Refrigerator Door Light Assembly Using LED and Gravity Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerating apparatuses with incandescent lamps and mechanical switches face issues of high heat generation, noise, and low reliability, leading to inefficient energy use and poor performance.

Innovation Solution

The refrigerating apparatus incorporates a light assembly with an LED light and a gravity switch connected to a PCB, where the gravity switch is activated by the door's opening and closing motion, providing a low-noise, low-energy solution with a high level of integration and reliability.

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 is excessive and energy consumption is high

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 lighting) with an LED light (electroluminescence lighting). This substitution changes the physical principle from thermal heating to direct electroluminescence, dramatically reducing heat generation while maintaining lighting functionality and lowering energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

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

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical switch with a gravity switch that utilizes gravitational force to activate a magnetic sensor. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact and movement, reducing device size, eliminating noise, and improving reliability by removing wear-prone mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If a mechanical switch is used, then the switching function is achieved, but noise is generated during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise levelVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical switch with a gravity switch that uses gravitational force to move a rolling body, which then activates a magnetic sensor. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact and friction, completely eliminating noise during operation while maintaining reliable switching functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If an incandescent lamp and mechanical switch are used, then the lighting and switching functions are achieved, but the overall system reliability is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces both the incandescent lamp and mechanical switch with an LED light and gravity switch combination. This substitution eliminates the weaknesses of the old system (high heat, noise, low reliability) while integrating components that work together more efficiently, thereby improving overall system reliability without significantly increasing complexity.

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

This configuration reduces heat generation and noise, enhances energy efficiency, and improves overall performance by using LED lights and gravity switches, resulting in a more reliable and energy-efficient lighting system.

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

the gravity switch is configured to be switched on to light the LED light so as to light an interior of the cabinet body when the door body opens the cabinet body, and switched off to extinguish the LED light when the door body closes the cabinet body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9927110B2Refrigerating apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.03.27 HEFEI HUALING CO LTD

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.