Refrigerator Smell Sensor Control to Extend Deodorizing Filter Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators face challenges in effectively deodorizing food smells, particularly when new food items are introduced, leading to user discomfort and the need for frequent replacement of deodorizing aids.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator system equipped with a semiconductor-type gas sensor, such as In2O2 or SnO2, that calculates average smell values over a cooling cycle and adjusts the deodorizing function to remove unpleasant odors using a filter and sterilizing lamp, optimizing the deodorizing mode based on detected smell intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a deodorizing aid is used to remove food smells, then the deodorizing effect is improved, but the aid needs to be periodically exchanged due to limited lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator system automatically detects smell concentration using a smell sensor and controls the deodorizing operation without user intervention. The controller activates the deodorizing function only when smell exceeds a threshold, enabling the system to serve itself by autonomously managing deodorizing needs based on real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the deodorizing function based on detected smell concentration. Instead of continuous operation, the deodorizing function is activated only when smell concentration exceeds a predetermined threshold, optimizing resource usage and extending filter life while maintaining effective deodorizing when needed.
2Reliability
If the deodorizing function operates continuously to remove smells, then the deodorizing effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deodorizing function operates periodically based on smell detection rather than continuously. The controller monitors smell concentration and activates the deodorizing function only when smell exceeds a threshold, creating an on-demand periodic operation pattern that reduces energy consumption while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a smell sensor to provide feedback on the actual smell concentration in the refrigerator. The controller receives this feedback and adjusts the deodorizing operation accordingly, activating only when necessary. This closed-loop feedback control ensures energy is used only when deodorizing is actually needed.
3Measurement precision
If a smell sensor is used to detect food smells, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The smell sensor and controller work together as an integrated self-service system. The sensor automatically detects smell concentration and the controller autonomously decides when to activate deodorizing based on predetermined thresholds, eliminating the need for complex user interfaces or manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The smell sensor serves multiple functions: detecting food smells, determining when deodorizing is needed, and providing feedback for control decisions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture despite the added sensing capability.
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 reduces unpleasant smells and prevents them from affecting other food items, enhancing user convenience and extending the life of deodorizing filters by automatically adjusting deodorizing operations.
Implementation Method 1
a semiconductor-type gas sensor, such as In2O2 or SnO2, that calculates average smell values
Implementation Method 2
which replaces the density of smell detected with a difference in a resistance value as electric variable to be outputted as density signal
Implementation Method 3
remove the smell during containing foodstuffs
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator and a method of controlling the same are disclosed. The refrigerator and the method of controlling the same detect smell intensity generated from a foodstuff and control a deodorizing function according to the smell intensity in order to remove unpleasant smell in the refrigerator during containing the foodstuff, and rapidly remove smell even when a foodstuff is newly input to generate smell so as to reduce user displeasure and to prevent the smell from affecting other foodstuffs, thereby enhancing convenience.