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Samsung patents fridge door that stays open when you grab it

Samsung describes a refrigerator with a motorized door that can automatically close itself when left open. The system uses a sensor to detect if a person has manually opened the door to a specific angle, switching from automatic to manual mode to keep the door in place.

Why it mattersThis feature prevents the common frustration of a smart fridge door slamming shut while you are still reaching for a drink or food.

In the filing’s own words

A refrigerator, includes: a main body forming a storage compartment; a door rotatably coupled to the main body and configured to open and configured to close the storage compartment; a door sensor configured to detect opening of the door at an angle relative to the main body; a door driving device configured to open and configured to close the door; and a controller configured to: control the door driving device to close the door based on a condition to close the door being satisfied in an automatic mode, maintain the opening of the door at the angle relative to the main body based on the condition to close the door being satisfied in a manual mode, and change the automatic mode to the manual mode, based on the door sensor detecting the opening of the door being at the angle relative to the main body.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A refrigerator, comprising: a main body forming a storage compartment; a door rotatably coupled to the main body and configured to open and configured to close the storage compartment; a door sensor configured to detect opening of the door at an angle relative to the main body; a door driving device configured to open and configured to close the door; and a controller configured to: control the door driving device to close the door based on a condition to close the door being satisfied in an automatic mode, maintain the opening of the door at the angle relative to the main body based on the condition to close the door being satisfied in a manual mode, and change the automatic mode to the manual mode, based on the door sensor detecting the opening of the door being at the angle relative to the main body.

Facts

Company
Samsung (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.)
Official title
REFRIGERATOR AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME
Publication number
US20260287246A1
Application number
19535749
Filed
Feb 10, 2026
Published
Sep 24, 2026
Inventors
5
Claims
15

Classified under

F25D 23/028 Mechanical engineeringE05F 15/611 Buildings & constructionF25D 29/00 Mechanical engineeringE05Y 2900/31 Buildings & constructionF25D 2700/02 Mechanical engineeringF25D 2700/04 Mechanical engineering
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.