Refrigerator Dispenser Sensor Timing to Reduce Pre-Detection Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water dispensing systems in refrigerators experience delays in detecting the presence and level of a container, leading to inconvenience for users.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator dispenser system that initiates the flow of water or ice in response to user input and uses a sensor to detect the container's presence and level only after the flow has started, utilizing an ultrasonic sensor to transmit signals parallel to the liquid stream and determine the container's height and contents level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor detects the container presence and level before dispensing, then the dispensing accuracy is improved, but the user experiences delays of several seconds which reduces convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the sensor continuously monitor the dispensing area for container presence and the ultrasonic sensor track liquid levels in real-time during dispensing, so detection is already in progress when dispensing is initiated, eliminating the need for pre-detection delays
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor and ultrasonic sensor operate continuously throughout the dispensing process rather than only before dispensing, maintaining continuous detection of container presence and liquid level to enable real-time monitoring and immediate termination when the container is full
2Reliability
If the system waits to detect the container before initiating dispensing, then the dispensing control is improved, but the overall dispensing speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system initiates dispensing immediately upon user input without waiting for container detection, while the sensor simultaneously begins monitoring to detect the container and track the liquid level during the dispensing process
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic sensor provides continuous feedback on the liquid level in the container during dispensing, allowing the system to monitor the filling process in real-time and terminate dispensing automatically when the container is full, ensuring reliable control without delaying the dispensing initiation
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 approach allows for immediate dispensing without pre-detection delays, enabling the system to terminate dispensing when the container is filled, thus improving user convenience and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing an ultrasonic sensor to transmit signals parallel to the liquid stream and determine the container's height and contents level
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a refrigerator appliance includes operating a dispenser of the refrigerator appliance to initiate a flow of liquid water or ice into a container positioned within a dispensing recess of the dispenser in response to a user input at a user input panel of the refrigerator appliance, receiving one or more signals from a sensor positioned at the dispensing recess after operating the dispenser to initiate the flow of liquid water or ice into the dispensing recess, and detecting a presence of the container in the dispensing recess based at least in part on the one or more signals from the sensor only after operating the dispenser to initiate the flow of liquid water or ice into the dispensing recess. A related refrigerator appliance is also provided.