Refrigerator Ice Level Sensing for Precise Dispensing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators waste energy by making excess ice, lack precision in ice dispensing, and require users to open the door to check ice storage levels, leading to inefficiencies in ice usage and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator equipped with an ice storage unit, a non-contact ice level sensing system using infrared light, and a control unit that adjusts ice production based on user input and sensed storage levels, allowing for precise ice dispensing and external monitoring of ice amounts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional ice makers continuously produce ice, then ice availability is ensured, but energy is wasted by making excess ice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where an ice level sensor continuously monitors the ice storage amount in the ice storage container and transmits this information to the control unit. The control unit automatically controls the ice maker to stop production when the container is full and resume when ice is dispensed, eliminating the need for continuous ice production and preventing energy waste from excessive ice making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the refrigerator automatically manages ice production based on actual demand. The control unit autonomously decides when to start and stop the ice maker based on sensor feedback, without requiring user intervention or manual monitoring, thus optimizing energy consumption while ensuring ice availability.
2Loss of information
If the door is opened to check ice storage levels, then users can see ice amount, but cool air loss increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary - the ice level sensor and control system - that allows users to obtain information about ice storage levels without opening the door. The sensor acts as a mediator between the physical ice state and the user's information need, enabling remote monitoring through the control panel while preventing the harmful effect of door opening and cool air loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical action of opening the door to visually check ice levels with an electronic sensing and display system. The optical or electromagnetic sensor detects ice level and transmits data to the control panel, substituting the mechanical door-opening action with an electronic information transmission system that achieves the same information goal without the energy penalty.
3Ease of operation
If ice dispensing amount is adjusted by button clicking time, then simple control is achieved, but precise ice dispensing cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control in the ice dispensing system where a sensor detects the actual amount of ice dispensed and compares it with the target amount. The control unit adjusts the dispensing process based on this feedback, ensuring precise ice dispensing while maintaining simple user interaction through the control panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the imprecise mechanical timing method with an electronic control system that uses sensors to detect ice dispensing amount and a microprocessor to calculate and control the precise quantity. This substitution maintains ease of operation through button pressing while achieving precision through electronic measurement and control algorithms.
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 enables users to make and store only the needed amount of ice, reducing energy waste, providing fresh ice on demand, and allowing external monitoring of ice levels without opening the door, thus optimizing ice usage and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an ice level sensing unit for sensing an amount of the ice stored in the ice storage unit in a non-contact type
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a refrigerator which can precisely adjust and display not only an ice making and storing amount but also an ice dispensing amount. As an ice level sensing unit provided at an ice storage unit for storing ice senses the ice storage amount by light, it is possible to adjust and display the ice storage amount. Moreover, as an ice sensing unit provided at an ice guide unit for dispensing ice senses the ice dispensing amount by light, it is possible to adjust and display the ice dispensing amount.