Home appliance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 prone to damage due to frequent door opening and closing, especially with heavy glass panels.
Innovation Solution
A stable panel assembly is fixed to the door body with a firmly coupled structure, using a panel holder and mounting members to secure the panel assembly, preventing movement and allowing for easy color changes without disassembly.
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 modified, but the operation becomes inconvenient and the panel is prone to damage due to frequent handling
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 swapping individual sub-panels rather than removing the entire panel, making the operation more convenient and reducing damage risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel assembly is designed with dynamic coupling mechanisms that allow for easy attachment and detachment of sub-panels. The coupling structure enables quick replacement while maintaining firm fixation during use, adapting to the user's need for both stability and ease of modification.
2Shape
If the panel is made of heavy material such as glass to improve appearance quality, then the outer appearance is enhanced, but the panel becomes heavy and requires more secure mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy glass panel is divided into multiple smaller sub-panels. Each sub-panel is lighter and easier to handle individually, while collectively they maintain the desired appearance quality. The segmented design also distributes the weight across multiple mounting points.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure extends in the depth direction with coupling members that protrude and engage with the door body. This three-dimensional coupling approach provides secure fixation without requiring excessive weight, distributing the load across multiple points in space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the panel assembly is frequently mounted and removed to change appearance, then adaptability is improved, but the coupling structure becomes less reliable and the panel may move or lift
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure is designed to transition between two states: a loose state during installation/removal and a tight locked state during use. The coupling members can be easily inserted and removed when needed, but automatically engage securely with the door body to prevent movement or lifting during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling members are designed to self-lock into position on the door body through elastic deformation or mechanical interlocking. This self-service mechanism ensures reliable fixation without requiring additional fastening operations, maintaining both ease of replacement and coupling reliability.
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 a stable and secure panel assembly that maintains the outer appearance quality, allowing users to change colors without disassembly, reducing damage risks and improving user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide plate disposed behind the panel to irradiate light toward the panel
Implementation Method 2
a holder hook portion having a thickness greater than that of the extension portion at a protruding end of the holder extension portion so as to be hooked and restricted inside the door body
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance includes a cabinet in which a storage space is defined and a door configured to open and close the storage space. The door includes a door body and a panel assembly mounted on a front surface of 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 lighting device configured to allow the panel to shine with a set color, a back cover configured to define a rear surface of the panel assembly, and a panel holder configured to fix the panel assembly to the door body. The panel holder includes a base fixed inside the panel assembly and a holder protrusion protruding from the base to pass through the back cover and coupled to the door body when the panel assembly is mounted.