Refrigerator Water Dispenser Trough Sensor for Overflow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration appliance dispensers lack an effective mechanism to prevent overflow and optimize water and ice dispensing by not accurately measuring residual content, leading to inefficiencies and user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser system with a control unit, actuation system, and sensors (capacitive or pressure transducers) that measure residual content in a trough below the dispensing outlets, comparing sensed values to reference levels to terminate dispensing when an overflow condition is detected, ensuring efficient and controlled dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional dispensers dispense water and ice without residual content measurement, then the dispensing operation is simple, but overflow occurs and dispensing efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical overflow prevention methods with electronic sensing systems. Capacitive sensors or pressure transducers detect residual content levels and send signals to a control unit, which automatically terminates dispensing before overflow occurs. This substitution of mechanical systems with electronic control achieves reliable overflow prevention while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors continuously monitor residual content in the trough and provide real-time information to the control unit. When the sensed value indicates the trough is approaching full capacity, the control unit automatically stops dispensing. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliable overflow prevention through dynamic adjustment of dispensing operation.
2Productivity
If no residual content measurement is performed, then the dispenser structure is simple, but dispensing optimization and waste reduction are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual monitoring and mechanical control of dispensing with electronic sensing and automated control. Capacitive sensors or pressure transducers measure residual content levels, and the control unit optimizes dispensing operations based on real-time measurements. This automation improves dispensing efficiency and reduces waste while keeping the overall system relatively simple through integration of electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the dispenser to automatically monitor and adjust its own operation without external intervention. The sensor system continuously measures residual content and the control unit autonomously terminates dispensing when optimal levels are reached. This self-service capability optimizes dispensing efficiency and reduces waste while minimizing the need for complex external control systems.
3Reliability
If overflow prevention mechanisms are added to conventional dispensers, then overflow is prevented, but user convenience is reduced due to system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the overflow prevention system fully automatic, requiring no user intervention. The sensor continuously monitors residual content and the control unit automatically stops dispensing when the trough approaches full capacity. Users simply activate dispensing as usual, and the system handles overflow prevention autonomously, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliable overflow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements automatic feedback control that continuously monitors trough fill level and adjusts dispensing operation without user input. When the sensor detects that the trough is approaching full capacity, the control unit automatically terminates dispensing. This invisible feedback mechanism provides reliable overflow prevention while maintaining simple user interaction, as users experience no additional operational steps.
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 system effectively prevents overflow and optimizes dispensing by accurately measuring residual content, ensuring efficient water and ice dispensing, reducing waste and user inconvenience.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor can be a capacitive sensor, for example
Implementation Method 2
The sensor can be a pressure transducer, for example
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a refrigerated compartment and a door to open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment. A dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense content into a receiver vessel. The dispenser includes a control unit, an actuation system controlled by the control unit, and a dispensing outlet through which the content flows from the dispenser and into the receiver vessel. The dispenser further includes a trough located below the dispensing outlet for collecting overflow content from at least one of the receiver vessel and the dispensing outlet. The dispenser further includes a sensor coupled to the trough and in electrical communication with the control unit. The sensor is configured to detect overflow content contained within the trough. A method for controlling the dispensing of content from a dispenser is also described.