refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users find it difficult to identify the type or storage status of food in a refrigerator without opening the door, leading to unnecessary cold air leakage and a need for improved design to maintain aesthetics and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design that incorporates a light-source assembly with a light source module and lightguide member fixed to a basket, allowing illumination and fixation through a single structure, enabling easy repair or replacement, and providing various illumination effects and decoration options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the door is made translucent or transparent to allow food identification, then the user can identify food storage status without opening the door, but the aesthetic design of the storage chamber interior and door becomes compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies illumination to change the visual appearance of the storage chamber interior and door. By using light sources that emit specific colors or intensities, the system enhances the visibility of food items through the translucent/transparent door while simultaneously creating attractive visual effects that maintain aesthetic appeal. The illumination transforms the appearance dynamically, allowing both information transmission and design preservation.
2Reliability
If separate structures are used for fixing the basket and providing illumination, then the functions are clearly defined, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the basket fixing structure and illumination system into a single integrated assembly. The light source is positioned within or attached to the basket mounting structure, allowing both the mechanical support function and the illumination function to be achieved through one combined component rather than separate structures. This reduces overall device complexity while maintaining clear functional definitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The basket mounting structure is designed to serve multiple functions: mechanically supporting the basket and simultaneously providing illumination to the storage chamber interior and door. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate fixing and lighting structures, thereby reducing device complexity while ensuring reliable performance of both functions.
3Illumination intensity
If the light source module and lightguide member are positioned separately, then the illumination coverage can be adjusted, but alignment errors occur reducing illumination effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lightguide member as an intermediary component between the light source module and the target areas (storage chamber interior and door). The lightguide member is designed with specific optical properties to efficiently transmit and distribute light from the source, reducing the impact of alignment errors. By using this intermediary, the system maintains effective illumination coverage even with minor positioning variations during assembly.
4Ease of repair
If the basket is made detachable for easy repair and replacement, then the ease of repair improves, but the fixation reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the refrigerator door assembly into detachable components, specifically allowing the basket to be easily removed and replaced. The basket is designed as a separate module that can be detached from the mounting structure without damaging other components. This segmentation enables easy repair and replacement while maintaining reliable fixation through properly designed connection interfaces.
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
Enables easy identification of food status without opening the door, reduces cold air leakage, and enhances aesthetic appeal by allowing flexible illumination and decoration effects.
Implementation Method 1
a lightguide member that guides light emitted from the light source module to the basket
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A refrigerator includes a light-source assembly that irradiates light to a basket and at the same time, plays a role in fixing the basket to a door. Thus, the fixing of the basket to the door and the illumination effect toward the basket are achieved using one structure rather than as separate structures.