Refrigerator Cold-Air Control With Knob Position Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators lack user-controlled adjustment of cold air flow rate and provide limited information on cold air supply to the refrigerating chamber, making it difficult for users to manage temperature settings effectively and efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator system with a manually operated knob to adjust the cold air flow rate, integrated with a sensing unit and mobile terminal for monitoring and controlling the cold air discharge opening, allowing users to manage the flow rate based on internal and external temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an electrically-controlled damper is used to adjust cold air flow rate, then the cold air supply can be automatically controlled, but the user cannot manually adjust the flow rate according to their needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the manual knob operation with the automatic sensing system. The knob provides manual control capability while the sensing unit and controller provide automatic monitoring and adjustment assistance, merging both manual and automatic control modes into a single system that offers the benefits of both approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing unit automatically detects the knob's opening and closing amount and transmits this information to the controller and mobile terminal without requiring additional user intervention. The system serves itself by automatically monitoring and reporting the cold air flow rate status.
2Ease of operation
If a damper or insulating material is installed in the duct to adjust cold air flow, then the cold air supply can be controlled, but the control is not manually operable and requires electrical adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electrical control mechanisms with a simple mechanical knob that users can directly operate. The knob mechanically adjusts the cold air discharge opening without requiring electrical motors, sensors, or control circuits for the adjustment action itself, simplifying the device while maintaining user control.
Solution Approach 2:
The knob acts as an intermediary between the user and the cold air discharge opening. Instead of directly manipulating electrical components or complex mechanisms, the user interacts with the simple knob, which then translates this interaction into the desired adjustment of cold air flow.
3Loss of information
If conventional monitoring systems are used, then abnormal operation states can be detected, but information on cold air supply amount and discharge opening status is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing unit provides feedback about the knob's position and the cold air discharge opening's status to both the controller and the user's mobile terminal. This feedback loop ensures that information about cold air supply amount is continuously available, allowing users to make informed adjustments and the system to respond appropriately.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system serves multiple functions: it detects abnormal operations, tracks cold air supply amounts, monitors discharge opening status, and communicates this information to users via mobile terminal. This multi-functional approach consolidates various monitoring needs into a single system, reducing overall complexity while providing comprehensive information.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator and a cold air flow rate monitoring system for the refrigerator, the refrigerator including a main body having a refrigerating chamber therein, a cold air passage duct disposed within the main body and provided with a cold air passage therein, a control case coupled to the cold air passage duct and provided with a cold air discharge opening, a knob installed on the control case and opening and closing at least part of the cold air discharge opening in a manner of reciprocally moving in one direction, and a sensing unit provided with a conductive member mounted on the knob and a circuit portion provided on the control case, and configured to sense relative position of the knob with respect to the control case to acquire information related to an opening and closing amount of the cold air discharge opening.