Refrigerator and control method for refrigerator and method for opening a refrigerator door

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11041670-B2
Application number	US-202016749946-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 22, 2020
Priority date	Apr 27, 2015
Publication date	Jun 22, 2021
Grant date	Jun 22, 2021

Abstract

Provided is a refrigerator and control method for refrigerator and method for opening a refrigerator door. While a user is holding an object in both hands, a door may be automatically and additionally opened using another part of a body other than hands.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A refrigerator comprising:
a cabinet that defines a storage compartment;
a door configured to open and close the storage compartment, the door being configured to be opened toward a user based on the user opening the door, the door including a front surface, a rear surface, side surfaces, an top surface, a bottom surface, and an inclined surface that connects the front surface to the bottom surface;
a first sensor configured to detect a presence of the user within a predetermined distance;
a sensor assembly installed on the inclined surface of the door, the sensor assembly comprising:
a projector configured to emit light to project a predetermined image on a supporting surface for the refrigerator based on the first sensor detecting the presence of the user within the predetermined distance, and
a second sensor configured to sense a foot of the user based on the foot of the user overlapping with the predetermined image; and

a controller configured to control the refrigerator based on the second sensor sensing the foot of the user.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the second sensor comprises a light emitting part and a light receiving part.

3. The refrigerator of claim 2 , wherein the light emitting part is disposed vertically above the light receiving part.

4. The refrigerator of claim 2 , wherein the light receiving part is disposed between the light emitting part and the projector.

5. The refrigerator of claim 2 , wherein the second sensor comprises a barrier that divides the light emitting part and the light receiving part.

6. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined image comprises at least one virtual switch defined at a position forward relative to the front surface of the door.

7. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined image comprises a plurality of virtual switches spaced apart from each other on the supporting surface.

8. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the cabinet has an additional storage compartment,
wherein the refrigerator further comprises:
an additional door configured to open and close the additional storage compartment; and
a door opening device configured to open the additional door, and

wherein the controller is configured to operate the door opening device to open the additional door based on the second sensor sensing the foot of the user.

9. The refrigerator of claim 8 , wherein the additional door is disposed above the door.

10. The refrigerator of claim 8 , wherein the first sensor is provided in the additional door.

11. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor is positioned higher than the second sensor.

12. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the door includes a sensor assembly installation part and an installation hole on the inclined surface,
wherein the sensor assembly further comprises a case configured to receive the projector and the second sensor, and a case cover that covers the projector and the second sensor, and
wherein the case is inserted in the sensor assembly installation part through the installation hole, and the case cover covers the installation hole.

13. The refrigerator of claim 12 , wherein the projector is disposed vertically below the second sensor.

14. The refrigerator of claim 12 , wherein the projector comprises a light emitting device, a film configured to transmit light emitted from the light emitting device, and one or more lenses.

15. The refrigerator of claim 12 , wherein the light emitted from the projector passes through the case cover.

Assignees

• Lg Electronics Inc

Inventors

• Kim Jinsung
• Kwon Hongsik
• Kim Minsub

Classifications

• G01D11/28

  Structurally-combined illuminating devices · CPC title

• G01D11/245

  Housings for sensors · CPC title

• G01D5/28

  with deflection of beams of light, e.g. for direct optical indication (G01D5/40 takes precedence; {mechanical adjustment G01D5/264}) · CPC title

• F25D2327/001

  Lighting arrangements on the external side of the refrigerator, freezer or cooling box · CPC title

• F25D2323/023

  Door in door constructions · CPC title