Refrigerator Touch Sensor Assembly for Erroneous Input Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators lack an effective method to prevent erroneous user inputs and adjust sensitivity settings for their touch sensor assemblies, leading to potential malfunctions and operational issues during special modes like inspection, test, or store display.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensor assembly integrated with a sensor controller that detects simultaneous signals from multiple sensors as erroneous, allowing entry into special modes by specific touch sequences, adjusts sensitivity settings, and stores these values for comparison in a storage medium like EEPROM, ensuring accurate operation and user-friendly interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touch sensor assembly is provided on the front panel to enable user manipulation, then ease of operation is improved, but erroneous input from accidental touches may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation by checking temporal relationships between sensor activations. Before executing a command, the controller verifies that the touch sequence follows the expected temporal pattern (first touch precedes second touch within valid time window), preventing erroneous single-touch inputs from triggering special modes
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides visual feedback through the display assembly to confirm valid touch sequences and indicate when special modes are activated. The display shows confirmation messages or mode indicators, allowing users to verify that their input was correctly recognized and preventing ambiguous interpretations of accidental touches
2Reliability
If separate reset or special mode entry buttons are provided at positions except the manipulation part, then reliability against erroneous input is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The front panel serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display surface (allowing light to pass through to show information) and the touch sensor input interface. The touch sensor assembly is integrated directly onto the front panel, eliminating the need for separate buttons or switches, thus maintaining reliability while reducing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulation functions are merged into the existing front panel structure. The touch sensor assembly combines with the display assembly to create an integrated interface where the same panel that displays information also receives user input, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining reliable operation
3Ease of manufacture
If touch sensor assembly is integrated into the front panel for sleek design, then ease of manufacture is improved, but sensitivity adjustment and erroneous input detection become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sensitivity validation by checking whether the temporal relationship between sensor activations falls within the expected range. The controller has pre-established valid time windows for sequential touches, and inputs outside these parameters are automatically rejected, providing built-in sensitivity control without additional hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The touch sensor assembly self-regulates its operation through the controller's validation logic. The system automatically detects and filters erroneous inputs based on temporal patterns, eliminating the need for manual sensitivity adjustment mechanisms or separate calibration procedures, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while ensuring reliable operation
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
Prevents erroneous manipulations, allows precise sensitivity adjustment, and facilitates smooth transition into special operational modes, enhancing user convenience and refrigerator functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The touch sensor assembly includes a capacitive sensor and a resistance cell type sensor. The sensors may detect touch of the user to convert the user's touch into a signal for operating the home appliance.
Implementation Method 2
a display assembly mounted inside the door to emit light to display the information
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
According to an embodiment for a refrigerator (1), a plurality of touch parts (12) may be manipulated to enter into a special mode, thereby preventing the refrigerator (1) from malfunctioning. The touch sensitivity adjustment of the refrigerator (1) due to the touch manipulation of the refrigerator (1) may be visualized.