Translucent Inner Container for Shadow-Free Refrigerator Illumination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator and freezer interior lighting systems suffer from shadowing issues when the space is filled with refrigerated goods, as point light sources create unwanted shadows and glare.
Innovation Solution
The use of a translucent and/or light-conducting material for the inner container walls, combined with LED lighting that couples light into these materials via light guide plates, providing homogeneous illumination without visible light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional point light sources (light bulbs, light columns, light panels) are used to illuminate the interior space, then the interior can be illuminated, but unwanted shadowing occurs when the interior is filled with refrigerated goods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point/linear light sources to a surface light source by applying translucent material to the inner container walls. This dimensional change from 0D/1D to 2D light emission eliminates shadows by providing illumination from an extended surface area rather than discrete points, allowing light to reach all areas of the interior space uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The translucent material acts as an intermediary between the light source and the interior space. Instead of direct point sources casting shadows, the translucent wall material diffuses and redistributes light across the entire surface, serving as a mediator that eliminates the shadowing problem while maintaining effective illumination.
2Illumination intensity
If point light sources are used in the interior space, then illumination is provided, but the user may be dazzled by direct light sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical properties to different parts of the system: the light sources maintain high intensity for effective illumination, while the translucent wall material provides diffuse emission with reduced intensity at any single point. This local differentiation of light quality eliminates glare while preserving overall illumination effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The translucent material transforms the characteristics of the emitted light by diffusing it across the surface, changing from concentrated point sources to distributed surface emission. This transformation in light distribution properties eliminates the dazzling effect while maintaining adequate illumination levels.
3Illumination intensity
If the entire inner container surface is made translucent and illuminated, then shadow-free homogeneous illumination is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the container structure with the lighting function by making the inner container walls themselves translucent and light-emitting. This integration eliminates the need for separate lighting fixtures and complex wiring, reducing overall device complexity while achieving homogeneous shadow-free illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner container walls serve multiple functions: they provide structural containment and simultaneously act as light-emitting surfaces for illumination. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall system while achieving the desired lighting效果.
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 ensures shadow-free, glare-free illumination of the interior space, making the entire container act as a luminous surface, optimizing visibility and reducing user discomfort from direct light sources.
Implementation Method 1
at least one inner wall of the inner container preferably has a translucent and/or light-conducting material over its entire surface and/or consists of a translucent and/or light-conducting material and lamps are also present, by means of which the translucent and/or light-guiding material can be illuminated
Implementation Method 2
Light-conducting material is preferably used if the inner container itself is to be light-conducting. For example, an inner container can be provided according to the invention, which is lined with light guide plates on five inner walls
Implementation Method 3
The light can be coupled in via edge coupling or areal light coupling using deflection geometries (e.g. rotationally symmetrical cones, aspherical cones, wedges, chamfers, ...)
Implementation Method 4
The light can be coupled in via edge coupling or areal light coupling using deflection geometries (e.g. rotationally symmetrical cones, aspherical cones, wedges, chamfers, ...)
Implementation Method 5
Light is coupled into the light guide plates of the inner container by illuminants (e.g. LEDs) and distributed homogeneously in the light guide plate via total reflection
Implementation Method 6
The total reflected light (in the at least one light guide plate) is decoupled over the surface by decoupling structures (e.g. screen printing, laser engraving, geometries, prisms, holograms, ...)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to an inner container for a refrigerator and/or freezer, wherein at least one inner wall of the inner container preferably comprises a translucent and/or light-conducting material over its entire surface or surface, and/or consists of a translucent and/or light-conducting material, and furthermore includes light sources by means of which the translucent and/or light-conducting material can preferably be illuminated over its entire surface or surface. The invention further relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer with such an inner container.