Refrigeration appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration appliances suffer from non-uniform lighting, hotspots, and complex housings that protrude into usable space, with illumination devices often uniquely designed for each appliance and position, requiring angled liners that complicate installation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A modular LED illumination system with interchangeable LED lighting modules and a concave reflecting surface that directs light inward, minimizing protrusion and providing even illumination, with a minimal footprint and efficient installation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional illumination devices are installed on sidewalls with traditional draft angles, then the liner can be easily removed from molding tools, but the light is directed outward instead of into the cabinet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional draft angle approach by using an inward draft angle on the mounting section instead of the conventional outward draft angle. This allows the liner to still be removed from molding tools while directing light inward into the cabinet rather than outward, effectively reversing the conventional approach to solve the conflicting requirements.
2Illumination intensity
If complex housings extend into the cabinet to direct light inward, then more light is directed into the cabinet, but usable space is reduced and item insertion/removal is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination device into separate functional components: the mounting section integrated into the liner and the lighting module. This segmentation allows the lighting function to be achieved without a complex housing extending into the cabinet, preserving usable space while still directing light inward through the modular lighting module design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional illumination devices are used, then each appliance and position requires a unique design, but this increases device complexity and manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal mounting section design with standardized inward draft angle and interface features that can accommodate different lighting modules and appliance configurations. This universal design eliminates the need for unique custom designs for each appliance and position, reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability through the modular lighting module interface.
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 achieves uniform lighting distribution, reduces hotspots, and minimizes interference with usable space, enhancing user experience and simplifying manufacturing, maintenance, and repair processes.
Implementation Method 1
A concave reflecting surface is positioned adjacent the module with a majority of light emitted from the LED light sources being incident thereon for reflection into the compartment
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigeration appliance (100) comprising: a compartment for storing food items in a refrigerated environment; and an illumination device (134) mounted at a mounting section of a wall of the compartment to illuminate the compartment, the illumination device including: a housing (139) mounted at the mounting section, an LED lighting module (140) arranged in the housing, the module having a board member (210) and two or more LED light sources (214) electrically connected to one another and to the board member, and a concave reflecting surface (170) positioned adjacent the module to reflect light incident on the concave reflecting surface into the compartment, the LED light sources being aimed such that a majority of light emitted from the LED light sources is incident on the concave reflecting surface, wherein the LED lighting module includes two or more electrical edge connections (224) electrically connected in parallel to allow for an electrically parallel connection of two or more LED lighting modules to one another.