Refrigerator Weight Sensing for Opaque Container Content Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators struggle to accurately determine the remaining amount of contents, especially in opaque containers or thick glass bottles, requiring users to visually estimate which is inaccurate.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator equipped with a weight detector in the storeroom, a communication module, and a controller to generate output signals based on the connection state, allowing for accurate determination of remaining amounts through a user interface or terminal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users visually estimate the remaining amount of content in opaque containers or thick glass bottles, then no additional equipment is needed, but the measurement precision is poor and inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual estimation method with a weight-based detection system. A weight detector measures the actual weight of containers with content, and the controller calculates remaining amounts by comparing current weight with initial weight, providing precise measurement without visual inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a weight detector as an intermediary device between the user and the content. Instead of directly observing the content level, users interact with the weight detector that indirectly measures remaining content through weight changes, solving the problem of opaque container visibility.
2Measurement precision
If a weight detector is added to the refrigerator, then the remaining amount of content can be accurately determined, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The weight detector is designed to serve multiple functions: measuring container weight, detecting container presence, and triggering notifications. The notification device also serves dual purposes by displaying both connection status and remaining amount information, reducing overall system complexity through multi-functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs weight measurement and remaining amount calculation without user intervention. The weight detector continuously monitors weight changes, and the controller automatically computes remaining content levels, eliminating the need for manual measurement or visual inspection by users.
3Productivity
If the weight detector is connected to the communication module, then real-time monitoring is enabled, but the ease of operation becomes more complex due to connection management
Solution Approach 1:
The notification device provides visual feedback about the connection status through different lighting modes (first mode for disconnected, second mode for connected). This immediate feedback helps users understand the system state without complex interfaces, maintaining ease of operation while enabling real-time monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary connection establishment between the weight detector and communication module before actual monitoring begins. The controller pre-configures the communication link and prepares the notification device, so that when monitoring starts, the connection is already established and ready for real-time data transmission.
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
Enables users to obtain precise information about the remaining amount of contents without visual inspection, facilitating automatic purchase recommendations and notifications.
Implementation Method 1
a weight detector allowed to be arranged in at least one of the first storeroom or the second storeroom for detecting weight of an item stored in the at least one of the first storeroom or the second storeroom
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a body comprising a first storage compartment, a door coupled to the body so as to open/close the first storage compartment and provided with a second storage compartment other than the first storage compartment, a weight sensing unit capable of being disposed in at least one of the first and second storage compartments so as to sense the weight of an item stored in the at least one of the first and second storage compartments, a communication unit for communicating with the weight sensing unit, and a control unit for generating, on the basis of the state of a communication connection between the weight sensing unit and communication unit, an output signal that distinguishes the state of the communication connection.