Household refrigerator with operating element with integrated display to actuate cover of a freshness drawer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household refrigeration appliances lack effective means to inform users about the condition of fresh-keeping containers, particularly regarding moisture content and suitable food storage, leading to potential food spoilage.
Innovation Solution
A household refrigeration device with a control element featuring a non-electronic display unit that provides symbolic information about the fresh-keeping container's state, including moisture content and suitable food storage, through a movable lid operation, where the display unit is integrated into the control element and includes a cover plate for protection 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 fresh-keeping container state, then information availability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display unit is merged with the control element by integrating the information disk directly into the rotary control mechanism. The control element serves dual purposes: actuating the lid and displaying container state information, thereby combining two separate functions into one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The control element displays information about the fresh-keeping container state automatically based on its own rotational position. The system uses the control element's position to determine and display the appropriate information, eliminating the need for separate sensors or electronic display components.
2Reliability
If a non-electronic display unit is used, then reliability is improved, but information display precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The information disk uses different visual markings, symbols, and potentially color-coded indicators to represent various container states. These visual changes provide precise information about moisture levels and food storage conditions without requiring electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic display systems with a mechanical information disk that rotates with the control element. The mechanical position of the control element directly corresponds to specific information about the container state, providing reliable and precise information through mechanical means rather than electronic sensors and displays.
3Ease of operation
If the display unit is integrated into the control element, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display function is merged with the control element's actuation mechanism. Users obtain information about the container state simply by rotating the control element to the desired position, combining the actuation and information retrieval functions into a single intuitive operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control element serves multiple functions: actuating the lid, indicating container state, and providing information about moisture content and suitable food storage. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate buttons, displays, or indicators, simplifying the overall user interface despite the integrated design.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
A domestic refrigeration device (1) having an internal space (4, 5) for receiving foodstuffs, which is bounded by walls of an internal container (3), and with a storage container (8) for foodstuffs that is arranged in the internal space (4, 5) and can be closed with a lid (9), and with a mounting device (12) with which the lid (9) is mounted in the internal space (4, 5) such that it can be raised and lowered for opening and closing the food storage container (8), and with a control element (13) by means of which the lid (9) can be actuated, wherein the control element (13) for actuating the lid (9) can be actuated along an actuation path and the lid (9) can be positioned, in dependence on a position of the control element (13), in a first closed position and at least in a second fully open position, wherein the control element (13) itself has a display unit (28) for displaying symbolic information depending on the position of the lid (9).