Home appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator designs require the entire decoration panel to be removed and replaced to change the outer appearance, which is inconvenient and may not securely withstand frequent door openings and closings, especially when the panel is heavy, such as glass.
Innovation Solution
A panel assembly for a refrigerator that includes a panel, a light guide plate, a lighting device, and a mounting member, where the panel assembly is firmly coupled to the door body using a panel holder and mounting member to prevent movement and ensure stability, allowing the panel to change color through light transmission without needing to be detached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability 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 operation becomes inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The decoration panel is divided into multiple detachable sub-panels that can be independently removed and replaced. This allows users to change the outer appearance by replacing only specific sections rather than the entire panel, making the operation more convenient and time-efficient while maintaining full adaptability of the design.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel structure is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, allowing users to easily attach and detach sub-panels according to their preferences. This dynamic design enables frequent appearance changes without the inconvenience of replacing heavy entire panels, resolving the contradiction between versatility and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If the panel is firmly coupled to withstand frequent door openings and closings, then the mounting reliability improves, but the panel becomes difficult to remove and replace when appearance change is desired
Solution Approach 1:
The panel system uses segmented sub-panels with individual mounting mechanisms. Each sub-panel can be securely mounted to withstand door operations while maintaining easy detachability through simple fastening mechanisms. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high mounting reliability and operational convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting mechanism is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to provide strong holding force during normal door operations but enabling easy release when needed. This dynamic mounting system resolves the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation by adapting its coupling strength based on operational requirements.
3Shape
If the panel is made of heavy material such as glass to improve appearance quality, then the aesthetic quality improves, but the weight increases making frequent replacement more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy glass panel is divided into multiple smaller glass sub-panels. Each sub-panel retains the aesthetic quality of glass but weighs significantly less than the complete panel. Users can handle and replace these lighter segments more easily while maintaining the overall aesthetic appearance when all sub-panels are installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel system transitions from a static heavy structure to a dynamic modular structure. The segmented design allows the heavy material to be distributed across multiple manageable units, reducing the effective weight users must handle during replacement while preserving the aesthetic quality of the complete assembly.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the panel assembly is firmly mounted to prevent movement during door operations, then the stability improves, but the structure becomes more complex requiring additional mounting components
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is segmented into standardized components that can be independently assembled. Each sub-panel has its own mounting mechanism, which simplifies the overall design compared to a single complex mounting system. This segmentation achieves stable mounting while keeping individual components simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting components are designed with universal characteristics, allowing the same basic mounting mechanism to be used across all sub-panels. This multi-functionality reduces the variety of different components needed, thereby reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining stability during 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 allows for easy adjustment of the refrigerator's outer appearance by changing colors without disassembly, providing a secure and stable mounting system that withstands repeated door operations, even with heavy panels, enhancing user preference and appliance aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide plate and a back cover, wherein the panel may be configured to define a front surface of the door and through which light is transmitted
Implementation Method 2
a lighting device configured to irradiate light toward an end of the light guide plate and allow the panel to shine with a set color
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A home appliance comprising: a cabinet (10) defining a space therein; and a door (20) for opening and closing the storage space, wherein the door (20) comprises a door body (40) and a panel assembly (30) mounted on a front surface of the door body (40), wherein the panel assembly (30) comprises: a panel (31) defining a front surface of the door (20), the panel (31) is transparent for light; a lighting device (36) outputting light with a set colour; a back cover (39) defining a rear surface of the panel assembly (30); and a panel holder (38) for fixing the panel assembly (30) to the door body (40), wherein the panel holder (38) protrudes from the panel assembly (30) and passes through the back cover (39), the panel holder (38) is coupled to the door body (40) when the panel assembly (30) is mounted.