Refrigerator and manufacturing method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional metal refrigerator door bodies lack an effective method to display operation information without the complexity and cost of small regular-shaped holes, which also allows dust entry and compromises visual aesthetics when filled with light-transmissive materials.
Innovation Solution
The formation of irregular-shaped accommodating holes in the metal front panel of the refrigerator door through die punching or laser cutting, combined with a light-transmissive plate matching the panel color to embed in these holes, allowing for improved display and aesthetics by embedding a display unit and LED light guide plate within the foaming space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If regular-shaped through holes are formed in the metal door body using sheet metal micro-pore technology, then operation information can be displayed, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated and costs increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The display area is divided into multiple irregularly shaped through-holes of different sizes and positions, allowing information to be displayed through these segmented openings without requiring complex micro-pore technology. Each hole serves as an independent display element that can show different portions of information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses irregularly shaped through-holes instead of regular-shaped holes. The holes have asymmetric shapes and are positioned at different locations on the door body, creating a more aesthetically pleasing appearance while simplifying the manufacturing process compared to precise micro-pore technology.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If regular-shaped through holes are filled with light-transmissive material to prevent dust entry, then dust protection is improved, but the visual experience deteriorates due to visible holes on the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the door surface. The through-holes are strategically positioned and sized to be less visually obtrusive, while the surrounding metal surface maintains its original aesthetic quality. The irregular shapes and varying sizes of holes create a more natural, less artificial appearance compared to uniform filled holes.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of filling the holes to hide them, the patent inverts the approach by making the holes themselves the display element. The irregularly shaped openings are designed to be visually appealing and functional, eliminating the need for light-transmissive fillers that compromise aesthetics.
3Loss of information
If small regular-shaped through holes are formed for display, then information display is enabled, but the manufacturing cost increases excessively due to process complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs laser cutting technology, which is a dynamic and flexible manufacturing process. The laser can easily create irregularly shaped holes of various sizes without requiring complex tooling or multiple processing steps, thereby reducing manufacturing costs compared to traditional micro-pore technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical micro-pore technology with laser cutting. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical tooling and multi-step processes, allowing for direct creation of irregularly shaped through-holes at lower cost and with greater design flexibility.
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 method simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces costs, and enhances user experience by providing a visually appealing display of operation information without visible holes when the refrigerator is dormant.
Implementation Method 1
an LED light guide plate corresponding to the light-transmissive plate and configured to provide a light source to the display unit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a refrigerator and a manufacturing method thereof. The refrigerator comprises: a refrigerator body, and at least one door body configured to close the refrigerator body. The at least one door body comprises a front panel, a rear panel, and side panels respectively connected to the front panel and the rear panel to form a foaming space. The front panel is made of a metal material, and is provided with a plurality of irregular run-through accommodating holes, each of which is in a predetermined shape. The at least one door body further comprises a display unit arranged in the foaming space and partially embedded in the accommodating holes, and a control unit configured to control the display unit to be in a light-emitting state or a normal display state.