Refrigerator having panel assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators lack a convenient method to allow users to check the contents inside without opening the door, leading to unnecessary cooling air leakage and inconvenience in accessing frequently used items.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator with a panel assembly featuring a half-glass structure and a knock detection system that allows users to selectively see inside while the door is closed, using a lighting unit activated by a knocking operation to maintain insulation and enhance user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the refrigerator door is made transparent to allow viewing of interior contents, then user convenience is improved, but insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The panel assembly transitions between opaque and transparent states dynamically based on user interaction. A knock detection device senses user knocking, triggers a lighting unit to illuminate the interior, and causes the panel to become transparent temporarily, allowing users to view contents without opening the door. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by providing transparency only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical properties of the panel assembly are changed by controlling the lighting unit. When the lighting unit is activated by knock detection, it changes the effective transparency of the panel by illuminating the interior space, making contents visible through the otherwise opaque panel. This parameter change allows the panel to function as transparent on demand while maintaining insulation when opaque.
2Loss of information
If a transparent material is used for the refrigerator door to enable viewing, then visibility of interior is improved, but insulation performance worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The panel assembly acts as an intermediary between the opaque door structure and the transparency needed for viewing. It incorporates a knock detection device and lighting unit that mediate between user interaction and interior visibility, allowing the door to maintain its insulating opaque structure while providing temporary transparent viewing capability when activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel assembly dynamically changes its optical state from opaque to transparent based on user interaction. When users knock on the door, the system activates the lighting unit and transitions the panel to a transparent state, enabling viewing of interior contents. This dynamic transition allows the door to maintain insulation performance while providing visibility on demand.
3Loss of information
If the entire refrigerator door is opened to check contents, then complete visibility is achieved, but cooling air leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The viewing function is extracted from the door opening action. Instead of requiring the door to be physically opened to see contents, the panel assembly incorporates a lighting unit and knock detection device that enable viewing through the closed door. This extracts the information-gathering function from the door-opening mechanical action, preventing cooling air loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical door opening action is replaced by an optical viewing system. Instead of mechanically opening the door to see contents, users knock on the door and the lighting unit illuminates the interior through the transparent panel assembly. This substitutes the mechanical opening system with an optical illumination and detection system, preventing cooling air leakage.
4Ease of operation
If the panel assembly is made transparent to see inside, then user convenience is improved, but external appearance deteriorates when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The panel assembly dynamically changes its appearance based on operational state. When not in use, it maintains an opaque state that provides a clean external appearance. When users knock on the door, it transitions to a transparent state temporarily, allowing viewing of contents. This dynamic appearance change resolves the contradiction by maintaining aesthetic appearance when transparency is not needed.
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 users to view the interior without opening the door, reducing cooling air leakage and improving power efficiency, while maintaining insulation performance and easy operation through a simple knocking mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a knock detection device disposed to be in close contact with a rear surface of the panel assembly, and configured to detect a user's knocking operation on the panel assembly
Implementation Method 2
a lighting unit provided inside the refrigerator, and turned on or off by a signal of the knock detection device while the door is closed, such that the panel assembly selectively becomes transparent
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet configured to form a storage space, a door configured to open and close the cabinet, wherein the door includes an outer plate, a door liner connected to the outer plate, and an opening, a panel assembly configured to cover the opening of the door, wherein the panel assembly includes a front panel, a rear panel spaced apart from a rear surface of the front panel, and a spacer provided between the front panel and the rear panel; the front panel includes a viewing area and a bezel area provided outside the viewing area, a sensor arranged at the bezel area, and an electric wire electrically connected to the sensor and a controller thereof.