Refrigerator Door Optical Sensing Panel for Transparent Input Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional input devices, such as button type or capacitive touch technology, are difficult to implement on refrigerator doors made of transparent materials like glass, as they compromise transparency, aesthetic appeal, and increase production costs, with high failure rates requiring entire panel replacement.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator with a panel assembly that becomes selectively transparent, featuring a sensing module using a light emitting element and a light receiving element to detect object approaches, allowing for accurate control without degrading transparency and reducing production and repair costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a physical button is placed on the transparent panel of the refrigerator door, then the input function is improved, but the transparency and aesthetic appearance are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical button input system with an optical sensing system. The light emitting element projects light and the light receiving element detects reflected light changes when a user touches or approaches the panel, enabling input functionality without physical buttons that would block transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium between the user and the control system. Instead of direct mechanical contact or opaque displays, the system uses light projection and detection to mediate the interaction, preserving panel transparency while enabling input functionality.
2Ease of operation
If pressure sensitive type touch technology is applied to the transparent panel, then the input function is improved, but the transparency is degraded due to requiring elastic material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pressure-sensitive mechanical touch technology with an optical detection system. Instead of measuring physical pressure through elastic material deformation, the system detects light reflection changes caused by touch or proximity, eliminating the need for elastic materials that would compromise transparency.
3Ease of operation
If capacitive type touch technology is applied to the entire transparent panel, then the input function is improved, but the production cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the input function into specific localized areas rather than requiring capacitive touch technology across the entire panel. The light emitting and receiving elements are positioned at specific input locations, reducing material costs and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining essential input functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simpler, more cost-effective optical sensing components instead of expensive capacitive touch technology. The light emitting elements and light receiving elements represent a more economical solution that achieves the required input functionality without the high production costs associated with full-panel capacitive touch systems.
4Ease of operation
If pressure sensitive type or capacitive type touch panel is used, then the input function is improved, but the failure rate increases and repair cost increases due to requiring entire panel replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the input system into independent, modular optical sensing units. Each light emitting element and light receiving element pair operates independently, so if one fails, only that specific component needs replacement rather than the entire panel, significantly improving reliability and reducing repair costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the optical sensing components to be replaceable and recoverable. When a light emitting or receiving element fails, it can be individually replaced without discarding the entire transparent panel, reducing waste and lowering repair costs compared to systems requiring complete panel replacement.
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
Enables accurate and easy control of the refrigerator without degrading the transparency of the door, reduces failure occurrence and repair costs, and minimizes production costs by using a lower-cost sensing module with lower failure rates.
Implementation Method 1
a light receiving element that receives an optical signal reflected by the object among the optical signals outputted by the light emitting element
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator comprises: a cabinet having a storage space; a door which opens/closes the cabinet and has an opening that communicates with the storage space; a panel provided in the opening that selectively becomes transparent according to an operation by a user; a sensing module provided inside the panel assembly that senses an approach of an object toward the panel; and a display module provided inside the panel assembly that displays information from the sensing module on the panel, wherein the sensing module comprises a light-emitting element that outputs a first optical signal, and a light-receiving element that receives a second optical signal reflected by the object in front of the panel.