Refrigerator Temperature Prediction Using Door Operation Log Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for an accurate prediction of the interior temperature of a refrigerator when an anomaly occurs and the cooling function stops, as existing techniques are not sufficient for reliable temperature forecasting.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerator management method and system that obtain log information including temperature and door operation data, calculate the timewise change in interior temperature based on this data, and output the calculation results, enabling accurate temperature prediction even when the compressor is stopped.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional temperature prediction techniques are used when an anomaly occurs, then basic temperature forecasting is provided, but the prediction accuracy is insufficient for reliable temperature forecasting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature prediction accuracyVSAvoidreliability of temperature forecasting

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by collecting and analyzing door opening/closing log information and temperature data before an anomaly occurs. This historical data is stored and processed in advance to establish baseline patterns of temperature change under various door operation conditions, enabling more accurate predictions when anomalies occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by separately calculating timewise temperature changes based on different door operation patterns (opened/closed vs. not opened/closed). By varying the calculation parameters according to actual door operation history rather than using a single generic model, the temperature prediction accuracy is improved

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If door operation data is incorporated into temperature calculation, then temperature prediction accuracy is improved, but calculation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature prediction accuracyVSAvoidcalculation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The calculation process is segmented into distinct parts: first, door operation logs are analyzed to determine whether the door was opened/closed or remained closed during a predetermined period; second, temperature changes are calculated separately for each door operation scenario; third, the appropriate calculation result is selected based on actual door operation. This segmentation simplifies the overall complexity by breaking down the problem into manageable, independent steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11988441B2Refrigerator management method, refrigerator management device, refrigerator management system, and temperature calculation method

Publication Date: 2024.05.21 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A refrigerator management method according to one aspect of the present invention includes: obtaining log information including temperature information indicating an interior temperature of a refrigerator and opened and closed information indicating whether or not a door of the refrigerator has been opened and closed; calculating, based on the log information, a timewise change in the interior temperature for when the door is opened and closed in a predetermined period and for when the door is not opened and closed in the predetermined period; and outputting result information indicating a calculation result calculated in the calculating.