Refrigerator Smell Sensor and Adaptive Deodorizer Mode Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators face challenges in effectively deodorizing food smells, particularly when new food items are added, leading to user discomfort and the need for frequent replacement of deodorizing aids due to limited lifetime.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator equipped with a smell sensor and a deodorizer that automatically adjusts its operation mode based on detected smell intensity, using a semiconductor-type gas sensor and a deodorizing system that includes a filter and sterilizing lamp to adsorb and remove odors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a deodorizing aid is used to remove smells in the refrigerator, then the deodorization effect is improved, but the aid needs to be periodically exchanged due to limited lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The deodorizer automatically detects smell intensity through the smell sensor and adjusts its operation mode accordingly. When strong smells are detected, it switches to power mode for intensive deodorization, and when smells are weak, it operates in normal mode to conserve the filter's lifetime. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for periodic manual replacement of deodorizing aids.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the deodorizer based on detected smell intensity. The controller adjusts the deodorizer's operation mode (normal mode vs. power mode) and running time according to the smell sensor readings, optimizing both deodorization effectiveness and filter usage duration.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the deodorizer operates continuously in power mode to remove strong smells, then smell removal effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deodorizer operates dynamically by switching between normal mode and power mode based on real-time smell detection. Instead of continuous high-power operation, the system adapts its intensity to the actual smell conditions, consuming energy only when and where needed for effective deodorization.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller adjusts the deodorizer's operational parameters (mode and duration) based on smell sensor feedback. When smell intensity is low, the system uses normal mode with lower energy consumption; when smell intensity is high, it switches to power mode for intensive but temporary high-energy operation, optimizing overall energy efficiency.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the deodorizer operates in normal automatic mode, then energy consumption is reduced, but smell removal effectiveness decreases when strong smells are present
Solution Approach 1:
The smell sensor provides continuous feedback to the controller about the smell intensity in the refrigerator. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically adjusts the deodorizer's operation mode, ensuring that power mode is activated when strong smells are detected and normal mode is used when smells are weak, optimizing both effectiveness and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The deodorizer dynamically adjusts its operation intensity based on actual smell conditions rather than operating at a fixed level. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the system uses high power only when necessary for strong smells and operates at low power when smell levels are acceptable, achieving optimal balance between effectiveness and energy consumption.
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 system effectively detects and removes unpleasant smells, reducing user discomfort and preventing odor transfer between food items, while optimizing the use of filters with limited lifetimes.
Implementation Method 1
a smell sensor for detecting smell in the refrigerator
Implementation Method 2
a deodorizer for adsorbing, sterilizing, and deodorizing air in the refrigerator
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator may include a smell sensor for detecting smell in the refrigerator; a deodorizer for adsorbing, sterilizing, and deodorizing air in the refrigerator; and a controller for calculating smell values based on the detected smell at the smell sensor, changing a deodorizing mode according to the detected smell, and controlling the deodorizer.