Refrigerator Dispenser Optical Sensing for Hands-Free Water and Ice
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern refrigeration appliances with integrated water and ice dispensing units often face challenges in efficiently dispensing fluids and ice, particularly in terms of user interaction and control mechanisms, as existing systems rely on mechanical levers and springs which can be cumbersome and require manual adjustment.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an optical sensing system using infrared light-emitting diodes and photo-detectors to control solenoid-operated valves and ice augers, allowing for precise and automatic dispensing of water and ice by interrupting a light beam when a vessel is inserted, enabling hands-free operation and improved user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical levers and springs are used for dispensing control, then the dispensing mechanism is simple and reliable, but the operation requires manual adjustment and is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical lever and spring system with an optical sensing system using infrared light-emitting diodes and photo-detectors. This substitution eliminates the need for manual mechanical adjustment while maintaining reliable control, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensing system automatically detects when a vessel is inserted and initiates dispensing without requiring manual operation of mechanical levers. The system serves itself by using the presence of the vessel as the trigger, eliminating cumbersome manual adjustment while keeping the overall system relatively simple.
2Extent of automation
If optical sensing system is implemented for automatic dispensing, then hands-free operation is achieved and user convenience is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic dispensing by substituting the mechanical operation system with an optical sensing system comprising infrared light-emitting diodes and photo-detectors. This achieves hands-free operation while the modular nature of optical components helps manage the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensing system serves multiple functions: it detects vessel insertion, triggers dispensing, and can potentially monitor dispensing completion. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing extensive automation across multiple operational aspects.
3Measurement precision
If light beam passes vertically beneath dispensing outlets, then accurate detection of vessel insertion is achieved, but the positioning of emitting source and receiver becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the emitting source and receiver specifically to create a light beam that passes vertically beneath the dispensing outlets. This localized positioning ensures accurate detection precisely where needed (at the outlet area) while the rest of the system can be configured more flexibly, managing the constraints through spatial specialization.
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 enhances user experience by providing a hands-free, automatic dispensing mechanism that ensures accurate control over water and ice dispensing, reducing mechanical complexity and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
employing two or more intersecting beams of light such as are established between infrared light-emitting diodes and complementary infrared photo-detectors
Implementation Method 2
infrared light-emitting diodes and complementary infrared photo-detectors
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration appliance has an access door in which is located a recess containing a dispensing unit. The recess can include an upper surface, a rear surface and opposed side surfaces. The dispensing unit includes at least one of a dispensing outlet for dispensing a fluid such as water and a dispensing outlet for dispensing ice. The dispensing unit also includes at least one emitting source for emitting a beam of light and a respective receiver for receiving the beam of light from each of the at least one emitting source. Each of the at least one emitting source and the respective receiver comprise a light couple. The emitting source and receiver of each light couple are arranged so that the light passing between the emitting source and the receiver passes substantially vertically beneath at least one of the at least one of a dispensing outlet for dispensing a fluid and a dispensing outlet for dispensing ice.