Refrigerator UV LED Mounting Structure for Interior Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators lack an effective means to remove harmful substances and bacteria, compromising the sanitation of stored food and drinks.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an ultraviolet LED within the refrigerator, emitting light towards the interior space, combined with a heat sink and a power controller to manage the LED's operation, ensuring effective sterilization and maintaining sanitary conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an ultraviolet LED is installed to remove harmful substances and bacteria, then the sanitation of the refrigerator interior is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ultraviolet LED sterilization function with the existing refrigerator structure by mounting the LED on the base (which is part of the cool air inlet/outlet structure). This integration approach adds the sterilization capability without requiring a completely separate sterilization system, thereby improving sanitation while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The base structure of the refrigerator, which originally serves as a structural component and air inlet/outlet, is made multi-functional by integrating the ultraviolet LED onto it. This allows the base to simultaneously perform its original functions and provide sterilization, reducing the need for additional dedicated components and simplifying the overall device architecture.
2Reliability
If a heat sink is added to manage the ultraviolet LED's heat, then the reliability of the LED operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink is integrated with the base structure rather than being a separate component. This merging of the heat dissipation function into the existing base allows effective thermal management of the ultraviolet LED while avoiding the addition of independent heat sink components, thus improving LED reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the ultraviolet LED is disposed on the base to emit light toward the interior space, then the sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base structure is designed with a dedicated mounting area or mounting hole specifically for the ultraviolet LED. This segmentation of the base into functional zones (structural support, air inlet/outlet, and LED mounting) provides a predefined location for the LED, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing the precision requirements compared to requiring exact positioning anywhere on the base surface.
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 ultraviolet LED effectively removes harmful substances and bacteria, enhancing the sanitation of the refrigerator's interior and maintaining the quality of stored food and drinks.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet LED being disposed on the top surface of the base and emitting light toward the interior space of the refrigerator
Implementation Method 2
The ultraviolet LED effectively removes harmful substances and bacteria, enhancing the sanitation of the refrigerator's interior
Implementation Method 3
a heat sink being under the base and forming a closed path by contacting with the first member and the second member
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator with an ultraviolet LED may be provided that includes: a base disposed on a first member and a second member which are placed within the refrigerator and have one surfaces having facing directions crossing each other; a first fixing member disposed between the base and the first member; a second fixing member disposed between the base and the second member; and an ultraviolet LED being disposed on the top surface of the base and emitting light toward the interior space of the refrigerator.