Refrigerator Door with Integrated Display and Touch Sensor Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerator doors made of steel materials face challenges in integrating user interface components such as display and touch sensors without compromising aesthetics or functionality, particularly in maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance while allowing user input and information display.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator door design featuring a steel front panel with integrated display and touch sensor assemblies, where the display assembly emits light through strategically etched holes and the touch sensor assembly is positioned to receive user input, with a foam-filled space for insulation and a frame to separate electronic components from the foam, ensuring both functionality and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a steel front panel is used for the refrigerator door, then aesthetic appearance and durability are improved, but integration of display and touch sensor components becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The front panel is divided into multiple sections: a steel front panel for aesthetics, a frame for structural support and component mounting, and separate cavities for housing the display and touch sensor assemblies. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining the overall aesthetic appearance through the steel panel's seamless design.
Solution Approach 2:
The display assembly and touch sensor assembly are nested within cavities formed between the front panel and door liner, with the frame providing structural containment. The etched holes in the front panel provide access to these nested components, allowing light and electrical signals to pass through while maintaining the steel panel's aesthetic appearance.
2Ease of operation
If display and touch sensor assemblies are integrated into the steel front panel, then user interface functionality is improved, but the risk of static electricity damage to electronic components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame acts as an intermediary structure between the steel front panel and the electronic components. It provides a separate cavity that isolates the display and touch sensor assemblies from direct contact with the steel panel, thereby reducing the risk of static electricity damage while maintaining user interface functionality through the etched holes in the front panel.
3Loss of energy
If the space between front panel and door liner is filled with foam for insulation, then thermal insulation is improved, but electronic components may be damaged by static electricity
Solution Approach 1:
The space between the front panel and door liner is segmented into two regions: a first space filled with foam for thermal insulation, and a second space (cavity) housing the electronic components. The frame creates this segmentation, allowing the foam to provide insulation while the separate cavity protects electronic components from static electricity generated by the foam.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame serves as an intermediary structure that separates the foam-filled insulation space from the electronic component housing. This intermediary cavity allows thermal insulation to be maintained through the foam while preventing direct contact between the foam and electronic components, thereby protecting against static electricity damage.
4Illumination intensity
If etched holes are provided in the steel front panel for light transmission, then display visibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The etched holes in the steel front panel are designed with specific parameters: multiple holes arranged in patterns corresponding to display segments, with controlled sizes and positions. This parameter optimization allows light transmission for display visibility while using cost-effective etching processes rather than more complex manufacturing methods.
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 allows for an aesthetically pleasing steel refrigerator door that provides user information and accepts commands through a seamless interface, maintaining insulation and preventing electronic component damage from static electricity.
Implementation Method 1
a display assembly provided between the frame and the front panel and configured to emit light through the first through hole
Implementation Method 2
a foam-filled space for insulation
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator door and a manufacturing method of the same are disclosed. The refrigerator door includes a front panel that includes a first through hole and an input unit, a door liner, an upper cap decoration unit configured to seal an upper side of a first space defined between the front panel and the door liner, a frame attached to an inside of the front panel and defining a second space, a display assembly provided between the frame and the front panel and configured to emit light through the first through hole, and a touch sensor assembly provided between the frame and the front panel, the touch sensor assembly being fixed to a rear of the front panel at a position that corresponds to a location of the input unit. The upper cap decoration unit includes a communication hole for communicating with the second space and includes a cap cover.