Refrigeration and/or freezer device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators and freezers with light-guiding elements often fail to uniformly illuminate all edges, resulting in uneven backlighting and a less appealing visual appearance.
Innovation Solution
The use of conical depressions in the light-guiding element, where light is coupled in at the tip and deflected along the walls, allowing for uniform illumination of all edges, including those not traditionally used for coupling out, using materials like glass or plastic, and incorporating deflection elements for further light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light is coupled into one edge of the light guide plate, then the light is distributed over the surface of the light guide plate, but the edge into which the light is coupled is not used as a coupling-out area and is not illuminated to the same extent as other edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing the conventional flat light coupling surface with a conical depression (curved surface). The conical shape with its sloped walls redirects light rays through total internal reflection, ensuring that light coupled into the light guide plate is distributed uniformly across all edges including the coupling edge. This curved surface structure enables homogeneous illumination without requiring additional complex optical components.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional light coupling methods are used, then the structure is simple, but the visual appearance is less appealing due to uneven backlighting
Solution Approach 1:
The conical depression introduces a curved surface that can be manufactured using standard optical fabrication techniques such as glass molding, injection molding, or precision grinding. The curvature of the conical surface is designed to achieve optimal light redistribution, and this geometric feature can be integrated into the light guide element manufacturing process without requiring post-processing assembly of multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the light coupling interface by changing from a flat surface to a conical surface with specific geometric parameters (apex angle, depth, diameter). These parameter changes optimize the light redistribution characteristics, enabling homogeneous backlighting while maintaining compatibility with standard manufacturing processes for optical elements.
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 approach ensures all edges of the light-guiding element are uniformly illuminated, providing a more appealing visual effect and allowing for continuous, homogeneous backlighting regardless of edge shape or number.
Implementation Method 1
This light is deflected on the walls of the recess and partially or completely slides in the direction of the edge or edges of the light-guiding plate or light-guiding element
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3~4b
Figure 5a~5c
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cooling and/or freezing appliance with a light source (L1) and a light guide element (10) which is arranged relative to the light source (L1) such that the light emanating from the light source (L1) falls at least partially onto the light guide element (10), wherein the light guide element (10) has a main surface (H1, H2) and one or more edges (K) adjacent to the main surface (H1, H2), wherein a recess (20) extends from or away from the main surface (H1, H2) for the purpose of distributing the coupled light, the recess having at least one surface (W) inclined relative to the main surface (H1, H2) onto which the light emanating from the light source (L1) falls at least partially.