Refrigerator Lid Control With Integrated Moisture Status Display
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing domestic refrigeration appliances lack effective means to inform users about the state of the food storage container, such as moisture content, which can lead to improper storage and spoilage of food.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a non-electronic display unit on the operating element of the refrigeration appliance that provides symbolic information about the food storage container's state, including moisture content and suitable food storage, using a compact and robust design with an information disk and cover plate for clear and precise information display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a display unit is added to provide information about the food storage container state, then information provision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simple optical copying mechanism where the display unit creates a visual representation (copy) of the lid position through a window. Instead of complex electronic sensors and displays, a purely mechanical optical system copies the position information visually, resolving the contradiction by providing full information with minimal added complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The display unit is designed to automatically indicate lid position without requiring external power sources or control systems. The mechanical coupling between the lid and display components causes the information to be presented self-service style as the lid moves, eliminating the need for additional electronic control complexity
2Reliability
If a non-electronic display unit is used, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The display unit is segmented into independent functional components: the display element itself, the window through which information is viewed, and the mechanical coupling elements. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled separately with standard tolerances, reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining high reliability through the simplicity of each individual component
3Ease of operation
If the display unit is integrated on the operating element, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display unit is merged with the operating element into a single integrated component structure. The display elements are positioned directly on the operating element body, and the window is formed as part of the operating element housing. This merging allows users to see information during actuation without requiring separate mechanisms, while the integration is achieved through simple structural design rather than complex assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A domestic refrigeration device has an internal space for receiving foodstuffs, which is bounded by walls of an internal container, and a storage container for foodstuffs that is arranged in the internal space and can be closed with a lid. The refrigerator further has a mounting device with which the lid is mounted in the internal space such that it can be raised and lowered for opening and closing the food storage container. A control element is provided by which the lid can be actuated, wherein the control element for actuating the lid can be actuated along an actuation path and the lid can be positioned, in dependence on a position of the control element, in a first closed position and at least in a second fully open position. The control element itself has a display unit for displaying symbolic information depending on the position of the lid.