Refrigerator Camera-Based Door Shut State Detection for Seal Integrity

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerator appliances struggle to accurately detect when a door to a chilled chamber is fully closed, leading to potential convective heat exchange and temperature fluctuations, which can cause food items to spoil.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a camera module within the refrigerator appliance that captures two-dimensional images of the chilled chamber, allowing for the detection of a fiducial point on the door and determination of the door's shut state based on these images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If simple mechanical switches are used to detect door position, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of door shut state deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection system complexityVSAvoiddoor shut state detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical switches with an optical detection system using a camera module and image processing algorithms. The camera captures images of the door and chamber, and software analysis determines door shut state by detecting the presence/absence of the door in the field of view or analyzing light patterns, eliminating mechanical contact points while achieving precise detection of even slight openings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates an optical copy (image) of the door and chamber state, then analyzes this copy to determine the actual physical state. By capturing visual information and processing it through algorithms, the system obtains precise measurement data about door position without requiring direct mechanical measurement, thus improving detection accuracy while keeping the physical detection mechanism simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If mechanical switches are used for door detection, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of detecting slight door openings deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor detection operationVSAvoiddetection of slight door openings

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical switches with an optical detection system using a camera module and image processing algorithms. The camera captures images of the door and chamber, and software analysis determines door shut state by detecting the presence/absence of the door in the field of view or analyzing light patterns, eliminating mechanical contact points while achieving precise detection of even slight openings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates an optical copy (image) of the door and chamber state, then analyzes this copy to determine the actual physical state. By capturing visual information and processing it through algorithms, the system obtains precise measurement data about door position without requiring direct mechanical measurement, thus improving detection accuracy while keeping the physical detection mechanism simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Manufacturing precision

If mechanical switches are used to detect door position, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the ability to detect unexpected door openings deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitch engagement precisionVSAvoiddetection of unexpected door openings

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical switches with an optical detection system using a camera module and image processing algorithms. The camera captures images of the door and chamber, and software analysis determines door shut state by detecting the presence/absence of the door in the field of view or analyzing light patterns, eliminating mechanical contact points while achieving precise detection of even slight openings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates an optical copy (image) of the door and chamber state, then analyzes this copy to determine the actual physical state. By capturing visual information and processing it through algorithms, the system obtains precise measurement data about door position without requiring direct mechanical measurement, thus improving detection accuracy while keeping the physical detection mechanism simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12339060B2Refrigerator appliances and image-based methods of detecting a door position

Publication Date: 2025.06.24 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, a door, a camera module, and a controller. The cabinet may define a chilled chamber. The door may be rotatably hinged to the cabinet to provide selective access to the chilled chamber. The camera module may be mounted to the cabinet within the chilled chamber. The controller may be operably coupled to the camera module. The controller may be configured to initiate an operation routine that includes detecting a door to the chilled chamber in a nominally open position, detecting the door in a nominally closed position following detecting the door in the nominally open position, initiating an image capture sequence to capture a two-dimensional image of the chilled chamber in response to detecting the door in the nominally closed position, and determining a shut state of the door based on the two-dimensional image.