Apparatus, method and system for a dispensing system of a refrigerated appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerated appliances lack a sensing system to effectively monitor and sense parameters related to dispensed water and ice, such as quality, quantity, and condition, at the dispensing points, which limits diagnostic capabilities and user notification.
Innovation Solution
A sensing system is integrated into the dispensing station of refrigerated appliances, featuring sensors like flow meters, quality meters, and temperature gauges that produce signals for a controller to process, enabling real-time monitoring and user notifications through visual, audible, or tactile alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensing system is integrated into the dispensing station to monitor parameters of dispensed water and ice, then diagnostic capabilities and user notification are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system is divided into separate functional modules including flow meters for quantity monitoring, quality meters for water quality detection, and temperature gauges for thermal parameter sensing. Each sensor type operates independently and reports to the controller, allowing the complex monitoring function to be segmented into manageable, specialized components that can be installed and maintained separately.
Solution Approach 2:
A controller serves as an intermediary between the multiple sensors (flow meters, quality meters, temperature gauges) and the user notification system. The controller processes signals from various sensors, integrates the data, and generates appropriate user notifications or diagnostic information, thereby managing the complexity of coordinating multiple sensing functions through a central processing unit.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are installed at the dispensing outlet to monitor various parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different sensor types are positioned at specific locations within the dispensing station to detect local parameter variations. Flow meters are placed in the water flow path, quality meters are positioned to sample dispensed water, and temperature gauges are located near the dispensing outlet. This localized sensing approach ensures accurate measurement of specific parameters at their most relevant points without requiring a complex distributed sensor network.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, method and system for sensing parameters related to water and/or ice being dispensed from a dispensing station of a refrigerated appliance is disclosed. The dispensing system includes a sensing system positionable at the dispensing station at the point of dispension for liquid and/or ice to sense a parameter related to dispensed water and/or ice and produce a sensing signal.