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 due to increased gasket and magnetic forces, leading to potential safety issues and cold air loss, and existing solutions for automatic door opening can unintentionally open the door, causing safety concerns and energy loss.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator with a door opening device driven by a single motor that uses left and right racks to open doors, featuring multiple opening modes and a control unit that determines user intention based on sensing duration and time intervals, allowing for intuitive door opening without manual button or sensor interaction, and preventing malfunctions.
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 door opening device is activated in advance to apply force to the door before the user attempts to open it. The control unit detects when the user approaches or intends to open the door, and the motor-driven rack system pre-applies opening force to overcome the gasket's attaching force, making the door easy to open while maintaining strong sealing when closed
2Reliability
If the auto closing function is enhanced with increased magnetic force and elastic force, then the door automatically closes properly, but the force required to open the door increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The door opening device operates in advance to counteract the enhanced magnetic and elastic forces. When the control unit detects user intent to open the door, the motor-driven system applies sufficient force to overcome the strong closing forces from the magnet and spring, allowing the door to open easily despite the enhanced auto-closing mechanism
3Ease of operation
If a sensor-based automatic door opening system is implemented, then the door can be opened automatically, but the door may open unintentionally when the user simply passes by or leans against it
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the activation criteria for the door opening device. It monitors sensor signals over time and distinguishes between intentional door opening gestures (sustained contact or prolonged proximity) and unintentional actions (brief passage or casual leaning). The system only activates when the detected user intent meets predefined temporal and spatial thresholds, preventing false activation while enabling convenient automatic opening
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 solution reduces the force required to open the door, ensures the door opens only when intended, and prevents unintended openings, enhancing user safety and energy efficiency by allowing intuitive operation and selecting specific opening modes.
Implementation Method 1
the gasket may be provided as a rubber magnet, and a magnet may be provided in the gasket
Implementation Method 2
The auto closing function means a function of automatically closing the door of the refrigerator when the door of the refrigerator is slightly opened by using the closely attaching force of the gasket, magnetic force, and elastic force of a spring
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigerator which allows a user to open the doors of the refrigerator easily. The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a method for controlling same, the refrigerator being capable of preventing the doors of the refrigerator from automatically opening due to a malfunction.