Sensor system for refrigerator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerator lights can be overly bright and blinding when doors are opened in the dark, making it difficult for users to navigate and causing discomfort, and turning them off can lead to difficulty in locating dispenser settings and preventing spills due to lack of illumination.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system integrated with proximity sensors that automatically turn on lights when a user approaches the refrigerator or dispenser, using capacitive or infrared and visible light sensors to detect presence and adjust lighting intensity, including a dimmer button for interior lighting to prevent blinding brightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If interior lights are turned on at full brightness when doors are opened, then the interior is sufficiently illuminated for visibility, but the light becomes blinding and causes discomfort to users
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system dynamically adjusts brightness based on ambient light conditions detected by sensors. When the refrigerator door is opened in dark environments, the system detects low ambient light and activates interior lighting at a reduced, comfortable brightness level rather than full intensity, thereby eliminating the blinding effect while maintaining sufficient visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the illumination parameter adaptively based on environmental conditions. By using light sensors to detect ambient brightness levels, the system adjusts the interior light intensity parameter to provide appropriate illumination without causing discomfort, transforming the fixed brightness parameter into a dynamic one that responds to external conditions.
2Loss of energy
If dispenser lights are turned off to save energy and reduce unwanted glow, then energy consumption is reduced and user comfort is improved, but it becomes difficult for consumers to see where to place containers and locate buttons
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary illumination by detecting user approach through motion sensors or proximity sensors before the user actually needs to interact with the dispenser. This allows the lights to be turned on just in time for the user's needs, providing necessary visibility for placing containers and locating buttons only when a user is detected nearby, thereby minimizing energy consumption while ensuring operational visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system uses sensor feedback from motion detection or proximity detection to control dispenser lighting. When sensors detect user presence or movement toward the dispenser, the system activates the lights to provide necessary illumination. When no user is detected, the lights remain off to conserve energy. This feedback mechanism ensures lights are on only when needed for operation.
3Ease of operation
If proximity sensors and automatic lighting control are added to the refrigerator system, then user comfort and convenience are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting control system is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides interior illumination when doors are opened, activates dispenser lighting when users approach, and adjusts brightness based on ambient light conditions. By integrating these multiple functions into a single unified control system that uses common sensors for both motion detection and light level detection, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate dedicated systems for each function.
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
Provides gentle and adaptive lighting that reduces eye strain, enhances navigation by automatically illuminating necessary areas, and allows users to easily access dispenser settings without additional room lighting, while conserving energy by only activating lights when needed.
Implementation Method 1
using capacitive or infrared and visible light sensors to detect presence
Implementation Method 2
using capacitive or infrared and visible light sensors to detect presence
Implementation Method 3
A lighting system integrated with proximity sensors that automatically turn on lights when a user approaches the refrigerator or dispenser
Data Source
AI summary
An interactive appliance is provided. The interactive appliance includes at least a housing, and an intelligent control disposed within the housing. One or more lighting devices are electrically connected to the intelligent control, as are one or more sensors. The sensors provide sensor data for the interactive appliance. The intelligent control is configured to alter operation of at least one of the one or more lighting devices based on data provided by the sensor to provide interactive feedback to a user of the interactive appliance. The feedback can include altering light intensity, color, consistency, or the like depending on the sensor data. Furthermore, the lighting device can be placed on a surface, such as an exterior surface of the housing of the appliance, or can be disposed within an interior portion of the appliance.