refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators with automatically opening drawers suffer from detection errors and malfunctions due to misalignment of magnets and sensors, leading to inaccurate detection of drawer opening and closing, which can cause accidents or inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
The design positions the opening-detection magnet and reed switch such that the magnet's center exceeds the sensor's center, ensuring accurate detection by configuring the magnet and sensor to be longer in the drawer's sliding direction than its width, with the magnet's rear end positioned within the sensor's detection area, preventing detection errors despite external impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the magnet and sensor are positioned to face each other normally for detection, then the sensor can accurately detect the magnet when it approaches, but the magnet may move in a longitudinal direction along the sensor rather than towards it, causing detection errors when centers do not align
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the symmetric facing arrangement of magnet and sensor to an asymmetric longitudinal arrangement. The magnet is positioned to move along the longitudinal direction of the sensor rather than approaching it perpendicularly. This asymmetric configuration ensures that the magnet's movement path aligns with the sensor's detection axis, eliminating detection errors caused by misalignment between centers.
2Ease of operation
If the drawer is provided at the lower part of the cabinet to save space, then the cabinet structure is compact, but the user must bend at the waist to pull the front panel, causing inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automatic opening mechanism using a motor, rack, and pinion system. When the drawer reaches a predetermined position, the motor automatically activates to open the drawer without requiring the user to bend down and manually pull it. This self-service function eliminates the physical discomfort of bending while maintaining the space-efficient lower drawer configuration.
3Extent of automation
If racks and pinion are used to automatically open the drawer, then the drawer can be opened automatically, but the detection part may malfunction when the magnet moves along the longitudinal direction of the sensor instead of towards it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the detection system configuration to match the automatic opening mechanism. Instead of the magnet approaching the sensor perpendicularly, the magnet is arranged to move along the longitudinal direction of the sensor. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that during automatic opening, the magnet's movement path remains aligned with the sensor's detection axis, preventing detection errors while maintaining automation.
4Area of stationary object
If the sensor detects the magnet at any position along its longitudinal direction, then detection coverage is increased, but detection errors occur when the drawer is not completely opened or closed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different detection zones along the sensor's longitudinal direction. The sensor has a first detection area for detecting complete closure, a second detection area for detecting complete opening, and a third detection area for intermediate positions. By locally defining specific detection functions for different areas, the system achieves both comprehensive coverage and precise state identification.
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 configuration ensures precise detection of the drawer's fully open state, preventing malfunctions and accidents by maintaining the magnet within the sensor's detection area even under external impacts, thus enhancing safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The reed switch has a sensor for detecting the magnet
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator is proposed, when a drawer of the refrigerator is completely opened, the center of an opening-detection magnet provided at the lower surface of the drawer may be disposed by exceeding the center of the sensor of a reed switch, in a moving direction of the drawer, installed at the bottom surface of the inside of the cabinet. Accordingly, the sensor may accurately detect the magnet, and even if external impact is applied to the drawer in the completely opened state of the drawer, the malfunction of the drawer which is closed unintentionally may be prevented.