Refrigeration appliance interior lighting system

• US 6,951,402 B1
• Filed: 04/22/2003
• Issued: 10/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Heath R. Copp
• Original Assignee: Heath R. Copp
• Inventors: Copp, Heath R.
• Primary Examiner(s): CARIASO, ALAN B
• Application Number:
  US10/421,330
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 62129-131, 315/149, 315152-154, 315/157, 315/158, 362/92, 362/94, 362/234, 362/251, 362/276, 362/295, 362/802
• US Class Current: 362/94
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 27/005 combined with control means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/042 by measuring the incident light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/00 Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps

Abstract

A refrigeration appliance interior lighting system for sensing the exterior light level and adjusting the light level accordingly within the interior of the home appliance. The refrigeration appliance interior lighting system includes a control unit in electrical communication with a first light bulb for controlling the illumination intensity of the first light bulb. A light sensor is positioned to measure the exterior light level and communicates the exterior light level to the control unit. When the exterior light level is above a threshold level, the first light bulb emits a high level of illumination. When the exterior light level is below the threshold level, the first light bulb emits a low level of illumination.

Claims

1. A refrigeration appliance interior lighting system, comprising:

a first light bulb positionable within an interior of a refrigeration appliance;

a light sensor positionable to measure an exterior light level;

a control unit in communication with said light sensor and in electrical communication with said first light bulb for controlling an illumination intensity of said first light bulb based upon the exterior light level; and

an override switch in communication with said control unit.

2. The refrigeration appliance interior lighting system of claim 1, wherein when the exterior light level is above a threshold level said first light bulb emits a first level of illumination, and wherein when the exterior light level is below said threshold level said first light bulb emits a second level of illumination.

3. The refrigeration appliance interior lighting system of claim 2, wherein said second level of illumination is less than said first level of illumination.

4. The refrigeration appliance interior lighting system of claim 3, including a door switch in communication with said control unit for indicating to said control unit the status of a door of the refrigeration appliance, wherein said control unit controls the operation of said first light bulb and wherein said first light bulb is illuminated if the door of the refrigeration appliance is opened.

5. The refrigeration appliance interior lighting system of claim 4, wherein illumination to said first light bulb is terminated if the door of the refrigeration appliance is closed.

6. The refrigeration appliance interior lighting system of claim 1, including a door switch in communication with said control unit for indicating to said control unit the status of a door of the refrigeration appliance, wherein said control unit controls the operation of said first light bulb and wherein said first light bulb is illuminated if the door of the refrigeration appliance is opened.

7. The refrigeration appliance interior lighting system of claim 6, wherein illumination to said first light bulb is terminated if the door of the refrigeration appliance is closed.

8. The refrigeration appliance interior lighting system of claim 1, wherein when the exterior light level is above a threshold level said first light bulb emits a first level of illumination, and wherein when the exterior light level is below said threshold level said first light bulb emits a second level of illumination unless said override switch is selected.

9. The refrigeration appliance interior lighting system of claim 1, including a door switch in communication with said control unit for indicating to said control unit the status of a door of the refrigeration appliance.

10. A refrigeration appliance interior lighting system, comprising:

a first light bulb positionable within an interior of a refrigeration appliance having a first level of illumination;

a second light bulb positionable within an interior of the refrigeration appliance having a second level of illumination;

a light sensor positionable to measure an exterior light level;

a control unit in communication with said light sensor and in electrical communication with said first light bulb and said second light bulb for controlling the illumination of said light bulbs based upon the exterior light level; and

an override switch in communication with said control unit.

11. The refrigeration appliance interior lighting system of claim 10, wherein when the exterior light level is above a threshold level said first light bulb emits a first level of illumination, and wherein when the exterior light level is below said threshold level said second light bulb emits a second level of illumination.

12. The refrigeration appliance interior lighting system of claim 11, wherein said second level of illumination is less than said first level of illumination.

13. The refrigeration appliance interior lighting system of claim 12, including a door switch in communication with said control unit for indicating to said control unit the status of a door of the refrigeration appliance wherein said control unit controls the operation of said first light bulb and said second light bulb and wherein one of said light bulbs are illuminated if the door of the refrigeration appliance is opened.

14. The refrigeration appliance interior lighting system of claim 13, wherein illumination to said light bulbs is terminated if the door of the refrigeration appliance is closed.

15. The refrigeration appliance interior lighting system of claim 10, including a door switch in communication with said control unit for indicating to said control unit the status of a door of the refrigeration appliance, wherein said control unit controls the operation of said first light bulb and said second light bulb wherein said first light bulb is illuminated if the door of the refrigeration appliance is opened.

16. The refrigeration appliance interior lighting system of claim 15, wherein illumination to said first light bulb is terminated if the door of the refrigeration appliance is closed.

17. A method of operating a refrigeration appliance interior lighting system, said method comprising the steps of:

monitoring the state of a door of a refrigeration appliance;

determining an exterior light level;

illuminating a first light bulb upon the state of said door being open, wherein when said exterior light level is above a threshold level said first light bulb emits a first level of illumination, and wherein when said exterior light level is below said threshold level said first light bulb emits a second level of illumination wherein said second level of illumination is less than said first level of illumination.