Home appliances including light sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators require multiple sensors to detect whether a water container is coupled and to measure its water level, increasing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator equipped with a single optical sensor that uses a reflection mirror to guide light emitted from the sensor to the bottom of the water container, allowing it to determine coupling and water level based on light traveling distance, using a controller to analyze time values and dispersions for accurate detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect water container coupling and water level, then detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting water container coupling status and measuring water level. By making the sensor universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate sensors for each function, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the water container coupling detection sensor and water level sensor into a single optical sensor. This merging of functions into one component reduces the total number of sensors needed, lowering manufacturing cost while preserving the ability to accurately detect both coupling status and water level
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are used for water container detection, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor serves multiple detection purposes (coupling status and water level) simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate sensing components needed, simplifying the sensing module structure while maintaining reliable detection of both parameters through a single integrated sensor
3Device complexity
If a single optical sensor is used for both coupling detection and water level measurement, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The reflection mirror acts as an intermediary component that enables the single optical sensor to accurately perform both coupling detection and water level measurement. The mirror reflects light to the sensor, providing distinct optical paths that allow the sensor to differentiate between coupling status and water level information, thereby maintaining measurement precision while using a simplified single-sensor configuration
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
Reduces sensor costs and enhances production efficiency by using a single sensor to detect water container coupling and level, providing real-time monitoring and precise water supply control.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor on one surface of a side of the water container mounting part and configured to detect whether the water container is coupled to the water container mounting part or a detects water level of the water container coupled to the water container mounting part. The water container may include a reflection mirror disposed to face the optical sensor and configured to guide light emitted from the optical sensor to a bottom side of the water container and light reflected from the bottom side
Implementation Method 2
a controller configured to calculate a light traveling distance based on a time value of light emitted from a light emitting element of the optical sensor and received by a light receiving element of the optical sensor and determine whether the water container is coupled to the water container mounting part and measure the water level of the water container coupled to the water container mounting part based on the calculated light traveling distance
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator may comprise a main body including a storage compartment, a door rotatably connectable to the main body, a water container mounting part disposed in the door, a water container coupleable to and decoupleable from the water container mounting part, and an optical sensor disposed on one surface of a side of the water container mounting part configured to detect whether the water container is coupled to the water container mounting part or detect a water level of the water container. The water container may include a reflection mirror disposed to face the optical sensor and configured to guide light emitted from the optical sensor to a bottom side of the water container or light reflected from the bottom side and guide light reflected by water stored in the water container to the optical sensor.