Light module for a domestic appliance and domestic appliance with said light module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light modules in household appliances, such as refrigerators, lack effective and aesthetically pleasing illumination, particularly in terms of light distribution and dimming capabilities, and are not adaptable to various appliance widths.
Innovation Solution
A light module comprising a light source, a transparent light guide, and a cover plate with a light guide structure that scatters light transversely, allowing for efficient and uniform illumination, and featuring a dimmable LED source, a reflector, and a frame structure for enhanced light diffusion and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple LEDs are used to improve illumination coverage, then lighting intensity increases, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination function is segmented into two independent components: a single point light source (LED) and a separate optical distribution system (light guide with microstructures). This segmentation allows the complex light distribution task to be handled by the optical structure rather than requiring multiple LEDs, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining high illumination intensity and uniformity across the appliance interior.
Solution Approach 2:
A light guide plate with microstructures serves as an intermediary between the single LED light source and the appliance interior surfaces. This intermediary component receives light from the LED and redistributes it uniformly across the entire interior space through its microstructured surface, achieving comprehensive illumination without requiring multiple LEDs directly positioned throughout the appliance.
2Illumination intensity
If halogen lamps are used to provide sufficient illumination, then lighting intensity is adequate, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental lighting parameter from high-power halogen illumination to low-power LED illumination. By combining LED energy efficiency with an optical light guide system that enhances light distribution, the design achieves adequate illumination intensity while dramatically reducing energy consumption compared to traditional halogen lamp solutions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If LEDs are positioned directly to illuminate specific areas, then lighting efficiency is high, but adaptability to different appliance widths is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it collects light from the LED, distributes it uniformly across various distances and angles, and adapts to different appliance widths. This universal optical component enables the same basic lighting module design to be effectively deployed across refrigerator, freezer, and wine cooler applications with varying dimensions, maintaining both lighting efficiency and adaptability.
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 provides effective, pleasant, and adaptable illumination for household appliance interiors, suitable for various widths, with enhanced light yield and dimming functionality, ensuring uniform lighting and a modular design for easy integration and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide (400) which is designed to guide light emitted by the light source (1200) via the surface of the light guide (400) to the cover plate (200)
Implementation Method 2
the cover plate (200) and/or the light guide (400) having a light guide structure (404) which extends along a main extension direction (414) of the light guide (400) and is designed to scatter at least a portion of the light transversely to the main extension direction (414) of the light guide (400)
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
The invention relates to a light module (102) for a household appliance. The light module (102) comprises a light source, a light guide (400) and a transparent cover plate (200) for covering a surface of the light guide (400), the light guide (400) being designed to cover light emitted by the light source over the surface of the to guide the light guide (400) to the cover plate (200) and to couple it out into the cover plate (200), and wherein the cover plate (200) and/or the light guide (400) has a light guide structure (404) which extends along a main direction of extent (414 ) of the light guide (400) and is designed to scatter at least a portion of the light transversely to the main direction of extension (414) of the light guide (400).