refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator designs face challenges with complex structures and mismatched components between the front surface plate and display units, leading to unclear information display and difficult user operation.
Innovation Solution
A display assembly is mounted on the dispenser case with a lever, featuring a display plate with fine through-holes for LED light guidance, a reflector for light distribution, and touch sensors integrated with an elastic support system, ensuring intuitive operation and alignment with the door panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the display unit is mounted on the front surface plate with through openings, then the display can be observed by users, but the structure becomes complicated and components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The display unit is merged with the upper cap by forming an accommodation space directly in the upper cap, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures on the front surface plate. The display unit, upper cap, and guide portion form an integrated assembly that reduces overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The display unit is extracted from the front surface plate mounting location and relocated to the upper cap. This extraction removes the need for through openings in the front surface plate and simplifies the door assembly structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If the display unit structure is changed for mounting, then the display can be mounted, but the structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The upper cap serves multiple functions: it provides the accommodation space for mounting the display unit, acts as a structural component of the door, and includes the guide portion that integrates the input portion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mounting brackets or frames.
3Productivity
If the front surface plate and display unit disposition do not match, then assembly is simpler, but information display becomes unclear and operation input fails
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion is designed with a predetermined shape that pre-aligns the input portion with the display unit before final assembly. This preliminary alignment action ensures that the display and input controls are properly positioned relative to each other, guaranteeing clear information display and accurate operation input.
4Ease of operation
If intuitive operation is achieved with matched display and input portions, then user experience improves, but structure and assembly become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion is designed with an asymmetric shape that specifically matches the asymmetric arrangement of the display unit and input portion. This asymmetric design ensures proper alignment and intuitive operation while being directly integrated into the upper cap, avoiding additional complex mounting mechanisms.
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 provides a simple, intuitive, and easy-to-assemble display system that ensures clear information display and accurate user operation, minimizing assembly defects and enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector formed on a front surface of the display PCB, the reflector being in close contact with the rear surface of the display plate and guiding light from the LED to be radiated to the plurality of display portions
Implementation Method 2
an elastic member supporting the sensor PCB
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A refrigerator is provided with a dispenser on the door, and a display (40) mounted on one side of the dispenser. The display (40) include a display plate (41) defining an outer appearance of a front surface of the display (40), a plurality of display portions that display information of the refrigerator and are formed by an arrangement of a plurality of fine through-holes (410) that pass through the display plate, a plurality of operational interfaces formed on a front surface of the display plate (41) and operated by a touch input, a touch PCB (43) provided on a rear surface of the display plate (41) and including a plurality of touch sensors (46) at positions corresponding to the plurality of operational interfaces, a display PCB (44) on which a LED that radiates light toward the plurality of fine through-holes (410) is mounted, and a display cover (42) provided close to the rear surface of the display plate (41) and on which the touch PCB (43) and the display PCB (44) are mounted.