Light Guide Plate Spot Layout Around Through Holes for Uniform Fridge Lighting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surface light source assemblies in refrigerators suffer from non-uniform lighting due to the formation of through holes, leading to bright or dark spots and shadows, which compromises the illumination of the entire compartment.

Innovation Solution

The surface light source assembly adjusts the diameter and density of light guide spots around the through hole, with specific adjustments in the first and second regions to ensure uniform brightness, and includes a supplemental light source and anti-collision frames to prevent damage and enhance lighting uniformity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a through hole is formed in the light guide plate to fix devices on the rear wall, then device mounting is enabled, but non-uniform light rays appear around the through hole creating bright or dark spots

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice mounting capabilityVSAvoidlight uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating different regions with different light guide spot characteristics. Specifically, a first region around the through hole has light guide spots with different diameters and densities compared to a second region, allowing each region to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall light uniformity across the light guide plate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters of the light guide spots to resolve the contradiction. By adjusting the diameter and density of light guide spots in different regions, the patent compensates for the light disruption caused by the through hole, thereby maintaining uniform illumination while enabling device mounting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a through hole is formed in the light guide plate, then devices can be mounted on the rear wall, but shadows are created in certain areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice mounting capabilityVSAvoidshadows
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates specialized regions around the through hole with modified light guide spot characteristics. The first region adjacent to the through hole has different light guide spot parameters compared to the second region, allowing targeted compensation for shadow areas and ensuring uniform light distribution while maintaining device mounting capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Illumination intensity

If light guide spots are adjusted in diameter and density, then lighting uniformity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight uniformityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the light guide plate into distinct regions (first region and second region) with different light guide spot characteristics. This segmentation allows for systematic manufacturing approaches where each region can be processed with specific parameters, making the complex manufacturing task more manageable and organized

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The solution achieves uniform lighting across the entire light guide plate, eliminating shadows and ensuring consistent brightness, while also providing a secure and adjustable mounting system for cantilever shelves.

Implementation Method 1

a light source is used to vertically illuminate the light guide plate, such that the entire light guide plate emits uniform and soft light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight propagation: Light

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of light guide spots is provided at a front surface of the light guide plate... adjusts diameters and densities of light guide spots... so that light rays are uniform

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP3730880B1Surface light source assembly and refrigerator provided therewith
Publication Date: 2023.05.03 HAIER SMART HOME CO LTD
  • EP3730880B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3730880B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3730880B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses a surface light source assembly and a refrigerator having the same. The surface light source assembly comprises: a light source and a light guide plate which is vertically illuminated by the light source, wherein the light source is provided along a first side of the light guide plate; a plurality of light guide spots is provided at a front surface of the light guide plate, a through hole is vertically formed in the middle of the light guide plate, and comprises an upper edge close to the light source and a lower edge away from the light source; a first region is provided at a position of the front surface of the light guide plate close to the upper edge of the through hole, the diameter of each light guide spot in the first region is less than that of each light guide spot in the peripheral region of the first region, and the density of the light guide spots in the first region is less than that of the light guide spots in the peripheral region of the first region; a second region is provided at a position of the front surface of the light guide plate close to the lower edge of the through hole, the diameter of each light guide spot in the second region is greater than that of each light guide spot in the peripheral region of the second region, and the density of the light guide spots in the second region is less than that of the light guide spots in the peripheral region of the second region.