WO2023160682A1 - 用于制冷电器的齐平安装灯组件 - Google Patents
用于制冷电器的齐平安装灯组件 Download PDFInfo
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- WO2023160682A1 WO2023160682A1 PCT/CN2023/078313 CN2023078313W WO2023160682A1 WO 2023160682 A1 WO2023160682 A1 WO 2023160682A1 CN 2023078313 W CN2023078313 W CN 2023078313W WO 2023160682 A1 WO2023160682 A1 WO 2023160682A1
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- Prior art keywords
- lens
- liner
- appliance according
- grooves
- refrigeration appliance
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 48
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 claims description 9
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- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 21
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 20
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 11
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000009920 food preservation Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
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- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
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Classifications
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- 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
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V17/00—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages
- F21V17/10—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening
- F21V17/16—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening by deformation of parts; Snap action mounting
- F21V17/164—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening by deformation of parts; Snap action mounting the parts being subjected to bending, e.g. snap joints
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V33/00—Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
- F21V33/0004—Personal or domestic articles
- F21V33/0044—Household appliances, e.g. washing machines or vacuum cleaners
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V5/00—Refractors for light sources
- F21V5/04—Refractors for light sources of lens shape
- F21V5/045—Refractors for light sources of lens shape the lens having discontinuous faces, e.g. Fresnel lenses
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
- F21W2131/00—Use or application of lighting devices or systems not provided for in codes F21W2102/00-F21W2121/00
- F21W2131/30—Lighting for domestic or personal use
- F21W2131/305—Lighting for domestic or personal use for refrigerators
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to refrigerated appliances, and more particularly to lighting systems for improved lighting within refrigerated appliances.
- Refrigerated appliances generally include a cabinet having a refrigerated compartment for receiving food for storage. Additionally, the refrigerated appliance includes one or more doors that are rotatably hinged to the cabinet to allow selective access to food products stored in the refrigerated compartment.
- the refrigerating appliance may also include various storage components installed in the refrigerating compartment and designed to facilitate storing food therein. Such storage components may include shelves, boxes, shelves or drawers that receive food within the refrigerated compartment and assist in the management and arrangement of such food.
- conventional refrigerated appliances include one or more lamps, which are arranged in the cabinet and used to illuminate the refrigerated compartment when the door is opened.
- these lights may be positioned along the sides and top of the liner, and generally toward the front of the refrigerated compartment, to better illuminate the items immediately visible to the consumer on the front of the shelves and storage boxes.
- conventional lamps and their arrangements often fail to provide uniform light, create excessive glare, or produce erratic and unpleasant illumination of the refrigerated compartment.
- these lights are often mounted to the liner such that they protrude into the refrigerated compartment, taking up useful interior space and becoming an obstacle to shelf movement, food placement, and the like.
- a refrigeration appliance with an improved lighting system would be useful. More particularly, it would be particularly beneficial to provide a light assembly for a refrigerated appliance that enables bright, uniform illumination of the entire refrigerated compartment while occupying very little space.
- a refrigerating appliance comprising: a box body; a liner disposed in the box body, the liner having an inner surface of the liner defining a refrigerating compartment and a hole passing through the liner a door; a door rotatably hinged to the cabinet to provide selective access to the refrigerated compartment; and a light assembly mounted to the liner.
- the light assembly includes: a light source installed between the liner and the box adjacent to the aperture; and a lens disposed within the aperture, the lens having an outer lens surface flush with the inner surface of the liner and An inner lens surface is provided with a plurality of refraction grooves.
- a light assembly for a refrigeration appliance includes: a box body; and an inner liner, the inner liner is arranged in the box body, the inner liner has an inner surface of the inner liner defining a refrigerating compartment and an opening passing through the inner liner.
- the light assembly includes: a light source installed between the liner and the box adjacent to the aperture; and a lens disposed within the aperture, the lens having an outer lens surface flush with the inner surface of the liner and a Inner lens surface with multiple refractive grooves.
- FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a refrigeration appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the exemplary refrigeration appliance of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the door of the fresh food compartment is shown in an open position.
- FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of the fresh food compartment and light assembly of the exemplary refrigeration appliance of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of the example lamp assembly of FIG. 3 in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 5 provides an exploded perspective view of the example light assembly of Figure 3 in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of a lens of the exemplary light assembly of FIG. 3 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 7 provides a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary lens of FIG. 6 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 illustrates a light distribution that may be achieved within a food preservation compartment of an exemplary refrigeration appliance using the exemplary light assembly of FIG. 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 provides a perspective view of a lens of the exemplary light assembly of FIG. 3 in accordance with an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- upstream refers to where the fluid flow is coming from, while “downstream” refers to the direction the fluid flow is going.
- upstream refers to where the fluid flow is coming from
- downstream refers to the direction the fluid flow is going.
- includes and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising”.
- the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (ie, "A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”).
- Approximate language is used to modify any quantitative representation that is amenable to variation without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by terms such as “about,” “approximately,” and “approximately” is not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some cases, the approximate language may correspond to the precision of the instrument used to measure the value. For example, approximate language may mean within a 10% margin.
- FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an exemplary refrigerating appliance 100
- FIG. 2 illustrates some refrigerating appliances 100 with their doors in open positions.
- the refrigerating appliance 100 generally has a vertical V, a lateral L and a lateral T, each of which is perpendicular to each other so as to generally define an orthogonal coordinate system.
- cooling appliance 100 includes a housing 102, which is generally configured to house and/or support various components of cooling appliance 100, and may also define one or more interior chambers or compartments of cooling appliance 100. room.
- the terms "casing”, “housing”, etc. are generally intended to refer to the outer frame or support structure for refrigeration appliance 100, including, for example, any suitable number of , type and configuration of support structures, such as systems of elongated support members, multiple interconnected panels, or some combination thereof.
- the cabinet 102 does not necessarily need to be enclosed, but may simply comprise an open structure supporting the various components of the refrigeration appliance 100 . Rather, the case 102 may enclose some or all of the interior of the case 102 .
- the tank 102 may have any suitable size, shape and configuration while remaining within the scope of the present invention.
- the box 102 generally extends along a vertical V between a top 104 and a bottom 106, along side
- the direction L extends between a first side 108 (e.g., the left side when viewed from the front in FIG. 1 ) and a second side 110 (e.g., the right side when viewed from the front in FIG. 1 ), and along the lateral T extends between the front portion 112 and the rear portion 114 .
- terms such as “left”, “right”, “front”, “rear”, “top” or “bottom” are used with reference to the viewing angle from which a user approaches the appliance 100 .
- the case 102 forms a refrigerated compartment for receiving food for storage.
- the cabinet 102 has a fresh food compartment 122 disposed at or adjacent to the top 104 of the cabinet 102 and a freezer compartment 124 disposed at or adjacent to the bottom 106 of the cabinet 102 .
- the refrigeration appliance 100 is generally called a bottom-mounted refrigerator.
- the benefits of the present invention apply to other types and styles of cooling appliances, such as ceiling mounted cooling appliances, side by side cooling appliances, or single door cooling appliances.
- aspects of the invention may also be applicable to other electrical appliances. Accordingly, the descriptions set forth herein are for example purposes only and are not intended to be limited in any respect to any particular appliance or configuration.
- Refrigerator door 128 is rotatably hinged to the edge of cabinet 102 for selective access to fresh food compartment 122 .
- a freezer door 130 is disposed below the refrigerator door 128 to selectively enter the freezer compartment 124 .
- Freezer door 130 is coupled to a freezer drawer (not shown) slidably mounted within freezer compartment 124 .
- refrigerator door 128 is used to seal front opening 132 of bin 102 (eg, extending within a plane defined by vertical V and lateral L). In this regard, when the refrigerator door 128 is open, a user may place items within the fresh food compartment 122 through the front opening 132 and may then close the refrigerator door 128 to facilitate climate control.
- Refrigerator door 128 and freezer door 130 are shown in a closed position in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 1 Those skilled in the art will understand that other chamber and door configurations are possible and within the scope of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of refrigeration appliance 100 shown with refrigeration door 128 in an open position.
- various storage components are mounted within the food preservation compartment 122 to facilitate storage of food products therein, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.
- storage components may include boxes 134 and shelves 136 . Each of these storage components is adapted to receive food (eg, beverages or/or solid food) and can assist in the management of such food.
- the box 134 may be mounted on the refrigerator door 128 or may be slidably mounted in a receiving space in the fresh food compartment 122 .
- the storage components shown are for illustrative purposes only and that other storage components may be used and may have different sizes, shapes, and configurations.
- Dispensing assembly 140 is typically used to dispense liquid water and/or ice. While an exemplary dispensing assembly 140 is illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that it may be possible while remaining within the scope of the present invention Various changes and modifications are made to distribution component 140 .
- the dispensing assembly 140 and its various components may be at least partially disposed within a dispenser recess 142 formed on one of the refrigeration doors 128 .
- a dispenser recess 142 is formed on the front side 112 of the refrigeration appliance 100 so that a user can operate the dispensing assembly 140 without opening the refrigeration door 128 .
- the dispenser recess 142 is provided at a predetermined height, which is convenient for a user to take ice and enables the user to take ice without bending over.
- the dispenser recess 142 is disposed at approximately the level of the user's chest.
- Dispensing assembly 140 includes an ice dispenser 144 that includes a drain 146 for discharging ice from dispensing assembly 140 .
- An actuation mechanism 148 shown as a paddle, is mounted below the drain opening 146 to operate the ice or water dispenser 144 .
- any suitable actuation mechanism may be used to operate ice dispenser 144 .
- ice dispenser 144 may include a sensor (such as an ultrasonic sensor) or a button instead of a paddle.
- Drain 146 and actuation mechanism 148 are external parts of ice dispenser 144 and are mounted in dispenser recess 142 .
- the refrigerator door 128 may have an ice bin compartment 150 (FIG. 2) that houses an ice maker and ice storage bin (not shown) configured to supply ice to a dispensing device recess 142.
- a control panel 152 is provided to control the mode of operation.
- the control panel 152 includes one or more selection inputs 154, such as knobs, buttons, touch screen interface, etc., such as a water dispense button and an ice dispense button, for selecting a desired mode of operation, such as crushed or non-crushed ice.
- input 154 may be used to specify a fill volume or method of operating dispense assembly 140 .
- the input 154 may communicate with a processing device or controller 156 . Signals generated in controller 156 control refrigeration appliance 100 and distribution assembly 140 in response to selector input 154 .
- a display 158 such as an indicator light or a screen, may be provided on the control panel 152 . Display 158 may be in communication with controller 156 and may display information in response to signals from controller 156 .
- processing device may refer to one or more microprocessors or semiconductor devices, and is not necessarily limited to a single element.
- the processing device may be programmed to operate the refrigeration appliance 100 , the dispensing assembly 140 , and other components of the refrigeration appliance 100 .
- the processing device may include or be associated with one or more storage elements (eg, persistent storage media).
- the storage element comprises an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).
- EEPROM electrically erasable programmable read-only memory
- a memory element may store information accessible to a processing device, including instructions executable by the processing device.
- the instructions may be software or any collection of instructions and/or data which, when executed by the processing means, cause the processing means to perform operations.
- external communication system 170 is used to allow interaction, data transfer, and other communications between refrigeration appliance 100 and one or more external devices.
- this communication can be used to provide and receive operating parameters, user instructions Orders or notifications, performance characteristics, user preferences, or any other suitable information for improved performance of refrigeration appliance 100.
- external communication system 170 may be used to communicate data or other information to enhance the performance of one or more external devices or appliances and/or to improve user interaction with such devices.
- external communication system 170 allows controller 156 of cooling appliance 100 to communicate with a separate device external to cooling appliance 100 , generally referred to herein as external device 172 . As described in more detail below, these communications may be facilitated using wired or wireless connections, such as via network 174 .
- external device 172 may be any suitable device separate from refrigeration appliance 100 that is configured to provide and/or receive communications, information, data, or commands to a user.
- the external device 172 may be, for example, a personal phone, smart phone, tablet, laptop or personal computer, wearable device, smart home system, or another mobile or remote device.
- remote server 176 may communicate with refrigeration appliance 100 and/or external device 172 over network 174 .
- the remote server 176 may be a cloud-based server 176 and thus be located at a remote location, such as in a separate state, country, or the like.
- external device 172 may communicate with remote server 176 over network 174, such as the Internet, to send/receive data or information, provide user input, receive user notifications or instructions, interact with or control refrigeration appliance 100 wait.
- external device 172 and remote server 176 may communicate with refrigeration appliance 100 to communicate similar information.
- refrigeration appliance 100 may be performed using any type of wired or wireless connection and using any suitable type of communication network, provided below A non-limiting example of .
- external device 172 may communicate directly or indirectly with refrigeration appliance 100 via any suitable wired or wireless communication connection or interface (eg, network 174 ).
- network 174 may include one or more of a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), personal area network (PAN), the Internet, a cellular network, any other suitable short-range or long-range wireless network, and the like.
- any suitable communication means or protocol may be used, such as via radio, laser, infrared, Ethernet type devices and interfaces, etc.) to send communications.
- Such communications may use various communication protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, HTTP, SMTP, FTP), encodings or formats (e.g., HTML, XML), and/or protection schemes (e.g., VPN, Secure HTTP, SSL) .
- TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/IP
- HTTP HyperText Transfer Protocol
- SMTP Simple Transfer Protocol
- FTP FTP
- encodings or formats e.g., HTML, XML
- protection schemes e.g., VPN, Secure HTTP, SSL
- An external communication system 170 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described herein.
- the exemplary functions and configurations of the external communication system 170 provided herein are used as examples only in order to facilitate describing aspects of the present invention.
- System configurations may vary, other communication means may be used to communicate directly or indirectly with one or more associated appliances, other communication protocols and procedures may be implemented, etc. Such changes and modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
- the refrigeration appliance 100 includes a plurality of light assemblies 200 mounted to the side walls of the liner 202 and spaced apart along the vertical V. As shown in FIG. Although an exemplary light assembly 200 is described below, it should be understood that the number, size, location, and configuration of light assemblies 200 may vary while remaining within the scope of the present invention.
- the refrigeration appliance 100 includes a box body 102, which may be a casing or a shell, and the casing or casing is used to accommodate and/or support various components of the refrigeration appliance 100, and may also define the body of the refrigeration appliance 100.
- Liner 202 may be disposed inside tank 102 and may be spaced apart from tank 102 to define an insulating space 204 therebetween.
- the insulating space 204 may be filled with insulating foam or another insulating material to help insulate the cooling compartments of the cooling appliance 100 .
- Liner 202 may be constructed of any suitable material and in any suitable manner.
- inner liner 202 may be compression molded, eg, using sheet molding compound (SMC) thermoset or other thermoplastic.
- portions of light assembly 200 may be formed from any other suitable rigid material.
- the liner 202 may have a plurality of apertures 206 for receiving the light assembly 200 .
- conventional light assemblies mounted to the interior liner of refrigeration appliances suffer from various disadvantages. For example, conventional light assemblies direct too much light toward the front of the food preservation compartment 122, such as toward users of refrigeration appliances. Additionally, conventional lamp assemblies have insufficient illumination intensity and distribution. To direct more light toward the rear of the refrigerated compartment, these conventional light assemblies protrude into the cavity, taking up useful space and obstructing shelf placement, user visibility, and the like.
- the light assembly 200 as described herein is designed to address some or all of the problems associated with conventional light assemblies.
- the lamp assembly 200 can generally include a lamp housing 210 disposed within the insulated space 204 and mounted to a liner exterior surface 212 .
- Lamp housing 210 is generally used to support the various components of lamp assembly 200 and may include an aperture 214 through which electrical power may be supplied, eg, via a cable or harness (not shown) secured and supported by tie collar 216 .
- Lamp housing 210 may be formed from any suitable material and may be mounted within insulated space 204 in any suitable manner.
- lamp housing 210 may be secured to liner exterior surface 212 using adhesive gasket 218 . Additionally or alternatively, the lamp housing 210 may be held in place by insulating foam filling the insulating space 204 .
- the lamp assembly 200 may further include a control board 220 disposed within the lamp housing 210 and used to support the light source 222 .
- a control board 220 disposed within the lamp housing 210 and used to support the light source 222 .
- all components of the lamp assembly eg, including the control board 220 and the light source 222
- the control board 220 can operably couple the light source 222 to Any suitable controller for regulating lamp operation, such as the controller 156 of a refrigeration appliance.
- Light sources 222 may include any suitable number, type, location, and configuration of electric light sources, employ any suitable light technology, and illuminate in any suitable color.
- light source 222 includes a light emitting diode (LED), which may illuminate in a single color (eg, a white LED) or may illuminate in multiple colors (eg, a white LED) depending on a control signal from controller 156 . , multi-color or RGB LED).
- LED light emitting diode
- light source 222 may comprise any other suitable conventional light bulb or light source, such as halogen bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, incandescent bulbs, glow sticks, fiber optic light sources, etc., according to alternative embodiments.
- the light assembly 200 can also include a lens 230 disposed within the aperture 206 of the liner 202 and generally used to refract or otherwise direct light (eg, as generally identified by reference numeral 232 in FIG. 8 ) In the food preservation room 122. Additionally, lens 230 may be used to facilitate flush mounting of light assembly 200, eg, for improved aesthetic appearance, easier to clean surfaces, fewer obstructions, and the like. More specifically, lens 230 may have an outer lens surface 234 that is flush or coplanar with liner inner surface 236 .
- the lamp housing 210 and lens 230 may include features for securing the lens 230 in a flush mounted position.
- the lamp housing 210 may be provided with one or more mounting sleeves or slots 240 .
- the lens 230 may be provided with one or more cooperating connecting arms 242 extending away from the inner lens surface 244 , eg, into the insulating space 204 or the lamp housing 210 .
- connecting arms 242 may be slid into slots 240 and may be secured by one or more snap features 246 provided near the distal end of each connecting arm 242 . It should be understood that any other suitable mechanical engagement between the lamp housing 210 and the lens 230 is possible within the scope of the present invention.
- the light source 222 as described herein is positioned entirely behind the liner 202 .
- lens 230 can be designed to improve refraction and redirection of light 232 so that food preservation compartment 122 can be better illuminated with more evenly distributed light and less light 232 is directed closer to refrigeration appliance 100.
- the front side 112 of the user is positioned entirely behind the liner 202 .
- inner lens surface 244 may define a plurality of refractive grooves 250 .
- the terms "refractive groove” and the like are generally intended to refer to any contour, geometry, shape or pattern defined on the inner lens surface 244 to improve light distribution, uniformity, and the like.
- the refraction groove 250 is a Fresnel groove.
- the refractive groove 250 may be concentric about the focal axis 252 of the lens 230 .
- each of the plurality of refractive grooves 250 may have a groove depth 254 measured in a direction perpendicular to the inner lens surface 244 .
- the groove depth 254 of the refractive groove 250 may taper towards the focal axis 252 of the lens 230 , for example to improve light distribution.
- an alternative embodiment such as the example shown in FIG. sexual or have any other suitable profile.
- lens 230 may generally be designed and configured to produce an asymmetrical light output that is distributed within fresh food compartment 122 . In this way, the lens 230 may direct more light toward the rear of the fresh food compartment 122 and less light toward the user of the appliance or toward an opening near the front of the cabinet 102 . This can be achieved by a combination of the design of the refracting groove 250 and the relative positions and orientations of the lens 230, light source 222, and respective focal axes and orientations.
- lens 230 has focal axis 252 at a location off-center with respect to the center of outer lens surface 234 .
- focal axis 252 may be disposed near the outer radial end of lens 230, for example, at 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or more.
- focal axis 252 may be oriented perpendicular to lens 230 , such as to outer lens surface 234 .
- light source 222 may be offset relative to focal axis 252 of lens 230 and/or relative to the center of lens 230 (eg, when viewed in a direction parallel to focal axis 252 ). .
- the light source 222 may also be oriented such that it defines a primary illumination axis 260 .
- the illumination axis 260 may be the main illumination direction of the light source 222 , eg, a direction perpendicular to the surface of the light source 222 or along the center of symmetry of the light 232 distribution.
- the illumination axis 260 extends at an angle 262 relative to a direction normal to the inner lens surface 244 (eg, or a direction parallel to the focal axis 252 ).
- angle 262 may be between about 5° and 60°, between about 15° and 45°, or about 30°.
- angle 262 may be selected for better light distribution through lens 230 and for directing light toward the rear of fresh food compartment 122 .
- Other variations and modifications to light assembly 200 are possible and within the scope of the present invention.
- aspects of the present invention relate to a lighting device or lighting assembly for a refrigerator having at least two different characteristics.
- a first characteristic is that the output surface of the lighting device is flush with the side walls of the refrigerator cavity, thereby providing a clean, modern appearance and improving the cleanability of the cavity.
- the second characteristic is that the lighting device can have multiple repeating Fresnel features on the inner surface, these Fresnel features are used to make the light exit the lighting device at an angle away from the front of the cavity where the user is located , and instead angle the light towards the rear of the chamber to illuminate the contents of the chamber.
- the focal axis of the lens is offset from the focal axis of the LED light source, so that the angular steering capability of the Fresnel feature can be enhanced.
- a lighting device may include three main components, such as a housing, an LED board, and a lens with adhesive to hold it in place on the rear side of the cavity liner.
- the housing can be a white plastic material that holds the LED board and lens in place against the cavity liner.
- the board can be snapped into place within the housing, and the lens can then be snapped into place to cover the LED board. Harness connections can be made via separate openings in the housing, This opening is sealed with a rubber grommet.
- the snap features in the housing for holding the LED board can be angled so that the LED board is angled horizontally towards the rear of the refrigerator cavity at a 30 degree angle.
- Exemplary embodiments use concentric annular grooves to shape the light output and have the ability to turn the light horizontally away from the user and vertically converge the light output to provide a spotlight effect within the individual shelves of the refrigerator. Additionally, or alternatively, the second exemplary embodiment uses linear slots and only turns the light in the horizontal direction. For example, the lens may not be able to concentrate light vertically, thereby providing the most uniform illumination within the cavity.
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- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
一种制冷电器包括内衬,该内衬设置在箱体内,内衬具有限定制冷间室的内衬内表面和穿过内衬的孔口。灯组件安装到内衬,并且包括光源,该光源在内衬与箱体之间的隔热空间中设置在灯壳体内。透镜安装到灯壳体,并且设置在孔口内,透镜具有与内衬内表面齐平的外透镜表面和设置有多个折射槽的内透镜表面。
Description
本发明总体涉及制冷电器,更具体地涉及用于制冷电器内的改善照明的照明***。
制冷电器通常包括箱体,该箱体具有用于接收食品以便储存的制冷间室。另外,制冷电器包括一个或多个门体,这些门体可旋转地铰接到箱体,以允许选择性地接近制冷间室中储存的食品。制冷电器还可以包括安装在制冷间室内并且设计成便于在其中储存食品的各种储存部件。这种储存部件可以包括在制冷间室内接收食品并且辅助管理和布置这种食品的搁架、盒、层架或抽屉。
特别地,为了提高制冷间室内的可视性,传统的制冷电器包括一个或多个灯,这些灯设置箱体内,用于在门体打开时照亮制冷间室。例如,这些灯可以沿着内衬的侧面和顶部设置,并且通常朝向制冷间室的前部设置,以更好地照亮消费者立即可见的层架和储存盒前部的物品。然而,传统的灯及其设置经常不能提供均匀的光,产生过多的眩光,或者产生制冷间室的不稳定且令人不愉快的照明。而且,这些灯通常安装到内衬,使得它们突出到制冷间室中,从而占据有用的内部空间并且成为层架移动、食品放置等的障碍物。
因此,具有改进的照明***的制冷电器将是有用的。更特别地,提供用于制冷电器的使整个制冷间室的明亮、均匀的照明同时占据非常小的空间的灯组件将是特别有益的。
发明内容
本发明的各个方面以及优点将会在下文的描述中进行阐述,或者是通过描述可以显而易见的,或者是可以通过实施本发明而学到。
在一个示例性实施方式中,提供了一种制冷电器,包括:箱体;内衬,该内衬设置在箱体内,内衬具有限定制冷间室的内衬内表面和穿过内衬的孔口;门体,该门体可旋转地铰接到箱体,以提供选择性地到达制冷间室的途径;以及灯组件,该灯组件安装到内衬。该灯组件包括:光源,该光源安装在内衬与箱体之间,与孔口相邻;和透镜,该透镜设置在孔口内,透镜具有与内衬内表面齐平的外透镜表面和
设置有多个折射槽的内透镜表面。
在另一示例性实施方式中,提供了一种用于制冷电器的灯组件。该制冷电器包括:箱体;和内衬,该内衬设置在箱体内,内衬具有限定制冷间室的内衬内表面和穿过内衬的孔口。该灯组件包括:光源,该光源安装在内衬与箱体之间,与孔口相邻;和透镜,该透镜设置在孔口内,透镜具有与内衬内表面齐平的外透镜表面和设置有多个折射槽的内透镜表面。
参照下文的描述以及所附权利要求,本发明的这些和其它的特征、方面以及优点将变得更容易理解。结合在本说明书中并且构成本说明书一部分的附图显示了本发明的实施方式并且与描述一起用于对本发明的原理进行解释。
参照附图,说明书中阐述了面向本领域普通技术人员的本发明的完整公开,这种公开使得本领域普通技术人员能够实现本发明,包括本发明的最佳实施例。
图1提供了根据本发明的示例性实施方式的制冷电器的立体图。
图2提供了根据本发明的示例性实施方式的图1的示例性制冷电器的立体图,其中食物保鲜室的门体被示出为处于打开位置。
图3提供了根据本发明的示例性实施方式的图1的示例性制冷电器的食物保鲜室和灯组件的立体图。
图4提供了根据本发明的示例性实施方式的图3的示例性灯组件的立体图。
图5提供了根据本发明的示例性实施方式的图3的示例性灯组件的分解立体图。
图6提供了根据本发明的示例性实施方式的图3的示例性灯组件的透镜的立体图。
图7提供了根据本发明的示例性实施方式的图6的示例性透镜的侧面剖视图。
图8示例了根据本发明的示例性实施方式的使用图3的示例性灯组件可以在示例性制冷电器的食物保鲜室内实现的光分布。
图9提供了根据本发明的可选示例性实施方式的图3的示例性灯组件的透镜的立体图。
附图标记在本说明书和附图中的重复使用旨在表示本发明的相同或相似的特征或元件。
现在将详细地参照本发明的实施方式,其中的一个或多个示例示于附图中。每个示例都以对发明进行解释的方式给出,并不对本发明构成限制。实际上,对于本领域技术人员而言显而易见的是,能够在不偏离本发明的范围或者精神的前提下对本发明进行多种改型和变型。例如,作为一个实施方式的一部分示出或者进行描述的特征能够用于另一个实施方式,从而产生又一个实施方式。因此,期望的是,本发明覆盖落入所附权利要求及其等同形式的范围内的这些改型以及变型。
如本文所用的,术语“第一”、“第二”和“第三”可以互换使用以将一个部件与另一个部件区分开,并且这些术语并不旨在表示各个部件的位置或重要性。术语“上游”和“下游”是指相对于流体通路中的流体流动的相对方向。例如,“上游”是指流体流动的来向,而“下游”是指流体流动的去向。术语“包括(includes)”和“包括(including)”旨在以类似于术语“包括(comprising)”的方式为包括的。类似地,术语“或”通常旨在是包括的(即,“A或B”旨在意指“A或B或两者”)。
如本文在整个说明书和权利要求书中使用的近似语言被应用于修饰任何定量表示,该定量表示可容许在不导致其相关的基本功能改变的情况下变化。因此,由诸如“大约”、“近似”以及“大致”的术语修饰的值不限于所指定的精确值。在至少一些情况下,近似语言可对应于用于测量值的仪器的精度。例如,近似语言可以指在10%的裕度内。
现在参见附图,将描述根据本发明的示例性方面的示例性电器。具体地,图1提供了示例性制冷电器100的立体图,图2示例了一些门体处于打开位置的制冷电器100。如图示例,制冷电器100通常具有竖向V、侧向L和横向T,竖向V、侧向L和横向T中的每一个相互垂直,使得大体限定正交坐标系。
根据示例性实施方式,制冷电器100包括箱体102,该箱体通常用于容纳和/或支撑制冷电器100的各种部件,并且还可限定制冷电器100的一个或多个内部腔室或间室。在这点上,如本文所用的,术语“箱体”、“壳体”等通常旨在指用于制冷电器100的外框架或支撑结构,例如,包括由任何合适的材料形成的任何合适数量、类型和构造的支撑结构,诸如细长支撑构件、多个互连面板或其一些组合的***。应当理解,箱体102不一定需要围合,而是可以简单地包括支撑制冷电器100的各种元件的开放结构。相反,箱体102可以包围箱体102内部的一些或所有部分。应当理解,箱体102可具有任何合适的尺寸、形状和构造,同时保持在本发明的范围内。
如图示例,箱体102通常沿着竖向V在顶部104与底部106之间延伸,沿着侧
向L在第一侧108(例如,如图1中从前方观察时的左侧)与第二侧110(例如,如图1中从前方观察时的右侧)之间延伸,并且沿着横向T在前部112与后部114之间延伸。一般而言,诸如“左”、“右”、“前”、“后”、“顶部”或“底部”的术语是参考用户接近电器100的视角来使用的。
箱体102形成用于接收食品以便储存的制冷间室。特别地,箱体102具有设置在箱体102的顶部104处或与其相邻设置的食物保鲜室122和布置在箱体102的底部106处或与其相邻布置的冷冻室124。由此可见,制冷电器100通常被称为底置式冰箱。然而,认识到,本发明的益处适用于其他类型和样式的制冷电器,例如,顶置式制冷电器、对开门式制冷电器或单门制冷电器。而且,本发明的方面也可以适用于其他电器。因此,本文阐述的描述仅出于示例目的,而无意于在任何方面限于任何特定的电器或配置。
冷藏门体128可旋转地铰接到箱体102的边缘,以便选择性地进入食物保鲜室122。另外,在冷藏门体128的下方布置冷冻门体130,以便选择性地进入冷冻室124。冷冻门体130联接至可滑动地安装在冷冻室124内的冷冻抽屉(未示出)。通常,冷藏门体128用于密封箱体102的前开口132(例如,在由竖向V和侧向L限定的平面内延伸)。在这点上,当冷藏门体128打开时,用户可以通过前开口132将物品放置在食物保鲜室122内,然后可以关闭冷藏门体128以便于气候控制。冷藏门体128和冷冻门体130在图1中被示出为处于关闭位置。本领域技术人员将理解,其它腔室和门体构造是可行的,并且在本发明的范围内。
图2提供了在冷藏门体128处于打开位置的情况下示出的制冷电器100的立体图。如图2所示,如本领域技术人员将理解的,各种储存部件被安装在食物保鲜室122内,以促进食品在其中的储存。特别地,储存部件可以包括盒134和层架136。这些储存部件中的每一个用于接收食品(例如,饮料或/或固体食品),并且可以辅助管理这种食品。如图所示,盒134可以安装在冷藏门体128上或者可以滑动安装在食物保鲜室122中的容纳空间中。应当理解,所示的储存部件仅用于说明的目的,并且可以使用其它储存部件,并且其它储存部件可以具有不同的尺寸、形状以及构造。
再次参见图1,将描述根据本发明的示例性实施方式的分配组件140。虽然将示例并描述分配组件140的几个不同的示例性实施方式,但类似的附图标记可用于指代类似的部件和特征。分配组件140通常用于分配液态水和/或冰。虽然在本文中示例并描述了示例性分配组件140,但应当理解,可以在保持在本发明的范围内的同时
对分配组件140进行各种变更和修改。
分配组件140及其各种部件可以至少部分地设置在形成于冷藏门体128中的一个上的分配器凹部142内。在这点上,分配器凹部142形成在制冷电器100的前侧112上,使得用户可以在不打开冷藏门体128的情况下操作分配组件140。另外,分配器凹部142设置在预定高度处,该预定高度方便用户取冰,并且使得用户能够在不需要弯腰的情况下取冰。在示例性实施方式中,分配器凹部142设置在接近用户的胸部水平的位置处。
分配组件140包括冰分配器144,该分配器包括用于从分配组件140排出冰的排放口146。被示出为拨片的致动机构148安装在排放口146下方,以便操作冰或水分配器144。在可选示例性实施方式中,可以使用任意合适的致动机构来操作冰分配器144。例如,冰分配器144可以包括传感器(诸如超声传感器)或按钮,而不是拨片。排放口146和致动机构148是冰分配器144的外部零件,并且安装在分配器凹部142中。与之相比,冷藏门体128可以具有容纳制冰机和储冰盒(未示出)的冰盒室150(图2),该制冰机和储冰盒被构造成将冰供应至分配器凹部142。
设置控制面板152,以便控制操作模式。例如,控制面板152包括一个或多个选择输入154,诸如旋钮、按钮、触摸屏界面等,诸如水分配按钮和冰分配按钮,用于选择期望的操作模式,诸如碎冰或非碎冰。另外,输入154可以用于指定填充容积或操作分配组件140的方法。在这点上,输入154可以与处理装置或控制器156通信。在控制器156中生成的信号响应于选择器输入154控制制冷电器100和分配组件140。另外,可以在控制面板152上设置显示器158,诸如指示灯或屏幕。显示器158可以与控制器156通信,并且可以响应于来自控制器156的信号而显示信息。
如本文所用的,“处理装置”或“控制器”可以指一个或多个微处理器或半导体装置,并且不必限于单个元件。处理装置可以被编程为操作制冷电器100、分配组件140以及制冷电器100的其他部件。处理装置可以包括一个或多个存储元件(例如,永久存储介质)或与其关联。在一些这种实施方式中,存储元件包括电可擦可编程只读存储器(EEPROM)。通常,存储元件可以存储处理装置可访问的信息,包括可以由处理装置执行的指令。可选地,指令可以是软件或指令和/或数据的任意集合,该软件或指令和/或数据的任意集合在由处理装置执行时,使得处理装置执行操作。
仍然参见图1,将描述根据本发明的示例性实施方式的外部通信***170的示意图。通常,外部通信***170用于允许制冷电器100与一个或多个外部装置之间的交互、数据传送和其他通信。例如,该通信可以用于提供和接收操作参数、用户指
令或通知、性能特性、用户偏好或用于制冷电器100的改进性能的任何其它合适的信息。另外,应当理解,外部通信***170可用于传送数据或其它信息,以提高一个或多个外部装置或电器的性能和/或改进与这种装置的用户交互。
例如,外部通信***170允许制冷电器100的控制器156与制冷电器100外部的单独装置通信,该单独装置在本文中通常被称为外部装置172。如以下更详细描述的,这些通信可以使用有线或无线连接(诸如经由网络174)来促进。通常,外部装置172可以是与制冷电器100分开的任何合适的装置,该装置被配置为向用户提供和/或从用户接收通信、信息、数据或命令。在这点上,外部装置172可以是例如个人电话、智能电话、平板电脑、膝上型或个人计算机、可穿戴装置、智能家庭***或者另一移动或远程装置。
另外,远程服务器176可以通过网络174与制冷电器100和/或外部装置172通信。在这点上,例如,远程服务器176可以是基于云的服务器176,由此位于远处位置,诸如在单独的州、国家等。根据示例性实施方式,外部装置172可通过网络174(诸如因特网)与远程服务器176通信,以发送/接收数据或信息、提供用户输入、接收用户通知或指令、与制冷电器100交互或控制制冷电器等。另外,外部装置172和远程服务器176可以与制冷电器100通信以传送类似的信息。
通常,可以使用任何类型的有线或无线连接并且使用任何合适类型的通信网络来进行制冷电器100、外部装置172、远程服务器176和/或其它用户装置或电器之间的通信,下面提供了通信网络的非限制性示例。例如,外部装置172可以通过任何合适的有线或无线通信连接或接口(例如网络174)与制冷电器100直接或间接通信。例如,网络174可以包括局域网(LAN)、广域网(WAN)、个域网(PAN)、因特网、蜂窝网络、任何其他合适的短程或远程无线网络等中的一个或多个。另外,可以使用任何合适的通信装置或协议(诸如经由无线电、激光、红外、以太网类型的装置和接口等)来发送通信。另外,这种通信可以使用各种通信协议(例如,TCP/IP、HTTP、SMTP、FTP)、编码或格式(例如,HTML、XML)和/或保护方案(例如,VPN、安全HTTP、SSL)。
本文描述了根据本发明的示例性实施方式的外部通信***170。然而,应当理解,本文提供的外部通信***170的示例性功能和配置仅用作示例,以便于描述本发明的各方面。***配置可以变化,其他通信装置可以用于直接或间接地与一个或多个关联的电器通信,可以实施其他通信协议和步骤等。这些变化和修改被认为在本发明的范围内。
现在一般参见图3至图9,将描述根据本发明的示例性实施方式的可以用于照亮食物保鲜室122、冷冻室124或制冷电器100内的其它区域的灯组件200。更具体地,根据所示例的实施方式,制冷电器100包括多个灯组件200,这些灯组件安装到内衬202的侧壁并且沿着竖向V隔开。尽管下面描述了示例性灯组件200,但是应当理解,灯组件200的数量、尺寸、位置和构造可以改变,同时保持在本发明的范围内。
如上所述,制冷电器100包括箱体102,该箱体可以是外壳或壳体,该外壳或壳体用于容纳和/或支撑制冷电器100的各种部件,并且还可以限定制冷电器100的一个或多个内部腔室或间室。内衬202可以设置在箱体102的内部,并且可以与箱体102隔开,以在其间限定隔热空间204。该隔热空间204可以注入隔热泡沫或另一隔热材料,以帮助使制冷电器100的各个制冷间室隔热。内衬202可以由任何合适的材料并以任何合适的方式构造。例如,内衬202可以例如使用片状模塑料(SMC)热固性塑料或其他热塑性塑料压缩成型。根据另一些实施方式,灯组件200的部分可由任意其它合适的刚性材料形成。
为了照亮制冷电器的腔室,诸如食物保鲜室122,内衬202可以具有用于接收灯组件200的多个孔口206。值得注意的是,如上文简要解释的,安装到制冷电器的内衬的传统灯组件具有各种缺点。例如,传统的灯组件将太多的光引向食物保鲜室122的前部,例如引向制冷电器的用户。另外,传统的灯组件具有不足的照明强度和分布。为了将更多的光引向制冷间室的后部,这些传统的灯组件突出到腔中,从而占据了有用的空间并阻碍了层架的设置、用户的可视性等。如本文所述的灯组件200被设计为解决与传统灯组件相关的一些或所有问题。
如图5中最佳示出的,灯组件200可通常包括灯壳体210,该灯壳体设置在隔热空间204内且安装到内衬外表面212。灯壳体210通常用于支撑灯组件200的各种部件,并且可以包括孔214,通过该孔可以供应电力,例如,经由被束环216固定和支撑的电缆或线束(未示出)。灯壳体210可由任何合适的材料形成,并且可以以任何合适的方式安装在隔热空间204内。例如,灯壳体210可以使用粘合垫圈218固定到内衬外表面212。另外或可选地,灯壳体210可通过填充隔热空间204的隔热泡沫而在适当位置固定。
灯组件200还可包括控制板220,该控制板设置在灯壳体210内且用于支撑光源222。根据示例性实施方式,当灯壳体210安装在制冷电器100内时,灯组件的所有部件(例如包括控制板220和光源222)可以相对于制冷间室(例如,食物保鲜室122)完全设置在内衬202后面。通常,控制板220可以可操作地将光源222联接到
用于调节灯操作的任何合适的控制器,诸如制冷电器的控制器156。
光源222可以包括任何合适数量、类型、位置和配置的电光源,使用任何合适的光技术并且以任何合适的颜色照明。例如,根据所示例的实施方式,光源222包括发光二极管(LED),取决于来自控制器156的控制信号,LED可以以单色照明(例如,白色LED),或者可以以多个颜色照明(例如,多色或RGB LED)。然而,应当理解,根据可选实施方式,光源222可以包括任意其他合适的传统灯泡或光源,诸如卤素灯泡、荧光灯泡、白炽灯灯泡、发光棒、光纤光源等。
灯组件200还可以包括透镜230,该透镜设置在内衬202的孔口206内,并且通常用于折射或以其他方式引导光(例如,如图8中的附图标记232所通常标识的)到食物保鲜室122内。另外,透镜230可以用于促进灯组件200的齐平安装,例如,用于改善美学外观、更容易清洁表面、更少的障碍物等。更具体地,透镜230可以具有与内衬内表面236齐平或共面的外透镜表面234。
灯壳体210和透镜230可以包括用于将透镜230固定在齐平安装位置的特征。例如,根据所示例的实施方式,灯壳体210可以设置有一个或多个安装套筒或狭槽240。另外,透镜230可以设置一个或多个与之配合的连接臂242,这些连接臂远离内透镜表面244延伸,例如,延伸入隔热空间204或灯壳体210中。为了安装透镜230,连接臂242可以滑入狭槽240中,并且可以通过在靠近各个连接臂242的远端处设置的一个或多个卡扣特征246固定。应当理解,在本发明的范围内,在灯壳体210与透镜230之间的任何其它合适的机械接合都是可行的。
值得注意的是,尽管用于制冷电器的传统光源略微突出到制冷间室中以用于改进照明,但是如本文所述的光源222完全设置在内衬202后面。因此,透镜230可以被设计成改善光232的折射和重定向,使得可以用更均匀分布的光来更好地照亮食物保鲜室122,并且使得较少的光232被引向接近制冷电器100的前侧112的用户。
具体地,如图6至图8中最佳示例的,内透镜表面244可以限定多个折射槽250。如本文所用的,术语“折射槽”等通常旨在指在内透镜表面244上限定以改善光分布、均匀性等的任何轮廓、几何形状、形状或图案。例如,根据本发明的示例性实施方式,折射槽250是菲涅耳槽。例如如图6所示,折射槽250可以关于透镜230的焦轴252同心。另外,多个折射槽250中的每一个可以具有槽深度254,该槽深度在垂直于内透镜表面244的方向上测量。根据示例性实施方式,并且如图7中最佳示例的,折射槽250的槽深度254可以朝向透镜230的焦轴252变小,例如用于改善光分布。然而,根据诸如图9示例的可选实施方式,折射槽250可以替代地是线
性的或具有任何其它合适的轮廓。
通常,光源产生相对光源的对称光照。然而,透镜230通常可以被设计和构造为产生在食物保鲜室122内分布的非对称光输出。这样,透镜230可以将更多的光引向食物保鲜室122的后部,并且将更少的光引向电器的用户或引向接近箱体102的前部的开口。这可以通过折射槽250的设计以及透镜230、光源222的相对位置和方向以及各自的焦轴和方向的组合来实现。
例如,根据所示例的实施方式,透镜230在相对于外透镜表面234的中心偏心的位置处具有焦轴252。在这点上,例如,焦轴252可以设置在接近透镜230的外径向端,例如,在透镜230的中心与透镜230的外径向边缘之间的径向距离的50%、60%、70%、80%或更大处。另外,焦轴252可以定向为垂直于透镜230,例如垂直于外透镜表面234。另外,如图8中最佳示出的,光源222可以相对于透镜230的焦轴252和/或相对于透镜230的中心偏移(例如,当在平行于焦轴252的方向上观察时)。
光源222也可以被定向为使得它限定主照明轴线260。在这点上,照明轴线260可以是光源222的主照明方向,例如,垂直于光源222的表面或沿着光232分布的对称中心的方向。根据所示例的实施方式,照明轴线260以相对于垂直于内透镜表面244的方向(例如,或平行于焦轴252的方向)成角度262延伸。根据示例性实施方式,角度262可在大约5°至60°之间、在大约15°至45°之间、或大约30°。另外,角度262可以被选择为用于通过透镜230的更好的光分布并且用于将光朝向食物保鲜室122的后部引导。对灯组件200的其它变化和修改是可行的,并且在本发明的范围内。
如上所述,本发明的方面涉及用于冰箱的具有至少两个不同特性的照明装置或照明组件。例如,第一特性是照明装置的输出表面与冰箱腔的侧壁齐平,从而提供清洁的、现代的外观并且提高腔的可清洁性。另外,第二特性是照明装置在内表面上可以具有多个重复的菲涅耳特征,这些菲涅耳特征用于使光在离开照明装置时,成一定角度远离用户所处的腔的前部,并且替代地使光成一定角度朝向腔的后部以照亮腔的内容物。根据示例性实施方式,透镜的焦轴偏离LED光源的焦轴,使得菲涅耳特征的角度转向能力可以增强。
通常,照明装置可以包括三个主要部件,诸如壳体、LED板和具有粘合剂以将其保持在腔内衬的后侧上的适当位置的透镜。壳体可以是白色塑料材料,该材料将LED板和透镜保持在抵靠腔内衬的适当位置。板可以卡扣到壳体内的适当位置,并且透镜然后可以卡扣到适当位置以覆盖LED板。线束连接可以经由壳体中的单独开口,
该开口用橡胶索环密封。用于保持LED板的壳体中的卡扣特征可以成角度,使得LED板以30度角水平朝向冰箱腔的后部倾斜。
示例性实施方式使用同心环形槽来成形光输出,并且具有将光水平地转向为远离用户以及将光输出竖直地会聚以在冰箱的各个层架内提供聚光效果的能力。另外,或者可选地,第二示例性实施方式使用线性槽,并且仅使光在水平方向上转动。例如,该透镜可能不能竖直地会聚光,由此在腔内提供最均匀的照明。
本书面描述使用示例对本发明进行了公开(其中包括最佳实施例),并且还使本领域技术人员能够实施本发明(其中包括制造和使用任意装置或***并且执行所包含的任意方法)。本发明的可专利范围通过权利要求进行限定,并且可以包括本领域技术人员能够想到的其它的示例。如果这种其它的示例包括与权利要求的字面语言没有区别的结构元件,或者如果这种其它的示例包括与权利要求的字面语言没有实质区别的等同结构元件,则期望这种其它的示例落入权利要求的范围中。
Claims (20)
- 一种制冷电器,其特征在于,包括:箱体;内衬,该内衬设置在所述箱体内,所述内衬具有限定制冷间室的内衬内表面和穿过所述内衬的孔口;门体,该门体可旋转地铰接到所述箱体,以提供选择性地到达所述制冷间室的途径;以及灯组件,该灯组件安装到所述内衬,所述灯组件包括:光源,该光源安装在所述内衬与所述箱体之间,与所述孔口相邻;和透镜,该透镜设置在所述孔口内,所述透镜具有与所述内衬内表面齐平的外透镜表面和设置有多个折射槽的内透镜表面。
- 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器,其特征在于,所述透镜具有相对于所述外透镜表面的中心偏心的焦轴。
- 根据权利要求2所述的制冷电器,其特征在于,所述光源相对于所述透镜的所述焦轴偏移。
- 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器,其特征在于,所述光源沿着照明轴线被引导,所述照明轴线相对于垂直于所述内透镜表面的方向以一角度延伸,其中,所述角度在15度至45度之间。
- 根据权利要求4所述的制冷电器,其特征在于,所述角度为大约30度。
- 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器,其特征在于,所述灯组件还包括:灯壳体,该灯壳体安装到所述内衬的内衬外表面,所述灯壳体具有一个或多个安装狭槽,所述透镜具有一个或多个连接臂,所述连接臂远离所述内透镜表面延伸以在所述透镜处于安装位置时接合所述一个或多个安装狭槽。
- 根据权利要求6所述的制冷电器,其特征在于,所述透镜还包括卡扣,这些卡扣被设置为靠近所述一个或多个连接臂中的每一个的远端,以用于将所述透镜固定到所述灯壳体。
- 根据权利要求6所述的制冷电器,其特征在于,所述灯壳体使用粘合剂固定到所述内衬的内衬外表面。
- 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器,其特征在于,所述多个折射槽是菲涅耳槽。
- 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器,其特征在于,所述多个折射槽中的每一 个具有垂直于所述内透镜表面测量的槽深度,其中,所述多个折射槽的所述槽深度朝向所述透镜的焦轴变小。
- 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器,其特征在于,所述多个折射槽中的每一个与所述透镜的焦轴同心。
- 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器,其特征在于,所述多个折射槽被构造为产生通过所述透镜的非对称光输出。
- 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器,其特征在于,所述制冷电器包括安装到所述内衬的侧壁的多个灯组件,所述多个灯组件沿着竖向隔开。
- 一种用于制冷电器的灯组件,其特征在于,所述制冷电器包括:箱体;和内衬,该内衬设置在所述箱体内,所述内衬具有限定制冷间室的内衬内表面和穿过所述内衬的孔口,所述灯组件包括:光源,该光源安装在所述内衬与所述箱体之间,与所述孔口相邻;和透镜,该透镜设置在所述孔口内,所述透镜具有与所述内衬内表面齐平的外透镜表面和设置有多个折射槽的内透镜表面。
- 根据权利要求14所述的灯组件,其特征在于,所述透镜具有相对于所述外透镜表面的中心偏心的焦轴,并且所述光源相对于所述焦轴偏移。
- 根据权利要求14所述的灯组件,其特征在于,所述光源沿着照明轴线被引导,所述照明轴线相对于垂直于所述内透镜表面的方向以一角度延伸,其中,所述角度在15度至45度之间。
- 根据权利要求14所述的灯组件,其特征在于,还包括:灯壳体,该灯壳体安装到所述内衬的内衬外表面,所述灯壳体设置有一个或多个安装狭槽,并且其中,所述透镜具有一个或多个连接臂,所述连接臂朝远离所述内透镜表面延伸以在所述透镜处于安装位置时接合所述一个或多个安装狭槽。
- 根据权利要求14所述的灯组件,其特征在于,所述多个折射槽是菲涅耳槽。
- 根据权利要求14所述的灯组件,其特征在于,所述多个折射槽中的每一个具有垂直于所述内透镜表面测量的槽深度,其中,所述多个折射槽的所述槽深度朝向所述透镜的焦轴变小。
- 根据权利要求14所述的灯组件,其特征在于,所述多个折射槽中的每一个与所述透镜的焦轴同心。
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