Refrigerator Sabbath Mode with Automatic Geographic Location Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Orthodox Jewish customs require appliances to remain inactive during the Sabbath, but existing refrigerator appliances often require manual intervention to disable functions, leading to inefficiencies and potential spoilage or freezing of food.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator appliance that automatically determines the Sabbath condition based on geographic location and enters a Sabbath mode, controlling the compressor to maintain a set cooling cycle, thereby preventing user-initiated actions and ensuring food remains at a suitable temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual inputs are configured to disable displays and lights during Sabbath, then compliance with Sabbath traditions is improved, but user burden increases as users must remember to manually program inputs before and after Sabbath
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator appliance automatically determines Sabbath conditions based on geographic location and time, and self-adjusts its operation mode without requiring user intervention. The system uses its own resources (geolocation data, clock) to make decisions, eliminating the need for users to manually program inputs before and after Sabbath.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance pre-determines Sabbath start and end times based on geographic location and calendar data before Sabbath begins. This preliminary determination allows the system to automatically switch to Sabbath mode at the appropriate time without requiring last-minute user action.
2Reliability
If a rigid cooling cycle is manually set during Sabbath, then Sabbath compliance is improved, but food safety deteriorates as food may spoil or freeze if the cooling cycle is maintained too long
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling cycle transitions from a rigid, fixed pattern to a dynamic, adaptive pattern during Sabbath mode. The compressor operates on a set interval that allows for periodic cooling cycles while maintaining overall temperature stability, adapting the cooling behavior to the Sabbath time period while still protecting food safety.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of a continuous rigid cooling cycle or complete shutdown, the compressor operates periodically on a set interval during Sabbath mode. This periodic action provides intermittent cooling to maintain food safety while complying with Sabbath restrictions on continuous operation.
3Ease of operation
If the appliance automatically determines Sabbath condition and enters Sabbath mode, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to automatic geographic location-based determination
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs multiple functions: it serves as both the geographic location determination system and the Sabbath mode controller. By integrating these functions into a single control unit, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated hardware for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by relying on existing geographic location data and calendar information that are already available or easily obtainable, rather than implementing a completely new determination system. This intermediary use of existing data sources reduces the complexity burden.
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
The appliance ensures compliance with Sabbath traditions by automatically managing its operations, maintaining food safety and efficiency without user intervention, preventing spoilage or freezing.
Implementation Method 1
initiating a cooling cycle of the compressor along a set compressor interval during the instituted Sabbath mode to compress a sealed refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a cooling system for the refrigerator appliance may be manually set to a rigid (i.e., unaffected by a user's actions) cooling cycle during the Sabbath
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator appliance and method of operation during Jewish holidays is provided herein. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet defining a refrigerated chamber, a sealed cooling system, and a controller. The sealed cooling system may be in operable communication with the refrigerated chamber and include a compressor. The controller may be operatively coupled to the sealed cooling system. The controller may be configured to selectively control the refrigerator appliance according to an operation routine for a Jewish holiday.