User interface unit for cooling appliance and cooling appliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling appliances require users to open a door to view or operate the user interface, leading to unnecessary energy waste and inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

The user interface is positioned on an inclined side portion between the front and inner sides of a door, allowing users to access it without opening the door, reducing energy waste and enhancing usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the user interface is positioned on the front surface of the door, then the user can easily view and operate the interface, but the user must open the door to access the interface, causing energy waste

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUser interface accessibilityVSAvoidEnergy waste from frequent door opening

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface is relocated from the traditional front surface of the door to the inclined side portion, which is positioned between the front and inner sides of the door. This spatial repositioning in a different dimension allows users to access the interface from the front without opening the door, while still maintaining visibility and operability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The inclined side portion is specifically designed with a predetermined inclination angle to optimize the user interface's visibility and accessibility. This localized structural modification creates an optimal viewing and operating angle for the interface without affecting the overall door structure or insulation performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of energy

If the user interface is hidden on the inner side of the door, then energy is conserved, but the user cannot view or operate the interface without opening the door

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEnergy conservationVSAvoidUser interface accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface is positioned on the inclined side portion that extends from the front surface toward the inner side, creating an intermediate access zone. Users can interact with the interface from the front exterior space without fully opening the door, achieving a balance between energy conservation and operational accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of energy

If the user interface is disposed on the inclined side portion between front and inner sides, then users can access it without opening the door, but the structural complexity of the door increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEnergy conservationVSAvoidDoor structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inclined side portion is designed with a predetermined inclination angle that optimizes both user interface accessibility and structural efficiency. This localized angular modification provides the necessary functionality while minimizing the overall structural complexity of the door assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10591208B2User interface unit for cooling appliance and cooling appliance

Publication Date: 2020.03.17 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

AI summary

A cooling appliance includes a main body, a first door and a second door connected to the main body, and a user interface unit. The first door has a front surface and an inner side portion facing a side surface of the second door. The first door includes an inclined side portion located between the front surface and the inner side portion of the first door. The user interface unit is disposed at the inclined side portion. A user interface unit for a cooling appliance is also provided.