Refrigerator Dew Sensing With Dielectric Feedback Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for sensing dew formation on refrigerators are inefficient as they rely on indirect temperature and humidity measurements, leading to unnecessary heater operation and potential errors due to foreign materials, and lack precise dew detection within the dew formation region.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a sensing unit, such as a CMC sensor, is placed inside the refrigerator body or pillar to directly measure dielectric constant changes caused by dew formation, allowing for precise detection and activation of a heater only when dew is present, thereby minimizing power consumption and preventing external exposure of the sensing unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If temperature and humidity sensors are installed near the doors to indirectly determine dew formation, then dew detection capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to indirect measurement and foreign materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedew detection capabilityVSAvoiddew formation measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing unit is extracted from the external environment and installed inside the refrigerator body or pillar, away from foreign materials. This allows direct measurement of dew formation on the pillar or body surface without contamination from external particles, resolving the contradiction between providing dew detection capability and maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A sensing unit serving as an intermediary device is introduced, which can detect dew formation through dielectric constant changes or resistance changes without being directly exposed to foreign materials. This intermediary measurement method enables accurate dew detection while avoiding the precision issues caused by external contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If heater is operated based on indirect temperature and humidity measurements, then dew removal function is provided, but power consumption increases due to unnecessary heater operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedew removal capabilityVSAvoidheater power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A feedback control system is implemented where the sensing unit continuously monitors dew formation conditions and provides real-time information to the controller. The heater operation is controlled based on actual dew detection feedback rather than indirect environmental measurements, enabling the heater to operate only when dew is actually present, thus reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining effective dew removal capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If sensing unit is exposed to outside for direct dew measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to foreign material contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedew formation measurement accuracyVSAvoidsensing unit operational reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing unit is positioned in a specific location inside the refrigerator body or pillar where it can measure dew formation on the target surface without being exposed to external foreign materials. This localized measurement approach maintains high measurement precision for dew detection while protecting the sensing unit from contamination, thereby preserving operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The sensing unit is nested inside the refrigerator structure (body or pillar), allowing it to measure dew formation on internal surfaces without external exposure. This nested configuration enables the sensing unit to maintain both measurement precision for dew detection and reliability by avoiding contact with foreign materials in the external environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 enables accurate and efficient dew detection and removal on refrigerators, reducing unnecessary heater operation and power consumption while preventing damage from dew accumulation, enhancing the appliance's performance and longevity.

Implementation Method 1

a sensing unit disposed close to the heater, and configured to sense dew formed at the refrigerator body and the door in a non-contacting manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric constant change: Dielectric Permittivity

Implementation Method 2

a heater disposed at a refrigerator body or inside a metallic surface of a door

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11549741B2Apparatus for sensing and removing dew on refrigerator and controlling method thereof

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

Provided is an apparatus for sensing and removing dew on a refrigerator. The apparatus may include a heater disposed at a refrigerator body or inside a surface of a door, and a sensor disposed in close proximity to the heater. The sensor may be configured to sense dew formed on a prescribed surface at the refrigerator body or the door. The sensor may be disposed physically separate from the prescribed surface to sense formation of dew on the prescribed surface. The heater is controlled to generate heat that removes the sensed dew on the prescribed surface based on a signal from the sensor.