Refrigerator Automatic Door Opening with Dual-Sensor Safety Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigerators with multiple doors, it is difficult to accurately identify which door the user intends to open automatically, leading to potential interference and safety issues, such as accidental door opening that may hit the user.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator system equipped with a main body, a door opening device, a first proximity sensor adjacent to the door, and a first infrared sensor on the door, where the controller uses detection data from both sensors to control the door opening device to open the door only when an external object approaches within a threshold distance and stops opening when the object is identified, preventing unintended door activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect user intent for automatic door opening, then the ability to detect approaching objects is improved, but mutual interference between sensors occurs and it becomes difficult to identify which door the user intends to open
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the detection function into two separate sensor types: proximity sensors for detecting object approach and infrared sensors for identifying object type. This segmentation allows each sensor to perform its specialized function without interference, resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and control reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that processes signals from both proximity and infrared sensors, combining their detection results to make the final door opening decision. This intermediary processing ensures that neither sensor interferes with the other while maintaining reliable control
2Ease of operation
If automatic door opening is activated based on preset events, then convenience is improved, but users may be hit by the door when they are unaware of the automatic opening function
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection using proximity sensors to detect approaching objects before activating automatic door opening. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare for door opening while still having time to perform final safety verification with infrared sensors, preventing harmful effects to unaware users
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses infrared sensors to provide feedback about the presence and type of approaching objects right before door opening. This feedback mechanism ensures that automatic door opening only occurs when appropriate, preventing users from being hit by unexpectedly opening doors while maintaining convenience
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 ensures precise control over automatic door opening, reducing the risk of user injury and interference between multiple doors by accurately detecting the user's intent and preventing accidental door activation.
Implementation Method 1
a first proximity sensor disposed adjacent to the first door... based on detection data obtained by the first proximity sensor, control the door opening device to open the first door based on an external object approaching within a threshold distance
Implementation Method 2
a first infrared sensor disposed on the first door... based on the external object being identified based on detection data obtained by the first infrared sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a main body including a first door, a door opening device configured to open the first door, a first proximity sensor disposed adjacent to the first door, a first infrared sensor disposed on the first door, and at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to, based on detection data obtained by the first proximity sensor, control the door opening device to open the first door based on an external object approaching within a threshold distance from the refrigerator, and based on the external object being identified based on detection data obtained by the first infrared sensor while the first door is open, control the door opening device to stop opening of the first door.