Refrigerator Door Light Assembly With Gravity Switch and LED PCB

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerating apparatuses with incandescent lamps and mechanical switches suffer from high heat generation, noise, and low reliability, as well as high energy consumption and size.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerating apparatus featuring a light assembly with an LED light and a gravity switch connected on a PCB, where the gravity switch is activated by the door's opening and closing, providing a low-noise, low-energy, and highly integrated lighting solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If an incandescent lamp is used for lighting, then the lighting function is achieved, but heat generation and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the incandescent lamp (thermal radiation source) with an LED light source (electroluminescence source). This substitution eliminates the need for heating to produce light, thereby dramatically reducing energy consumption and heat generation while maintaining effective illumination in the cabinet cavity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the lighting system by transitioning from incandescent technology (high temperature, high energy consumption) to LED technology (low temperature, low energy consumption). This parameter change achieves the dual benefit of reduced energy usage and reduced heat generation simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a mechanical switch is used to control the lamp, then the switching function is achieved, but noise and device size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration levelVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical switch with an electronic control system comprising a control circuit board and controller. This electronic substitution eliminates mechanical moving parts that generate noise, while also reducing overall device complexity through integration of control functions onto the circuit board.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit board serves multiple functions: it controls the LED lighting, manages power distribution, and provides intelligent control capabilities. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate mechanical components into a single integrated electronic system, reducing noise and simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a mechanical switch is used, then the switching function is achieved, but reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidswitching mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical switch with an electronic control system that has no moving parts. This eliminates wear, friction, and contact degradation issues inherent in mechanical switches, thereby significantly improving reliability while the integrated circuit board design keeps the overall system simple and maintainable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If an incandescent lamp and mechanical switch are used, then the lighting and control functions are achieved, but the overall performance of the refrigerating apparatus is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall performanceVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces both the incandescent lamp and mechanical switch with an LED lighting system controlled by an electronic control circuit board. This dual substitution achieves multiple performance improvements: reduced energy consumption, reduced heat generation, eliminated noise, and improved reliability, thereby comprehensively enhancing the overall performance of the refrigerating apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 LED light assembly reduces energy consumption, minimizes noise, and enhances reliability with a compact design, improving overall performance by using a gravity switch that automatically turns the LED light on and off with the door's movement.

Implementation Method 1

an LED light and a gravity switch, both the LED light and the gravity switch are connected onto the PCB

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a rolling body rollingly disposed in the casing and configured as that the LED light is turned on when the door body opens the cabinet body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3088821B1Refrigeration device
Publication Date: 2018.10.24 HEFEI HUALING CO LTD
  • EP3088821B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3088821B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3088821B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A refrigerating apparatus includes a cabinet body having an open top; a door body (2) disposed at the top of the cabinet body pivotably around a pivot shaft (421) so as to open and close the cabinet body; and a light assembly (3), disposed at a side of the door body (2) facing the cabinet body (2) and arranged adjacent to the pivot shaft (421), wherein the light assembly (3) includes a PCB (31), an LED light (32) and a gravity switch (33), both the LED light (32) and the gravity switch (33) are connected onto the PCB (31), and the gravity switch (33) is configured to be switched on to light the LED light (32) so as to light an interior of the cabinet body when the door body (2) opens the cabinet body, and switched off to extinguish the LED light (32) when the door body (2) closes the cabinet body.