Appliance having sensor module to detect vibrations

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12449134-B2
Application number	US-202217884945-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 10, 2022
Priority date	Aug 11, 2021
Publication date	Oct 21, 2025
Grant date	Oct 21, 2025

Abstract

In an appliance, an input switch receives a knock input at the front of a main body, and a transfer member connecting to the input switch transfers vibrations cause by the knock to a sensor disposed at the rear of the main body. Thus, even an appliance such as an oven and the like that makes it difficult to attach a sensor to a door due to high-temperature heat effectively senses a knock input.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An appliance, comprising:
a main body having an accommodation space;
a door configured to open and close the accommodation space; and
a sensing module configured to sense a vibration of the door, wherein the sensing module comprises:
an input switch that contacts a rear surface of the door and is configured to transfer the vibration from the door;
a transfer rod movably installed on the main body and configured to transfer the vibration from the input switch; and
a sensor movably installed on the main body, and configured to sense the vibration from the rear surface.

2. The appliance of claim 1 , further comprising:
a front panel provided at a front of the main body and including a surface, which faces the door when the door closes the cavity,
wherein at least a portion of the input switch is supported by the font panel and is exposed toward a front of the front panel.

3. The appliance of claim 2 , wherein the input switch includes:
a switch holder positioned on the front panel; and
a moving protrusion installed in the switch holder such that the moving protrusion moves in a front-rear direction and moves rearward due to a movement of the door, and
wherein the transfer rod connects to the moving protrusion and moves in the front-rear direction together with the moving protrusion.

4. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the sensing module includes a supporter that supports the sensor,
wherein the transfer rod starts to contact the supporter while the door is closed and is moved by a movement of the door to generate a movement of the supporter, and
wherein a movement of the sensor is generated by the movement of the supporter.

5. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the sensing module further includes a support assembly installed outside of the cavity, supporting the sensor, and transferring to the sensor vibrations that are transferred through the transfer rod.

6. The appliance of claim 5 , wherein the support assembly includes:
a supporter supporting the sensor and receiving vibration from the transfer rod; and
a supporter holder supporting the supporter such that the supporter changes posture,
wherein a front-to-rear position of the sensor changes based on a change in the posture of the supporter.

7. The appliance of claim 6 , wherein:
a sensor support includes a rear support surface supporting a board on which the sensor is mounted and positioned between the board and the transfer rod, and
the board is coupled to the sensor support and contacts the rear support surface.

8. The appliance of claim 7 , wherein:
the sensor support further includes side walls extending from an edge of the rear support surface in a direction orthogonal to the rear support surface, and externally surrounding the rear support surface, and
wherein the board is accommodated in a space surrounded by the rear support surface and the side walls.

9. The appliance of claim 8 , wherein:
the sensor support further includes at least one fastening projection protruding from the side wall, and
the board is detachably coupled to the sensor support while being fitted between the rear support surface and the at least one fastening projection.

10. The appliance of claim 9 , wherein:
the transfer rod moves in a front-rear direction to transfer the vibrations,
the sensor support rotates due to the front-rear movement of the transfer rod, and
a change in the posture of the supporter is caused by the rotation of the sensor support,
a front-to-rear position of the sensor changes based on a change in the posture of the supporter.

11. The appliance of claim 6 , the supporter, comprising:
a sensor support supporting the sensor; and
a rotation support coupling the sensor support to the supporter holder such that the sensor support is rotatable about an axis extending in a left-right direction.

12. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein:
at a portion of the input switch movably installed on the main body,
the transfer rod is connected to the input switch so as to be displaced thereby.

13. The appliance of claim 6 , wherein a rotation support coupling a sensor support to the supporter holder includes:
a support leg protruding from a rear support surface rearward and downward; and
a pair of rotation projections protruding respectively from sides of the support leg in a left-right direction, and respectively coupled to the supporter holder rotatably in a front-rear direction.

14. The appliance of claim 13 , wherein the rotation support further includes a side support surface connecting the rear support surface and the support leg at both sides of the rear support surface in the left-right direction.

15. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the sensing module further includes:
a supporter supporting the sensor; and
a supporter holder installed on the main body and configured to movably support the supporter,
wherein the vibration transferred to the transfer rod is transmitted to the sensor through the supporter contacting the transfer rod.

16. An appliance comprising:
a main body that defines a cavity;
a door that opens and closes the cavity; and
a sensing module that senses vibrations caused by an input to the door the sensing module including:
an input switch that receives vibrations of the door;
a sensor that senses the vibrations that are received by the input switch; and
a transfer rod that transfers the vibrations that are received by the input switch to the sensor,
a support assembly installed outside of the cavity, supporting the sensor, and transferring to the sensor vibrations that are transferred through the transfer rod,

wherein the support assembly includes:
a supporter supporting the sensor and receiving vibration from the transfer rod; and
a supporter holder supporting the supporter such that the supporter changes posture,
wherein a front-to-rear position of the sensor changes based on a change in the posture of the supporter,

wherein the supporter comprises:
a sensor support supporting the sensor; and
a rotation support coupling the sensor support to the supporter holder such that the sensor support rotates in a front-rear direction,

wherein the rotation support includes:
a support leg protruding from a rear support surface rearward and downward; and
a pair of rotation projections protruding respectively from sides of the support leg in a left-right direction, and respectively coupled to the supporter holder rotatably in a front-rear direction,

wherein the supporter holder includes:
a holder main body coupled to a rear of the cavity, and positioned under the supporter; and
a rotation projection supporter protruding respectively from the holder main body upward, and rotatably supporting the pair of rotation projections respectively.

17. The appliance of claim 16 , wherein:
the support leg includes a first leg section that protrudes downward from the lower end of the rear support surface, and a second leg section that extends rearward from a lower end of the first leg section,
the second leg second is spaced from an upper end of the holder main body by a first distance, and
a rearward rotation of the supporter is limited while the second leg second interferes with the holder main body as the supporter rotates rearward by a first rotation angle.

18. The appliance of claim 16 , wherein the support assembly further includes a second elastic member elastically supporting the supporter from under the supporter.

19. The appliance of claim 18 , wherein the second

Assignees

• Lg Electronics Inc

Inventors

• Shin Myeongsu
• Lee Wanglim
• Kim Janghoon
• Yeo Chan-Yong

Classifications

• G01H1/00

  Measuring {characteristics of} vibrations in solids by using direct conduction to the detector (G01H9/00, G01H11/00 take precedence) · CPC title

• F24C11/00

  Combinations of two or more stoves or ranges, e.g. each having a different kind of energy supply · CPC title

• G01P15/097

  by vibratory elements · CPC title

• H05B47/105

  in response to determined parameters · CPC title

• F24C15/02

  Doors specially adapted for stoves or ranges · CPC title