Abstract: A refrigerator is proposed. When a drawer of the refrigerator is completely opened, the center of an opening-detection magnet provided at the lower surface of the drawer may be disposed by exceeding the center of the sensor of a reed switch, in a moving direction of the drawer, installed at the bottom surface of the inside of the cabinet. Accordingly, the sensor may accurately detect the magnet, and even if external impact is applied to the drawer in the completely opened state of the drawer, the malfunction of the drawer which is closed unintentionally may be prevented.

Abstract: Exemplary surface debris removal systems and methods are operable to remove debris from a signal transmitting/receiving surface. An embodiment provides power to, and then removes power from, a conductive memory wire that is secured to a moveable portion of a two-position snap spring. In response to providing the power to the conductive memory wire, a length of the conductive memory wire decreases so that the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring is pulled from an extended position to a retracted position. When power is removed from the conductive memory wire, the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring moves from the retracted position to the extended position. In response to the moving of the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring from the retracted position to the extended position, an energy is generated and transferred to the surface that dislodges the debris from the surface.

Abstract: A method of operating a synchronous motor having a stator that includes a set of electromagnets and a permanent magnet rotor. The synchronous motor is controlled by calculating in a flux controller a measure of a flux magnitude, which is the magnitude of the stator flux of the motor and by calculating in a load angle controller a measure of a load angle. Information about a desired motor torque or a reduced motor torque, which is smaller than the desired motor torque, is input to the load angle controller and the load angle controller calculates the measure of the load angle depending on the input motor torque. The measure of the flux magnitude is combined with the measure of the load angle to obtain commands for controlling electric currents of electromagnets of the stator, thereby directly controlling the stator flux.

Abstract: An electromotive furniture drive for adjusting at least one movable component of a piece of furniture, has at least one electric motor for adjusting the movable component, at least one operating device with switching elements for actuating the electric motor, at least one control unit for controlling the at least one electric motor as a function of the operating device, and at least one power supply unit. At least one analyzing device has at least one actuating element for checking the function of the at least one electric motor, the at least one control unit, the at least one operating device and of the at least one power supply unit, and has at least one signaling element.