refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators face challenges in allowing users to identify stored food without opening the door, leading to increased opening times and unnecessary cold air loss, as existing solutions do not effectively provide a clear view of the interior without compromising insulation.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a transparent panel assembly with a selectively switchable transparent or opaque state, coupled through coupling members for easy maintenance and reuse, and a support frame with a heater to prevent dew condensation, allowing users to visualize the interior without opening the door while maintaining insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a transparent panel assembly is installed in the door to allow viewing of the interior, then users can identify stored food without opening the door, but the insulation performance of the door is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent panel assembly incorporates lighting members that can be selectively activated to illuminate the interior storage spaces. The controller receives signals from sensors (sound, touch, or proximity) and dynamically switches the lighting state between ON and OFF, allowing users to view contents only when needed while maintaining insulation during non-viewing periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the optical parameter of the door assembly by controlling the lighting members. When lighting is OFF, the door maintains its insulating properties. When lighting is ON, the interior becomes visible through the transparent panel. This dynamic parameter change allows the door to switch between insulation mode and viewing mode
2Loss of information
If the door is opened frequently to check stored food, then users can identify what they need, but unnecessary cold air outflow occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent panel assembly with selective lighting acts as an intermediary between the user and the stored food. Instead of directly opening the door to see contents, users interact with the door's external interface (sensors, buttons) which mediates the viewing function. This allows information retrieval about stored food without physical door opening, preventing cold air loss
3Loss of information
If a transparent panel assembly is mounted in the door, then interior visualization is enabled, but the structural integrity and insulation of the door are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent panel assembly is nested within the door structure, with the panel positioned between the outer plate and door liner. The blocking part extends into the insulator space to prevent foam liquid from reaching the panel during manufacturing. This nested configuration allows the transparent panel to be integrated into the door while maintaining the overall structural integrity and insulation performance
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 user convenience by enabling interior visualization without opening the door, reduces power consumption, and facilitates easy maintenance and cost savings through reusable components.
Implementation Method 1
a support frame with a heater to prevent dew condensation
Implementation Method 2
an insulator filled between the outer plate and the door liner
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A refrigerator (1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cabinet (10), a door (50) configured to open/close the cabinet (10), an outer plate (51) defining a front surface of the door (50) and having an opening (511) formed therein to pass through the door (50), a door liner (56) defining a rear surface of the door (50), lighting members (57) configured to illuminate storage spaces (12, 13) of the door (50) and the cabinet (10), a transparent panel assembly (60) mounted to shield the opening (511) and allowing the storage spaces (12, 13) to be selectively seen according to an ON/OFF state of the lighting members (57), an insulator (531) filled between the outer plate (51) and the door liner (56), and a blocking part (77) arranged inside the door (50) along a periphery of the transparent panel assembly (60) and detachably coupled to a peripheral surface of the transparent panel assembly (60) to fix the transparent panel assembly (60).