Refrigerator and method for controlling refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator designs with opaque doors often malfunction when attempting to switch to a transparent state in response to user inputs like knocks or touches, leading to unnecessary power consumption and user dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator system that includes a main body, a door, and a sensing unit with a first sensor to detect a user and a second sensor that remains inactive until activated by the first sensor to sense specific user inputs for door functions. A controller manages these sensors to minimize malfunctions and optimize power use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the door state is changed by sensing a vibration or touch, then the user can check stored food without opening the door, but the door state may be changed by low-frequency sound or simple shock causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
A human body sensor acts as an intermediary between the user and the knock-on sensor. The sensor operates in two stages: first detecting human presence, then activating the knock-on function only after confirming actual user intent. This intermediary detection mechanism filters out false triggers from environmental vibrations or shocks.
2Speed
If the knock-on sensor is always active to detect user input, then the response time is fast, but unnecessary power is consumed when no user is present
Solution Approach 1:
The knock-on sensor operates periodically rather than continuously. It alternates between active detection mode and sleep mode based on human presence. When a user approaches, the sensor activates; when no user is present, it enters sleep mode to conserve energy. This periodic operation maintains responsiveness while reducing power consumption.
3Shape
If the door is made opaque to maintain privacy and aesthetics, then the appearance is improved, but the user cannot check stored food without opening the door
Solution Approach 1:
The door transparency is dynamic rather than static. The door panel can switch between opaque and transparent states based on user input detected by the knock-on sensor. This dynamic property allows the door to maintain an aesthetically pleasing opaque appearance during normal operation while becoming transparent on demand to reveal stored food.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a main body that defines a storage chamber; door coupled to the main body and configured to open and close the storage chamber, a first sensor disposed at the main body and configured to sense a user in a vicinity of the refrigerator, and a second sensor configured to sense a user input for selecting at least one function related to the door, and a control unit configured to, based on sensing result from the first sensor, switch the second sensor to an active state to sense the user input, and execute the at least one function related to the door based on a sensing result from the second sensor.