Refrigerator and method for controlling same

The door opening device performs preliminary action by automatically opening the door before the user needs to manually pull it. The control unit detects when the user approaches (via sensor) or when opening conditions are met, and activates the door opening device to move the door to a predetermined angle, thereby preparing the door for easy access without requiring the user to overcome the strong gasket attachment force.

The patent replaces the purely mechanical door opening system (relying on user force to overcome gasket and magnetic forces) with an automated electromechanical system. The door opening device uses a motor-driven mechanism to mechanically assist or fully automate the door opening process, substituting the need for manual force application with an automated mechanical system that can overcome the strong closing forces without requiring user effort.

The control unit implements feedback by continuously monitoring sensor signals that detect user presence, door position, and opening conditions. The system only activates the door opening device when the feedback from sensors confirms that opening is intended (e.g., user approached and stayed within sensing area for predetermined time, or user touched the door). This feedback mechanism prevents unintended activation while enabling automatic opening when appropriate.

Before the door opens automatically, the control unit performs preliminary verification by detecting whether predetermined opening conditions are met through sensor monitoring. The system waits for confirmation that the user intends to open the door (such as prolonged sensor detection or touch input) before activating the door opening device, thereby ensuring intentional opening while maintaining ease of operation.

The sensor-based system operates autonomously to detect user intention without requiring direct user interaction with controls. The sensor automatically monitors the user's presence and behavior patterns, and the control unit independently determines when opening conditions are met and activates the door opening device. This self-service approach improves reliability by objectively detecting user intention while minimizing the need for complex user interfaces or additional manual controls.

The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it processes sensor signals to detect user presence, determines whether opening conditions are met based on predetermined criteria, controls the door opening device operation, and prevents unintended opening. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single control unit, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability in user intention detection and execution.

The door opening device is segmented into multiple independent driving mechanisms, each capable of driving a separate door. Instead of using a single motor to open all doors, the system divides the door opening function into separate segments (one motor per door or one motor per door group), allowing each door to be opened independently based on its own opening conditions. This segmentation maintains relatively simple device complexity while significantly improving adaptability and versatility for multi-door operation.

The door opening device employs dynamic control where the operation of each door can be independently adjusted based on real-time conditions. The control unit can selectively activate specific door opening mechanisms based on which doors need to be opened, the user's position, and the detected intention. This dynamic approach allows a single or limited number of motors to efficiently handle multiple doors by activating only the necessary driving mechanisms at any given time, balancing complexity and versatility.