Refrigerator Light Color Display for Continuous Temperature Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator temperature display systems only show temperature deviations through digital displays visible when the door is open and lack the ability to provide continuous, compartment-specific temperature information.
Innovation Solution
A temperature display system using colored refrigerator lights, such as RGB LEDs, that change color and intensity based on measured temperatures, allowing continuous and compartment-specific temperature feedback, with red indicating high temperatures, blue indicating low temperatures, and white indicating no deviation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a digital display is used to show temperature deviations, then temperature information can be displayed, but the display is only visible when the refrigerator door is open and cannot provide continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/digital display system with an optical signaling system using colored lights. Instead of requiring users to open the door and read digital numbers, the system uses color-coded visual indicators (red, yellow, green lights) that are visible from outside the refrigerator, providing continuous temperature information without mechanical interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical signaling system between the temperature sensor and the user. The colored lights act as intermediaries that translate temperature data into visible color codes, allowing users to obtain temperature information remotely without direct observation of digital displays inside the refrigerator.
2Loss of information
If multiple temperature displays are provided for different cooling compartments, then compartment-specific temperature information can be shown, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the temperature monitoring system into separate segments for different cooling compartments. Each compartment has its own temperature sensor and associated colored light indicators, allowing independent monitoring and display of temperature status for each compartment without requiring a complex centralized display system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color changes in light indicators to convey temperature information for different compartments. By assigning specific color meanings (red for high temperature, green for optimal temperature, yellow for intermediate states), the system provides compartment-specific information through simple visual cues rather than complex digital readouts.
3Loss of information
If a digital display with sound notification is used, then temperature deviations can be alerted, but additional information about the degree of deviation is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a spectrum of color changes to convey the degree of temperature deviation. Instead of simple binary alerts, the system varies light color and intensity to indicate different levels of deviation from target temperature, providing rich information about temperature status through intuitive visual cues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic light signaling that changes in real-time based on temperature conditions. The colored lights adjust their intensity, duration, and color transitions dynamically to reflect current temperature status, providing continuous feedback about deviation magnitude without requiring complex notification mechanisms.
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 continuous and intuitive temperature feedback to users, providing additional information on temperature deviations and their severity through color and intensity changes, enhancing user awareness without disrupting product evaluation.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one refrigerator light is particularly preferably formed by one or more RGB LEDs which is/are activated to display a different color depending on the measured temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A device for displaying the temperature of a refrigerator, having at least one temperature sensor (7) situated in the cooled interior (2) of the refrigerator (1), and having a temperature display for displaying the temperature measured by the temperature sensor (7), characterized in that the temperature display is formed by at least one refrigerator light (10) which has various colors, and which displays a different color depending on the measured temperature.