Refrigerator and home appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator designs face challenges in changing the outer appearance of the door front without disassembling the entire decoration panel, and they suffer from issues like unstable light emission, non-uniform brightness, and complex maintenance due to the placement of light emitting members and heat dissipation problems.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator with a panel assembly that includes a detachable lighting device mounted on a lower bracket, accessible through a bracket opening, which allows for easy maintenance and heat dissipation, while ensuring uniform light transmission across the panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the light emitting member is disposed on both left and right ends of the reflective layer, then the transparent panel can glow with color, but the light transmission is not uniform and dark appearance occurs at bent side ends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light emitting structure into multiple segments: the reflective layer is segmented into multiple reflective portions arranged in an array, and the light emitting member is segmented into multiple light emitting elements. This segmentation allows light to be emitted from multiple points across the transparent panel, achieving uniform illumination without dark spots at the edges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning reflective portions and light emitting elements at specific locations within the transparent panel. The reflective portions are arranged in an array pattern to distribute light uniformly across the panel surface, with each local area having optimized light reflection and emission properties to eliminate dark appearance at bent side ends.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire decoration panel is removed and replaced to change the outer appearance, then the outer appearance can be changed according to user preference, but the decoration panel cannot be used again after replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the decoration panel into a reusable base structure (door front with mounting provisions) and replaceable decorative elements (transparent panel with light emitting components). This allows the decorative elements to be removed and replaced to change appearance while the base structure remains for continued use, enabling both adaptability and ease of maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements discarding and recovering by allowing the decorative transparent panel and light emitting components to be discarded (removed for replacement) while the base door structure is recovered and retained for continued use. This enables appearance changes without wasting the entire original assembly.
3Illumination intensity
If the light emitting member is mounted on the door front, then the transparent panel can glow with color, but the light emitting member is not stably mounted due to repeated door opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light emitting member with the transparent panel by integrating the light emitting elements and reflective portions directly into the transparent panel structure. This unified integration ensures that when the transparent panel is mounted on the door front, the light emitting components are automatically positioned and secured, maintaining stable mounting through repeated door operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-securing the light emitting members to the transparent panel before the panel is installed on the door front. The light emitting elements and reflective portions are permanently fixed to the transparent panel during manufacturing, so no additional mounting occurs during door assembly, eliminating instability from repeated mounting and unmounting.
4Ease of repair
If the bracket opening is designed to allow lighting device accessibility, then maintenance is easier, but the structural integrity of the lower bracket may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lower bracket into multiple structural portions with a localized opening. The bracket opening is positioned and sized to provide access to the lighting device while the remaining portions of the lower bracket maintain their structural integrity. The opening is integrated into the bracket design without compromising overall strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the opening in a specific non-critical area of the lower bracket where structural integrity is less demanding. The opening provides necessary access to the lighting device while the surrounding bracket material maintains sufficient strength to support the panel assembly during repeated door operations.
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 easy detachment and maintenance of the lighting device, improves assembly workability and productivity, prevents heat transfer to the user, and enhances heat dissipation performance, resulting in a more efficient and user-friendly refrigerator design.
Implementation Method 1
a lighting device mounted on the lower bracket to emit light to the panel
Implementation Method 2
a door body in which an insulating material is filled
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet and a door. The door includes a door body in which an insulating material is filled and a panel assembly detachably mounted on the door body. The panel assembly includes a panel which is configured to define a front surface of the door and through which light is transmitted, a back cover configured to define a rear surface of the panel assembly, a lower bracket configured to define a bottom surface of the panel assembly, and a lighting device mounted on the lower bracket to emit light to the panel. A bracket opening through which the lighting device is accessible is defined in the lower bracket.