Refrigerator Light Source Module with Strip-Shaped Light Emission Edge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing household refrigeration appliances have limited and inefficient lighting solutions, particularly in the front area, which restricts the ability to create discreet lighting accents and uniform illumination.

Innovation Solution

A household refrigeration appliance with a light source module featuring a cover designed as a plate-like strip, having a narrow light exit edge that emits light forward, creating a narrow light band and allowing for individual lighting accents and improved illumination, especially in the front area, with a diffuser plate for uniform light emission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a large-area angled cover is used for light emission, then the light source is well protected and structurally stable, but the lighting coverage is limited and uniform illumination cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting coverageVSAvoidcover structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is divided into two distinct functional parts: a first cover part with a light-emitting edge for directional light emission, and a second cover part for protection and structural support. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function, resolving the contradiction between lighting coverage and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the cover are assigned different optical properties: the first cover part has a light-emitting edge that exposes light sources for illumination, while the second cover part provides opaque protection. This local differentiation enables both lighting coverage and structural stability to coexist.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If light sources are exposed for directional emission, then illumination of the front area is improved, but the light sources become vulnerable to damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefront area illuminationVSAvoidlight source protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cover structure is segmented into a first cover part that exposes light sources for front area illumination and a second cover part that protects the light sources. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve both directional light emission and light source protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first cover part acts as an intermediary structure that allows light to pass through its light-emitting edge while the second cover part provides protective coverage. This intermediary arrangement enables light sources to remain protected while still achieving directional illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Illumination intensity

If a translucent cover is used for light emission, then light can pass through, but discreet lighting accents cannot be created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight emissionVSAvoidlighting design flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cover design implements local quality differentiation where specific edges or regions are designed to emit light while other regions remain opaque for protection. This allows discreet lighting accents to be created at specific locations without compromising overall light emission functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 enables highly customized optical illumination with bright, uniform light patterns and enhanced visibility of the storage space, allowing for targeted light emission both forward and rearward, improving the overall lighting scenario.

Implementation Method 1

at least one light source module (14) which is arranged on a wall (6, 7, 8, 9, 10) and emits light into the storage space (11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

with a diffuser plate for uniform light emission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP4119876B1Domestic refrigerator with an inner container and a light source module arranged thereon, which has a specific light emission edge
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP4119876B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4119876B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4119876B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A household refrigerating appliance (1) with an inner container (3) which, with walls (6, 7, 8, 9, 10), delimits at least one receiving space (11) for food of the household refrigerating appliance (1), and with a light source module (14) which is arranged on a wall (6, 7, 8, 9, 10) of the inner container (3) and emits light into the receiving space (11), wherein the light source module (14) has a transparent cover (22) through which light from a light source (21) of the light source module (14) is emitted from the light source module (14), wherein the cover (22) is a plate-like strip having a front surface (23) and a narrow, strip-shaped edge (25), wherein the edge (25) is freely arranged at least in the width direction (x) of the household refrigerating appliance (1) towards the receiving space (11) and the edge (25) is a light emission edge (26, 36) is,from which light of the light source (21) is emitted forward from the light source module (14) during operation of the light source module (14).