WO2023078607A1 - Refrigerator and method for refrigerator - Google Patents

Refrigerator and method for refrigerator Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023078607A1
WO2023078607A1 PCT/EP2022/076193 EP2022076193W WO2023078607A1 WO 2023078607 A1 WO2023078607 A1 WO 2023078607A1 EP 2022076193 W EP2022076193 W EP 2022076193W WO 2023078607 A1 WO2023078607 A1 WO 2023078607A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
illumination portion
light emitting
emitting devices
light
auxiliary
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2022/076193
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Shikang Ge
Yingfeng HOU
Junxin Liu
Bo Ma
Jiahao Zhang
Original Assignee
BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by BSH Hausgeräte GmbH filed Critical BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
Publication of WO2023078607A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023078607A1/en

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D11/00—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D27/00—Lighting arrangements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
    • F25D25/02—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D27/00—Lighting arrangements
    • F25D27/005—Lighting arrangements combined with control means

Definitions

  • This application relates to electrical appliances, and in particular, to a refrigerator and a method for the refrigerator.
  • An objective of this application is to provide an improved refrigerator and a method for the refrigerator.
  • an aspect of embodiments of this application relates to a refrigerator, including a storage compartment; and an illumination assembly configured to illuminate the storage compartment, where the illumination assembly includes a plurality of first light emitting devices, a plurality of second light emitting devices, a main illumination portion configured to receive first light of the plurality of first light emitting devices to provide an area light source, and an auxiliary illumination portion configured to receive second light of the plurality of second light emitting devices and arranged along at least one edge of the main illumination portion, where the auxiliary illumination portion is spaced apart from the main illumination portion.
  • the illumination assembly includes a plurality of first light emitting devices, a plurality of second light emitting devices, a main illumination portion configured to receive first light of the plurality of first light emitting devices to provide an area light source, and an auxiliary illumination portion configured to receive second light of the plurality of second light emitting devices and arranged along at least one edge of the main illumination portion, where the auxiliary illumination portion is spaced apart from the main illumination portion.
  • the illumination assembly may be arranged on a wall surface of the storage compartment facing the door body.
  • the illumination assembly may be referred to a back light.
  • the area light source of the main illumination portion may provide a main light emitting surface, which provides main illumination for the storage compartment.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion may cooperate with the main illumination portion, to improve a sense of atmosphere.
  • a brightness of the auxiliary illumination portion may be lower than a brightness of the main illumination portion.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion may provide an effect of an atmosphere lamp.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion is arranged on an outer periphery of the main illumination portion. In this way, it can be beneficial to improve the realization possibility of providing illumination of the storage compartment with a sense of atmosphere.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion can provide atmosphere illumination on the outer periphery of the main illumination portion.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion is arranged along at least two edges of the main illumination portion. In this way, it can be beneficial to improve the realization possibility of providing illumination of the storage compartment with a sense of atmosphere.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion can provide atmosphere illumination on the at least two edges of the main illumination portion.
  • the main illumination portion may be square, and the auxiliary illumination portion may be arranged along an upper edge, a left edge, and a right edge of the main illumination portion.
  • the main illumination portion may be in other shapes, and the auxiliary illumination portion may be arranged along two, four or more edges of the main illumination portion.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion is strip-shaped. In this way, it can be beneficial for the auxiliary illumination portion to provide a line light source to form a line lamp.
  • the refrigerator includes a frame arranged along the at least one edge of the main illumination portion, and the auxiliary illumination portion is arranged on the frame. In this way, it can be beneficial for the positioning, installation, and fixation of the auxiliary illumination portion.
  • the plurality of first light emitting devices and the plurality of second light emitting devices are both arranged in the frame. In this way, it can be beneficial to reduce components and space required by the illumination assembly, reduce costs, and improve the effective utilization of the space in the storage compartment.
  • the plurality of first light emitting devices and the plurality of second light emitting devices share a same printed circuit board. In this way, it can be beneficial to reduce a size of the illumination assembly, reduce components and space required by the illumination assembly, reduce costs, and improve the effective utilization of the space in the storage compartment.
  • the printed circuit board includes a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the plurality of first light emitting devices are arranged on the first side of the printed circuit board, and the plurality of second light emitting devices are arranged on the second side of the printed circuit board.
  • the plurality of first light emitting devices it can be beneficial for the plurality of first light emitting devices to have different light propagation routes and light emitting parts that do not interfere with each other, compared with the plurality of second light emitting devices.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion includes a light exit hole of a front wall of the frame. In this way, it can be beneficial for the second light to exit from the light exit hole of the front wall of the frame.
  • an extension direction of the printed circuit board intersects with the front wall.
  • the plurality of first light emitting devices and the plurality of second light emitting devices can be distributed in a direction intersecting with the front wall rather than in a direction parallel to the front wall, so that the frame do not excessively expand an edge size of the main illumination portion.
  • a size of the illumination assembly is small, the required space is small, and the effective utilization of the space in the storage compartment is high.
  • the main illumination portion includes a plate-shaped light guide plate and a light diffusion plate
  • the auxiliary illumination portion includes a strip-shaped photoconductor extending along the at least one edge of the main illumination portion and a strip-shaped light exit hole, and the second light is emitted from the light exit hole.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion is detachably connected to the main illumination portion. In this way, it can be beneficial to determine the number and positions of the auxiliary illumination portions, and facilitate the local maintenance and replacement of the illumination assembly.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion includes an auxiliary printed circuit board, a strip-shaped photoconductor, and a bracket supporting the auxiliary printed circuit board and the strip-shaped photoconductor, the plurality of second light emitting devices are arranged on the auxiliary printed circuit board, the bracket includes a light exit hole, and the bracket is connected to the at least one edge of the main illumination portion.
  • the bracket is bonded or buckled with the at least one edge. In this way, it can be beneficial for the reliable, convenient connection and separation of the bracket and the at least one edge. In this way, it can be beneficial to realize the diverse illumination modes of the storage compartment and provide a sense of atmosphere.
  • the light guide plate and the light diffusion plate may be stacked with each other.
  • the frame may be sleeved and installed on edges of the light guide plate and the light diffusion plate.
  • a transmittance of the frame may be lower than a transmittance of the light guide plate and a transmittance of the light diffusion plate.
  • the plurality of first light emitting devices may face the edges of the light guide plate and the light diffusion plate, so that the first light can enter the light guide plate and exit forward from the light diffusion plate.
  • the first light may be scattered in the light guide plate and the light diffusion plate, so that the first light is more uniform when emitted.
  • a reflector plate may be stacked with the light guide plate to clamp the light guide plate in the middle together with the light diffusion plate, and the first light is reflected to the light guide plate and the light diffusion plate, so that the first light can mainly or even all exit from a direction of an unobstructed surface of the light diffusion plate, rather than other directions.
  • a superimposed thickness of the reflector plate, the light guide plate, and the light diffusion plate may be equal to an extension width of the printed circuit board.
  • the frame may include protrusions that are between the printed circuit board, the reflector plate, and the light diffusion plate and that extend to each other.
  • the frame may include a slot for accommodating the photoconductor and the printed circuit board.
  • An inner side of the slot is defined by the protrusion, and a front side is connected to the light exist hole.
  • a shape and size of the slot may correspond to the photoconductor and the printed circuit board to locate, install, and fix the photoconductor and the printed circuit board in the slot.
  • the photoconductor may be at the same height as the printed circuit board, and may extend forward to be adjacent to the light exit hole.
  • the photoconductor clamps the printed circuit board in the middle together with the protrusion.
  • the plurality of second light emitting devices may face the photoconductor, so that the second light is emitted from the light exit hole through the photoconductor. At a position corresponding to the plurality of second light emitting devices on the printed circuit board, the photoconductor may be recessed outward to accommodate the plurality of second light emitting devices protruding outward.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion includes an auxiliary printed circuit board, a strip-shaped photoconductor, and a bracket supporting the auxiliary printed circuit board and the strip-shaped photoconductor.
  • the plurality of second light emitting devices are arranged on the auxiliary printed circuit board.
  • the bracket includes a light exit hole. The bracket is connected to the at least one edge of the main illumination portion. In this way, it is beneficial for the auxiliary illumination portion to be detachably connected to the main illumination portion.
  • the bracket may be in a shape of a large rectangular box.
  • the light exit hole may be arranged on a front side of the bracket.
  • the auxiliary printed circuit board and the strip-shaped photoconductor may be inserted from a long side of the bracket and extend inside the bracket.
  • a transmittance of the bracket may be lower than a transmittance of the photoconductor.
  • the photoconductor may be arranged between the plurality of second light emitting devices and the light exit hole to direct most or even all of the second light of the plurality of second light emitting devices to the light exit hole to exit.
  • An internal structure and size of the bracket may correspond to the auxiliary printed circuit board and the strip-shaped photoconductor to locate, install, and fix the auxiliary printed circuit board and the strip-shaped photoconductor in the bracket.
  • the number of the brackets may be more than one, and each bracket may correspond to one edge of the main illumination portion. For example, three brackets may be connected to an upper edge, a left edge, and a right edge
  • Another aspect of the embodiments of this application relates to a method for the refrigerator described in this application, and the method includes the following step: lighting the illumination assembly dynamically. In this way, it can be beneficial to realize the diverse illumination modes of the storage compartment and provide a sense of atmosphere.
  • the step of lighting the illumination assembly dynamically includes: lighting the main illumination portion and the auxiliary illumination portion gradually in a running manner. In this way, it can be beneficial to realize the diverse illumination modes of the storage compartment and provide a sense of atmosphere.
  • the assembled printed circuit board may include a plurality of light emitting devices.
  • the light emitting device may include a light emitting diode.
  • the light emitting device may include one or both of the plurality of first light emitting devices and the plurality of second light emitting devices.
  • the assembled printed circuit board may be a main printed circuit board corresponding to the main illumination portion, or the auxiliary printed circuit board corresponding to the auxiliary illumination portion.
  • the assembled printed circuit board may be the printed circuit board, and the plurality of first light emitting devices and the plurality of second light emitting devices may be arranged on opposite sides of the assembled printed circuit board respectively.
  • the assembled printed circuit board may include a control chip.
  • the control chip and the light emitting device may be connected through an internal wiring of the assembled printed circuit board.
  • the control chip may control the illumination and extinction of each of the plurality of light emitting devices by scanning a drive, to light the main illumination portion and the auxiliary illumination portion gradually in a running manner.
  • the plurality of first light emitting devices and the plurality of second light emitting devices of the main illumination portion and the auxiliary illumination portion can be gradually lit at the same time or in sequence.
  • the main illumination portion and the auxiliary illumination portion are lit in a running manner, one or one batch in the plurality of first light emitting devices and the plurality of second light emitting devices can be lit and extinguished, and then the next one or batch can be lit and extinguished. That is, only one light emitting device or a batch of light emitting devices can be lit at the same time. When connected end to end, several light emitting devices can be lit in a circular running manner.
  • the step of lighting the illumination assembly dynamically includes: lighting the main illumination portion and the auxiliary illumination portion successively.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion can be lit first, and then the main illumination portion can be lit.
  • the main illumination portion can be lit first, and then the auxiliary illumination portion can be lit.
  • a part of the main illumination portion and the auxiliary illumination portion can be lit first, and then other parts of the main illumination portion and the auxiliary illumination portion can be lit gradually.
  • the step of lighting the illumination assembly dynamically includes: lighting the auxiliary illumination portion from a lighting direction different from the main illumination portion. In this way, it can be beneficial to provide the illumination of the storage compartment with a sense of depth, a sense of atmosphere, and a better visual effect.
  • the step of lighting the illumination assembly dynamically includes: after the auxiliary illumination portion is gradually lit from bottom to top, the main illumination portion is gradually lit from top to bottom, or while the main illumination portion is gradually lit from top to bottom, the auxiliary illumination portion is lit gradually from bottom to top. In this way, it can be beneficial to provide the illumination of the storage compartment with a sense of depth, a sense of atmosphere, and a better visual effect.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic partial perspective view of a refrigerator according to an aspect of embodiments of this application;
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an illumination assembly of the refrigerator in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the illumination assembly in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of an illumination assembly according to some other embodiments of this application.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic partial perspective view of the illumination assembly in FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a method for the refrigerator according to another aspect of the embodiments of this application.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of an assembled printed circuit board according to an embodiment of this application.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic lighting view of the illumination assembly in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 9 is another schematic lighting view of the illumination assembly in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic partial perspective view of a refrigerator according to an aspect of embodiments of this application.
  • the refrigerator 10 includes a storage compartment 12 and an illumination assembly 14 configured to illuminate the storage compartment 12.
  • the storage compartment 12 may be defined in a large square box 13 with an opening on the front.
  • the storage compartment 12 may include compartments such as a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment that are isolated from each other.
  • the storage compartment 12 may be opened or closed by a door body (not shown in the figure) arranged on the box 13.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an illumination assembly of the refrigerator in FIG. 1.
  • the illumination assembly 14 includes a plurality of first light emitting devices 16, a plurality of second light emitting devices 18, a main illumination portion 20 configured to receive first light 17 of the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 to provide an area light source, and an auxiliary illumination portion 22 configured to receive second light 19 of the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 and arranged along at least one edge 21 of the main illumination portion 20.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion 22 is spaced apart from the main illumination portion 20.
  • the embodiments of the invention can help improve an illumination effect of the storage compartment of the refrigerator.
  • the illumination assembly 14 includes the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 18, which can help improve a realization possibility of diverse illumination modes of the storage compartment 12 by controlling a single, some, and all of the first light emitting devices 16 and the second light emitting devices 18.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion 22 is spaced apart from the main illumination portion 20, which can help improve a realization possibility of providing illumination of the storage compartment 12 with a sense of atmosphere.
  • first and second in this specification are not used to represent the degree of importance and priority, but are intended to distinguish the devices, components, shapes, structures, and light they modify.
  • the illumination assembly 14 may be arranged on a wall surface of the storage compartment 12 facing the door body.
  • the illumination assembly 14 may be referred to a back light.
  • the area light source of the main illumination portion 20 may provide a main light emitting surface, which provides main illumination for the storage compartment 12.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion 22 may cooperate with the main illumination portion 20, to improve a sense of atmosphere.
  • a brightness of the auxiliary illumination portion 22 may be lower than a brightness of the main illumination portion 20.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion 22 may provide an effect of an atmosphere lamp.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion 22 is arranged on an outer periphery of the main illumination portion 20.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the illumination assembly in FIG. 2.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion 22 is arranged along at least two edges of the main illumination portion 20.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion 22 can provide atmosphere illumination on the at least two edges of the main illumination portion 20.
  • the main illumination portion 20 may be square, and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 may be arranged along an upper edge, a left edge, and a right edge of the main illumination portion 20.
  • the main illumination portion 20 may be in other shapes, and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 may be arranged along two, four or more edges of the main illumination portion 20.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion 22 is strip-shaped.
  • auxiliary illumination portion 22 can provide a line light source to form a line lamp.
  • the refrigerator 10 includes a frame 24 arranged along the at least one edge 21 of the main illumination portion 20, and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 is arranged on the frame 24.
  • the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 are both arranged in the frame 24.
  • the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 share a same printed circuit board 26.
  • the printed circuit board 26 includes a first side 28 and a second side 30 opposite to the first side 28, the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 are arranged on the first side 28 of the printed circuit board 26, and the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 are arranged on the second side 30 of the printed circuit board 26.
  • the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 can have different light propagation routes and light emitting parts that do not interfere with each other, compared with the plurality of second light emitting devices 18.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion 22 includes a light exit hole 34 of a front wall 32 of the frame 24.
  • an extension direction Y of the printed circuit board 26 intersects with the front wall 32.
  • the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 can be distributed in a direction intersecting with the front wall 32 rather than in a direction parallel to the front wall 32, so that the frame 24 do not excessively expand an edge size of the main illumination portion 20.
  • a size of the illumination assembly 14 is small, the required space is small, and the effective utilization of the space in the storage compartment 12 is high.
  • the main illumination portion 20 includes a plate-shaped light guide plate 36 and a light diffusion plate 38
  • the auxiliary illumination portion 22 includes a strip-shaped photoconductor 40 extending along the at least one edge 21 of the main illumination portion 20 and a strip-shaped light exit hole 34
  • the second light 19 is emitted from the light exit hole 34.
  • the main illumination portion 20 can be beneficial for the main illumination portion 20 to form the area light source and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 to form the line light source.
  • the light guide plate 36 and the light diffusion plate 38 may be stacked with each other.
  • the frame 24 may be sleeved and installed on edges of the light guide plate 36 and the light diffusion plate 38.
  • a transmittance of the frame 24 may be lower than a transmittance of the light guide plate 36 and a transmittance of the light diffusion plate 38.
  • the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 may face the edges of the light guide plate 36 and the light diffusion plate 38, so that the first light 17 can enter the light guide plate 36 and exit forward from the light diffusion plate 38.
  • the first light 17 may be scattered in the light guide plate 36 and the light diffusion plate 38, so that the first light 17 is more uniform when emitted.
  • a reflector plate 37 may be stacked with the light guide plate 36 to clamp the light guide plate 36 in the middle together with the light diffusion plate 38, and the first light 17 is reflected to the light guide plate 36 and the light diffusion plate 38, so that the first light 17 can mainly or even all exit from a direction of an unobstructed surface of the light diffusion plate 38, rather than other directions.
  • a superimposed thickness of the reflector plate 37, the light guide plate 36, and the light diffusion plate 38 may be equal to an extension width of the printed circuit board 26 in the direction Y.
  • the frame 24 may include protrusions 35 that are between the printed circuit board 26, the reflector plate 37, and the light diffusion plate 38 and that extend to each other.
  • the frame 24 may include a slot for accommodating the photoconductor 40 and the printed circuit board 26.
  • An inner side of the slot is defined by the protrusion 35, and a front side is connected to the light exist hole 34.
  • a shape and size of the slot may correspond to the photoconductor 40 and the printed circuit board 26 to locate, install, and fix the photoconductor 40 and the printed circuit board 26 in the slot.
  • the photoconductor 40 may be at the same height as the printed circuit board 26 in the direction Y, and may extend forward to be adjacent to the light exit hole 34. The photoconductor 40 clamps the printed circuit board 26 in the middle together with the protrusion 35.
  • the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 may face the photoconductor 40, so that the second light 19 is emitted from the light exit hole 34 through the photoconductor 40.
  • the photoconductor 40 may be recessed outward to accommodate the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 protruding outward.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of an illumination assembly according to other embodiments of this application.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion 22 is detachably connected to the main illumination portion 20.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic partial perspective view of the illumination assembly in FIG. 4.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion 22 includes an auxiliary printed circuit board 42, a strip-shaped photoconductor 40, and a bracket 44 supporting the auxiliary printed circuit board 42 and the strip-shaped photoconductor 40.
  • the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 are arranged on the auxiliary printed circuit board 42.
  • the bracket 44 includes a light exit hole 34. The bracket 44 is connected to the at least one edge 21 of the main illumination portion 20.
  • the bracket 44 may be in a shape of a large rectangular box.
  • the light exit hole 34 may be arranged on a front side of the bracket 44.
  • the auxiliary printed circuit board 42 and the strip-shaped photoconductor 40 may be inserted from a long side of the bracket 44 and extend inside the bracket 44.
  • a transmittance of the bracket 44 may be lower than a transmittance of the photoconductor 40.
  • the photoconductor 40 may be arranged between the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 and the light exit hole 34 to direct most or even all of the second light 19 of the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 to the light exit hole 34 to exit.
  • An internal structure and size of the bracket 44 may correspond to the auxiliary printed circuit board 42 and the strip-shaped photoconductor 40 to locate, install, and fix the auxiliary printed circuit board 42 and the strip-shaped photoconductor 40 in the bracket 44.
  • the number of the brackets 44 may be more than one, and each bracket 44 may correspond to one edge of the main illumination portion 20.
  • three brackets 44 may be connected to an upper edge, a left edge, and a right edge of the main illumination portion 20 respectively.
  • the bracket 44 is bonded or buckled with the at least one edge 21 .
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a method for a refrigerator according to another aspect of the embodiments of this application.
  • the another aspect of the embodiments of this application relates to a method 80 for the refrigerator 10 described in this application.
  • the method includes the following step: 82. Light the illumination assembly 14 dynamically.
  • the step 82 of lighting the illumination assembly 14 dynamically includes lighting the main illumination portion 20 and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 gradually in a running manner.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of an assembled printed circuit board according to an embodiment of this application.
  • the assembled printed circuit board 90 may include a plurality of light emitting devices 92.
  • the light emitting device 92 may include a light emitting diode.
  • the light emitting device 92 may include one or both of the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 18.
  • the assembled printed circuit board 90 may be a main printed circuit board corresponding to the main illumination portion 20, or the auxiliary printed circuit board 42 corresponding to the auxiliary illumination portion 22.
  • the assembled printed circuit board 90 may be the printed circuit board 26, and the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 may be arranged on opposite sides of the assembled printed circuit board 90 respectively.
  • the assembled printed circuit board 90 may include a control chip 94.
  • the control chip 94 and the light emitting device 92 may be connected through an internal wiring of the assembled printed circuit board 90.
  • the control chip 94 may control the illumination and extinction of each of the plurality of light emitting devices 92 by scanning a drive, to light the main illumination portion 20 and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 gradually in a running manner.
  • the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 of the main illumination portion 20 and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 can be gradually lit at the same time or in sequence.
  • main illumination portion 20 and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 are lit in a running manner, one or one batch in the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 can be lit and extinguished, and then the next one or batch can be lit and extinguished. That is, only one light emitting device 92 or a batch of light emitting devices 92 can be lit at the same time. When connected end to end, several light emitting devices 92 can be lit in a circular running manner.
  • the step 82 of lighting the illumination assembly 14 dynamically includes lighting the main illumination portion 20 and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 successively.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion 22 can be lit first, and then the main illumination portion 20 can be lit.
  • the main illumination portion 20 can be lit first, and then the auxiliary illumination portion 22 can be lit.
  • a part of the main illumination portion 20 and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 can be lit first, and then other parts of the main illumination portion 20 and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 can be lit gradually.
  • the step 82 of lighting the illumination assembly 14 dynamically includes lighting the auxiliary illumination portion 22 from a lighting direction different from the main illumination portion 20.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic lighting view of the illumination assembly in FIG. 3.
  • the auxiliary illumination portion 22 can be lit from a lower left side and a lower right side to the upper middle in a direction of an arrow A, and the main illumination portion 20 can be lit from top to bottom in a direction of an arrow B.
  • FIG. 9 is another schematic lighting view of the illumination assembly in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 9, in some embodiments, the main illumination portion 20 can be lit from bottom to top in a direction of an arrow C, and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 can be lit from the upper middle to a lower left side and a lower right side in a direction of an arrow D.
  • the step 82 of lighting the illumination assembly 14 dynamically includes that after the auxiliary illumination portions 22 on a left side and on a right side are gradually lit from bottom to top in the direction of the arrow A, the main illumination portion 20 is gradually lit from top to bottom in the direction of the arrow B, or while the main illumination portion 20 is gradually lit from top to bottom in the direction of the arrow B, and the auxiliary illumination portions 22 on a left side and on a right side are gradually lit from bottom to top in the direction of the arrow A.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Arrangement Of Elements, Cooling, Sealing, Or The Like Of Lighting Devices (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator (10), including a storage compartment (12); and an illumination assembly (14) configured to illuminate the storage compartment (12). The illumination assembly (14) includes a plurality of first light emitting devices (16), a plurality of second light emitting devices (18), a main illumination portion (20) configured to receive first light (17) of the plurality of first light emitting devices (16) to provide an area light source, and an auxiliary illumination portion (22) configured to receive second light (19) of the plurality of second light emitting devices (18) and arranged along at least one edge (21) of the main illumination portion (20). The auxiliary illumination portion (22) is spaced apart from the main illumination portion (20). The embodiments of the invention further relate to a method (80) for the refrigerator (10) described in this application. The embodiments of the invention can help improve an illumination effect of the storage compartment of the refrigerator.

Description

REFRIGERATOR AND METHOD FOR REFRIGERATOR
TECHNICAL FIELD
This application relates to electrical appliances, and in particular, to a refrigerator and a method for the refrigerator.
BACKGROUND
Existing refrigerators generally provide illumination in the storage compartment, but the illumination effect is often not ideal, for example, dull and lack of atmosphere, and therefore needs to be improved.
SUMMARY
An objective of this application is to provide an improved refrigerator and a method for the refrigerator.
This object is solved by a refrigerator according to the subject-matter of claim 1 and method for the refrigerator according to the subject-matter of claim 15.
For the foregoing objective, an aspect of embodiments of this application relates to a refrigerator, including a storage compartment; and an illumination assembly configured to illuminate the storage compartment, where the illumination assembly includes a plurality of first light emitting devices, a plurality of second light emitting devices, a main illumination portion configured to receive first light of the plurality of first light emitting devices to provide an area light source, and an auxiliary illumination portion configured to receive second light of the plurality of second light emitting devices and arranged along at least one edge of the main illumination portion, where the auxiliary illumination portion is spaced apart from the main illumination portion. In this way, it can be beneficial to improve a realization possibility of providing illumination of the storage compartment with a sense of atmosphere.
The illumination assembly may be arranged on a wall surface of the storage compartment facing the door body. The illumination assembly may be referred to a back light.
The area light source of the main illumination portion may provide a main light emitting surface, which provides main illumination for the storage compartment.
The auxiliary illumination portion may cooperate with the main illumination portion, to improve a sense of atmosphere. A brightness of the auxiliary illumination portion may be lower than a brightness of the main illumination portion. The auxiliary illumination portion may provide an effect of an atmosphere lamp.
In some embodiments, the auxiliary illumination portion is arranged on an outer periphery of the main illumination portion. In this way, it can be beneficial to improve the realization possibility of providing illumination of the storage compartment with a sense of atmosphere. For example, the auxiliary illumination portion can provide atmosphere illumination on the outer periphery of the main illumination portion.
In some embodiments, the auxiliary illumination portion is arranged along at least two edges of the main illumination portion. In this way, it can be beneficial to improve the realization possibility of providing illumination of the storage compartment with a sense of atmosphere. For example, the auxiliary illumination portion can provide atmosphere illumination on the at least two edges of the main illumination portion.
In some embodiments, the main illumination portion may be square, and the auxiliary illumination portion may be arranged along an upper edge, a left edge, and a right edge of the main illumination portion. In an embodiment, the main illumination portion may be in other shapes, and the auxiliary illumination portion may be arranged along two, four or more edges of the main illumination portion.
In some embodiments, the auxiliary illumination portion is strip-shaped. In this way, it can be beneficial for the auxiliary illumination portion to provide a line light source to form a line lamp.
In some embodiments, the refrigerator includes a frame arranged along the at least one edge of the main illumination portion, and the auxiliary illumination portion is arranged on the frame. In this way, it can be beneficial for the positioning, installation, and fixation of the auxiliary illumination portion. In some embodiments, the plurality of first light emitting devices and the plurality of second light emitting devices are both arranged in the frame. In this way, it can be beneficial to reduce components and space required by the illumination assembly, reduce costs, and improve the effective utilization of the space in the storage compartment.
In some embodiments, the plurality of first light emitting devices and the plurality of second light emitting devices share a same printed circuit board. In this way, it can be beneficial to reduce a size of the illumination assembly, reduce components and space required by the illumination assembly, reduce costs, and improve the effective utilization of the space in the storage compartment.
In some embodiments, the printed circuit board includes a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the plurality of first light emitting devices are arranged on the first side of the printed circuit board, and the plurality of second light emitting devices are arranged on the second side of the printed circuit board. In this way, it can be beneficial for the plurality of first light emitting devices to have different light propagation routes and light emitting parts that do not interfere with each other, compared with the plurality of second light emitting devices.
In some embodiments, the auxiliary illumination portion includes a light exit hole of a front wall of the frame. In this way, it can be beneficial for the second light to exit from the light exit hole of the front wall of the frame.
In some embodiments, an extension direction of the printed circuit board intersects with the front wall. In this way, it can be beneficial for the plurality of first light emitting devices and the plurality of second light emitting devices to be distributed in a direction intersecting with the front wall rather than in a direction parallel to the front wall, so that the frame do not excessively expand an edge size of the main illumination portion. A size of the illumination assembly is small, the required space is small, and the effective utilization of the space in the storage compartment is high.
In some embodiments, the main illumination portion includes a plate-shaped light guide plate and a light diffusion plate, the auxiliary illumination portion includes a strip-shaped photoconductor extending along the at least one edge of the main illumination portion and a strip-shaped light exit hole, and the second light is emitted from the light exit hole. In this way, it can be beneficial for the main illumination portion to form the area light source and the auxiliary illumination portion to form the line light source.
In some embodiments, the auxiliary illumination portion is detachably connected to the main illumination portion. In this way, it can be beneficial to determine the number and positions of the auxiliary illumination portions, and facilitate the local maintenance and replacement of the illumination assembly.
In some embodiments, the auxiliary illumination portion includes an auxiliary printed circuit board, a strip-shaped photoconductor, and a bracket supporting the auxiliary printed circuit board and the strip-shaped photoconductor, the plurality of second light emitting devices are arranged on the auxiliary printed circuit board, the bracket includes a light exit hole, and the bracket is connected to the at least one edge of the main illumination portion.
In some embodiments, the bracket is bonded or buckled with the at least one edge. In this way, it can be beneficial for the reliable, convenient connection and separation of the bracket and the at least one edge. In this way, it can be beneficial to realize the diverse illumination modes of the storage compartment and provide a sense of atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the light guide plate and the light diffusion plate may be stacked with each other. The frame may be sleeved and installed on edges of the light guide plate and the light diffusion plate. A transmittance of the frame may be lower than a transmittance of the light guide plate and a transmittance of the light diffusion plate. The plurality of first light emitting devices may face the edges of the light guide plate and the light diffusion plate, so that the first light can enter the light guide plate and exit forward from the light diffusion plate. The first light may be scattered in the light guide plate and the light diffusion plate, so that the first light is more uniform when emitted. A reflector plate may be stacked with the light guide plate to clamp the light guide plate in the middle together with the light diffusion plate, and the first light is reflected to the light guide plate and the light diffusion plate, so that the first light can mainly or even all exit from a direction of an unobstructed surface of the light diffusion plate, rather than other directions. A superimposed thickness of the reflector plate, the light guide plate, and the light diffusion plate may be equal to an extension width of the printed circuit board. The frame may include protrusions that are between the printed circuit board, the reflector plate, and the light diffusion plate and that extend to each other.
The frame may include a slot for accommodating the photoconductor and the printed circuit board. An inner side of the slot is defined by the protrusion, and a front side is connected to the light exist hole. A shape and size of the slot may correspond to the photoconductor and the printed circuit board to locate, install, and fix the photoconductor and the printed circuit board in the slot. The photoconductor may be at the same height as the printed circuit board, and may extend forward to be adjacent to the light exit hole. The photoconductor clamps the printed circuit board in the middle together with the protrusion. The plurality of second light emitting devices may face the photoconductor, so that the second light is emitted from the light exit hole through the photoconductor. At a position corresponding to the plurality of second light emitting devices on the printed circuit board, the photoconductor may be recessed outward to accommodate the plurality of second light emitting devices protruding outward.
In some embodiments, the auxiliary illumination portion includes an auxiliary printed circuit board, a strip-shaped photoconductor, and a bracket supporting the auxiliary printed circuit board and the strip-shaped photoconductor. The plurality of second light emitting devices are arranged on the auxiliary printed circuit board. The bracket includes a light exit hole. The bracket is connected to the at least one edge of the main illumination portion. In this way, it is beneficial for the auxiliary illumination portion to be detachably connected to the main illumination portion.
The bracket may be in a shape of a large rectangular box. The light exit hole may be arranged on a front side of the bracket. The auxiliary printed circuit board and the strip-shaped photoconductor may be inserted from a long side of the bracket and extend inside the bracket. A transmittance of the bracket may be lower than a transmittance of the photoconductor. The photoconductor may be arranged between the plurality of second light emitting devices and the light exit hole to direct most or even all of the second light of the plurality of second light emitting devices to the light exit hole to exit. An internal structure and size of the bracket may correspond to the auxiliary printed circuit board and the strip-shaped photoconductor to locate, install, and fix the auxiliary printed circuit board and the strip-shaped photoconductor in the bracket. The number of the brackets may be more than one, and each bracket may correspond to one edge of the main illumination portion. For example, three brackets may be connected to an upper edge, a left edge, and a right edge of the main illumination portion respectively.
Another aspect of the embodiments of this application relates to a method for the refrigerator described in this application, and the method includes the following step: lighting the illumination assembly dynamically. In this way, it can be beneficial to realize the diverse illumination modes of the storage compartment and provide a sense of atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the step of lighting the illumination assembly dynamically includes: lighting the main illumination portion and the auxiliary illumination portion gradually in a running manner. In this way, it can be beneficial to realize the diverse illumination modes of the storage compartment and provide a sense of atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the assembled printed circuit board may include a plurality of light emitting devices. The light emitting device may include a light emitting diode. The light emitting device may include one or both of the plurality of first light emitting devices and the plurality of second light emitting devices. When the light emitting device includes one of the plurality of first light emitting devices and the plurality of second light emitting devices, the assembled printed circuit board may be a main printed circuit board corresponding to the main illumination portion, or the auxiliary printed circuit board corresponding to the auxiliary illumination portion. When the light emitting device includes both of the plurality of first light emitting devices and the plurality of second light emitting devices, the assembled printed circuit board may be the printed circuit board, and the plurality of first light emitting devices and the plurality of second light emitting devices may be arranged on opposite sides of the assembled printed circuit board respectively.
In some embodiments, the assembled printed circuit board may include a control chip. The control chip and the light emitting device may be connected through an internal wiring of the assembled printed circuit board. For example, the control chip may control the illumination and extinction of each of the plurality of light emitting devices by scanning a drive, to light the main illumination portion and the auxiliary illumination portion gradually in a running manner. When the main illumination portion and the auxiliary illumination portion are gradually lit, the plurality of first light emitting devices and the plurality of second light emitting devices of the main illumination portion and the auxiliary illumination portion can be gradually lit at the same time or in sequence. When the main illumination portion and the auxiliary illumination portion are lit in a running manner, one or one batch in the plurality of first light emitting devices and the plurality of second light emitting devices can be lit and extinguished, and then the next one or batch can be lit and extinguished. That is, only one light emitting device or a batch of light emitting devices can be lit at the same time. When connected end to end, several light emitting devices can be lit in a circular running manner.
In some embodiments, the step of lighting the illumination assembly dynamically includes: lighting the main illumination portion and the auxiliary illumination portion successively. In this way, it can be beneficial to provide the illumination of the storage compartment with a sense of depth and a better visual effect. For example, the auxiliary illumination portion can be lit first, and then the main illumination portion can be lit. Alternatively, the main illumination portion can be lit first, and then the auxiliary illumination portion can be lit. Alternatively, a part of the main illumination portion and the auxiliary illumination portion can be lit first, and then other parts of the main illumination portion and the auxiliary illumination portion can be lit gradually.
In some embodiments, the step of lighting the illumination assembly dynamically includes: lighting the auxiliary illumination portion from a lighting direction different from the main illumination portion. In this way, it can be beneficial to provide the illumination of the storage compartment with a sense of depth, a sense of atmosphere, and a better visual effect.
In some embodiments, the step of lighting the illumination assembly dynamically includes: after the auxiliary illumination portion is gradually lit from bottom to top, the main illumination portion is gradually lit from top to bottom, or while the main illumination portion is gradually lit from top to bottom, the auxiliary illumination portion is lit gradually from bottom to top. In this way, it can be beneficial to provide the illumination of the storage compartment with a sense of depth, a sense of atmosphere, and a better visual effect.
If technical conditions permit, the subject matter protected by any independent claim of this application may be combined with a single subject matter or a combination of multiple subject matters protected by any dependent claim to form a new protected subject matter. This application is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same and similar reference numerals may be used to refer to the same and similar elements, devices, shapes, structures, steps, and features in different embodiments, and the descriptions of the same and similar elements, devices, shapes, structures, steps, features, and effects may also be omitted, as well as the descriptions of elements, devices, shapes, structures, steps, features, and effects in the related art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic partial perspective view of a refrigerator according to an aspect of embodiments of this application;
FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an illumination assembly of the refrigerator in FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the illumination assembly in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of an illumination assembly according to some other embodiments of this application;
FIG. 5 is a schematic partial perspective view of the illumination assembly in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a method for the refrigerator according to another aspect of the embodiments of this application;
FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of an assembled printed circuit board according to an embodiment of this application;
FIG. 8 is a schematic lighting view of the illumination assembly in FIG. 3; and
FIG. 9 is another schematic lighting view of the illumination assembly in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 is a schematic partial perspective view of a refrigerator according to an aspect of embodiments of this application. Referring to FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, the refrigerator 10 includes a storage compartment 12 and an illumination assembly 14 configured to illuminate the storage compartment 12. The storage compartment 12 may be defined in a large square box 13 with an opening on the front.
The storage compartment 12 may include compartments such as a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment that are isolated from each other. The storage compartment 12 may be opened or closed by a door body (not shown in the figure) arranged on the box 13.
FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an illumination assembly of the refrigerator in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the illumination assembly 14 includes a plurality of first light emitting devices 16, a plurality of second light emitting devices 18, a main illumination portion 20 configured to receive first light 17 of the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 to provide an area light source, and an auxiliary illumination portion 22 configured to receive second light 19 of the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 and arranged along at least one edge 21 of the main illumination portion 20. The auxiliary illumination portion 22 is spaced apart from the main illumination portion 20.
The embodiments of the invention can help improve an illumination effect of the storage compartment of the refrigerator.
For example, the illumination assembly 14 includes the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 18, which can help improve a realization possibility of diverse illumination modes of the storage compartment 12 by controlling a single, some, and all of the first light emitting devices 16 and the second light emitting devices 18. The auxiliary illumination portion 22 is spaced apart from the main illumination portion 20, which can help improve a realization possibility of providing illumination of the storage compartment 12 with a sense of atmosphere.
The terms "first" and "second" in this specification are not used to represent the degree of importance and priority, but are intended to distinguish the devices, components, shapes, structures, and light they modify.
The illumination assembly 14 may be arranged on a wall surface of the storage compartment 12 facing the door body. The illumination assembly 14 may be referred to a back light.
The area light source of the main illumination portion 20 may provide a main light emitting surface, which provides main illumination for the storage compartment 12.
The auxiliary illumination portion 22 may cooperate with the main illumination portion 20, to improve a sense of atmosphere. A brightness of the auxiliary illumination portion 22 may be lower than a brightness of the main illumination portion 20. The auxiliary illumination portion 22 may provide an effect of an atmosphere lamp.
In some embodiments, the auxiliary illumination portion 22 is arranged on an outer periphery of the main illumination portion 20.
In this way, it can be beneficial to improve the realization possibility of providing illumination of the storage compartment 12 with a sense of atmosphere. For example, the auxiliary illumination portion 22 can provide atmosphere illumination on the outer periphery of the main illumination portion 20. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the illumination assembly in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the auxiliary illumination portion 22 is arranged along at least two edges of the main illumination portion 20.
In this way, it can be beneficial to improve the realization possibility of providing illumination of the storage compartment 12 with a sense of atmosphere. For example, the auxiliary illumination portion 22 can provide atmosphere illumination on the at least two edges of the main illumination portion 20.
As shown in FIG. 3, the main illumination portion 20 may be square, and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 may be arranged along an upper edge, a left edge, and a right edge of the main illumination portion 20. In an embodiment not shown in the figure, the main illumination portion 20 may be in other shapes, and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 may be arranged along two, four or more edges of the main illumination portion 20.
The terms "front", "outside", "down", "up", "left", "right" in this specification can refer to the orientation and relationship in the accompanying drawings, and can also refer to the orientation and relationship in the use of the refrigerator 10.
In some embodiments, the auxiliary illumination portion 22 is strip-shaped.
In this way, it can be beneficial for the auxiliary illumination portion 22 to provide a line light source to form a line lamp.
Referring to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the refrigerator 10 includes a frame 24 arranged along the at least one edge 21 of the main illumination portion 20, and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 is arranged on the frame 24.
In this way, it can be beneficial for the positioning, installation, and fixation of the auxiliary illumination portion 22.
In some embodiments, the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 are both arranged in the frame 24.
In this way, it can be beneficial to reduce components and space required by the illumination assembly 14, reduce costs, and improve the effective utilization of the space in the storage compartment 12.
In some embodiments, the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 share a same printed circuit board 26.
In this way, it can be beneficial to reduce a size of the illumination assembly 14, reduce components and space required by the illumination assembly 14, reduce costs, and improve the effective utilization of the space in the storage compartment 12.
In some embodiments, the printed circuit board 26 includes a first side 28 and a second side 30 opposite to the first side 28, the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 are arranged on the first side 28 of the printed circuit board 26, and the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 are arranged on the second side 30 of the printed circuit board 26.
In this way, it can be beneficial for the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 to have different light propagation routes and light emitting parts that do not interfere with each other, compared with the plurality of second light emitting devices 18.
In some embodiments, the auxiliary illumination portion 22 includes a light exit hole 34 of a front wall 32 of the frame 24.
In this way, it can be beneficial for the second light 19 to exit from the light exit hole 34 of the front wall 32 of the frame 24. In some embodiments, an extension direction Y of the printed circuit board 26 intersects with the front wall 32.
In this way, it can be beneficial for the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 to be distributed in a direction intersecting with the front wall 32 rather than in a direction parallel to the front wall 32, so that the frame 24 do not excessively expand an edge size of the main illumination portion 20. A size of the illumination assembly 14 is small, the required space is small, and the effective utilization of the space in the storage compartment 12 is high.
In some embodiments, the main illumination portion 20 includes a plate-shaped light guide plate 36 and a light diffusion plate 38, the auxiliary illumination portion 22 includes a strip-shaped photoconductor 40 extending along the at least one edge 21 of the main illumination portion 20 and a strip-shaped light exit hole 34, and the second light 19 is emitted from the light exit hole 34.
In this way, it can be beneficial for the main illumination portion 20 to form the area light source and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 to form the line light source.
The light guide plate 36 and the light diffusion plate 38 may be stacked with each other. The frame 24 may be sleeved and installed on edges of the light guide plate 36 and the light diffusion plate 38. A transmittance of the frame 24 may be lower than a transmittance of the light guide plate 36 and a transmittance of the light diffusion plate 38. The plurality of first light emitting devices 16 may face the edges of the light guide plate 36 and the light diffusion plate 38, so that the first light 17 can enter the light guide plate 36 and exit forward from the light diffusion plate 38. The first light 17 may be scattered in the light guide plate 36 and the light diffusion plate 38, so that the first light 17 is more uniform when emitted. A reflector plate 37 may be stacked with the light guide plate 36 to clamp the light guide plate 36 in the middle together with the light diffusion plate 38, and the first light 17 is reflected to the light guide plate 36 and the light diffusion plate 38, so that the first light 17 can mainly or even all exit from a direction of an unobstructed surface of the light diffusion plate 38, rather than other directions. A superimposed thickness of the reflector plate 37, the light guide plate 36, and the light diffusion plate 38 may be equal to an extension width of the printed circuit board 26 in the direction Y. The frame 24 may include protrusions 35 that are between the printed circuit board 26, the reflector plate 37, and the light diffusion plate 38 and that extend to each other.
The frame 24 may include a slot for accommodating the photoconductor 40 and the printed circuit board 26. An inner side of the slot is defined by the protrusion 35, and a front side is connected to the light exist hole 34. A shape and size of the slot may correspond to the photoconductor 40 and the printed circuit board 26 to locate, install, and fix the photoconductor 40 and the printed circuit board 26 in the slot. The photoconductor 40 may be at the same height as the printed circuit board 26 in the direction Y, and may extend forward to be adjacent to the light exit hole 34. The photoconductor 40 clamps the printed circuit board 26 in the middle together with the protrusion 35. The plurality of second light emitting devices 18 may face the photoconductor 40, so that the second light 19 is emitted from the light exit hole 34 through the photoconductor 40. At a position corresponding to the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 on the printed circuit board 26, the photoconductor 40 may be recessed outward to accommodate the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 protruding outward.
FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of an illumination assembly according to other embodiments of this application. Referring to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the auxiliary illumination portion 22 is detachably connected to the main illumination portion 20.
In this way, it can be beneficial to determine the number and positions of the auxiliary illumination portions 22, and facilitate the local maintenance and replacement of the illumination assembly 14.
FIG. 5 is a schematic partial perspective view of the illumination assembly in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the auxiliary illumination portion 22 includes an auxiliary printed circuit board 42, a strip-shaped photoconductor 40, and a bracket 44 supporting the auxiliary printed circuit board 42 and the strip-shaped photoconductor 40. The plurality of second light emitting devices 18 are arranged on the auxiliary printed circuit board 42. The bracket 44 includes a light exit hole 34. The bracket 44 is connected to the at least one edge 21 of the main illumination portion 20.
In this way, it is beneficial for the auxiliary illumination portion 22 to be detachably connected to the main illumination portion 20. The bracket 44 may be in a shape of a large rectangular box. The light exit hole 34 may be arranged on a front side of the bracket 44. The auxiliary printed circuit board 42 and the strip-shaped photoconductor 40 may be inserted from a long side of the bracket 44 and extend inside the bracket 44. A transmittance of the bracket 44 may be lower than a transmittance of the photoconductor 40. The photoconductor 40 may be arranged between the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 and the light exit hole 34 to direct most or even all of the second light 19 of the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 to the light exit hole 34 to exit. An internal structure and size of the bracket 44 may correspond to the auxiliary printed circuit board 42 and the strip-shaped photoconductor 40 to locate, install, and fix the auxiliary printed circuit board 42 and the strip-shaped photoconductor 40 in the bracket 44. The number of the brackets 44 may be more than one, and each bracket 44 may correspond to one edge of the main illumination portion 20. For example, three brackets 44 may be connected to an upper edge, a left edge, and a right edge of the main illumination portion 20 respectively.
In some embodiments, the bracket 44 is bonded or buckled with the at least one edge 21 .
In this way, it can be beneficial for the reliable, convenient connection and separation of the bracket 44 and the at least one edge 21 .
FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a method for a refrigerator according to another aspect of the embodiments of this application. Referring to FIG. 6, the another aspect of the embodiments of this application relates to a method 80 for the refrigerator 10 described in this application. The method includes the following step: 82. Light the illumination assembly 14 dynamically.
In this way, it can be beneficial to realize the diverse illumination modes of the storage compartment 12 and provide a sense of atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the step 82 of lighting the illumination assembly 14 dynamically includes lighting the main illumination portion 20 and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 gradually in a running manner.
In this way, it can be beneficial to realize the diverse illumination modes of the storage compartment 12 and provide a sense of atmosphere.
FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of an assembled printed circuit board according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to FIG. 7, the assembled printed circuit board 90 may include a plurality of light emitting devices 92. The light emitting device 92 may include a light emitting diode. The light emitting device 92 may include one or both of the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 18. When the light emitting device 92 includes one of the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 18, the assembled printed circuit board 90 may be a main printed circuit board corresponding to the main illumination portion 20, or the auxiliary printed circuit board 42 corresponding to the auxiliary illumination portion 22. When the light emitting device 92 includes both of the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 18, the assembled printed circuit board 90 may be the printed circuit board 26, and the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 may be arranged on opposite sides of the assembled printed circuit board 90 respectively.
The assembled printed circuit board 90 may include a control chip 94. The control chip 94 and the light emitting device 92 may be connected through an internal wiring of the assembled printed circuit board 90. For example, the control chip 94 may control the illumination and extinction of each of the plurality of light emitting devices 92 by scanning a drive, to light the main illumination portion 20 and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 gradually in a running manner.
When the main illumination portion 20 and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 are gradually lit, the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 of the main illumination portion 20 and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 can be gradually lit at the same time or in sequence.
When the main illumination portion 20 and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 are lit in a running manner, one or one batch in the plurality of first light emitting devices 16 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 18 can be lit and extinguished, and then the next one or batch can be lit and extinguished. That is, only one light emitting device 92 or a batch of light emitting devices 92 can be lit at the same time. When connected end to end, several light emitting devices 92 can be lit in a circular running manner.
In some embodiments, the step 82 of lighting the illumination assembly 14 dynamically includes lighting the main illumination portion 20 and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 successively.
In this way, it can be beneficial to provide the illumination of the storage compartment 12 with a sense of depth and a better visual effect.
For example, the auxiliary illumination portion 22 can be lit first, and then the main illumination portion 20 can be lit. Alternatively, the main illumination portion 20 can be lit first, and then the auxiliary illumination portion 22 can be lit. Alternatively, a part of the main illumination portion 20 and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 can be lit first, and then other parts of the main illumination portion 20 and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 can be lit gradually.
In some embodiments, the step 82 of lighting the illumination assembly 14 dynamically includes lighting the auxiliary illumination portion 22 from a lighting direction different from the main illumination portion 20.
In this way, it can be beneficial to provide the illumination of the storage compartment 12 with a sense of depth, a sense of atmosphere, and a better visual effect.
FIG. 8 is a schematic lighting view of the illumination assembly in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 8, in some embodiments, the auxiliary illumination portion 22 can be lit from a lower left side and a lower right side to the upper middle in a direction of an arrow A, and the main illumination portion 20 can be lit from top to bottom in a direction of an arrow B. FIG. 9 is another schematic lighting view of the illumination assembly in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 9, in some embodiments, the main illumination portion 20 can be lit from bottom to top in a direction of an arrow C, and the auxiliary illumination portion 22 can be lit from the upper middle to a lower left side and a lower right side in a direction of an arrow D.
In some embodiments, the step 82 of lighting the illumination assembly 14 dynamically includes that after the auxiliary illumination portions 22 on a left side and on a right side are gradually lit from bottom to top in the direction of the arrow A, the main illumination portion 20 is gradually lit from top to bottom in the direction of the arrow B, or while the main illumination portion 20 is gradually lit from top to bottom in the direction of the arrow B, and the auxiliary illumination portions 22 on a left side and on a right side are gradually lit from bottom to top in the direction of the arrow A.
In this way, it can be beneficial to provide the illumination of the storage compartment 12 with a sense of depth, a sense of atmosphere, and a better visual effect.
The various specific implementations described above and shown in the accompanying drawings are only for explaining the invention, and are not all of the present invention. Any form of change made to the present invention by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the basic technical idea of the present invention falls within the protection scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A refrigerator (10), characterized by comprising: a storage compartment (12); and an illumination assembly (14) configured to illuminate the storage compartment (12), wherein the illumination assembly (14) comprises a plurality of first light emitting devices (16), a plurality of second light emitting devices (18), a main illumination portion (20) configured to receive first light (17) of the plurality of first light emitting devices (16) to provide an area light source, and an auxiliary illumination portion (22) configured to receive second light (19) of the plurality of second light emitting devices (18) and arranged along at least one edge (21) of the main illumination portion (20), wherein the auxiliary illumination portion (22) is spaced apart from the main illumination portion (20).
2. The refrigerator (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the auxiliary illumination portion (22) is arranged on an outer periphery of the main illumination portion (20).
3. The refrigerator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the auxiliary illumination portion (22) is arranged along at least two edges of the main illumination portion (20).
4. The refrigerator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the auxiliary illumination portion (22) is strip-shaped.
5. The refrigerator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by comprising a frame (24) arranged along the at least one edge (21) of the main illumination portion (20), wherein the auxiliary illumination portion (22) is arranged on the frame (24).
6. The refrigerator (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the plurality of first light emitting devices (16) and the plurality of second light emitting devices (18) are both arranged in the frame (24).
7. The refrigerator (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the plurality of first light emitting devices (16) and the plurality of second light emitting devices (18) share a same printed circuit board (26).
8. The refrigerator (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the printed circuit board (26) comprises a first side (28) and a second side (30) opposite to the first side (28), the plurality of first light emitting devices (16) are arranged on the first side (28) of the printed circuit board (26), and the plurality of second light emitting devices (18) are arranged on the second side (30) of the printed circuit board (26).
9. The refrigerator (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the auxiliary illumination portion (22) comprises a light exit hole (34) of a front wall (32) of the frame (24).
10. The refrigerator (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that an extension direction (Y) of the printed circuit board (26) intersects with the front wall (32).
11. The refrigerator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main illumination portion (20) comprises a plate-shaped light guide plate (36) and a light diffusion plate (38), the auxiliary illumination portion (22) comprises a strip-shaped photoconductor (40) extending along the at least one edge (21) of the main illumination portion (20) and a strip-shaped light exit hole (34), and the second light (19) is emitted from the light exit hole (34).
12. The refrigerator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the auxiliary illumination portion (22) is detachably connected to the main illumination portion (20).
13. The refrigerator (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that the auxiliary illumination portion (22) comprises an auxiliary printed circuit board (42), a strip-shaped photoconductor (40), and a bracket (44) supporting the auxiliary printed circuit board (42) and the strip-shaped photoconductor (40), the plurality of second light emitting devices (18) are arranged on the auxiliary printed circuit board (42), the bracket (44) comprises a light exit hole (34), and the bracket (44) is connected to the at least one edge (21) of the main illumination portion (20).
14. The refrigerator (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that the bracket (44) is 18 bonded or buckled with the at least one edge (21).
15. A method (80) for the refrigerator (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by comprising the following step:
(82) lighting the illumination assembly (14) dynamically.
PCT/EP2022/076193 2021-11-04 2022-09-21 Refrigerator and method for refrigerator WO2023078607A1 (en)

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CN202111298116.4A CN116067064A (en) 2021-11-04 2021-11-04 Refrigerator and method for refrigerator

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Citations (5)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN1959313A (en) * 2005-10-31 2007-05-09 海尔集团公司 Partition rack set of refrigeratory with illuminating apparatus
US20120106129A1 (en) * 2010-11-03 2012-05-03 Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. Lighting system for appliance
US20150023000A1 (en) * 2013-07-17 2015-01-22 Whirlpool Corporation Lighted refrigerator shelf with overmold
DE102015007839A1 (en) * 2015-06-18 2016-12-22 Emz-Hanauer Gmbh & Co. Kgaa Lighting device for a household electrical appliance
US10808994B2 (en) * 2018-05-28 2020-10-20 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator having a cabinet door with a transparent display

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN1959313A (en) * 2005-10-31 2007-05-09 海尔集团公司 Partition rack set of refrigeratory with illuminating apparatus
US20120106129A1 (en) * 2010-11-03 2012-05-03 Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. Lighting system for appliance
US20150023000A1 (en) * 2013-07-17 2015-01-22 Whirlpool Corporation Lighted refrigerator shelf with overmold
DE102015007839A1 (en) * 2015-06-18 2016-12-22 Emz-Hanauer Gmbh & Co. Kgaa Lighting device for a household electrical appliance
US10808994B2 (en) * 2018-05-28 2020-10-20 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator having a cabinet door with a transparent display

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