Air-Gap Light Coupling for Ice Dispenser Lever Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigeration devices with ice and water dispensers face increased production costs due to the need for electrical components and complex assembly of actuating levers, which complicates the assembly process and may lead to electrical line damage over time.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration device design where the actuating lever is illuminated without electrical components, using a light source positioned at a distance from a light coupling surface via an air gap, allowing for a simpler assembly and preventing electrical line deformation, with a prism section integrated into the lever for consistent light coupling in both positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If electrical components (LED and electrical lines) are integrated into the actuating lever for illumination, then the operability and visual appeal are improved, but the production costs increase and the assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide element is introduced as an intermediary between the light source and the actuating lever. The light guide receives light from a stationary light source and transmits it through the actuating lever, eliminating the need to integrate electrical components directly into the moving lever while maintaining illumination functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system is segmented into separate functional components: a stationary light source, a light guide element, and the actuating lever. This segmentation allows the light source to remain fixed (avoiding electrical line deformation) while the lever moves independently, simplifying assembly and reducing complexity.
2Illumination intensity
If electrical lines are integrated into the actuating lever for supplying power to illumination, then the illumination function is achieved, but the reliability decreases due to material fatigue and potential cable breaking
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide element serves as a mediator that transmits light without requiring electrical connections to the moving lever. This eliminates the electrical lines from the actuating lever, preventing material fatigue and cable breaking while maintaining the illumination function.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical/electrical system of integrating power cables into the moving lever is replaced with an optical system using a light guide. This substitution eliminates the reliability issues associated with flexible electrical lines in moving parts while achieving the same visual effect.
3Illumination intensity
If the light source is integrated directly into the actuating lever, then the illumination is achieved, but the electrical cable deforms and breaks due to repeated actuation movements
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide element acts as an intermediary that decouples the light source from the moving actuating lever. The light source remains stationary while the light guide transmits illumination to the lever, preventing cable deformation and extending service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed so that the stationary components (light source) remain fixed while the moving component (actuating lever) moves independently. This dynamic separation prevents the electrical cable from undergoing repeated deformation cycles, extending its service life.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design simplifies production, maintains consistent light brightness, and extends the service life of the device by eliminating the need for electrical lines and ensuring uniform light distribution, enhancing usability and visual appeal.
Implementation Method 1
a light source is arranged in the light emission direction of the light source at a distance from a light coupling surface of the actuating lever by an air gap
Implementation Method 2
the light coupling surface is a surface of a prism section of the actuating lever. This achieves the technical advantage that the degree of coupling of the light emitted by the light source is the same in the first position and in the second position
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a refrigeration device having an ice or water dispenser, said dispenser comprising an actuating lever (210). According to the invention, a light source (500) is arranged, in the light-emitting direction (A) of the light source (500), at a distance from a light-coupling surface (504) of the actuating lever (210) through an air gap (502).