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

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic refrigerator doors require significant force to open due to pressure differences, leading to design issues, deformation, and malfunctions from contact-based detection systems, misassembly, internal pressure changes, and external impacts.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerator with a magnetic field sensor and magnet module that detects door opening/closing without direct contact, using a controller to determine the pressed amount and stabilize operation, preventing malfunctions and maintaining appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a contact-type detection lever is used to detect door pressing, then the door opening detection function is achieved, but the detection lever protrudes outward spoiling the design and causes deformation, deterioration, and wear from repeated contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor detection functionVSAvoidrefrigerator appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact-type detection lever with a magnetic field sensor that detects door pressing non-contactly. The magnetic field sensor detects changes in magnetic flux caused by a magnet attached to the door, eliminating the need for physical contact between the detection component and the door, thus preventing wear and deformation while maintaining the detection function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnet as an intermediary element attached to the door that interacts with the magnetic field sensor on the main body. This intermediary enables indirect detection of door pressing through magnetic field changes rather than direct mechanical contact, solving both the appearance issue and the wear problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a contact-type detection lever is used to detect door pressing, then the door opening detection function is achieved, but the contact portion deforms, deteriorates, and wears from repeated contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor detection functionVSAvoidcontact portion durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact-type detection lever with a magnetic field sensor that detects door pressing non-contactly. The magnetic field sensor detects changes in magnetic flux caused by a magnet attached to the door, eliminating the need for physical contact between the detection component and the door, thus preventing wear and deformation while maintaining the detection function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the automatic door is made sensitive to open, then the door opens easily with small force, but malfunctions occur due to recoil, external impacts, and pressure changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor opening easeVSAvoidautomatic door operation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the controller monitors the magnetic field sensor output over time and compares it against threshold values. The system determines whether the detected magnetic field change corresponds to a legitimate user pressing action or to disturbances like recoil and external impacts, enabling the door to open easily with small force while preventing malfunctions from false detections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If a magnet is mounted on the door, then the magnetic field sensor can detect door position, but the magnet may be misassembled with reversed polarity causing malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor position detectionVSAvoidmagnet assembly accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the controller monitors the magnetic field sensor output over time and compares it against threshold values. The system determines whether the detected magnetic field change corresponds to a legitimate user pressing action or to disturbances like recoil and external impacts, enabling the door to open easily with small force while preventing malfunctions from false detections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 solution allows for stable and efficient automatic door operation, preventing deformation and wear, and addressing malfunctions due to recoil, misassembly, and external factors, while maintaining a sleek design.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic field sensor configured to output a voltage by measuring magnetic flux density according to a change in distance from the magnet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic flux density detection: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20240110744A1Refrigerator with automatic door and method for controlling automatic door of refrigerator

Publication Date: 2024.04.04 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A refrigerator and a method for controlling an automatic door thereof are disclosed. The refrigerator includes a magnet mounted to a door and a magnetic field sensor mounted to a main body, so as to detect whether the door is open or closed and a pressed amount of the door according to a change in distance between the magnetic field sensor and the magnet even without a direct contact with the door. This can make appearance of the refrigerator beautiful and prevent an occurrence of deformation, deterioration, wear, and the like of a contact portion due to the contact with the door.