Refrigerator and control method for opening refrigerator door
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigerators lack an efficient method to automatically detect and respond to user presence, limiting convenience and functionality, especially in terms of opening doors or lifting containers without manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator equipped with a user detection sensor inclined at a predetermined angle to detect users in front of the door, triggering a button device to automatically open the door or lift containers, and featuring a light emitter that turns on to guide the user and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user detection sensor is installed on the refrigerator door to detect user presence, then user convenience is improved through automatic door opening, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensor installation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The user detection sensor is nested within a sensor space formed inside the door, with the sensor positioned behind a sensor window. This nesting approach allows the sensor to be integrated into the door structure without adding external complexity, while still enabling automatic door opening functionality when the sensor detects user presence.
2Measurement precision
If the user detection sensor is positioned to face the center line of the door, then detection accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase due to inclined installation
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor space and sensor window are designed with asymmetric geometry to accommodate the sensor at a predetermined inclined angle relative to the door front surface. This asymmetric design allows the sensor to face the center line of the door for optimal detection accuracy, while the inclined mounting structure simplifies the manufacturing process by providing built-in angular guidance rather than requiring high-precision external adjustments.
3Ease of operation
If a light emitter is added to guide users to the button device, then ease of operation is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitter operates periodically rather than continuously, being activated only when the user detection sensor detects user presence. This periodic operation provides visual guidance to users who need to locate the button device, while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous operation. The light emitter turns off when no user is detected, eliminating unnecessary energy usage.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet that defines a storage space therein, a door configured to open and close at least a portion of the storage space, and a user detection sensor disposed at a first side of the door with respect to a center line crossing a width direction of the door and configured to detect a user. The user detection sensor is inclined with respect to a front surface of the door by a predetermined angle to thereby face toward the center line.