Refrigerator with a hidden display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with external display assemblies using through holes for light transmission face challenges in aesthetic appeal, complex mounting structures, and inaccurate information display due to misalignment of light emitting parts and holes.
Innovation Solution
A hidden display assembly with a first display for error codes and current state information, and a second hidden display for test results or mode information, using light guides and a diffusion sheet to ensure stable alignment and improved aesthetics, allowing for easy service access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If through holes are formed in the outer plate for light transmission, then the display can show information externally, but the aesthetic sense deteriorates and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light transmission function from the outer plate by moving the display assembly inside the door body. The outer plate no longer needs through holes, maintaining its aesthetic appearance, while the display information is transmitted through the transparent display window that is integrated into the door structure without compromising the outer plate's visual integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The display assembly is nested inside the door body, with the light emitting part positioned within the door and the display window integrated into the door structure. This nested arrangement eliminates the need for through holes in the outer plate while still allowing light transmission for display information to be visible externally.
2Loss of information
If through holes are formed in the outer plate, then light can be transmitted for display, but the mounting structure becomes complicated and alignment precision is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the display assembly from the outer plate structure and relocates it to the door body interior. This eliminates the complex mounting structure that would be required to align through holes with light emitting parts, as the display assembly is now independently mounted inside the door with a simple mounting bracket.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system is segmented into distinct components: the light emitting part mounted inside the door body, the display window integrated into the door, and the mounting bracket as a separate element. This segmentation simplifies the mounting structure by allowing each component to be independently positioned and secured without complex alignment requirements.
3Loss of information
If through holes are used for light transmission, then display information can be shown, but misalignment causes inaccurate information display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the alignment problem by extracting the light transmission path from the outer plate's through holes to an integrated display window. The light emitting part is positioned inside the door body and directs light through the display window, removing the precise alignment requirements between holes and light emitting parts that cause display inaccuracies.
Solution Approach 2:
The display window is pre-integrated into the door structure during manufacturing, establishing a fixed and accurate light transmission path. This preliminary integration ensures that the alignment between the light emitting part and the display window is maintained, preventing the misalignment issues that occur with separately positioned through holes.
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
The solution provides a stable and aesthetically pleasing display system that ensures accurate information transmission and easy maintenance by aligning light emitting parts with guide holes, reducing manufacturing complexity and enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a first light guide configured to guide light of the light emitting parts of the first display
Implementation Method 2
The display frame may include a diffusion sheet disposed at a position that corresponds to the second light guide
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage space, a door configured to open or close the storage space, a display assembly detachably coupled to the door, and a display window disposed on a front surface of the door and having a transmission part capable of transmitting light. The display assembly includes a first display disposed to correspond to the transmission part and a second display disposed not to correspond to the transmission part.