Fridge and / or freezer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators and freezers with automatic door actuators lack the ability for variable manual adjustment of the opening angle, limiting user convenience and adaptability.
Innovation Solution
A voice-controlled system with an actuator and control unit that allows users to configure and control the door movement using voice commands, enabling adjustable opening angles and intuitive operation without a menu-based interface, utilizing a microphone, loudspeaker, and artificial intelligence for user recognition and external device integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automatic door actuator is implemented, then door operation automation is improved, but manual adjustment capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between automatic and manual control modes. The actuator can operate automatically based on sensor input or be manually controlled via wireless communication devices, allowing the control mechanism to adapt to different user needs and situations.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communication device serves as an intermediary between the user and the actuator system. This mediator enables manual adjustment capability without requiring direct physical interaction with the door mechanism, preserving both automation and manual control flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If voice control system is added, then user interface intuitiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to accept multiple types of input (voice commands, wireless signals from various devices) and perform multiple functions (door control, temperature adjustment, lighting). This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single integrated unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical or physical interfaces (buttons, switches, dials) are replaced with voice-based and wireless electronic control systems. This substitution reduces physical complexity while enhancing user interface intuitiveness through natural language interaction.
3Measurement precision
If menu-based interface is used, then control precision is improved, but operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by anticipating user needs based on voice commands and contextual information. Rather than requiring users to navigate through multiple menu levels, the system prepares and executes the desired action more directly, reducing operation time while maintaining control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The voice-based interface allows users to skip through traditional menu navigation steps by speaking natural language commands. The system interprets these commands and executes the corresponding functions directly, bypassing intermediate menu selections and significantly reducing the time required to perform operations.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer with a thermally insulated appliance body enclosing an interior space, wherein a removal opening is provided on a main surface of the appliance body to allow goods to be placed in and removed from the interior space, wherein the refrigerator and/or freezer has at least one thermally insulated closing element to reversibly close the removal opening, wherein the appliance has a control unit, and wherein the control unit is configured to set a configuration of the appliance by means of voice commands.