Refrigerator LED Lighting Assembly With Edge Board Plug Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional domestic refrigerators lack an efficient and cost-effective internal lighting system that can be easily installed and maintained, with existing solutions often requiring complex rubber encapsulation and blind insertion methods.
Innovation Solution
The use of an edge board plug for electrical connection to a conductor board within a thermally insulating housing, allowing for simple installation and maintenance of an LED-based internal lighting system with multiple color options, and a cap for sealing against insulating foam, reducing assembly complexity and part count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rubber encapsulation and blind insertion methods are used for electrical connection, then sealing is achieved, but device complexity and assembly effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system is segmented into modular components: edge board plug, conductor board with electrical contact, and cap. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled in a straightforward sequence, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap acts as an intermediary element that seals around the edge board plug where it contacts the insulating foam. This intermediary component provides the sealing function without requiring complex rubber encapsulation of the entire electrical connection assembly.
2Reliability
If complex rubber encapsulation is used for electrical connection, then sealing is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed as a simple, inexpensive plastic component that provides adequate sealing without the need for expensive rubber encapsulation materials. This disposable-like approach prioritizes cost-effectiveness while maintaining functional sealing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap is made of plastic material that provides flexible sealing around the edge board plug insertion point. This thin film approach is more cost-effective than bulk rubber encapsulation while achieving the same sealing purpose.
3Illumination intensity
If LED-based lighting system is implemented with multiple colors, then illumination quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor board serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for mounting multiple LEDs, establishes electrical connections for different colored LEDs, and enables individual control of each LED through separate electrical contacts. This multi-functionality allows rich illumination capabilities without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
4Temperature
If housing is foam-filled for thermal insulation, then thermal insulation improves, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing and thermal insulation are merged into a single integrated component. The housing is directly foam-filled during manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate insulation components and reducing assembly steps. This combining approach maintains excellent thermal insulation while simplifying the overall assembly process.
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 solution enables a cost-effective, easy-to-install internal lighting system with improved sealing and reduced assembly effort, allowing for high-pole connections and individual LED control, while maintaining a compact and efficient design.
Implementation Method 1
the end of the electrical line facing toward the internal lighting system is provided with an edge board plug for electrically contacting the lighting means
Implementation Method 2
The lighting means can also comprise a plurality of LEDs of which at least two of the LEDs can have different colors
Implementation Method 3
a thermally insulating internal container with an interior space which can be cooled
Implementation Method 4
a cap for sealing against insulating foam, reducing assembly complexity and part count
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a thermally insulating internal container having an interior space, a refrigeration apparatus for cooling the interior space, and a door leaf arranged pivotably relative to the internal container for opening and closing the interior space. Arranged within the interior space is an internal lighting system for at least partially illuminating the interior space. The lighting system includes a conductor board having an electrical contact, a housing having a shaft which is open in a direction toward the interior space so as to allow the conductor board to be pushed into the shaft, and a lighting member arranged within the housing and fastened on the conductor board. An electrical line supplies electrical energy to the lighting member and is provided with an edge board plug which is electrically connected to the electrical contact of the conductor board for connecting the lighting member electrically to the electrical line.