Refrigerator with automatic door and method for controlling automatic door of refrigerator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerators with automatic doors face issues such as deformation, deterioration, and malfunction due to contact between detection levers and doors, external impacts, incorrect assembly, internal pressure changes, and external shaking, leading to unstable operation and unintentional door opening.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerator with a magnetic field sensor and magnet system that detects door position and pressed amount without direct contact, using a controller to determine door operation based on output voltage thresholds and updates, protecting components from impacts and ensuring stable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a detection lever protrudes outward to maintain contact with the door, then the automatic door detection function is achieved, but the design appearance is spoiled and contact wear occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic door detection functionVSAvoiddesign appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical detection lever system with a magnetic field-based detection system. A magnet is embedded in the door and a magnetic field sensor is positioned on the main body, eliminating the need for protruding mechanical contact components while maintaining detection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the door and the detection system. The magnetic field allows non-contact detection of door position and pressing force, avoiding direct mechanical contact and its associated wear and design issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a detection lever maintains contact with the door, then door position detection is enabled, but deformation, deterioration, and wear of the contact portion occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor position detectionVSAvoidcontact portion durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based detection lever with a magnetic field-based detection system using a magnet and magnetic field sensor, eliminating physical contact and its associated wear and deterioration problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the detection function from the mechanical contact system and implements it through a separate magnetic field-based system, removing the harmful mechanical contact while preserving the detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the automatic door system uses contact-based detection, then door pressing detection is achieved, but malfunction occurs due to external impacts and recoil

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor pressing detectionVSAvoidexternal impacts and recoil interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact detection system with a magnetic field-based system that is not affected by external impacts or recoil, as the magnetic field sensing occurs without physical contact between components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a magnetic field as an intermediary that is insensitive to mechanical shocks and impacts, allowing reliable detection of door pressing intent without being affected by external disturbances that would interfere with mechanical contact systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If a magnet and magnetic field sensor are mounted to detect door position, then non-contact detection is achieved, but the components are vulnerable to external impacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-contact detection stabilityVSAvoidexternal impacts on components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies cushioning or protective structures around the magnet and magnetic field sensor components to protect them from external impacts, ensuring their durability while maintaining non-contact detection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

The system prevents deformation and wear of contact points, stabilizes door operation, prevents malfunction due to incorrect assembly or external factors, and avoids unintentional opening, maintaining reliable automatic door functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic field sensor to output a voltage according to a change in magnetic flux density, that is, according to a change in distance from the magnet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic flux density detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS12523415B2Refrigerator with automatic door and method for controlling automatic door of refrigerator

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A refrigerator includes: a sensor comprising a magnetic field sensor and a magnet and configured to detect an open or closed state of a door and measure a pressed amount of the door based on a change in a distance between the magnetic field sensor and the magnet, and a controller configured to control the door driver and determine whether the door is to be opened based on the pressed amount of the door.