Refrigerator having panel assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators lack a convenient method to check the contents inside without opening the door, leading to unnecessary cooling air leakage and exposure of food, and existing solutions compromise insulation or aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a rotatable sub-door made of transparent material that can be selectively changed between transparent and opaque states, allowing users to view the interior without opening the main door, while maintaining insulation and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a transparent material is used for the refrigerator door to allow viewing of contents, then the ease of operation (checking contents) is improved, but the insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The door is divided into multiple sections: a transparent panel assembly for viewing contents and a separate auxiliary door for accessing stored items. This segmentation allows the transparent portion to be minimized for insulation purposes while still providing viewing capability, and the auxiliary door to be used for actual access without exposing the entire interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent panel assembly incorporates localized transparent regions only where viewing is necessary, rather than making the entire door transparent. The auxiliary door is positioned to provide access to frequently used items in a localized area, reducing the need to open the main door and minimizing overall heat loss.
2Ease of operation
If a transparent door is used to view contents, then the ease of checking contents is improved, but the external appearance deteriorates due to food exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The door system is segmented into a transparent panel assembly for viewing and a separate auxiliary door for access. The auxiliary door can be opened independently to retrieve items without exposing the entire refrigerator interior, thus maintaining aesthetic appearance while providing viewing and access functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary door acts as an intermediary between the user and the refrigerator contents. It provides a controlled access point that allows users to retrieve frequently used items without fully opening the main door, thereby preventing unnecessary exposure of stored food and maintaining external appearance.
3Ease of operation
If the main door is opened to check contents, then the ease of checking contents is improved, but the loss of cooling air increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent panel assembly serves as an intermediary that allows users to view refrigerator contents without opening the door. The auxiliary door acts as another intermediary for retrieving frequently used items, enabling access without exposing the entire interior. These intermediaries eliminate the need to open the main door for checking contents or retrieving items, thus preventing cooling air leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent panel assembly provides self-service viewing capability, allowing users to check contents autonomously without mechanical door opening. The auxiliary door enables self-service access to frequently used items, reducing the frequency of main door openings and associated cooling air loss.
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 users to check the contents inside without opening the main door, minimizing cooling air leakage and maintaining a sealed and aesthetically pleasing exterior.
Implementation Method 1
A refrigerator design featuring a rotatable sub-door made of transparent material that can be selectively changed between transparent and opaque states
Implementation Method 2
maintaining insulation and aesthetics
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a refrigerator and a control method thereof. The refrigerator is characterized by enabling at least a part of a refrigerator door to be selectively transparent by a user's operation, such that the user sees through an inside of the refrigerator while the refrigerator door is closed.