Configurable power supply circuit for lighted shelves in a refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerator appliances with adjustable shelves lack an efficient system to selectively power lighting devices, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and potential overheating due to the need to power all shelves simultaneously, even when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A power supply circuit with a jumper block and LED driver, coupled with an electronic controller, allows for selective power distribution to only the shelves in use, using multiple current levels from different power sources and sensing the arrangement of adjustable shelves to activate the appropriate power channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If power is supplied to all shelf electrical connectors simultaneously, then all shelves can be illuminated, but energy consumption increases and overheating may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply circuit is divided into multiple independent power channels, each corresponding to a specific shelf mounting position. The controller can selectively activate only the power channels corresponding to occupied shelves, rather than powering all shelves simultaneously. This segmentation allows precise control over which shelves receive power, reducing overall energy consumption and preventing overheating by limiting the number of active lighting circuits.
2Productivity
If power is supplied to all electrical connectors, then lighting is available for all shelves, but unnecessary energy is consumed when shelves are not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect the presence or absence of shelves at each mounting position. This feedback information is transmitted to the controller, which then selectively activates power channels only for shelves that are actually present and in use. This feedback mechanism ensures that lighting is available for all potential shelf positions while preventing energy waste by deactivating power to positions where no shelves are installed.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed power supply system is used, then installation is simple, but adaptability to different shelf arrangements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system transitions from a static, fixed configuration to a dynamic, adaptive system. Multiple independent power channels can be selectively activated based on the actual shelf arrangement detected by sensors. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different shelf configurations while maintaining a relatively simple physical installation structure, as the electrical connectivity is already in place but controlled through software logic.
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 solution reduces energy consumption by powering only the necessary shelves, preventing overheating and optimizing lighting conditions within the refrigerator, while allowing for flexible LED usage based on shelf arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of adjustable shelves each carry at least one lighting device... The at least one lighting device may comprise at least one light emitting diode (LED)
Data Source
AI summary
Illustrative embodiments of systems and methods for powering lighted shelves in refrigerator appliances are disclosed. In one embodiment, a refrigerator appliance may comprise a cabinet having a temperature-controlled compartment defined therein and a plurality of electrical connectors disposed at a plurality of shelf mounting positions within the temperature-controlled compartment. The refrigerator appliance may also comprise a plurality of adjustable shelves each carrying at least one light emitting diode (LED), where each of the plurality of adjustable shelves may be removably mounted in one of the plurality of shelf mounting positions such that the at least one LED is electrically coupled to one of the plurality of electrical connectors. The refrigerator appliance may further comprise a power supply circuit that is electrically coupled to the plurality of electrical connectors and that is configured to selectively supply power to only a subset of the plurality of electrical connectors.