Refrigerator Temperature Control Using Predicted Door-Opening Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators lack the ability to predict user patterns and efficiently adjust temperature settings based on recent usage, leading to inefficient energy consumption and potential food spoilage.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for controlling a refrigerator that senses door opening patterns over 168 hours, dividing the data into 7 units of 24 hours each, and adjusts the temperature accordingly to maintain energy efficiency and food freshness by predicting high or low usage zones, thereby optimizing compressor operation and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the compressor is repeatedly turned on/off according to temperature values in conventional refrigerators, then the refrigerator maintains basic cooling function, but energy consumption is high and unable to adapt to usage patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator performs preliminary cooling actions based on predicted future usage patterns. The control unit analyzes door opening patterns from the past 168 hours, divides the data into 7 units of 24 hours each, and uses this historical data to predict when the door will be opened in the future. The compressor is controlled to cool the storage compartment in advance before predicted door openings, thereby reducing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary cooling cycles while maintaining food freshness.
2Reliability
If the refrigerator maintains constant low temperature to prevent food spoilage, then food freshness is preserved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator dynamically adjusts the storage compartment temperature based on predicted door opening patterns rather than maintaining a constant low temperature. The control unit divides the 168-hour historical data into seven 24-hour units, identifies time zones with low door opening probability, and raises the temperature during these periods. This dynamic temperature adjustment maintains food freshness during high-usage periods while reducing energy consumption during low-usage periods.
3Device complexity
If the refrigerator uses simple on/off control based on temperature thresholds, then the control system is simple, but it cannot predict usage patterns or optimize energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors and records door opening patterns over 168 hours, divides this data into seven 24-hour units, and uses the analyzed patterns to feedback control the compressor operation. This feedback loop enables the system to predict future usage patterns and adjust cooling operations accordingly, optimizing energy efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture.
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
This approach allows for reduced energy consumption, minimized food spoilage, and improved energy efficiency by adjusting the refrigerator's operation based on predicted usage patterns, while also estimating daytime or nighttime usage and seasonal changes without requiring external time information.
Implementation Method 1
a door opening/closing sensor for sensing opening and closing of a door
Implementation Method 2
a compressor for compressing a refrigerant to high temperature and high pressure circulating through the cooling cycle
Implementation Method 3
The refrigerant compressed in the compressor generates cool air via a heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
a refrigerator is an apparatus for keeping food fresh during a certain period by cooling storage compartments (freezing compartment or refrigerating compartment) using a cooling cycle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4(a)~4(c)
AI summary
A refrigerator and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. A refrigerator includes a timer (40) for measuring an interval of one hour after power is supplied to the refrigerator, a door opening/closing sensor (50) for sensing opening and closing of a door, a storage unit (70) for storing information whether door is opened in a sector defined as one hour by the timer (40) and at least 7 sector units each having 24 consecutive sectors, and a control unit (100) for predicting a refrigerator use pattern in 24 sectors by overlapping 7 sector units, performing a normal operation mode to maintain a storage compartment at a first desired temperature in a sector in which door opening is predicted, and performing a power-saving operation mode to maintain the storage compartment at a second desired temperature higher than the first desired temperature in a sector in which door opening is not predicted.