Refrigeration appliance with lighting module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Refrigeration appliances' lighting modules often neglect the visual effect within storage compartments, and the lighting quality varies significantly due to temperature and humidity changes, leading to unstable illumination.

Innovation Solution

A lighting module design with a decorative strip and elastic members to maintain consistent light positioning relative to the light source, combined with a snap-fit connection and concealed seams for improved aesthetics and stability across different environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a lighting module is installed in a storage compartment, then illumination function is achieved, but visual effect and aesthetic appearance are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination functionVSAvoidvisual effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the lighting module with a decorative strip that integrates seamlessly into the storage compartment's liner. The decorative strip is positioned to conceal the boundary between the lighting module and the liner, merging the functional lighting component with the aesthetic interior design, thereby achieving both illumination and visual appeal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The decorative strip acts as an intermediary element between the lighting module and the storage compartment liner. It serves as a transitional component that hides the seam or boundary, allowing the lighting module to be integrated aesthetically while maintaining its illumination function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the lighting module structure is simplified for easy installation, then ease of manufacture is improved, but sealing performance and stability are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidsealing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting module is divided into separate components: the lighting module itself, the decorative strip, and the mounting slot in the liner. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently, simplifying production and installation while maintaining sealing performance through the integrated design of the mounting slot and decorative strip.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3988877A1Refrigeration appliance with lighting module
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3988877A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3988877A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3988877A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Embodiments of the present utility model relate to a refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance (100) includes a storage compartment (101) provided with a front opening (10), the storage compartment (101) including a top wall (13) and a mounting slot (110) located in the top wall (13); and a lighting module (1) fastened in the mounting slot (110). The lighting module (1) includes a front wall (25) facing the front opening (10). The front wall (25) includes a main part (251) and a decorative strip (252) connected to the main part (251). An upper end of the decorative strip (252) extends into the mounting slot (110).