Refrigerator with externally mounted lighting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Absorption refrigerators often have unsatisfactory light intensity for illuminating the interior due to obstructions from internal components or contents, making it difficult for users to identify items within the refrigerator.
Innovation Solution
A lighting arrangement where a light is positioned outside the interior volume of the refrigerator, activated by a switch that communicates with a controller to illuminate when the door opens, ensuring adequate illumination of the interior sections without obstructing the light path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If internal lighting is used in the refrigerator, then the lighting is integrated within the interior space, but the light intensity is insufficient due to obstructions from internal components or contents
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is extracted from the interior space of the refrigerator and repositioned to an external location on the cabinet. This allows the light source to be positioned outside the interior volume, eliminating obstructions from internal components or stored contents that would otherwise block the light path and reduce illumination intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cabinet exterior serves as an intermediary structure that holds the light source at an optimal position for illuminating the interior. The external mounting location acts as a mediator between the light source and the interior space, allowing light to be directed into the refrigerator without being blocked by internal elements.
2Illumination intensity
If a light is positioned outside the interior volume, then unobstructed illumination is achieved, but the lighting structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is merged with the cabinet structure by mounting the light source and associated components directly onto the exterior of the refrigerator cabinet. This integration combines the lighting function with the existing cabinet structure, achieving unobstructed illumination while minimizing additional structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The external mounting arrangement serves multiple functions: it provides unobstructed illumination, maintains a compact overall structure by utilizing the cabinet exterior, and allows for flexible positioning of the light source to optimize lighting coverage of the interior space.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a cabinet that defines an interior volume. A first door is coupled to the cabinet and is movable between a closed position and an open position. A light is disposed on the cabinet outside of the interior volume. The light is configured to illuminate when the door is in the open position and shine light toward the interior volume.