refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with metal doors face challenges in maintaining the aesthetic appeal while integrating a display unit and input member, as the metal material can affect the touch sensitivity of the input member and complicate the assembly process.
Innovation Solution
A design where the display unit is hidden within the door with through holes in the steel front plate, allowing information to be displayed externally while keeping the input member separate to prevent sensitivity issues, and incorporating a lever unit for mineral water dispensing and a rotatable guide assembly for efficient storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the display unit is integrated into the metal door front plate, then the aesthetic appeal is improved, but the touch sensitivity of the input member deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The input member is separated from the display unit and placed in a different door, dividing the functional components to avoid interference between the metal door material and the touch sensor
Solution Approach 2:
The display information is transmitted through through-holes in the metal front plate, allowing the display unit to be hidden behind the metal plate while maintaining visibility, thus preserving aesthetic appeal without compromising touch sensitivity
2Shape
If the display unit is hidden inside the door with through holes in the front plate, then the aesthetic appeal is improved, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is divided into separate components (front plate with through-holes, display unit, input member in separate door) that can be manufactured and assembled independently, simplifying the overall assembly process despite the hidden display configuration
3Device complexity
If the input member is integrated with the display unit in the same door, then the device complexity is reduced, but the touch sensitivity deteriorates due to metal door material
Solution Approach 1:
The input member is placed in a different door from the display unit, physically separating the touch-sensitive component from the metal door material that would interfere with its operation
Solution Approach 2:
The input member is extracted from the display unit assembly and relocated to another door, removing it from the environment where metal interference would degrade touch sensitivity
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
Enhances the aesthetic appeal of the refrigerator, maintains touch sensitivity of the input member, facilitates easier assembly, and optimizes storage space utilization.
Implementation Method 1
The input member includes a sensor of measuring a change in charges according to a user's touch input
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a main body; a storage room formed in the inside of the main body; a door including a front plate which is made of a steel material and in which a plurality of through holes forming a predetermined shape are formed, the door configured to open or close the storage room; a display unit disposed in the inside of the door, and including a display member in which a display element having a shape corresponding to the plurality of through holes and facing the plurality of through holes is formed; and an input member separated from the display unit, and configured to receive an operation command for operating the refrigerator.