Transparent Refrigerator Door Assembly for Low Cool Air Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerators require opening the door to confirm the storage of food, leading to unnecessary leakage of cool air and increased door opening times, especially when the stored position is unknown.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerator with a selectively transparent door that allows users to see the inside without opening it, featuring a transparent display assembly with a light guide plate and display light, which can be made opaque or display a screen, and is designed to prevent damage from door impacts and long-term use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the door is made opaque to maintain insulation, then energy loss is reduced, but the user cannot see the inside of the refrigerator without opening the door

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecool air leakageVSAvoidvisibility of stored food

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The door panel incorporates a transparent display assembly that can dynamically switch between opaque and transparent states. The light guide plate and display light work together to create a see-through effect when activated, allowing users to view stored food without opening the door, while maintaining opacity when not in use to preserve insulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The transparent display assembly utilizes optical properties to change the door's transparency. By controlling the display light and light guide plate, the door can transition between transparent and opaque states, enabling users to see inside when needed while maintaining energy efficiency when the display is not active.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Loss of information

If the transparent display assembly is made visible through the door, then users can see the inside, but the PCB and cables become exposed and affect aesthetics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of stored foodVSAvoidaesthetic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The PCB and cables are nested within the door structure, specifically disposed in a cavity formed by the front panel, rear panel, and side panels. This hidden configuration allows the transparent display assembly to function while keeping the electronic components concealed from external view, maintaining aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The door structure acts as an intermediary that separates the visible transparent display assembly from the hidden PCB and cables. The cavity within the door provides a space for component placement, allowing the display to be visible while the supporting electronics remain concealed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the light guide plate is made movable to adjust positioning, then alignment flexibility is improved, but the display light may be damaged by contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoiddisplay light durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide plate stopper is positioned to preemptively prevent the light guide plate from moving into contact with the display light. By providing this stopper that protrudes between the light guide plate and display light, the design anticipates potential harmful contact and prevents it before damage can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide plate stopper acts as a protective element that cushions against potential contact between the movable light guide plate and the fragile display light. This preventive measure ensures that even if the light guide plate moves during operation or door switching, the display light remains protected from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Enables users to verify stored food without opening the door, reducing cool air leakage and door opening frequency, while maintaining stable operation and preventing damage to the display light.

Implementation Method 1

a light guide plate spaced apart from the display to brighten up the display; a display light disposed outside the light guide plate to emit light to an end of the light guide plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight guiding: Waveguide (optics)

Data Source

PatentUS10180280B2Refrigerator

Publication Date: 2019.01.15 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A refrigerator includes a cabinet, a door, and a transparent display assembly covering an opening of the door through which an inside of the refrigerator is visible. The transparent display assembly includes a front panel, a rear panel defining, a display disposed between the front and second panels, a light guide plate spaced apart from the display, a spacer disposed between the front panel and the light guide plate and configured to maintain a predetermined distance between the light guide plate and the display, a display light configured to emit light to the light guide plate, and a light guide plate stopper disposed between an end of the light guide plate and the display light and configured to prevent the display light from contacting the end of the light guide plate by protruding toward the light guide plate further than the display light.