METHOD OF USING LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE (LED) LIGHTING TO ILLUMINATE THE INTERIOR OF MICROWAVE OVENS

• US 20120170247A1
• Filed: 01/05/2011
• Published: 07/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Do, Terry Lien
• Application Number:
  US12/984,970
• Publication Number:
  US 20120170247A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/92
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/6444 Aspects relating to lighting devices in the microwave cavity

Abstract

A Light Emitting Diode light system for a domestic appliance includes a Light Emitting Diode light panel mounted on a first wall of the appliance. Light Emitting Diodes are mounted along a periphery of the panel for emitting light through a first surface of the panel. A second reflective surface is formed opposite the first surface of the panel. A diffuser is provided for diffusing light emitted by the Light Emitting Diodes. A power supply source connected to the Light Emitting Diode panel for providing power to the panel. A method of illuminating the interior of a microwave oven includes providing a first Light Emitting Diode panel mounted on a first wall of the microwave; providing a second Light Emitting Diode panel mounted on the first wall of the microwave; providing a diffuser for diffusing light emitted by the light emitting diodes; and providing a power supply source connected to the Light Emitting Diode panel to provide power to the panel.

Claims

1. A Light Emitting Diode light system for a domestic appliance, comprising:

a first Light Emitting Diode light panel mounted on a first wall of said appliance,

wherein Light Emitting Diodes are mounted along a periphery of said light panel for emitting light through a first surface of said panel;

a second reflective surface formed on said panel opposite said first surface;

a diffuser provided on said panel for diffusing light emitting by said Light Emitting Diodes; and

a power supply source connected to said Light Emitting Diode panel for providing power to said panel.

2. The Light Emitting Diode light system of claim 1, further comprising a second Light Emitting Diode light panel mounted on a second wall of said appliance opposite said first wall.

3. The Light Emitting Diode light system of claim 2, further comprising a third Light Emitting Diode panel mounted on said first side wall of said appliance.

4. The Light Emitting Diode light system of claim 3, further comprising a fourth Light Emitting Diode panel mounted on said second side wall of said appliance.

5. The Light Emitting Diode light panel of claim 1, wherein said diffuser comprises a lens.

6. The Light Emitting Diode light panel of claim 1, wherein said first Light Emitting Diode panel is mounted within a cavity formed in said first wall.

7. The Light Emitting Diode light panel of claim 2, wherein said second Light Emitting Diode panel is mounted within a cavity formed in said second wall.

8. The Light Emitting Diode light of claim 3, wherein said third Light Emitting Diode system panel is mounted within a cavity formed in said first wall.

9. The Light Emitting Diode light system of claim 4, wherein said fourth Light Emitting Diode panel is mounted within a cavity in said second wall.

10. The Light Emitting Diode light system of claim 1, wherein a shield is mounted over said first Light Emitting Diode panel.

11. The Light Emitting Diode light system of claim 2, wherein a shield is mounted over said second Light Emitting Diode panel.

12. The Light Emitting Diode light system of claim 3, wherein a shield is mounted over said third Light Emitting Diode panel.

13. The Light Emitting Diode light system of claim 4, wherein a shield is mounted over said fourth Light Emitting Diode panel.

14. The Light Emitting Diode light system of claim 1, wherein said power supply source supplies a Direct Current to power said Light Emitting Diode panel.

15. The Light Emitting diode light system of claim 1, wherein said power supply source supplies an Alternating Current to power said Light Emitting Diode panel.

16. The Light Emitting Diode light system of claim 1, wherein said appliance comprises a microwave oven.

17. The Light Emitting Diode light system of claim 1, wherein said appliance comprises a wall-mounted microwave oven.

18. The Light Emitting Diode light system of claim 1, wherein said appliance comprises an over-the-range microwave oven.

19. A method of illuminating the interior of a microwave oven, comprising:

providing a first Light Emitting Diode panel mounted on a first wall of said microwave oven;

providing a second Light Emitting Diode panel mounted on said first wall of said microwave oven spaced apart from said first Light Emitting Diode panel;

providing a diffuser for each of said first and second Light Emitting Diode panels for diffusing light emitted by said light emitting diodes; and

providing a power supply source connected to each of said first and second Light Emitting Diode panels to provide power to said panels.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of providing a shield for said first Light Emitting Diode panel and a shield for said second Light Emitting Diode panel.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said step of providing a diffuser comprises providing a lens.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein said step of providing a power supply source comprises providing a Direct Current source.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein said step of providing a power supply source comprises providing an Alternating Current source.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein said first Light Emitting Diode panel and said second Light Emitting Diode panel are provided on a top wall of said microwave.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein said first Light Emitting Diode panel and said second Light Emitting Diode panel are provided on a bottom wall of said microwave oven.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein said first Light Emitting Diode panel and said second Light Emitting Diode panel are provided on an interior side wall of said microwave oven.

27. The method of claim 19, wherein said first Light Emitting Diode panel and said second Light Emitting Diode panel are provided on a rear cavity wall of said microwave oven.

28. The method of claim 19, wherein said first Light Emitting Diode panel and said second Light Emitting Diode panel are provided on the door of said microwave oven.