in the food chamber onto the at least one optical sensing element.