Internal water dispenser located in the housing of a light module in a domestic refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internal water dispensers in refrigerators require large cutouts and compete with space used for internal lighting, complicating manufacturing and providing a suboptimal consumer experience.
Innovation Solution
An internal water dispenser integrated into a light module within the refrigerator's fresh food compartment, utilizing a paddle and button activation, with a water line routed through a conduit and a light diverter to conserve space and optimize ergonomics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a water dispenser is integrated into a light module, then space in the fresh food compartment is conserved and ergonomic placement is optimized, but the complexity of integrating water routing and lighting components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the water dispenser and light module into a single integrated housing structure. The dispenser housing serves dual purposes: as the structural housing for the water dispenser and as the housing for the light module, thereby consolidating two separate components into one and reducing overall space requirements in the fresh food compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it houses the water dispenser mechanism, contains the light module, provides structural support, and serves as the mounting interface for both water routing and electrical lighting components. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
2Shape
If a water dispenser is integrated into a light module, then seamless aesthetics and internal door space are maintained, but the difficulty of routing water lines through the light housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light diverter component that serves as an intermediary element. The light diverter is positioned to both redirect light away from the water line path and provide a protective conduit for the water line to pass through the light module housing. This single component resolves two issues: maintaining aesthetic appearance by diverting light and protecting the water line routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The water line is routed through existing structural elements of the light module housing. The conduit for water routing is integrated within or alongside the light housing structure, effectively nesting the water routing pathway within the existing housing geometry rather than adding separate external routing components.
3Ease of operation
If the water dispenser is accessible from inside the fresh food compartment, then ease of operation is improved, but the space required for dispenser components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water dispenser components are segmented and arranged within the compact light module housing. The activation mechanism, water line, and dispensing components are divided into functional segments that fit within the constrained space of the light module, allowing accessibility from the fresh food compartment while minimizing overall space requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a fresh food compartment defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, two side walls, and at least one door; a light module having a housing and being disposed in or on at least the rear wall or one of the two side walls of the fresh food compartment; and a water dispenser located in the housing of the light module, the water dispenser being accessible from inside the fresh food compartment.