Refrigerator Door Display Interlock for Low-Leakage Content Viewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience in checking the contents of a refrigerator without opening the door, leading to unnecessary cold air leakage and exposure of food when the door is opened.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a first display on the door that, when turned on, activates a second display with light-emitting portions, allowing users to check contents without opening the door. The light-emitting pattern varies based on the intensity of sound output from a speaker, providing additional information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the refrigerator door is opened to check food contents, then users can identify desired food, but cold air leakage occurs and food privacy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to capture images of food contents inside the refrigerator and displays them on a display unit mounted on the door or accessible via mobile device. This creates a visual copy of the interior contents, allowing users to check food without opening the door, thereby preventing cold air leakage while maintaining visibility of food items.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a camera, processor, and display unit that mediates between the user's need to check food contents and the requirement to maintain refrigerator sealing. The camera captures images, the processor handles and transmits them, and the display unit presents the information, allowing users to view contents without direct visual access through door opening.
2Loss of information
If the refrigerator door is made transparent to allow viewing, then users can check contents without opening the door, but insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the door transparent, the patent uses a camera system to create and display images of the interior contents on a display unit. This approach maintains the door's opaque, insulating material while providing visual access to food contents through electronic imaging, thus preserving thermal insulation performance.
3Ease of operation
If a separate accommodation space is provided in the door, then frequently used foods can be accessed without opening the main door, but the main door must still be opened to check other food contents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal camera and display system that can capture and show images of food contents from any location within the refrigerator interior. This multi-functional system replaces the need for separate accommodation spaces, as users can view contents of any compartment through the display unit without opening any doors, providing comprehensive access information while maintaining door sealing.
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 users to check the contents of the refrigerator without opening the door, minimizing cold air leakage and maintaining food privacy, while also providing various information displays for user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a second display spaced apart from the first display, configured to operate to be interlocked with the first display, and having a plurality of light emitting portions
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage space, a door configured to open and close the storage space, a first display disposed on the door, and a second display spaced apart from the first display, configured to operate to be interlocked with the first display, and having a plurality of light emitting portions.