Refrigerator Automatic Door Opening with Adaptive Position Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerator automatic door opening systems deteriorate over time due to seal and component degradation, leading to malfunctioning and unreliable operation.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator with an automatic door opening system that includes a position sensor and control device for continuous self-calibration, updating a reference position based on average door positions to ensure reliable operation over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automatic door opening systems use fixed reference positions, then initial operation is reliable, but long-term reliability deteriorates due to seal and component degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The reference position is transformed from a static fixed value to a dynamic adaptive value that automatically adjusts over time. The control device continuously updates the reference position based on detected door positions during closed state, allowing the system to adapt to gradual seal degradation and component wear, thereby maintaining reliable operation throughout the system's lifespan
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration automatically without user intervention. The control device uses the position sensor data to autonomously update the reference position, eliminating the need for manual recalibration or maintenance, which ensures continuous reliable operation as components age
2Reliability
If the system continuously monitors door position for self-calibration, then long-term reliability is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The position monitoring and reference position updating is performed periodically only when the door is in the closed state, rather than continuously during all door positions and operations. This periodic calibration approach maintains reliable automatic recognition while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs calibration actions in advance during closed periods before opening operations are needed. By updating the reference position during closed state intervals, the system prepares for accurate detection of subsequent opening commands without requiring continuous energy-intensive monitoring during critical opening operations
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
A refrigerator (1) comprising: • a main body (2) provided with a cooling chamber (6); • a door (3) hinged to the main body (2) and movable between a stationary closed position, in which the door (3) closes the cooling chamber (6), and a fully open position; • an opening mechanism (8) configured to push the door (3) from the stationary closed position towards the fully open position in response to an opening command (CA) given by a user; • a position sensor (9) configured to detect current positions (Pci) of a reference portion (15) of the door (3) relative to a reference portion (16) of the main body (2); • a control device (10), configured to: iteratively update a reference position (RIF) as a function of an average (M) of the current positions (Pci) detected over a time interval when the door (3) is in the stationary closed position; actuate the opening mechanism (8) when the variation of the current position (ΔP) from the reference position (RIF) is greater, in module, than an activation threshold (ATT).