Refrigerator and method for controlling indoor lamp of freezer compartment thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators with freezers in the lower part do not effectively illuminate the freezer compartment when the lower drawer-type door is opened, leading to potential user inconvenience and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator with a processor that controls light emitting elements below the refrigeration chamber doors, selectively turning them on based on the state of the freezer and environmental context, including temperature, time, and ambient illumination, to provide appropriate illumination when the lower drawer-type door is opened.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the indoor lamp is always turned on when the lower drawer-type door is opened, then the user convenience is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the illumination parameter dynamically based on environmental conditions (ambient light level, time of day) and freezer state (temperature abnormality). The processor adjusts whether to turn on the light emitting elements or make them flicker, optimizing energy usage while maintaining user convenience when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system transitions from a static always-on approach to a dynamic control system that adapts to real-time conditions. The processor continuously monitors ambient illumination, time, and temperature parameters to determine the appropriate illumination state, making the system responsive to changing environmental and operational contexts.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the indoor lamp is selectively controlled based on multiple parameters, then the energy consumption is optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing processor in the refrigerator is utilized to perform multiple functions including temperature monitoring, time tracking, ambient light sensing coordination, and illumination control. This multi-functional approach avoids adding dedicated hardware for each function while achieving sophisticated selective control based on multiple parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the freezer temperature, ambient illumination levels, and time parameters, then using this feedback to adjust the illumination state. The processor receives status information from various sensors and adjusts the light emitting elements accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes energy usage.
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 providing necessary illumination in the freezer compartment while optimizing energy usage by selectively controlling light emission based on the freezer's state and environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light emitting elements arranged below a plurality of refrigeration chamber doors that open and close the refrigeration chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a refrigerator that includes a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment disposed below the refrigerator compartment. The refrigerator comprises: a plurality of light emitting elements arranged below a plurality of refrigerator compartment doors that open and close the refrigerator compartment; and at least one processor which turns on the plurality of light emitting elements when a first drawer-type door among a plurality of drawer-type doors that open and close the freezer compartment is opened, and selectively turns on the plurality of light emitting elements according to a state inside the freezer compartment and the context surrounding the refrigerator when a second drawer-type door disposed below the first drawer-type door among the plurality of drawer-type doors is opened.