Refrigerator Door with Integrated Touch Sensor and Display Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator door designs lack an efficient and integrated solution for touch input sensing and display functionality, which complicates user interaction and operation state visualization.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator door design incorporating a touch sensor assembly and display assembly, where the touch sensor assembly is mounted on a sensor PCB with a sensor connector extending to connect with a display connector, and a display assembly featuring an LED and sensor controller, both integrated within the door's insulation space to provide touch input sensing and operation state display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If touch sensor assembly and display assembly are integrated into the refrigerator door, then user interaction and operation state visualization are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor assembly and display assembly are integrated into a single refrigerator door structure, combining multiple functions (touch sensing, display, insulation) into one unified device. This merging approach enhances user interaction by providing both input and output capabilities on the door surface while managing complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerator door serves multiple functions: it provides thermal insulation, houses touch sensor assembly for user input, and incorporates display assembly for operation state visualization. This multi-functionality approach allows the door to act as both a protective barrier and an interactive interface, improving ease of operation without requiring separate dedicated components.
2Volume of moving object
If display assembly is inserted through insulation space, then space utilization is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The display assembly is inserted into and nested within the insulation space of the refrigerator door. This nesting approach allows the display components to be housed within the existing door structure, improving space utilization by using otherwise wasted space while requiring precise manufacturing to ensure proper fit and alignment.
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 seamless user interaction through touch input sensing and clear operation state visualization on the refrigerator door, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Touch sensor assemblies may be used for household appliances and may include electrostatic capacitance sensors or sensors using a resistance cell, etc. Such sensors are configured to sense a user's touches
Implementation Method 2
The display assembly may include a light source including a light emitting diode (LED) mounted to a display PCB
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator door may include a front panel that defines a front exterior of the refrigerator door, a door liner coupled to the front panel, an insulating material configured to fill an insulation space defined between the front panel and the door liner, a touch sensor assembly that is configured to press against a rear surface of the front panel, a display assembly that is configured to display an operation state of the refrigerator on the front panel, and that is configured to be inserted into a space between the front panel and the door liner through the insulation space, a sensor connector located at the touch sensor assembly, and a display connector located at the display assembly, and is configured to connect electrically to the sensor connector based on the display assembly being inserted into the space between the front panel and the door liner at an installation position.