Refrigerator Shelf Optical Illumination Without On-Board Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adjustable shelves in refrigerators with on-board electronics require more time and resources to assemble, and often have unreliable electrical connections, leading to disrupted power delivery and user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a light-transmitting shelf body that optically communicates with an illuminated chamber, allowing light from a separate light source to travel through and illuminate the shelf edge, eliminating the need for on-board electronics and improving assembly efficiency and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional adjustable shelves with on-board electronics are used, then shelf lighting functionality is achieved, but assembly time and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting functionality is extracted from the shelf structure itself and relocated to a separate illuminated chamber. The shelf body no longer contains electronics, LEDs, or power supplies, but instead incorporates light-transmitting portions that receive light from the external illuminated chamber, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining the lighting effect.
Solution Approach 2:
A light-transmitting material is introduced as an intermediary between the illuminated chamber (light source) and the shelf body. This material allows optical energy to transfer from the external light source to the shelf, enabling illumination without requiring electrical components within the shelf itself.
2Reliability
If conventional adjustable shelves with on-board electronics are used, then shelf lighting functionality is achieved, but electrical connection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical system (powered tracks, electrical connections, PCBs) is replaced with an optical system. Instead of delivering power through mechanical/electrical contacts, the invention uses optical energy transfer via light-transmitting materials from an illuminated chamber to illuminate the shelf, eliminating electrical connection reliability issues entirely.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional adjustable shelves with on-board electronics are used, then shelf lighting functionality is achieved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
All expensive electronic components (PCBs, LEDs, power supplies, control circuits) are extracted from the shelf assembly and consolidated into a single external illuminated chamber. The shelf itself becomes a simple structural component with light-transmitting portions, dramatically reducing per-unit production costs while maintaining the lighting functionality through the external light source.
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
This solution reduces production time and costs, enhances electrical connection reliability, and provides consistent shelf illumination without the complexity of on-board electronics, improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The light-transmitting body of the shelf is in optical communication with the illuminated chamber through the rear wall when the shelf is mounted within the food storage chamber, such that light from the light source of the illuminated chamber travels through the light-transmitting body
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator appliance includes a an insulated cabinet defining a chilled food storage chamber within an interior thereof. An illuminated chamber is defined within the cabinet and is optically separated from the chilled food storage chamber by a wall of the chilled food storage chamber. At least one light source is positioned to emit light into the illuminated chamber. A shelf is selectively mountable in one of a plurality of positions within the food storage chamber. The shelf includes a light-transmitting body. The light-transmitting body of the shelf is in optical communication with the illuminated chamber when the shelf is mounted within the food storage chamber, such that light from the light source of the illuminated chamber travels through the light-transmitting body. As a result, an edge of the shelf is illuminated by the light.