Refrigerator Crossbar Light Module for Homogeneous Forward Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household refrigeration devices have complex and assembly-intensive lighting units that result in positional tolerances and limited lighting functionality, leading to non-homogeneous illumination and potential water and moisture ingress.
Innovation Solution
A compact light module with an obliquely oriented light channel and reflection wall, allowing for efficient light emission downwards and diagonally forwards, and a snap element system for secure and symmetrical attachment to the crossbar, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets and ensuring stable, homogeneous illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a lighting unit with separate mounting bracket and housing components is used, then the lighting unit can be assembled, but the assembly process becomes complex and assembly-intensive with positioning tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mounting bracket and housing into a single integrated component. The housing itself incorporates mounting features (such as integrated clips or fastening elements) that directly attach to the cross-member, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets. This integration reduces the number of parts from multiple components to a single piece, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining secure attachment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the light source is arranged vertically downwards in the housing, then the housing structure is simple, but the lighting functionality is limited to a narrow area with non-homogeneous illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an oblique light channel that redirects light at an angle rather than strictly vertically downwards. The light channel is configured with a specific inclination angle (e.g., 30-60 degrees from vertical) to spread illumination across a wider area. This dimensional change in light direction transforms the lighting pattern from a narrow vertical beam to a broader angled illumination that covers more surface area homogeneously.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate components are used for the lighting unit, then individual components can be manufactured easily, but positioning tolerances accumulate and precise positioning on the cross member becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The housing and mounting bracket are merged into a single integrated component with built-in positioning features. The housing includes integrated mounting clips or fastening elements that directly engage with the cross-member, eliminating interfaces between separate parts. This integration eliminates cumulative positioning tolerances that would arise from assembling multiple components, ensuring precise and repeatable positioning on the cross-member.
4Reliability
If the housing has separate mounting bracket attachment, then the housing can be assembled, but water and moisture can penetrate the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting features are integrated directly into the housing structure, creating a seamless attachment to the cross-member. The housing includes built-in sealing elements or weather-resistant mounting clips that form a continuous protective barrier. This integration eliminates gaps or interfaces between separate mounting brackets and housing that could allow water and moisture penetration, while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
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
The solution provides a more uniform and extensive lighting area, reduces unwanted bright spots, and ensures a mechanically stable and easy assembly process, preventing moisture ingress and maintaining envelope symmetry.
Implementation Method 1
The light channel has a reflection wall. This reflection wall is oriented obliquely to the vertical. The light from a light source of the light module is reflected in the module housing by this reflection wall in a direction away from the crossbeam.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
One aspect of the invention relates to a household refrigeration appliance (1) with a housing (2) in which a first, upper receiving chamber (3) for food and a separate second, lower receiving chamber (4) for food are formed, wherein the two receiving chambers (3, 4) are separated from each other at the front by a cross member (6) of the household refrigeration appliance (1), and with a light module (10) which is arranged on a front side (11) of the cross member (6), wherein the light module (10) has a module housing (15), wherein the module housing (15) has a front housing part (17) which has a lower wall (48) which is a light emission window (49), wherein the lower wall (48) has a partial area (50) which is oriented obliquely upwards with respect to a horizontal (H) starting from the side near the cross member, and a light channel (53) is formed inside the module housing (15).by which the light (L) exits the module housing (15) through the lower wall (48) at an angle to a vertical (V) and thereby illuminates a zone (55) that is in the depth direction (z) of the household refrigeration appliance (1) in front of the lower recording chamber (4).