Refrigerator Variable Transparency Door to Reduce Cold Air Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators have opaque doors, leading to cold air loss and increased power consumption when frequently opened, and users cannot visualize the contents of the storage chamber before opening, which affects efficient food management.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator with a partially and selectively transparent door system, featuring a variable transparency film and lighting device controlled by a proximity sensor, allowing the inner space to be visible without opening the door, and maintaining a clean exterior appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the door is made opaque for insulation, then energy loss is reduced, but the user cannot see the storage chamber contents without opening the door
Solution Approach 1:
The door incorporates a variable transparency film that can dynamically change between opaque and transparent states based on user proximity or input, allowing the door to adapt its transparency property rather than being fixed. This resolves the contradiction by making the door opaque during normal operation to prevent energy loss, and transparent on demand to allow visibility of contents.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparency parameter of the door is changed from a fixed state to a variable state through the use of electrochromic or PDLC film technology. By applying electrical voltage, the film transitions between transparent and opaque states, enabling the door to provide visibility when needed while maintaining insulation properties during normal operation.
2Ease of operation
If the door is made transparent to see contents, then user convenience is improved, but cold air loss increases when the door is opened frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The door uses a variable transparency film that responds to user proximity sensors or button inputs, dynamically switching from opaque to transparent only when the user needs to view contents. This eliminates the need for frequent door openings while maintaining ease of operation, as users can visually locate items through the transparent state without physical door opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable transparency film acts as an intermediary between the user and the storage chamber contents, providing visual access without requiring physical door opening. This mediator allows users to obtain information about stored items while the door remains closed, preventing cold air loss while maintaining user convenience.
3Loss of information
If a variable transparency film is added to make the door selectively transparent, then visibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin flexible variable transparency films (electrochromic or PDLC film) that can be directly applied to the door surface. These thin films integrate seamlessly into the existing door structure without requiring complex mechanical components, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving selective transparency functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces potential complex mechanical transparency mechanisms (such as movable panels or shutters) with an electrical control system that actuates the variable transparency film. This substitution of mechanical systems with electrical/control systems simplifies the overall device complexity while achieving the same functionality.
4Loss of information
If lighting is added to illuminate storage chamber, then visibility is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system operates periodically rather than continuously, being activated only when the variable transparency film transitions to transparent state or when proximity sensors detect user presence. This periodic operation significantly reduces overall power consumption while maintaining adequate visibility during viewing periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system incorporates feedback control through proximity sensors and transparency film state detection, activating lights only when needed (when user approaches or door becomes transparent). This feedback-based control ensures lighting provides necessary visibility while minimizing unnecessary power consumption during periods when visibility is not required.
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 transparent door reduces cold air leakage, lowers power consumption, and enables users to see the storage chamber contents without opening it, enhancing energy efficiency and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a variable transparency film (120) attached to a back surface of the evaporation treatment unit provided in the front panel to get transparent when the power is supplied
Implementation Method 2
an evaporation treatment unit evaporated on an overall back surface of the front panel to transmit lights partially
Implementation Method 3
a lighting device provided in the storage chamber to light an inner space of the storage chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
There is disclosed a refrigerator including a case having a storage chamber provided therein; a lighting device provided in the storage chamber to light an inner space of the storage chamber, a first door rotatably coupled to the case to open and close the storage chamber, an auxiliary storage chamber (50) provided in the first door to define a storage space, the auxiliary storage chamber (50) accessible through an opening formed in the first door, a second door (30) rotatably coupled to the first door in the same direction as the first door, a front panel attached to a front surface of the second door (30), the front panel formed of a transparent material, an evaporation treatment unit evaporated on an overall back surface of the front panel to transmit lights partially, a variable transparency film (120) attached to a back surface of the evaporation treatment unit provided in the front panel to get transparent when the power is supplied, a frame unit of the second door (30) on which the front panel is mounted, with an opening having a corresponding size to an opening provided in the first door, an insulation panel provided in the frame unit of the second door (30), distant from the front panel, a power supply unit for supplying an electric power to the variable transparency film (120) and the lighting device, a proximity sensor provided in the second door (30) to sense a user's approaching, and a control unit for controlling the power supply unit to simultaneously operate the variable transparency film (120) and the lighting device based on a sensing signal of the proximity sensor.