Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators often lack a convenient and efficient way to illuminate the interior for visibility and maintain insulation performance, particularly in transparent door sections.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a transparent door with a lighting device mounted within a light case, using LEDs that emit light through a reflective surface to illuminate the rear space, and a structure that maintains insulation by using a light case to prevent insulating material from entering the accommodation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a lighting device is installed in a transparent door to illuminate the interior, then visibility of the interior is improved, but insulation performance of the door deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light case is nested within the door structure, specifically positioned within a protrusion on the door liner. This nested configuration allows the lighting device to be housed inside the door without compromising the external transparent appearance or the overall insulation envelope of the door assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The door assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones: the transparent panel assembly for visibility, the door liner with protrusion for housing, and the light case as a separate compartment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function optimally while maintaining overall insulation performance.
2Loss of energy
If insulating material is filled between the panel assembly and door liner, then insulation performance is improved, but the lighting device cannot be properly mounted
Solution Approach 1:
The light case is pre-installed within the protrusion on the door liner before the insulating material is filled. This preliminary action ensures that the lighting device has a designated mounting space that is protected from the insulating material, allowing for easy installation and maintenance while maintaining insulation performance.
3Loss of energy
If the light case connects the rear panel to the door liner, then insulation performance is maintained, but the lighting device mounting becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The light case serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a mounting structure for the lighting device, acts as a barrier to prevent insulating material from entering the accommodation space, and connects the rear panel to the door liner to maintain insulation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
4Reliability
If a protrusion is added to the door liner for mounting the light case, then the lighting device can be securely mounted, but the door structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The light case is merged with the protrusion structure on the door liner, forming an integrated assembly. The protrusion is not a separate component but rather an integrated feature of the door liner that houses the light case, thereby providing secure mounting while minimizing additional structural complexity.
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 clear visibility of the interior while maintaining insulation performance by ensuring the lighting device is securely mounted and insulated, allowing for adjustable color illumination and even brightness.
Implementation Method 1
A refrigerator design featuring a transparent door with a lighting device mounted within a light case, using LEDs that emit light through a reflective surface to illuminate the rear space
Implementation Method 2
an insulating material filled into a space between a perimeter of the panel assembly and the door liner
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage space, and a door configured to open and close the storage space. The door includes a panel assembly including a front panel that defines a front surface of the door and is made of a transparent material, and a rear panel disposed behind the front panel and made of a transparent material, a door liner that defines a rear surface of the door and a liner opening shielded by the rear panel, an insulating material filled into a space between a perimeter of the panel assembly and the door liner, a lighting device configured to illuminate a space behind the door, and a light case coupled to the door liner. The light case connects the rear panel to the door liner, blocks an inflow of the insulating material, and defines a recess space accommodating the lighting device.