Home appliance including display module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerators with embedded display modules on the door reduce storage compartment capacity and lack adjustable positioning for users of different heights, limiting usability and image orientation.

Innovation Solution

A display module that is rotatable and movable up and down, positioned outside the door, using a sliding plate mechanism with a rack and pinion system, and elastic members for secure positioning without protruding components, allowing for adjustable height and orientation without compromising storage space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the display module is embedded into the door of the refrigerator, then the display can be integrated into the door structure, but the thickness of the refrigerator door increases which causes the capacity of the storage compartment to be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration of display moduleVSAvoidstorage compartment capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The display module is extracted from the door structure and mounted separately on the door surface. The mounting bracket is attached to the door, and the display module is then mounted on the bracket, positioning it outside the door thickness to avoid reducing storage compartment capacity while maintaining integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If the position of the display is fixed on the door, then the display structure is simple, but users with different heights have difficulty in conveniently using the refrigerator

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay structureVSAvoiddisplay accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display module is made dynamically adjustable in position. The mounting bracket includes adjustment mechanisms that allow the display module to be positioned at different heights and angles, enabling users of different heights to conveniently view and operate the display while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the rotation of the display is limited, then the display structure is simpler, but both horizontal image and vertical image may not be effectively displayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay structureVSAvoidimage orientation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display module is equipped with rotational adjustment capability through the mounting bracket, allowing it to be rotated to different orientations. This enables the display to effectively show both horizontal and vertical images while maintaining a relatively simple display structure that can adapt to different viewing needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the display module can move up and down and rotate, then user accessibility is enhanced, but components may protrude outside of the door

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay accessibilityVSAvoiddoor profile
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket is designed with a nested structure that allows the display module to move up and down and rotate while remaining contained within the door profile. The bracket components are positioned and dimensioned so that even when the display module is in its adjusted positions, no components protrude outside of the door, maintaining a clean door appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3935331B1Home appliance including display module
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3935331B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3935331B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3935331B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A refrigerator including a display module that is movable upward and downward and rotatable. The refrigerator includes a main body forming a storage compartment, a door configured to open and close the storage compartment, a display module coupled to the door, and a sliding plate disposed between the door and display module and coupled to be slidable in upper side and lower side directions with respect to the door and configured to allow the display module to be rotatably coupled thereto. The display module is provided to, when the sliding plate slides in the upper side and lower side directions, slide in the upper side and lower side directions with respect to the door together with the sliding plate, and rotate with respect to the door as the display module rotates with respect to the sliding plate.