Automated door and drawer opener

A method of operating a door or drawer of an appliance comprising an actuator configured to, upon energisation, move from a retracted position which allows the door or drawer to shut, to an extended position partially opening the door or drawer, the method comprising the steps of:

• setting a predetermined amount of at least one particular movement characteristic of the door or drawer during opening;
• measuring, once the actuator has been energised, an amount of the at least one particular movement characteristic of the door or drawer during opening;
• comparing the measured at least one particular movement characteristic amount to the set at least one particular movement characteristic amount;
• determining, based on the comparison, if a user has assisted, or is assisting, the actuator to open the door or drawer;
• and
• retracting the actuator after determining that the user has assisted or is assisting the actuator to open the door or drawer.

A method of operating a door or drawer of an appliance comprising an actuator configured to move from a retracted position which allows the door or drawer to shut, to an extended position partially opening the door or drawer, the method comprising:

• receiving a signal to open the door or drawer,
• activating the actuator to partially open the door or drawer,
• determining if a user has assisted or is assisting the actuator to open the door or drawer, by:
• setting a predetermined amount of at least one particular movement characteristic of the door or drawer during opening;
• measuring, once the actuator has been energised, an amount of the at least one particular movement characteristic of the door or drawer during opening;
• comparing the measured at least one particular movement characteristic amount to the set at least one particular movement characteristic amount;
• and
• determining, based on the comparison, if a user has assisted, or is assisting, the actuator to open the door or drawer, and
• withdrawing the actuator if it is determined that the user has assisted the actuator to open the door or drawer.

An automatic opener for opening an appliance door or drawer, comprising:

• an actuator for moving the door or drawer, and
• a sensor configured to determine the amount of at least one particular movement characteristic of the door or drawer during opening,
• wherein the actuator is energised to move between a retracted position and an extended position during opening so that the door or drawer is partially open in the extended position, and
• wherein the actuator is energised to return to the retracted position during opening if the determined amount of the particular movement characteristic exceeds a predetermined set amount of the at least one particular movement characteristic.