Refrigerator and method for controlling the same
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators do not allow users to visually inspect the contents of the storage compartments without opening the door, leading to increased temperature fluctuations, potential food degradation, and higher energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The refrigerator incorporates a glass member with a deposition-treated layer in the door, allowing light to pass through and enabling users to see the contents of the storage compartments from the outside when the door is closed. Additionally, a light emitting part is included to illuminate the storage space, and a display unit on the door displays the operation state of the refrigerator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the door is made opaque to maintain insulation, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but visibility of storage compartment contents deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The door panel incorporates a switchable transparency mechanism that allows it to dynamically change from opaque to transparent state. This enables the door to adapt its optical properties based on operational requirements - remaining opaque for thermal insulation during normal operation, and becoming transparent when users need to view contents without opening the door.
Solution Approach 2:
The door utilizes materials or mechanisms that can change their optical transmission parameter. By altering the transparency parameter of the door panel, the system allows users to view storage compartment contents when needed while maintaining thermal insulation performance when the door remains in its opaque state.
2Loss of information
If the door is opened to see items inside, then visibility of storage compartment contents is improved, but temperature stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The switchable transparency mechanism allows users to view contents by changing the door's optical state rather than physically opening the door. This dynamic optical change provides information access while keeping the door closed, thereby maintaining the sealed environment and temperature stability within the storage compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The switchable transparent panel acts as an intermediary that mediates between the user's need to view contents and the requirement to maintain temperature stability. By providing a visual interface through the closed door, it eliminates the need to open the door for viewing, thus preventing thermal loss.
3Loss of information
If a transparent door is used to see contents, then visibility of storage compartment contents is improved, but insulating performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a permanently transparent door with poor insulation, the invention employs a door that switches between opaque (high insulation) and transparent (viewing) states. This dynamic approach allows the door to maintain high insulating performance during normal operation while providing viewing capability only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent state is activated periodically or on-demand rather than continuously. The door remains opaque for extended periods to maintain insulation, and switches to transparent only when users need to view contents, minimizing the time the door is transparent and thus minimizing thermal loss.
4Ease of operation
If the door is opened frequently to locate items, then ease of finding items is improved, but energy consumption deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The switchable transparent panel serves as an intermediary that provides visual access to storage compartment contents without requiring the door to be opened. Users can locate items by viewing through the transparent panel while the door remains closed, eliminating the energy loss associated with frequent door openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The door can be switched to transparent state preliminarily to allow users to survey and locate desired items before opening the door. This preliminary viewing action enables users to make informed decisions about whether to open the door and for how long, thereby reducing unnecessary door openings and associated energy consumption.
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
This solution allows users to locate items without opening the door, reducing energy consumption and preventing temperature increases, while also maintaining the insulating performance of the refrigerator door.
Implementation Method 1
Gas for insulation is injected in a space formed between the glass member and the transparent plate
Implementation Method 2
a deposition treated layer formed on a rear surface of the glass member to allow light to partially pass through the glass member
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a refrigerator, which includes a refrigerating compartment, a freezing compartment, and a door assembly. The freezing compartment is adjacent to the refrigerating compartment. The door assembly selectively opens the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment. The door assembly includes a glass member defining a frontal exterior thereof and allowing an inside of the refrigerating compartment or the freezing compartment to be seen therethrough when the door assembly is closed, a deposition treated layer formed on a rear surface of the glass member to allow light to partially pass through the glass member, and a transparent plate spaced a predetermined distance from the glass member. Gas for insulation is injected in a space formed between the glass member and the transparent plate, and the space is sealed.