Lighting module and refrigeration appliance with lighting module

A lighting module for a refrigeration appliance has a housing provided with a light outlet. The housing includes a supporting edge surrounding the light outlet and an inner frame disposed along the supporting edge. The inner frame protrudes from the supporting edge in a direction away from the light outlet. The housing further has a light source. The light source includes a light emitting element and a substrate bearing the light emitting element. The light guide plate is supported on the supporting edge and includes a first end surface protruding toward the inner frame. The housing includes a mounting portion located in a space defined by the first end surface of the light guide plate, the supporting edge, and the inner frame. The substrate is mounted on the mounting portion, so that the light emitting element and the first end surface of the light guide plate face each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of Chinese Patent Application CN 202011132063.4, filed Oct. 21, 2020; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a lighting module and a refrigeration appliance with a lighting module.

A refrigeration appliance is provided with a lighting module configured to illuminate a storage compartment. In some existing technologies, a lighting module, with light from a light source in it distributed in a light guide plate, becomes a surface light source lighting module with more uniform light distribution. In some existing techno, a light source, a light guide plate, a diffusion board, and other components are undetachably fastened together with glue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of embodiments of the present invention is to provide an improved lighting module for a refrigeration appliance and a refrigeration appliance with such a lighting module.

Another objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a lighting module for a refrigeration appliance that helps to improve stability of lighting quality and a refrigeration appliance with such a lighting module.

In an aspect, the embodiments of the present invention relate to a lighting module for a refrigeration appliance, includes a housing including a light outlet, where the housing includes a supporting edge surrounding the light outlet and an inner frame surrounding the supporting edge, and the inner frame protrudes from the supporting edge in a direction away from the light outlet. A light source being located in the housing, where the light source includes a light emitting element and a substrate bearing the light emitting element. A light guide plate is provided, where the light guide plate is supported on the supporting edge and includes a first end surface facing the inner frame. The housing includes a mounting portion located in a space defined by the first end surface of the light guide plate, the supporting edge, and the inner frame. The substrate is mounted on the mounting portion, so that the light emitting element and the first end surface of the light guide plate are disposed facing each other.

The substrate is mounted on the mounting portion located in the space defined by the supporting edge, the inner frame, and the first end surface, the substrate can be firmly fastened in the housing, and the light emitting element can emit light into the light guide plate accurately. Therefore, it may be expected that the stability of lighting quality can be improved without glue filling. It may be expected that the light source, the light guide plate, and other components can be detachably assembled in the housing.

In some possible embodiments, the mounting portion includes an insertion groove configured to position the substrate. A part of an inner surface of the insertion groove is formed by the inner frame and/or the supporting edge. This further improves the stability of the substrate in the housing.

In some possible embodiments, the housing includes a protruding rib protruding from the supporting edge to position the substrate. The first end surface of the light guide plate is in contact with the protruding rib. This improves both the stability of the substrate and the reliability of light entering the light guide plate from the light emitting element.

In some possible embodiments, the housing includes a frame and a cover. The frame includes the light outlet, the supporting edge, and the inner frame. The cover is connected to the frame. In this way, the light source and the light guide plate are firmly and stably accommodated in the housing.

In some possible embodiments, a snap-fit connection structure is provided between the cover and the inner frame. The substrate is provided with an avoidance groove corresponding to the snap-fit connection structure.

In some possible embodiments, the cover includes an inner surface facing the light outlet and a positioning portion protruding from the inner surface in a direction toward the light outlet. The substrate is sandwiched between the positioning portion and the inner frame. The cover is also provided with a positioning structure for the substrate, which improves both the stability of the substrate and the convenience of mounting/demounting the substrate.

In some possible embodiments, a plurality of snap-fit connection structures is provided between the cover and the inner frame. In a direction perpendicular to the substrate, each snap-fit connection structure includes a hook located on the cover. A distance between the positioning portion and the substrate in the direction perpendicular to the substrate is greater than a distance between the hook and the substrate in the direction perpendicular to the substrate.

In some possible embodiments, the lighting module includes an elastic member. The elastic member is sandwiched between a second end surface of the light guide plate and the inner frame to apply a force toward the light source to the light guide plate, and the second end surface is opposite to the first end surface.

In another aspect, the embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigeration appliance, characterized by containing a storage compartment and the foregoing lighting module.

In still another aspect, the embodiments of the present invention relate to a lighting module for a refrigeration appliance and a refrigeration appliance. The lighting module includes: a housing including a light outlet; a light source located in the housing; a light guide plate adapted to guide light from the light source toward the light outlet; and an elastic member adapted to deform to maintain a position of the light guide plate with respect to the light source and/or the light outlet.

In yet another aspect, the embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance includes a storage compartment including a front opening, the storage compartment including a top wall and a mounting slot located in the top wall; and a lighting module fastened in the mounting slot. The lighting module includes a front wall facing the front opening in some possible embodiments. The front wall includes a main part and a decorative strip connected to the main part. An upper end of the decorative strip extends into the mounting slot.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a lighting module and a refrigeration appliance with the lighting module, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a refrigeration appliance100includes a main body108. The main body108may be provided with a storage compartment101having a front opening10. The storage compartment101may be selectively opened or closed by a door102.

The storage compartment101includes a top wall103, a pair of side walls (not marked), and a rear wall (not shown). The rear wall of the storage compartment101faces the front opening10. At least some of these inner walls may be defined by a liner109of the main body108.

The refrigeration appliance100includes a lighting module1configured to illuminate the storage compartment101. The lighting module1is reachable through the storage compartment101.

As shown inFIG.1andFIG.2, the refrigeration appliance100includes a mounting slot110for mounting the lighting module1. In an implementation, the mounting slot110may be formed by a mounting shell mounted along a through hole of the liner109and joined to a thermal insulation material in the main body108. In the embodiment shown inFIG.1, the mounting slot110is formed by the liner109denting in a direction away from the storage compartment101.

The lighting module1includes a housing2. The housing2is provided with a first connection structure21for connecting to the mounting slot110, to detachably fasten the lighting module1on a box body102. As shown inFIG.2, the first connection structure21may be provided with a plurality of hooks211and212. The hooks211and212cooperate with a slot111in the mounting slot110to fasten the lighting module1on the main body108.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting module1may be disposed on the top wall103. It may be easily understood that, in another embodiment, the lighting module1may be alternatively disposed on the side wall or the rear wall of the storage compartment101.

The housing2is provided with a light outlet221. Light enters the storage compartment101through the light outlet221. As shown inFIG.1, the light outlet221may be substantially horizontally disposed at the top of the storage compartment101, and the light outlet221is located at the bottom of the housing2. The housing2may include a front wall25facing the front opening10.

When mounted on the top wall103of the storage compartment101, the front wall25is inclined from top to bottom and has a lower part closer to the rear than an upper part. This makes a front surface of the front wall25more easily visible to a user under the top wall103.

In an embodiment, the front wall25includes a main part251and a decorative strip252fastened on a front side of the main part251.

The decorative strip252may be bonded to the main part251by an adhesion apparatus258. The decorative strip252may be made of metal or a plastic base material provided with a metallic decorative layer thereon.

An upper end of the decorative strip252extends into the mounting slot110. The mounting slot110may be constructed with a step form at a position near the entrance, and therefore is provided with a relatively shallow concave portion112. The upper end of the decorative strip252extends into the concave portion112.

The main part251of the front wall25may be provided with a pit2510for accommodating the decorative strip252, and the decorative strip252is located in the pit2510. A connecting seam253exposed to the front surface of the front wall25is provided between upper ends of the main part251and the decorative strip252. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connecting seam253is completely located in the mounting slot110and is completely covered by a front inner wall surface of the mounting slot110in a longitudinal direction X of the storage compartment101.

As shown inFIG.2, the connecting seam253is completely located in the mounting slot110and is completely covered by a front inner wall surface of the mounting slot110in a longitudinal direction X of the storage compartment101. Therefore, there may be a better visual transition between a front side of the lighting module1and the liner109.

The decorative strip252may include an upper end portion255located at an upper end, a lower end portion254located at a lower end, and a decorative portion256located between the upper end portion255and the lower end portion254. A front surface of the decorative portion256is a bevel sloping from top to bottom. At least the front surface of the decorative portion256is mostly visible to a user.

An angle is formed between the upper end portion255and the decorative portion256. A front surface of the upper end portion255may extend in a vertical direction and/or may be parallel to the front inner wall surface of the mounting slot110. A ridge259between the upper end portion255and the decorative portion256may be located above an edge part1091, surrounding the mounting slot110, of the liner109. This helps to obtain simple design.

The lower end portion254is connected to a lower end of the decorative portion256. The lower end portion254bends from the decorative portion256and extends backward, so that a connecting seam between the lower end portion254and the main part251is completely located behind a rear surface of the decorative portion256in the longitudinal direction X of the storage compartment101. At least a part of a lower surface of the front wall25is formed by the lower end portion254. This helps to improve a decorative effect.

A rear side of the decorative strip252may be provided with a positioning portion257protruding toward the main part251. The main part251includes a corresponding recess (not marked). The positioning portion257is located in the recess to position the decorative strip252.

The front hook211of the first connection structure21may be connected to the slot111above and behind the decorative strip252. In an embodiment, during mounting of the lighting module1, a rear end of the lighting module1may be placed in the mounting slot110first, to cause the rear hook212of the first connection structure21to abut against the rear slot in the mounting slot110to form a pivot. Then, the lighting module1is rotated around the pivot, to press the front hook211into the mounting slot110to connect to the slot111in a snap-fit manner, so as to complete mounting of the lighting module1. As the front hook211of the first connection structure21is connected to the slot111above and behind the decorative strip252, and the upper end of the decorative strip252is located in the relatively shallow concave portion112, a possibility that the decorative strip252severely interferes with the liner109and causes the liner to fall off during the mounting of the lighting module1is significantly reduced.

The following describes the specific structure of the lighting module1according to an embodiment of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring toFIG.3andFIG.4, the housing2may include a frame22and a cover23. A light source3of the lighting module1is located in an accommodating space26defined by the frame22and the cover23.

The frame22may be made of opaque plastic. The frame22is provided with a light outlet221in a wall exposed to the storage compartment101. Light illuminates the storage compartment101through the light outlet221.

The lighting module1includes a light guide plate4. The light guide plate4is located between the light outlet221and the cover23. The light guide plate4is adapted to guide light from the light source3toward the light outlet221.

The light guide plate4may include a plurality of lattice points. Light in the light guide plate4may concentrate again at the lattice points. The lattice points may be formed through printing or by concave/convex point portions.

The light source3is located in the housing2. The light source3may include a plurality of light emitting elements31and a substrate32bearing the light emitting elements31. The light emitting elements31may be light-emitting diodes.

The light guide plate4may cover the light outlet221completely and may be basically parallel to the light outlet221. The light guide plate4includes a first end surface41facing the light source3and a second end surface42opposite to the first end surface41. Light emitted from the light source3enters the light guide plate4through the first end surface41.

The lighting module1may further include a diffusion board5located between the light guide plate4and the light outlet221, to diffuse light from the light guide plate4uniformly, so that light from the light outlet221is basically uniform.

The lighting module1may further include a reflecting layer6located between the light guide plate4and the cover23, to cause light to illuminate the diffusion board5in a manner as close to total reflection as possible.

The reflecting layer6, the light guide plate4, and the diffusion board5may be disposed adjacent to each other in sequence between the cover23and the light outlet221.

It is found that the light guide plate4is likely to expand in an environment with relatively high temperature or humidity and contract in an environment with relatively low temperature or humidity. Expansion caused by temperature change is reversible while expansion caused by humidity change is not. When the lighting module1is mounted in storage compartments of the refrigeration appliance100with different temperature or humidity, the light guide plate4may change in size to different degrees. As a result, lighting quality of the same lighting module1varies in the different storage compartments. For example, lighting quality of the lighting module in a refrigerating compartment and lighting quality of the lighting module in a freezing compartment are different after a particular period. Lighting quality of the lighting module1in the same storage compartment may also be unstable when temperature in the storage compartment is set to different temperature zones.

To resolve this problem, as shown inFIG.5, the lighting module1according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first elastic member7. The first elastic member7may be sandwiched between the second end surface42of the light guide plate4and the housing2to apply a force toward the light source3to the light guide plate4, so that regardless of a storage compartment in which the lighting module1is mounted or even though the lighting module1is mounted in a storage compartment with different temperature zones or humidity zones. The first end surface41of the light guide plate4may maintain a constant position with respect to the light source3, thereby improving compatibility of the lighting module1in the refrigeration appliance100and/or helping to obtain stable lighting quality.

The first elastic member7may be fastened at the housing2. In an embodiment, the first elastic member7may be made of elastic foam and bonded to the housing2.

Referring toFIG.4andFIG.7, a second connection structure24is disposed between the cover23and the frame22to fasten the cover23and the frame22reliably. The second connection structure24may include a plurality of hooks231that are provided at one of the cover23and the frame22and are distanced from one another and first through holes241provided at the other of the cover23and the frame22for matching the corresponding hooks231.

The first connection structure21and the second connection structure24may be arranged in a staggered manner to prevent mutual interference.

As shown inFIG.5,FIG.6, andFIG.7, the light guide plate4, the diffusion board5, and the reflecting layer6are sandwiched between the cover23and the frame22. Specifically, the frame22may include a supporting edge222surrounding the light outlet221. An edge of the diffusion board5is supported on the supporting edge222. Therefore, the light guide plate4located on a rear side of the diffusion board5is indirectly supported by the supporting edge222.

After the cover23and the frame22are fastened, a distance between the cover and the frame is relatively fixed. The light guide plate4may expand or contract in a reversible or irreversible manner in different environmental conditions (such as temperature and humidity). In view of this, the lighting module1may include a second elastic member8located between the light guide plate4and the cover23. The second elastic member8is configured to apply a force toward the light outlet221to the light guide plate4, so that the light guide plate4maintains a relatively constant position with respect to the diffusion board5in a direction perpendicular to the light guide plate4.

The second elastic member8and the light guide plate4are clamped between the cover23and the frame22, to make the second elastic member8deform to apply the force toward the light outlet to the light guide plate4.

The second elastic member8is in contact with an inner surface236of the cover23facing the light guide plate4. The second elastic member8may be located between the reflecting layer6and the cover23. The second elastic member8may be in the form of a sheet, the light guide plate4bears the force more uniformly. The second elastic member8may be made of elastic foam.

After the cover23is fastened on the frame22by the second connection structure24, the second elastic member8is sandwiched between the light guide plate4and the cover23and deformed. Therefore, even though the light guide plate4expands or contracts to different degrees in different environments, the second elastic member8may still adjust a position of the light guide plate4with respect to the diffusion board5in the direction perpendicular to the light guide plate4. A size of the second elastic member8may be designed for the second elastic member8to remain deformed within a deformation range of the light guide plate4.

In an exemplary embodiment, the housing2includes a supporting edge222surrounding the light outlet221and an inner frame223surrounding the supporting edge222. The inner frame223protrudes from the supporting edge222in a direction away from the light outlet221. An outer surface of the supporting edge222may form a lower surface of the housing2to be exposed to the storage compartment101. There may be a distance between the inner frame223and an outer circumferential surface of the housing2. The light guide plate4and the diffusion board5are supported on an inner side surface of the supporting edge222.

A mounting portion224is provided in a space defined by the first end surface41, the supporting edge222, and the inner frame223of the light guide plate4.

The substrate32of the light source3is mounted on the mounting portion224, so that the light emitting elements31and the first end surface41of the light guide plate4are disposed facing each other.

The substrate32is mounted on the frame22along an inner side of the inner frame223. The substrate32may be basically arranged perpendicular to the light guide plate4.

The supporting edge222and the inner frame223may be located on the frame22. The mounting portion224may include an insertion groove225that is located on the frame22and is used for positioning the substrate32. A part of an inner surface of the insertion groove225may be formed by the inner frame223and/or the supporting edge222.

The housing2may include a pair of first limit portions226located at both ends of the mounting portion224. Each of the first limit portions226may protrude inward a particular distance from an inner surface of the inner frame223and then extend toward the other limit portion226, so as to form end portions of the mounting portion224to limit both ends of the substrate32.

The housing2may further include a protruding rib227located between the pair of first limit portions226. There is a preset distance between the protruding rib227and the inner surface of the inner frame223, so as to limit the substrate32in the middle of the substrate32.

The first elastic member7is located between the second end surface42of the light guide plate4and the inner frame223to apply the force toward the light source3to the light guide plate4. The first elastic member7may be fastened on the inner frame223, for example, bonded to the inner frame223. Under the action of the first elastic member7, the first end surface41of the light guide plate4may remain abutting against the first limit portions226and/or the protruding rib227, so as to improve the reliability of emitting light into the light guide plate4by the light emitting elements31.

In a direction perpendicular to the light outlet221, a height of the inner frame223may be greater than a total thickness of the diffusion board5, the light guide plate4, the reflecting layer6, and the second elastic member8stacked together. In the direction perpendicular to the light outlet221, a height of the substrate32is also greater than the total thickness of the diffusion board5, the light guide plate4, the reflecting layer6, and the second elastic member8stacked together, and protrudes from the second elastic member8in the direction away from the light outlet221. This facilitates smooth placement of the substrate32in the mounting portion224even in a narrow space.

The cover23may include a second limit portion235protruding from an inner surface230facing the light outlet221. The second limit portion235and a side close to the cover23of the substrate32are in contact facing each other to limit the substrate32. The substrate32is sandwiched between the second limit portion235and the inner frame223, so that the mounting portion224can be configured to make the light emitting elements31exposed to the light guide plate4in a range as large as possible. In addition, the substrate32may still be firmly fastened in the housing2through the limiting of the second limit portion235.

The substrate32may be provided with a plurality of avoidance holes321, so that the second connection structure24may still pass through the substrate32to connect the cover23and the frame22even though the height of the substrate32increases.

For example, at a position corresponding to the mounting portion224, the inner frame223may be provided with a plurality of first through holes241distanced from one another. The cover23is provided with a plurality of hooks231for extending into the first through holes241to be engaged with the first through holes. The avoidance holes321are provided corresponding to the first through holes241. The avoidance holes321may be closed holes or formed by notches at an edge of the substrate32.

The second limit portion235may be located between adjacent hooks231in a length direction of the substrate32. As shown inFIG.7, in a direction perpendicular to the substrate32, the second limit portion235may be located on an inner side of the hooks231. That is, a distance between the second limit portion235and the substrate32in the direction perpendicular to the substrate32is greater than a distance between the hooks231and the substrate32in the direction perpendicular to the substrate32.

In the foregoing embodiment, through the adaptive adjustment of the first elastic member and/or the second elastic member in the housing, even though the light guide plate expands or contracts in the refrigeration appliance, the light guide plate can still maintain a relatively constant position with respect to the light source and/or the light outlet, so that the lighting module for a refrigeration appliance is likely to keep stable lighting quality in different environments with the light source, the light guide plate, the diffusion board, and other components thereof fastened together without glue.

In addition, the upper end of the decorative strip of the lighting module extends into the mounting slot. Therefore, the connecting seam between the decorative strip and the housing can be cleverly concealed in the mounting slot, and there may be a simple transition between the liner and the decorative strip, which helps to provide the refrigeration appliance with better quality.

In the embodiment, the light source, the light guide plate, the diffusion board, and other components may be stably fastened in the housing by corresponding mechanisms, and it becomes possible to undetachably combine these parts together without glue.

Various embodiments described with reference toFIG.1toFIG.9may be combined with each other in any given manner to achieve the advantage of the present invention. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the shown embodiments. Usually, apart from the shown means, other means may also be used provided that the means can achieve the same effect.