Refrigerator Light Pipe Illumination for Movable Shelves Without Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for providing lighting in appliances, such as refrigerators, face challenges in routing power connections to movable components like shelves or drawers with electronic features, which can be costly and complex to design and manufacture.
Innovation Solution
The use of light pipes extending along the front edges of movable components, with embedded light sources in the appliance walls, allows for efficient and targeted lighting within the appliance, eliminating the need for routing electrical connections by directing light through a reflector and diffuser system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electrical connections are routed to movable components with electronic features, then lighting functionality is achieved, but design and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A light pipe acts as an intermediary between the stationary light source and the movable component. The light pipe transmits light optically without requiring electrical connections to the movable component, thus eliminating the complexity of routing power connections while maintaining lighting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical connection system with an optical transmission system. Instead of routing electrical wires to power electronics on movable components, the invention uses light pipes to transmit light from stationary sources, substituting a mechanical/electrical system with an optical one that is simpler to implement.
2Device complexity
If light pipes are used to direct light without electrical connections, then device complexity is reduced, but lighting precision and targeting capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The light pipe is designed with specific local properties including a diffuser at the emission end to control light distribution. The reflector is positioned and shaped to direct light precisely into the light pipe. These localized features ensure that light is transmitted and distributed with the required precision despite the simplified system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The light pipe serves as a precise optical intermediary that maintains lighting accuracy. By carefully designing the light pipe's optical properties and the reflector's geometry, the system achieves precise light targeting without requiring complex electrical connections or control systems.
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
This solution provides efficient and aesthetically pleasing lighting within appliances, reducing design and manufacturing complexity while ensuring that lighting is directed precisely where needed, enhancing user experience and appliance functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a light pipe extending along the front edge of the movable component, and a first light source positioned at the first side wall to emit light into a first end of the light pipe
Implementation Method 2
a first light reflector to direct light between a first light source embedded in a wall of the appliance and the first end of the light pipe
Implementation Method 3
the light pipe having a diffuser
Data Source
AI summary
Example methods and apparatuses to provide lighting in appliances are disclosed. An example refrigerator includes a compartment disposed within the refrigerator having first and second opposite side walls, a movable component disposed in the compartment, the movable component having a front edge, a light pipe extending along the front edge of the movable component, and a first light source positioned at the first side wall to emit light into a first end of the light pipe.