Refrigerator and method for controlling same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with auto closing functions require excessive force to open the door, and existing solutions for automatic door opening can unintentionally open the door, leading to safety issues and cold air loss.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator equipped with a sensor that determines the user's intention to open the door based on sensing duration time and time intervals, allowing for automatic door opening without the need for manual button pressing or sensor touching, and includes a notification system to confirm user intent before opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the closely attaching force of the gasket is increased to prevent cold air leakage, then the sealing performance is improved, but the force required to open the door increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical door opening system with an automated system using a motor driver and sensor. The motor driver automatically applies force to overcome the gasket's attaching force when the sensor detects user intent, eliminating the need for users to manually apply large opening forces while maintaining strong sealing when closed.
2Ease of operation
If automatic door opening function is added to reduce opening force, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of unintended door opening increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection through the sensor before activating the door opening function. The sensor detects user intent in advance (such as hand approach or touch), and only then does the motor driver activate to open the door. This preliminary action prevents unintended openings while enabling easy opening when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor provides continuous feedback about user presence or intent to the control system. This feedback mechanism allows the system to distinguish between intentional door opening gestures and incidental contact, enabling intelligent decision-making about whether to activate the motor driver and open the door.
3Ease of operation
If the door opening force is reduced to allow easy opening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the auto closing function becomes ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual door opening with an automated motor-driven system. The motor driver can precisely control the door opening process, overcoming the gasket's attaching force when needed while allowing the auto-closing mechanism to function normally when the door needs to remain sealed. This substitution enables both easy opening and effective auto-closing.
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
Reduces the force required to open the door while preventing unintended automatic openings, ensuring user safety and energy efficiency by accurately determining user intent through sensing and notification mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor may be mounted on a refrigerator to sense a user's intent for opening a door
Data Source
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AI summary
Refrigerator and, more specifically, a refrigerator which enables a user to easily open a door thereof. Refrigerator and method for controlling the same, which can prevent a door thereof from opening by itself due to a malfunction. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerator may comprise: a cabinet (10) including a storage chamber; a door (12) configured to open and close the storage chamber; a sensor (115) configured to sense whether a user is within or out of a sensing distance to distinguish sensing-on and sensing-off from each other; a door opening device (25) configured to automatically open the door; and a control unit (100) configured to determine a driving condition of the door opening device on a basis of a sensing-on duration time so as to control the driving of the door opening device.