Refrigerator having interior lighting used for synchronized user feedback of zone selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators lack an effective method to visually differentiate and control multiple independently controlled refrigeration zones, making it difficult for users to identify and adjust specific zones without confusion.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator system with internally disposed lights around each refrigeration zone, controlled by a user interface and controller, which allows users to select and visually confirm the boundaries of individual zones through lighting adjustments, such as intensity or color modulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independently controlled refrigeration zones are provided, then the refrigerator can offer differentiated environmental control for different zones, but it becomes difficult for users to identify and select specific zones without confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using different colored lights (e.g., blue, green, red) to illuminate different refrigeration zones. Each zone is associated with a specific color that visually identifies it and its selected state. When a zone is selected for environmental adjustment, its corresponding colored light activates or changes intensity, providing clear visual feedback to the user about which zone is active, thereby resolving the identification difficulty while maintaining multiple independent zones.
2Ease of operation
If lights are provided around boundaries of each refrigeration zone, then visual identification of zone boundaries is improved, but the device complexity increases due to separate control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the lighting system serve multiple functions: it illuminates the refrigeration zones for general visibility, highlights zone boundaries for identification, and provides visual feedback for selected zones. The same light sources around zone boundaries are used for all these purposes, eliminating the need for separate lighting systems and reducing overall device complexity while achieving improved zone identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the boundary identification function with the selection feedback function into a single lighting system. The lights disposed around the boundaries of each refrigeration zone serve both to define the zone visually and to indicate when the zone is selected for environmental control. This consolidation reduces the number of separate control systems needed while maintaining clear visual identification and feedback.
3Ease of operation
If the controller controls specific groups of lights to confirm zone selection, then user feedback is enhanced, but the use of energy increases due to additional lighting control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using pulsing or flashing light patterns to indicate zone selection rather than continuous illumination. When a user selects a zone, the corresponding colored light pulses or flashes to provide noticeable visual feedback, then returns to a lower intensity or off state. This periodic activation provides effective user feedback while consuming significantly less energy than continuous lighting would require.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator is provided having at least one internal refrigerated compartment in which a plurality of refrigeration zones are provided, wherein an environment in each refrigeration zone may be independently controlled using a user interface configured to receive a zone selection input from a user indicating one of the plurality of refrigeration zones in which the user desires to adjust the environment; a plurality of lights provided in the internal refrigerated compartment and disposed proximate to each of the plurality of refrigeration zones, wherein groups of the plurality of lights may be separately controlled for visually identifying each of the refrigeration zones; and a controller configured to receive a zone selection input from the user interface, identify a group of the plurality of lights that are disposed proximate the selected refrigeration zone, and control the identified group of the plurality of lights to visually confirm the selected refrigeration zone.