Refrigerator Liner Reflective Coating for Passive Compartment Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional appliances lack effective means to enhance illumination within compartments using ambient light, relying heavily on active lighting sources, which can result in inadequate visibility and aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

A reflective coating with microcrystalline structures is applied to appliance surfaces, capable of reflecting greater than 90% of incident light as diffuse reflections, scattering light to achieve enhanced illumination without the need for extensive active lighting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional appliances rely on active lighting sources to illuminate compartments, then visibility is improved, but energy consumption increases and aesthetics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompartment visibilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts ambient light (which would otherwise be wasted) into useful illumination by using reflective coatings with microcrystalline structures to scatter and redirect light throughout the compartment, transforming passive environmental light into an active illumination system that reduces energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The reflective coating acts as an intermediary between the light source and the compartment interior, using microcrystalline structures to scatter light in multiple directions and achieve uniform illumination without requiring additional active lighting elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If conventional appliances use active lighting sources to enhance compartment illumination, then visibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompartment brightnessVSAvoidlighting system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the illumination function from active lighting components and transfers it to the passive reflective coating system, eliminating the need for complex lighting circuits, switches, and control mechanisms while maintaining effective compartment illumination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The reflective coating with microcrystalline structures provides self-service illumination by automatically scattering and redirecting ambient light throughout the compartment without requiring external control systems, sensors, or power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Illumination intensity

If conventional appliances use standard surface coatings, then manufacturing is simple, but illumination enhancement and aesthetics are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveambient light reflectionVSAvoidcoating application complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the optical parameters of the coating by incorporating microcrystalline structures with specific size distributions and refractive indices, transforming a standard coating into a high-performance reflective surface that enhances illumination while maintaining compatibility with conventional manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 improved perceived illumination within appliance compartments, utilizing ambient light to create a brighter and more aesthetically pleasing environment with minimal reliance on active lighting sources.

Implementation Method 1

The reflective coating is configured to reflect greater than about 90% of the emitted light contacting the reflective coating as diffuse reflected light where multiple emissions exit the reflective coating in random directions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffuse reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

A reflective coating is disposed on the surface. The reflective coating is configured to reflect greater than about 90% of the emitted light contacting the reflective coating as diffuse reflected light where multiple emissions exit the reflective coating in random directions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentUS9927168B2Passive illumination system for appliances

Publication Date: 2018.03.27 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A refrigeration appliance has a cabinet defining a refrigeration compartment with a thermoformed inner liner disposed within the refrigeration compartment. A light source is located within the refrigeration compartment and configured to emit light such that the refrigeration compartment is illuminated when the light source is powered. The thermoformed liner has a reflective surface. The reflective surface includes a plurality of microcrystalline structures and is positioned to reflect emitted light from the light source and ambient light.