Domestic refrigeration device, and method of controlling a light source arrangement arranged therein
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators use fixed light sources with specific spectral characteristics, which do not adapt to the type of food stored, resulting in inconsistent visibility and appeal of stored foods.
Innovation Solution
A domestic refrigeration device with a light source arrangement that emits white light of varying spectral characteristics, controlled by a sensor unit to adjust the light based on the detected color of the contents, using LEDs and a sensor system to determine the hue and adjust the correlated color temperature for optimal lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed light sources with specific spectral characteristics are used, then the lighting structure is simple and reliable, but the appearance appeal of different food types cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system transitions from fixed spectral characteristics to dynamic adjustment based on detected food color. The light source arrangement changes its spectral output in real-time according to the hue values detected by the sensor unit, making the system adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit detects the hue of foods stored in the interior and feeds this information back to the control unit, which then adjusts the spectral characteristics of the light source arrangement accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system enables automatic adaptation to different food types.
2Illumination intensity
If fixed light sources are used, then the device complexity is low, but the visibility and appeal of stored foods vary inconsistently
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system serves itself by automatically detecting the food color through the sensor unit and adjusting its own spectral characteristics without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates to optimize food presentation based on its own sensors' measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The spectral characteristics of the light source are changed as a parameter in response to detected food color. By varying the correlated color temperature and spectral composition based on hue detection, the system optimizes illumination for different food types.
3Adaptability or versatility
If colored light sources are used for different foods, then food appeal is enhanced, but the lighting system becomes complex and requires manual adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the appropriate spectral characteristics by detecting food color, eliminating the need for manual selection or adjustment of light sources. The lighting arrangement serves itself by adapting to the stored foods without user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment of light sources is replaced by an automated optical detection and electronic control system. The sensor unit optically detects food color and the control unit electronically adjusts the light source spectral output, replacing manual mechanical operations.
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 ensures that foods are consistently visible and presented in an appealing manner by automatically adapting the lighting to the contents, enhancing user experience without requiring manual adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
The light source arrangement (26) is configured to emit light, in particular white light, of different spectral characteristics into the interior
Implementation Method 2
a sensor unit (36) which is configured to optically detect light emitted by the lit interior
Data Source
AI summary
A domestic refrigeration device comprises an interior for storing foods, a light source arrangement which is configured to emit light, in particular white light, of different spectral characteristics into the interior, and a sensor unit which is configured to optically detect light emitted by the lit interior, to allocate to the detected light a value that is characteristic of the color of the emitted light, and to control the light source arrangement in such a manner that light of a specific spectral characteristic, which is dependent on the value that is characteristic of the color, is emitted.