Refrigerator with light guide member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator lighting systems cause discomfort due to direct glare, as light is directly emitted to users when they open the door, leading to inadequate illumination and user discomfort.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an indirect lighting structure in refrigerators, where light from a side surface of the cabinet is guided through a light guide member and emitted evenly across a shelf or drawer surface, reducing glare and enhancing illumination uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If direct lighting is used from the upper end of the storage shelf, then the lighting structure is simple, but the user experiences glare and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light guide member as an intermediary between the light source and the user. This member receives light from the LED source and guides it through its body to emit from the front surface, preventing direct exposure to the user while still providing illumination. The light guide member acts as a mediator that transforms direct light into indirect, comfortable lighting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the lighting dimension from vertical (upper end illumination) to horizontal (front surface emission). By positioning the light source at the upper end and having the light guide member extend horizontally across the shelf front, the light is emitted from a different spatial dimension, eliminating direct glare while maintaining illumination effectiveness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If indirect lighting through light guide member is implemented, then glare is reduced and comfort is improved, but the lighting structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide member serves multiple functions: it guides light from the source, distributes it evenly across the front surface, and prevents direct exposure to users. By combining these functions into a single component, the patent achieves indirect lighting benefits without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the lighting system by using a light guide member with specific refractive properties. The member transforms the light distribution pattern from concentrated direct beams to diffused indirect illumination, changing the intensity and direction parameters to eliminate glare while providing adequate lighting.
3Device complexity
If light is emitted directly to the user, then the lighting structure is simple, but illumination uniformity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light emission process into two stages: light reception at the upper end and light emission from the front surface. This segmentation allows the lighting system to cover a wider area more uniformly, as the light is distributed along the length of the light guide member rather than concentrated at a single point.
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
This solution provides a more comfortable and efficient lighting experience by reducing glare and ensuring even illumination within the refrigerator, allowing users to easily locate stored items without direct light exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide member provided inside the storage chamber and formed to extend between the first sidewall and the second sidewall to guide light emitted from the light source
Implementation Method 2
an incident surface arranged to face the first sidewall and an exit surface through which the light guided by the light guide member is emitted
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator including a storage chamber. The refrigerator also includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall arranged to form at least a portion of both side surfaces of the storage chamber. The refrigerator further includes a light source arranged on the first sidewall to illuminate an inside of the storage chamber. The refrigerator also includes a light guide member provided inside the storage chamber and formed to extend between the first sidewall and the second sidewall to guide light emitted from the light source. The light guide member includes an incident surface arranged to face the first sidewall and an exit surface through which the light guided by the light guide member is emitted to an outside of the light guide member.