EP4493955A1 - Refrigeration appliance and method for operating refrigeration appliance - Google Patents

Refrigeration appliance and method for operating refrigeration appliance

Info

Publication number
EP4493955A1
EP4493955A1 EP23711408.7A EP23711408A EP4493955A1 EP 4493955 A1 EP4493955 A1 EP 4493955A1 EP 23711408 A EP23711408 A EP 23711408A EP 4493955 A1 EP4493955 A1 EP 4493955A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
refrigeration appliance
distance
proximity sensor
intermediate frequency
moving object
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP23711408.7A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Yingfeng HOU
Jing HONG
Shikang Ge
Bo Ma
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Original Assignee
BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by BSH Hausgeraete GmbH filed Critical BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Publication of EP4493955A1 publication Critical patent/EP4493955A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/02—Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems
    • G01S13/06—Systems determining position data of a target
    • G01S13/08—Systems for measuring distance only
    • G01S13/32—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of continuous waves, whether amplitude-, frequency-, or phase-modulated, or unmodulated
    • G01S13/34—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of continuous waves, whether amplitude-, frequency-, or phase-modulated, or unmodulated using transmission of continuous, frequency-modulated waves while heterodyning the received signal, or a signal derived therefrom, with a locally-generated signal related to the contemporaneously transmitted signal
    • G01S13/345—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of continuous waves, whether amplitude-, frequency-, or phase-modulated, or unmodulated using transmission of continuous, frequency-modulated waves while heterodyning the received signal, or a signal derived therefrom, with a locally-generated signal related to the contemporaneously transmitted signal using triangular modulation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D27/00—Lighting arrangements
    • F25D27/005—Lighting arrangements combined with control means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D29/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F25D29/005—Mounting of control devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/02—Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems
    • G01S13/06—Systems determining position data of a target
    • G01S13/08—Systems for measuring distance only
    • G01S13/32—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of continuous waves, whether amplitude-, frequency-, or phase-modulated, or unmodulated
    • G01S13/34—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of continuous waves, whether amplitude-, frequency-, or phase-modulated, or unmodulated using transmission of continuous, frequency-modulated waves while heterodyning the received signal, or a signal derived therefrom, with a locally-generated signal related to the contemporaneously transmitted signal
    • G01S13/346—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of continuous waves, whether amplitude-, frequency-, or phase-modulated, or unmodulated using transmission of continuous, frequency-modulated waves while heterodyning the received signal, or a signal derived therefrom, with a locally-generated signal related to the contemporaneously transmitted signal using noise modulation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/02—Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems
    • G01S13/06—Systems determining position data of a target
    • G01S13/08—Systems for measuring distance only
    • G01S13/32—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of continuous waves, whether amplitude-, frequency-, or phase-modulated, or unmodulated
    • G01S13/36—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of continuous waves, whether amplitude-, frequency-, or phase-modulated, or unmodulated with phase comparison between the received signal and the contemporaneously transmitted signal
    • G01S13/38—Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of continuous waves, whether amplitude-, frequency-, or phase-modulated, or unmodulated with phase comparison between the received signal and the contemporaneously transmitted signal wherein more than one modulation frequency is used
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/02—Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems
    • G01S13/50—Systems of measurement based on relative movement of target
    • G01S13/52—Discriminating between fixed and moving objects or between objects moving at different speeds
    • G01S13/56—Discriminating between fixed and moving objects or between objects moving at different speeds for presence detection
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/02—Systems using reflection of radio waves, e.g. primary radar systems; Analogous systems
    • G01S13/50—Systems of measurement based on relative movement of target
    • G01S13/58—Velocity or trajectory determination systems; Sense-of-movement determination systems
    • G01S13/583—Velocity or trajectory determination systems; Sense-of-movement determination systems using transmission of continuous unmodulated waves, amplitude-, frequency-, or phase-modulated waves and based upon the Doppler effect resulting from movement of targets
    • G01S13/584—Velocity or trajectory determination systems; Sense-of-movement determination systems using transmission of continuous unmodulated waves, amplitude-, frequency-, or phase-modulated waves and based upon the Doppler effect resulting from movement of targets adapted for simultaneous range and velocity measurements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
    • F25D2400/36—Visual displays
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2600/00—Control issues
    • F25D2600/06—Controlling according to a predetermined profile
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
    • F25D2700/04—Sensors detecting the presence of a person

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance and a method for operating the refrigeration appliance.
  • the refrigerators are generally provided with a proximity sensor. After sensing approaching of a person through a proximity sensor, a control system of a refrigerator controls a refrigerator execution mechanism to perform a specified action, for example, causing a lighting apparatus of the refrigerator to emit soft light especially for providing light for a user in the dark, or activating a panel of the refrigerator, especially a touch display panel, configured for indication and/or operation.
  • a control system of a refrigerator controls a refrigerator execution mechanism to perform a specified action, for example, causing a lighting apparatus of the refrigerator to emit soft light especially for providing light for a user in the dark, or activating a panel of the refrigerator, especially a touch display panel, configured for indication and/or operation.
  • the infrared sensor As a proximity sensor, but a disadvantage lies in: There cannot be other objects blocking between the infrared sensor and a detected object, otherwise the infrared sensor cannot accurately detect the object. For normal operation, the infrared sensor needs to be installed in an opening hole of the panel of the refrigerator. The opening hole of the panel of the refrigerator damages the integrity of the panel of the refrigerator and reduces the sense of high class of the refrigerator.
  • An objective of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration appliance and a method for operating the refrigeration appliance.
  • an embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigeration appliance.
  • the refrigeration appliance includes: a proximity sensor device, including a proximity sensor, where the proximity sensor includes: an emission unit, configured to emit an emitted wave in a form of a multi-frequency continuous wave or a frequency-modulated continuous wave; a receiving unit, configured to receive a reflected echo reflected back from an object; and a component with a metal coating, located on a detection path of the proximity sensor, where during operation, the emitted wave and/or the reflected echo penetrates the metal coating, where the refrigeration appliance obtains a proximity degree between a moving object and the proximity sensor calculated at least based on Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo.
  • the metal coating herein should be especially understood as a very thin metal coating layer, because a thick metal layer may cause the reflected echo to be attenuated to an immeasurable degree.
  • a distance can be calculated using phase information instead of amplitude information, thereby omitting complex amplitude data processing that is used for compensating amplitude attenuation caused by the metal coating and is specific to a material of the metal coating.
  • the phase information is not affected by a material of a blocking object, and therefore the distance from the object can be accurately detected.
  • the multi-frequency continuous wave includes at least a first emitted wave with a first frequency and a second emitted wave with a second frequency.
  • the first emitted wave and the second emitted wave should be especially understood as single-frequency continuous waves.
  • the multi-frequency continuous wave is a nonmodulated multi-frequency continuous wave.
  • the frequency-modulated continuous wave is a sawtooth wave or a triangular wave.
  • the proximity degree includes a distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor.
  • the refrigeration appliance includes a processing module, configured to perform signal processing on the emitted wave and the reflected echo to obtain intermediate frequency signals and obtain amplitudes and frequencies from the intermediate frequency signals, and/or phase differences between the intermediate frequency signals.
  • the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals herein especially correspond to the Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and the reflected echo.
  • the refrigeration appliance includes a determining module, configured to determine whether a preset condition for the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and/or movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals is met.
  • the determining module is configured to determine whether amplitudes of a first intermediate frequency signal obtained through the first emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo and a second intermediate frequency signal obtained through the second emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo are both greater than, or greater than or equal to a preset threshold, and determine whether movement speeds of the moving object obtained through frequencies of the first intermediate frequency signal and the second intermediate frequency signal are both within a preset speed range.
  • the refrigeration appliance includes an activation module, configured to emit an activation signal that activates a distance measurement function, in a case that the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and the movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals meet the preset condition.
  • the refrigeration appliance includes a distance measurement module, configured to calculate the distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor at least based on the Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and the corresponding reflected echo in response to the activation signal.
  • the distance measurement module is configured to calculate the distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor based on a phase difference between the first intermediate frequency signal and the second intermediate frequency signal.
  • the refrigeration appliance includes a distance determining module configured to determine whether the obtained distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor meets a preset distance condition.
  • the distance determining module is configured to determine whether the obtained distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor is within a preset distance range.
  • the refrigeration appliance includes a communication module, configured to communicate with a refrigeration appliance control system of the refrigeration appliance at least in a case of determining that the obtained distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor meets the preset distance condition, where the refrigeration appliance control system is at least configured to cause, based on the communication, a refrigeration appliance execution mechanism of the refrigeration appliance to perform a preset action.
  • the refrigeration appliance includes a system initialization module, configured to initialize the proximity sensor device.
  • the refrigeration appliance includes an abnormality processing module, configured to monitor and process abnormality of the proximity sensor device.
  • the proximity sensor device includes at least one of the processing module, the determining module, the activation module, the distance measurement module, the distance determining module, the communication module, the system initialization module, or the abnormality processing module.
  • the refrigeration appliance is a refrigerator.
  • the component with a metal coating is a panel with a metal coating.
  • the panel includes glass and/or ceramic.
  • the metal coating includes at least one element of chromium, sliver, or aluminum.
  • the proximity sensor device is constructed in a form of a radar sensor device.
  • an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for operating the foregoing refrigeration appliance.
  • the method includes at least the following steps: an emission step, where an emitted wave in a form of a multi-frequency continuous wave or a frequency-modulated continuous wave is emitted; a receiving step, where a reflected echo reflected back from an object is received; and a distance obtaining step, where a proximity degree between a moving object and a proximity sensor of the refrigeration appliance calculated at least based on Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo is obtained.
  • the multi-frequency continuous wave including at least a first emitted wave with a first frequency and a second emitted wave with a second frequency is emitted.
  • the proximity degree includes a distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor of the refrigeration appliance.
  • the method further includes at least one of the following steps: an initialization step, where a proximity sensor device of the refrigeration appliance is initialized; a processing step, where signal processing is performed on the emitted wave and the reflected echo to obtain intermediate frequency signals and obtain amplitudes and frequencies from the intermediate frequency signals, and/or phase differences between the intermediate frequency signals; a determining step, where whether a preset condition for the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and/or movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals is met is determined; and in a case that the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and the movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals meet the preset condition, a distance measurement function is activated and a distance measurement step is performed, where the distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor is calculated at least based on the Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and the corresponding reflected echo; a distance determining
  • determining step whether amplitudes of a first intermediate frequency signal obtained through the first emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo and a second intermediate frequency signal obtained through the second emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo are both greater than, or greater than or equal to a preset threshold is determined, and whether movement speeds of the moving object obtained through frequencies of the first intermediate frequency signal and the second intermediate frequency signal are both within a preset speed range is determined.
  • the distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor is calculated based on a phase difference between the first intermediate frequency signal and the second intermediate frequency signal.
  • the distance determining step whether the obtained distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor is within a preset distance range is determined.
  • Advantages of the present invention are as follows: The distance is calculated using the phase information, so that the refrigeration appliance can accurately detect the distance in a scenario where the refrigeration appliance is blocked by the metal coating; even in a case that different metal elements form different metal coatings, the same distance detection result can be obtained, so that there is no need for a special configuration corresponding to the material or color of the metal coating of the refrigeration appliance; and preliminary determining conditions of the amplitudes and the speeds are set to eliminate interference factors, so as to avoid invalid distance calculation, thereby implementing the energy-saving operation of the refrigeration appliance.
  • FIG. l is a three-dimensional diagram of a refrigeration appliance according to an example of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a working situation of a proximity sensor according to an example.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of composition of a refrigeration appliance according to an example of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic block flowchart of a method according to an example of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a working process of a method according to an example of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional diagram of a refrigeration appliance 1 according to an example of the present invention.
  • the refrigeration appliance 1 may be a refrigerator shown in FIG. 1, but may also be a refrigeration appliance 1 of any other type.
  • a specific shape of the refrigerator in FIG. 1 should not be construed as a limitation on the present invention, but merely for exemplary illustration.
  • the refrigeration appliance 1 for example, includes a proximity sensor device that includes a proximity sensor 11, which is schematically shown in dashed lines herein.
  • the proximity sensor 11 is configured to detect a proximity degree between an object, especially a moving object and the refrigeration appliance 1.
  • the proximity sensor 11 is exemplarily arranged on an upper right door body of the refrigerator, but may also be contemplated to be arranged on another door body of the refrigerator or in an appropriate position of a box body.
  • the refrigeration appliance is generally in various colors, such as rose gold and silver. These colors are mainly implemented through a metal coating of the refrigeration appliance.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a working situation of the proximity sensor 11 according to an example.
  • a component with a metal coating especially a panel with a metal coating on a detection path of the proximity sensor 11.
  • the proximity sensor 11 is arranged on the back of the component, especially closely attached to the back of the component.
  • a dashed line region schematically shows the metal coating of the component herein.
  • the metal coating is especially at least one element of chromium, sliver, or aluminum.
  • the panel especially includes glass and/or ceramic.
  • the component with a metal coating may also be another component of the refrigerator according to an arrangement position of the proximity sensor 11.
  • an emitted wave of the proximity sensor 11 and/or a reflected echo penetrates the metal coating and is attenuated by the metal coating.
  • a conventional continuous wave radar sensor is apparently not applicable.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of composition of the refrigeration appliance 1 according to an example of the present invention.
  • the proximity sensor 11 includes an emission unit 111, configured to emit an emitted wave in a form of a multi-frequency continuous wave or a frequency-modulated continuous wave, and a receiving unit 112, configured to receive a reflected echo reflected back from an object.
  • the refrigeration appliance 1 can obtain a proximity degree between a moving object and the proximity sensor 11 calculated at least based on Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo.
  • the refrigeration appliance 1 of the present invention is applicable to a scenario where the refrigeration appliance 1 is blocked by the component with a metal coating, and the distance can be detected accurately.
  • the refrigeration appliance 1 can obtain the proximity degree especially by calculation performed by itself.
  • the refrigeration appliance 1 sends data of the proximity sensor 11 to the outside and obtains the proximity degree from the outside.
  • the emission unit 111 and the receiving unit 112 may be constructed independently from each other or integrally.
  • the proximity sensor device is especially constructed in a form of a radar sensor device.
  • the multi-frequency continuous wave is especially a non-modulated multi-frequency continuous wave.
  • the multi-frequency continuous wave especially includes at least a first emitted wave with a first frequency and a second emitted wave with a second frequency.
  • the multi- frequency continuous wave includes more emitted waves with different frequencies.
  • the frequency-modulated continuous wave is especially a sawtooth wave or a triangular wave, or any other frequency-modulated continuous wave meaningful to a person skilled in the art.
  • the proximity degree includes a distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor 11.
  • the proximity degree is not necessarily the distance, and may also be any other feature parameter that can represent the distance, such as a feature parameter proportional to the distance.
  • the refrigeration appliance 1 includes at least one of the following modules: a processing module 12, configured to perform signal processing on the emitted wave and the reflected echo to obtain intermediate frequency signals and obtain amplitudes and frequencies from the intermediate frequency signals, and/or phase differences between the intermediate frequency signals; a determining module 13, configured to determine whether a preset condition for the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and/or movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals is met; an activation module 14, configured to emit an activation signal that activates a distance measurement function, in a case that the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and the movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals meet the preset condition; a distance measurement module 15, configured to calculate the distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor 11 at least based on the Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and the corresponding reflected echo in response to the activation signal; a distance determining
  • the proximity sensor device is especially constructed as a component basically independent from the refrigeration appliance control system.
  • the foregoing modules are especially all integrated into the proximity sensor device. It may be contemplated that some of the modules belong to the proximity sensor device while the other modules belong to the refrigeration appliance control system, especially a refrigerator control system. It may be further contemplated some of the modules belong to an external device, for example, an external server or a mobile device such as a mobile phone.
  • the refrigeration appliance 1 is connected to the external device so as to use the great calculation power of the external device favorably and configure and update various functions and parameters of the refrigeration appliance 1 conveniently.
  • the determining module 13 is configured to determine whether amplitudes of a first intermediate frequency signal obtained through the first emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo and a second intermediate frequency signal obtained through the second emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo are both greater than, or greater than or equal to a preset threshold, and determine whether movement speeds of the moving object obtained through frequencies of the first intermediate frequency signal and the second intermediate frequency signal are both within a preset speed range.
  • the determining module 13 performs other appropriate determining, for example, determining whether the amplitudes are within an amplitude range and determining whether the movement speeds are greater than, or greater than or equal to a speed threshold.
  • the distance measurement module 15 is configured to calculate the distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor 11 based on a phase difference between the first intermediate frequency signal and the second intermediate frequency signal.
  • the distance determining module 16 is configured to determine whether the obtained distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor 11 is within a preset distance range. It may also be contemplated that the distance determining module 16 is configured to determine whether the distance is less than, or less than or equal to a preset distance, and the like.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic block flowchart of a method for operating a refrigeration appliance 1 according to an example of the present invention.
  • the method includes at least the following steps: an emission step, where an emitted wave in a form of a multi-frequency continuous wave or a frequency-modulated continuous wave is emitted; a receiving step, where a reflected echo reflected back from an object is received; and a distance obtaining step, where a proximity degree between a moving object and a proximity sensor 11 of the refrigeration appliance 1 calculated at least based on Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo is obtained.
  • the multi-frequency continuous wave including at least a first emitted wave with a first frequency and a second emitted wave with a second frequency is emitted.
  • the method further includes an initialization step, where a proximity sensor device of the refrigeration appliance 1 is initialized.
  • the initialization step is especially performed each time of re-energizing.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a working process of the method according to an example of the present invention.
  • the method further includes a processing step, where signal processing is performed on the emitted wave and the reflected echo to obtain intermediate frequency signals and obtain amplitudes and frequencies from the intermediate frequency signals, and/or phase differences between the intermediate frequency signals.
  • Different intermediate frequency signals may be obtained based on adopted signal processing manners.
  • the first emitted wave and the second emitted wave are emitted simultaneously, so that an amplitude and frequency of the first intermediate frequency signal and those of the second intermediate frequency signal can be compared with each other to verify credibility.
  • the method is especially re-performed from the start.
  • the method further includes a determining step, where whether a preset condition for the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and/or movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals is met is determined.
  • a preset condition for the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and/or movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals is met is determined.
  • a preset condition for the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and/or movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals is met is determined.
  • a preset condition for the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and/or movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals is met is determined.
  • a preset threshold HO especially whether amplitudes H of a first intermediate frequency signal obtained through the first emitted wave and a corresponding
  • the amplitude may serve as a preliminary determining standard of the distance. For example, whether an object enters a detectable range may be determined initially through the amplitudes. In a case that the object is within the detectable range, the signals are strong with great amplitudes.
  • the movement speed is to determine whether the moving object is moving toward the refrigeration appliance 1 and whether the moving object is a person. For example, in a case that the measured movement speed is excessively fast, the moving object may be a flying toy, a flying insect, or the like. Therefore, the detection can be performed in an energysaving manner and irrelevant interference factors can be eliminated.
  • a distance measurement function is activated and a distance measurement step is performed, where the distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor 11 is calculated at least based on the Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and the corresponding reflected echo.
  • the distance measurement step is not performed and the method is especially re-performed from the start.
  • calculation can represent other parameters of the proximity degree, and in a subsequent distance determining step, determining is performed based on the other parameters.
  • the method further includes a distance determining step, where whether the obtained distance R between the moving object and the proximity sensor 11 meets a preset distance condition is determined, especially whether R is within a preset distance range [/(RO, Rl)/]_
  • a handling step is performed, where through communication with a refrigeration appliance control system of the refrigeration appliance 1, the refrigeration appliance control system controls a refrigeration appliance execution mechanism of the refrigeration appliance 1 to perform a preset action.
  • the preset action is, for example, activating a lighting apparatus of the refrigerator, where the lighting apparatus may be a light at a grip portion of the refrigerator and/or a backlight of an operation panel of the refrigerator; or activating an indication apparatus of the refrigerator, for example, to indicate time.
  • the handling step is not performed and the method is especially re-performed from the start.
  • the method further includes an abnormality processing step, where whether calculation times of the processing step, the determining step, the distance measurement step, and the distance determining step expire is monitored.
  • an abnormality processing step where whether calculation times of the processing step, the determining step, the distance measurement step, and the distance determining step expire is monitored.
  • a restarting step is performed, where at least a step whose calculation time expires in the method is re-performed or the method is re-performed from the start.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance includes: a proximity sensor device, including a proximity sensor, where the proximity sensor includes an emission unit, configured to emit an emitted wave in a form of a multi-frequency continuous wave or a frequency-modulated continuous wave, and a receiving unit, configured to receive a reflected echo reflected back from an object; and a component with a metal coating, located on a detection path of the proximity sensor, where during operation, the emitted wave and/or the reflected echo penetrates the metal coating, where the refrigeration appliance obtains a proximity degree between a moving object and the proximity sensor calculated at least based on Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo. The present invention further relates to a method for operating the refrigeration appliance. Advantages of the present invention are that the proximity sensor of the refrigeration appliance is applicable to a scenario where the refrigeration appliance is blocked by the metal coating, and interference factors can be eliminated and invalid detection can be avoided.

Description

REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING
REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance and a method for operating the refrigeration appliance.
BACKGROUND
In modem society, refrigeration appliances, especially refrigerators, play an important part in people's life. With the improvement of living standards, higher requirements are put forward with respect to the appearance and intelligence of the refrigerators, especially high-class refrigerators.
The refrigerators are generally provided with a proximity sensor. After sensing approaching of a person through a proximity sensor, a control system of a refrigerator controls a refrigerator execution mechanism to perform a specified action, for example, causing a lighting apparatus of the refrigerator to emit soft light especially for providing light for a user in the dark, or activating a panel of the refrigerator, especially a touch display panel, configured for indication and/or operation.
Currently, some refrigerators use an infrared sensor as a proximity sensor, but a disadvantage lies in: There cannot be other objects blocking between the infrared sensor and a detected object, otherwise the infrared sensor cannot accurately detect the object. For normal operation, the infrared sensor needs to be installed in an opening hole of the panel of the refrigerator. The opening hole of the panel of the refrigerator damages the integrity of the panel of the refrigerator and reduces the sense of high class of the refrigerator.
SUMMARY
An objective of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration appliance and a method for operating the refrigeration appliance.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, an embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance includes: a proximity sensor device, including a proximity sensor, where the proximity sensor includes: an emission unit, configured to emit an emitted wave in a form of a multi-frequency continuous wave or a frequency-modulated continuous wave; a receiving unit, configured to receive a reflected echo reflected back from an object; and a component with a metal coating, located on a detection path of the proximity sensor, where during operation, the emitted wave and/or the reflected echo penetrates the metal coating, where the refrigeration appliance obtains a proximity degree between a moving object and the proximity sensor calculated at least based on Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo.
The metal coating herein should be especially understood as a very thin metal coating layer, because a thick metal layer may cause the reflected echo to be attenuated to an immeasurable degree. By using the emitted wave in the form of the multi-frequency continuous wave or the frequency-modulated continuous wave, a distance can be calculated using phase information instead of amplitude information, thereby omitting complex amplitude data processing that is used for compensating amplitude attenuation caused by the metal coating and is specific to a material of the metal coating. The phase information is not affected by a material of a blocking object, and therefore the distance from the object can be accurately detected.
According to an optional embodiment, the multi-frequency continuous wave includes at least a first emitted wave with a first frequency and a second emitted wave with a second frequency. The first emitted wave and the second emitted wave should be especially understood as single-frequency continuous waves.
According to an optional embodiment, the multi-frequency continuous wave is a nonmodulated multi-frequency continuous wave. According to an optional embodiment, the frequency-modulated continuous wave is a sawtooth wave or a triangular wave.
According to an optional embodiment, the proximity degree includes a distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor.
According to an optional embodiment, the refrigeration appliance includes a processing module, configured to perform signal processing on the emitted wave and the reflected echo to obtain intermediate frequency signals and obtain amplitudes and frequencies from the intermediate frequency signals, and/or phase differences between the intermediate frequency signals. The frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals herein especially correspond to the Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and the reflected echo. According to an optional embodiment, the refrigeration appliance includes a determining module, configured to determine whether a preset condition for the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and/or movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals is met.
According to an optional embodiment, the determining module is configured to determine whether amplitudes of a first intermediate frequency signal obtained through the first emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo and a second intermediate frequency signal obtained through the second emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo are both greater than, or greater than or equal to a preset threshold, and determine whether movement speeds of the moving object obtained through frequencies of the first intermediate frequency signal and the second intermediate frequency signal are both within a preset speed range.
According to an optional embodiment, the refrigeration appliance includes an activation module, configured to emit an activation signal that activates a distance measurement function, in a case that the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and the movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals meet the preset condition.
According to an optional embodiment, the refrigeration appliance includes a distance measurement module, configured to calculate the distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor at least based on the Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and the corresponding reflected echo in response to the activation signal.
According to an optional embodiment, the distance measurement module is configured to calculate the distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor based on a phase difference between the first intermediate frequency signal and the second intermediate frequency signal. According to an optional embodiment, the refrigeration appliance includes a distance determining module configured to determine whether the obtained distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor meets a preset distance condition.
According to an optional embodiment, the distance determining module is configured to determine whether the obtained distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor is within a preset distance range.
According to an optional embodiment, the refrigeration appliance includes a communication module, configured to communicate with a refrigeration appliance control system of the refrigeration appliance at least in a case of determining that the obtained distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor meets the preset distance condition, where the refrigeration appliance control system is at least configured to cause, based on the communication, a refrigeration appliance execution mechanism of the refrigeration appliance to perform a preset action.
According to an optional embodiment, the refrigeration appliance includes a system initialization module, configured to initialize the proximity sensor device.
According to an optional embodiment, the refrigeration appliance includes an abnormality processing module, configured to monitor and process abnormality of the proximity sensor device.
According to an optional embodiment, the proximity sensor device includes at least one of the processing module, the determining module, the activation module, the distance measurement module, the distance determining module, the communication module, the system initialization module, or the abnormality processing module. According to an optional embodiment, the refrigeration appliance is a refrigerator.
According to an optional embodiment, the component with a metal coating is a panel with a metal coating.
According to an optional embodiment, the panel includes glass and/or ceramic.
According to an optional embodiment, the metal coating includes at least one element of chromium, sliver, or aluminum.
According to an optional embodiment, the proximity sensor device is constructed in a form of a radar sensor device.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for operating the foregoing refrigeration appliance. The method includes at least the following steps: an emission step, where an emitted wave in a form of a multi-frequency continuous wave or a frequency-modulated continuous wave is emitted; a receiving step, where a reflected echo reflected back from an object is received; and a distance obtaining step, where a proximity degree between a moving object and a proximity sensor of the refrigeration appliance calculated at least based on Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo is obtained.
According to an optional embodiment, in the emission step, the multi-frequency continuous wave including at least a first emitted wave with a first frequency and a second emitted wave with a second frequency is emitted.
According to an optional embodiment, the proximity degree includes a distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor of the refrigeration appliance.
According to an optional embodiment, the method further includes at least one of the following steps: an initialization step, where a proximity sensor device of the refrigeration appliance is initialized; a processing step, where signal processing is performed on the emitted wave and the reflected echo to obtain intermediate frequency signals and obtain amplitudes and frequencies from the intermediate frequency signals, and/or phase differences between the intermediate frequency signals; a determining step, where whether a preset condition for the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and/or movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals is met is determined; and in a case that the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and the movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals meet the preset condition, a distance measurement function is activated and a distance measurement step is performed, where the distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor is calculated at least based on the Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and the corresponding reflected echo; a distance determining step, where whether the obtained distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor meets a preset distance condition is determined; and in a case that the obtained distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor meets the preset distance condition, a handling step is performed, where through communication with a refrigeration appliance control system of the refrigeration appliance, the refrigeration appliance control system controls a refrigeration appliance execution mechanism of the refrigeration appliance to perform a preset action; and an abnormality processing step, where whether calculation times of the processing step, the determining step, the distance measurement step, and the distance determining step expire is monitored; and in a case that a calculation time expires, a restarting step is performed, where at least a step whose calculation time expires in the method is re-performed.
According to an optional embodiment, in the determining step, whether amplitudes of a first intermediate frequency signal obtained through the first emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo and a second intermediate frequency signal obtained through the second emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo are both greater than, or greater than or equal to a preset threshold is determined, and whether movement speeds of the moving object obtained through frequencies of the first intermediate frequency signal and the second intermediate frequency signal are both within a preset speed range is determined.
According to an optional embodiment, in the distance measurement step, the distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor is calculated based on a phase difference between the first intermediate frequency signal and the second intermediate frequency signal.
According to an optional embodiment, in the distance determining step, whether the obtained distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor is within a preset distance range is determined. Advantages of the present invention are as follows: The distance is calculated using the phase information, so that the refrigeration appliance can accurately detect the distance in a scenario where the refrigeration appliance is blocked by the metal coating; even in a case that different metal elements form different metal coatings, the same distance detection result can be obtained, so that there is no need for a special configuration corresponding to the material or color of the metal coating of the refrigeration appliance; and preliminary determining conditions of the amplitudes and the speeds are set to eliminate interference factors, so as to avoid invalid distance calculation, thereby implementing the energy-saving operation of the refrigeration appliance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is described below with more details with reference to the accompanying drawings for a better understanding of the principles, features, and advantages of the present invention. The accompanying drawings include:
FIG. l is a three-dimensional diagram of a refrigeration appliance according to an example of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a working situation of a proximity sensor according to an example. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of composition of a refrigeration appliance according to an example of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic block flowchart of a method according to an example of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a working process of a method according to an example of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
To make the technical problems to be resolved by the present invention, technical solutions, and beneficial technical effects more comprehensible, the following further describes the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and a plurality of exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are used merely for explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional diagram of a refrigeration appliance 1 according to an example of the present invention. The refrigeration appliance 1 may be a refrigerator shown in FIG. 1, but may also be a refrigeration appliance 1 of any other type. Besides, a specific shape of the refrigerator in FIG. 1 should not be construed as a limitation on the present invention, but merely for exemplary illustration.
The refrigeration appliance 1, for example, includes a proximity sensor device that includes a proximity sensor 11, which is schematically shown in dashed lines herein. The proximity sensor 11 is configured to detect a proximity degree between an object, especially a moving object and the refrigeration appliance 1. The proximity sensor 11 is exemplarily arranged on an upper right door body of the refrigerator, but may also be contemplated to be arranged on another door body of the refrigerator or in an appropriate position of a box body.
To meet user requirements for the appearance, the refrigeration appliance, especially the refrigerator, is generally in various colors, such as rose gold and silver. These colors are mainly implemented through a metal coating of the refrigeration appliance.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a working situation of the proximity sensor 11 according to an example. Herein, there is a component with a metal coating, especially a panel with a metal coating on a detection path of the proximity sensor 11. It may be contemplated that the proximity sensor 11 is arranged on the back of the component, especially closely attached to the back of the component. A dashed line region schematically shows the metal coating of the component herein. The metal coating is especially at least one element of chromium, sliver, or aluminum. The panel especially includes glass and/or ceramic. Except the panel of the refrigerator, the component with a metal coating may also be another component of the refrigerator according to an arrangement position of the proximity sensor 11. During operation, an emitted wave of the proximity sensor 11 and/or a reflected echo penetrates the metal coating and is attenuated by the metal coating. For this application scenario, a conventional continuous wave radar sensor is apparently not applicable.
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of composition of the refrigeration appliance 1 according to an example of the present invention.
In the refrigeration appliance 1 of the present invention, the proximity sensor 11 includes an emission unit 111, configured to emit an emitted wave in a form of a multi-frequency continuous wave or a frequency-modulated continuous wave, and a receiving unit 112, configured to receive a reflected echo reflected back from an object. The refrigeration appliance 1 can obtain a proximity degree between a moving object and the proximity sensor 11 calculated at least based on Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo. By adopting the emitted wave in the form of the multi-frequency continuous wave or the frequency-modulated continuous wave, phase difference information of the emitted wave can be collected and applied, and accurate distance information can be obtained based on the phase difference information. In this way, the refrigeration appliance 1 of the present invention is applicable to a scenario where the refrigeration appliance 1 is blocked by the component with a metal coating, and the distance can be detected accurately. The refrigeration appliance 1 can obtain the proximity degree especially by calculation performed by itself. However, it may be contemplated that the refrigeration appliance 1 sends data of the proximity sensor 11 to the outside and obtains the proximity degree from the outside. The emission unit 111 and the receiving unit 112 may be constructed independently from each other or integrally.
The proximity sensor device is especially constructed in a form of a radar sensor device. The multi-frequency continuous wave is especially a non-modulated multi-frequency continuous wave. The multi-frequency continuous wave especially includes at least a first emitted wave with a first frequency and a second emitted wave with a second frequency. Apparently, it may be contemplated that to improve the accuracy of measurement, the multi- frequency continuous wave includes more emitted waves with different frequencies. The frequency-modulated continuous wave is especially a sawtooth wave or a triangular wave, or any other frequency-modulated continuous wave meaningful to a person skilled in the art.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the proximity degree includes a distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor 11. Apparently, the proximity degree is not necessarily the distance, and may also be any other feature parameter that can represent the distance, such as a feature parameter proportional to the distance.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the refrigeration appliance 1 includes at least one of the following modules: a processing module 12, configured to perform signal processing on the emitted wave and the reflected echo to obtain intermediate frequency signals and obtain amplitudes and frequencies from the intermediate frequency signals, and/or phase differences between the intermediate frequency signals; a determining module 13, configured to determine whether a preset condition for the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and/or movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals is met; an activation module 14, configured to emit an activation signal that activates a distance measurement function, in a case that the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and the movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals meet the preset condition; a distance measurement module 15, configured to calculate the distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor 11 at least based on the Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and the corresponding reflected echo in response to the activation signal; a distance determining module 16, configured to determine whether the obtained distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor 11 meets a preset distance condition; a communication module 17, configured to communicate with a refrigeration appliance control system of the refrigeration appliance 1 at least in a case of determining that the obtained distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor 11 meets the preset distance condition, where the refrigeration appliance control system is at least configured to cause, based on the communication, a refrigeration appliance execution mechanism of the refrigeration appliance 1 to perform a preset action; a system initialization module 18, configured to initialize the proximity sensor device; and an abnormality processing 19, configured to monitor and process abnormality of the proximity sensor device.
The proximity sensor device is especially constructed as a component basically independent from the refrigeration appliance control system. The foregoing modules are especially all integrated into the proximity sensor device. It may be contemplated that some of the modules belong to the proximity sensor device while the other modules belong to the refrigeration appliance control system, especially a refrigerator control system. It may be further contemplated some of the modules belong to an external device, for example, an external server or a mobile device such as a mobile phone. The refrigeration appliance 1 is connected to the external device so as to use the great calculation power of the external device favorably and configure and update various functions and parameters of the refrigeration appliance 1 conveniently.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the determining module 13 is configured to determine whether amplitudes of a first intermediate frequency signal obtained through the first emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo and a second intermediate frequency signal obtained through the second emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo are both greater than, or greater than or equal to a preset threshold, and determine whether movement speeds of the moving object obtained through frequencies of the first intermediate frequency signal and the second intermediate frequency signal are both within a preset speed range. Apparently, however, it may be contemplated that the determining module 13 performs other appropriate determining, for example, determining whether the amplitudes are within an amplitude range and determining whether the movement speeds are greater than, or greater than or equal to a speed threshold. Performing determining using two intermediate frequency signals simultaneously can improve credibility, but it may also be contemplated that only one intermediate frequency signal is used to perform determining. According to an exemplary embodiment, the distance measurement module 15 is configured to calculate the distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor 11 based on a phase difference between the first intermediate frequency signal and the second intermediate frequency signal.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the distance determining module 16 is configured to determine whether the obtained distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor 11 is within a preset distance range. It may also be contemplated that the distance determining module 16 is configured to determine whether the distance is less than, or less than or equal to a preset distance, and the like.
FIG. 4 is a schematic block flowchart of a method for operating a refrigeration appliance 1 according to an example of the present invention.
The method includes at least the following steps: an emission step, where an emitted wave in a form of a multi-frequency continuous wave or a frequency-modulated continuous wave is emitted; a receiving step, where a reflected echo reflected back from an object is received; and a distance obtaining step, where a proximity degree between a moving object and a proximity sensor 11 of the refrigeration appliance 1 calculated at least based on Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo is obtained.
According to an exemplary embodiment, in the emission step, the multi-frequency continuous wave including at least a first emitted wave with a first frequency and a second emitted wave with a second frequency is emitted.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes an initialization step, where a proximity sensor device of the refrigeration appliance 1 is initialized. The initialization step is especially performed each time of re-energizing.
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a working process of the method according to an example of the present invention.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes a processing step, where signal processing is performed on the emitted wave and the reflected echo to obtain intermediate frequency signals and obtain amplitudes and frequencies from the intermediate frequency signals, and/or phase differences between the intermediate frequency signals. Different intermediate frequency signals may be obtained based on adopted signal processing manners. For example, the first emitted wave and the second emitted wave are emitted simultaneously, so that an amplitude and frequency of the first intermediate frequency signal and those of the second intermediate frequency signal can be compared with each other to verify credibility. In a case that the amplitude and frequency of the first intermediate frequency signal and those of the second intermediate frequency signal have great differences, the method is especially re-performed from the start.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes a determining step, where whether a preset condition for the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and/or movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals is met is determined. In the determining step, especially whether amplitudes H of a first intermediate frequency signal obtained through the first emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo and a second intermediate frequency signal obtained through the second emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo are both greater than, or greater than or equal to a preset threshold HO is determined, and whether movement speeds V of the moving object obtained through frequencies of the first intermediate frequency signal and the second intermediate frequency signal are both within a preset speed range is determined. However, it may also be contemplated that related determining is performed on only one of intermediate frequency signals in the determining step.
The amplitude may serve as a preliminary determining standard of the distance. For example, whether an object enters a detectable range may be determined initially through the amplitudes. In a case that the object is within the detectable range, the signals are strong with great amplitudes. The movement speed is to determine whether the moving object is moving toward the refrigeration appliance 1 and whether the moving object is a person. For example, in a case that the measured movement speed is excessively fast, the moving object may be a flying toy, a flying insect, or the like. Therefore, the detection can be performed in an energysaving manner and irrelevant interference factors can be eliminated.
In a case that the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and the movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals meet the preset condition, a distance measurement function is activated and a distance measurement step is performed, where the distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor 11 is calculated at least based on the Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and the corresponding reflected echo. In a case that the preset condition is not met, the distance measurement step is not performed and the method is especially re-performed from the start. In addition, alternatively, it may also be contemplated that: calculation can represent other parameters of the proximity degree, and in a subsequent distance determining step, determining is performed based on the other parameters.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes a distance determining step, where whether the obtained distance R between the moving object and the proximity sensor 11 meets a preset distance condition is determined, especially whether R is within a preset distance range [/(RO, Rl)/]_
In a case that the obtained distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor 11 meets the preset distance condition, a handling step is performed, where through communication with a refrigeration appliance control system of the refrigeration appliance 1, the refrigeration appliance control system controls a refrigeration appliance execution mechanism of the refrigeration appliance 1 to perform a preset action. The preset action is, for example, activating a lighting apparatus of the refrigerator, where the lighting apparatus may be a light at a grip portion of the refrigerator and/or a backlight of an operation panel of the refrigerator; or activating an indication apparatus of the refrigerator, for example, to indicate time. In a case that the preset distance condition is not met, the handling step is not performed and the method is especially re-performed from the start.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes an abnormality processing step, where whether calculation times of the processing step, the determining step, the distance measurement step, and the distance determining step expire is monitored. In a case that a calculation time expires, a restarting step is performed, where at least a step whose calculation time expires in the method is re-performed or the method is re-performed from the start.
It should be noted that descriptions related to hardware such as modules should be understood to be also applicable to the steps of the method corresponding to the hardware.
Although specific implementations have been described above, these implementations are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, even if only one implementation is described with respect to specific features. The feature examples provided in the present invention are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting, unless otherwise stated differently. In a specific implementation, a plurality of features may be combined according to actual requirements in a feasible technology. Various replacements, changes, and modifications may also be contemplated without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:
1. A refrigeration appliance (1), comprising: a proximity sensor device, comprising a proximity sensor (11), wherein the proximity sensor (11) comprises: an emission unit (111), configured to emit an emitted wave in a form of a multi-frequency continuous wave or a frequency-modulated continuous wave; a receiving unit (112), configured to receive a reflected echo reflected back from an object; and a component with a metal coating, located on a detection path of the proximity sensor (11), wherein during operation, the emitted wave and/or the reflected echo penetrates the metal coating, wherein the refrigeration appliance (1) obtains a proximity degree between a moving object and the proximity sensor (11) calculated at least based on Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo.
2. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the refrigeration appliance (1) comprises at least one of the following features: the multi-frequency continuous wave comprises at least a first emitted wave with a first frequency and a second emitted wave with a second frequency; the multi-frequency continuous wave is a non-modulated multi-frequency continuous wave; the frequency-modulated continuous wave is a sawtooth wave or a triangular wave; and the proximity degree comprises a distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor (11).
3. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the refrigeration appliance (1) comprises at least one of the following modules: a processing module (12), configured to perform signal processing on the emitted wave and the reflected echo to obtain intermediate frequency signals and obtain amplitudes and frequencies from the intermediate frequency signals and/or phase differences between the intermediate frequency signals; a determining module (13), configured to determine whether a preset condition for the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and/or movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals is met; an activation module (14), configured to emit an activation signal that activates a distance measurement function, in a case that the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and the movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals meet the preset condition; a distance measurement module (15), configured to calculate the distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor (11) at least based on the Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and the corresponding reflected echo in response to the activation signal; a distance determining module (16), configured to determine whether the obtained distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor (11) meets a preset distance condition; a communication module (17), configured to communicate with a refrigeration appliance control system of the refrigeration appliance (1) at least in a case of determining that the obtained distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor (11) meets the preset distance condition, wherein the refrigeration appliance control system is at least configured to cause, based on the communication, a refrigeration appliance execution mechanism of the refrigeration appliance (1) to perform a preset action; a system initialization module (18), configured to initialize the proximity sensor device; and an abnormality processing module (19), configured to monitor and process abnormality of the proximity sensor device.
4. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the refrigeration appliance (1) comprises at least one of the following features: the determining module (13) is configured to determine whether amplitudes of a first intermediate frequency signal obtained through the first emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo and a second intermediate frequency signal obtained through the second emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo are both greater than, or greater than or equal to a preset threshold, and determine whether movement speeds of the moving object obtained through frequencies of the first intermediate frequency signal and the second intermediate frequency signal are both within a preset speed range; the distance measurement module (15) is configured to calculate the distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor (11) based on a phase difference between the first intermediate frequency signal and the second intermediate frequency signal; the distance determining module (16) is configured to determine whether the obtained distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor (11) is within a preset distance range; and the proximity sensor device comprises at least one of the processing module (12), the determining module (13), the activation module (14), the distance measurement module (15), the distance determining module (16), the communication module (17), the system initialization module (18), or the abnormality processing module (19).
5. The refrigeration appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the refrigeration appliance (1) comprises at least one of the following features: the refrigeration appliance (1) is a refrigerator; the component with a metal coating is a panel with a metal coating; the panel comprises glass and/or ceramic; the metal coating comprises at least one element of chromium, sliver, or aluminum; and the proximity sensor device is constructed in a form of a radar sensor device.
6. A method for operating the refrigeration appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: an emission step, wherein an emitted wave in a form of a multi-frequency continuous wave or a frequency-modulated continuous wave is emitted; a receiving step, wherein a reflected echo reflected back from an object is received; and a distance obtaining step, wherein a proximity degree between a moving object and a proximity sensor (11) of the refrigeration appliance (1) calculated at least based on Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo is obtained.
7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the method comprises at least one of the following features: in the emission step, the multi-frequency continuous wave comprising at least a first emitted wave with a first frequency and a second emitted wave with a second frequency is emitted; and the proximity degree comprises a distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor (11) of the refrigeration appliance (1).
8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the method further comprises at least one of the following steps: an initialization step, wherein a proximity sensor device of the refrigeration appliance (1) is initialized; a processing step, wherein signal processing is performed on the emitted wave and the reflected echo to obtain intermediate frequency signals and obtain amplitudes and frequencies from the intermediate frequency signals, and/or phase differences between the intermediate frequency signals; a determining step, wherein whether a preset condition for the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and/or movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals is met is determined; and in a case that the amplitudes of the intermediate frequency signals of the emitted wave and the reflected echo and the movement speeds of the moving object obtained through the frequencies of the intermediate frequency signals meet the preset condition, a distance measurement function is activated and a distance measurement step is performed, wherein the distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor (11) is calculated at least based on the Doppler frequencies of the emitted wave and the corresponding reflected echo; a distance determining step, wherein whether the obtained distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor (11) meets a preset distance condition is determined; and in a case that the obtained distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor (11) meets the preset distance condition, a handling step is performed, wherein through communication with a refrigeration appliance control system of the refrigeration appliance (1), the refrigeration appliance control system controls a refrigeration appliance execution mechanism of the refrigeration appliance (1) to perform a preset action; and an abnormality processing step, wherein whether calculation times of the processing step, the determining step, the distance measurement step, and the distance determining step expire is monitored; and in a case that a calculation time expires, a restarting step is performed, wherein at least a step whose calculation time expires in the method is re-performed.
9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the method comprises at least one of the following features: in the determining step, whether amplitudes of a first intermediate frequency signal obtained through the first emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo and a second intermediate frequency signal obtained through the second emitted wave and a corresponding reflected echo are both greater than, or greater than or equal to a preset threshold is determined, and whether movement speeds of the moving object obtained through frequencies of the first intermediate frequency signal and the second intermediate frequency signal are both within a preset speed range is determined; in the distance measurement step, the distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor (11) is calculated based on a phase difference between the first intermediate frequency signal and the second intermediate frequency signal; and in the distance determining step, whether the obtained distance between the moving object and the proximity sensor (11) is within a preset distance range is determined.
EP23711408.7A 2022-03-15 2023-03-10 Refrigeration appliance and method for operating refrigeration appliance Pending EP4493955A1 (en)

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CN202210250329.8A CN116793016A (en) 2022-03-15 2022-03-15 Refrigeration appliance and method for operating the refrigeration appliance
PCT/EP2023/056114 WO2023174806A1 (en) 2022-03-15 2023-03-10 Refrigeration appliance and method for operating refrigeration appliance

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JP2006078001A (en) * 2004-09-07 2006-03-23 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd refrigerator
DE102011010906A1 (en) * 2011-02-10 2012-08-16 Liebherr-Hausgeräte Ochsenhausen GmbH Household appliance e.g. cooling and/or freezing appliances, has detecting unit connected with unit such that unit outputs function of appliance in dependence of information detected by detection unit
CN112393490A (en) * 2020-11-17 2021-02-23 安徽康佳同创电器有限公司 Refrigerator noise control method, refrigerator and storage medium
CN215728820U (en) * 2021-04-15 2022-02-01 刘珲 Intelligent door adopting millimeter wave radar to realize non-contact control
CN113188286A (en) * 2021-05-10 2021-07-30 合肥美菱物联科技有限公司 Refrigerator door handle heating control system and method based on human body induction

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