With Heater Or Refrigerator Patents (Class 362/92)
  • Patent number: 11904763
    Abstract: Disclosed are a lighting grill assembly for a vehicle and a method of manufacturing the same, the lighting grill assembly for a vehicle a grill cover, a black paint portion painted using a black paint on a rear surface of the grill cover, and the black paint portion forming a light transmitting portion through which light passes by removing a part of the painted black paint, an inner lens spaced apart from the rear surface of the grill cover in a rearward direction, and a metal layer is deposited on a surface of the inner lens, and a light source configured to radiate light from a rear of the inner lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Moon Sub Hwang, Soon Mo Lee
  • Patent number: 11781807
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a rotating lamp, a refrigerator, and a control method for a rotating lamp in a refrigerator. The rotating lamp is disposed in a box having a door and a drawer, the rotating lamp includes a driving device, a transmission mechanism and a lamp box assembly, and the driving device includes an output shaft; the lamp box assembly is rotatably arranged in the box and has a light exit surface; one end of the transmission mechanism is connected to the output shaft, and the other end is connected to the lamp box assembly. When the door is opened or when the drawer (30) is drawn out, the driving device drives the lamp box assembly via the transmission mechanism to rotate the lamp box assembly relative to the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignees: HEFEI HUALING CO., LTD., HEFEI MIDEA REFRIGERATOR CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nanfei Yao, Daojun Yu, Haibin Zhang, Baoyin Wang
  • Patent number: 11754277
    Abstract: A household refrigeration appliance having a receiving space for food and a plate-like lighting module for lighting the receiving space. The plate-like lighting module has a support apparatus, on which at least a light source module and a plate-shaped light guide are arranged. The support apparatus has a front frame which is a visible component of the lighting module facing the receiving space, and the front frame has a front strip, on the rear side of which a support web is arranged protruding backward and is formed in one piece with the front strip. The light source module is arranged on the support web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Hirschbolz, Tobias Mayr, Armin Weber
  • Patent number: 11708970
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Bo Ma, Jiahao Zhang, Haiqing Zhou
  • Patent number: 11619378
    Abstract: A container apparatus can include a container and an insert assembly. The insert assembly can include four elongate members. The four elongate members can include light emitting devices for illuminating the interior of the container and/or temperature altering elements for cooling and/or heating the interior of the container. The container can have a rectangular base and a rectangular sidewall extending upwardly from the base. The sidewall can define four corners of the container, and four elongate recesses can be formed in the sidewall proximate the four corners of the sidewall to receive the elongate light members. The recesses can be sized and shaped to conform to the elongate insert members so that the insert members can be releasably retained within the elongate recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: FUSE, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew S. Brown
  • Patent number: 11566785
    Abstract: A refrigeration appliance has a storage compartment provided with a front opening. The storage compartment further has a top wall and a mounting slot located in the top wall. A lighting module is fastened in the mounting slot. The lighting module includes a front wall facing the front opening. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Bo Ma, Jiahao Zhang, Haiqing Zhou
  • Patent number: 11471546
    Abstract: A lighting device including at least one first light source emitting a visible light, at least one second light source spaced apart from the first light source and emitting a light having a wavelength for sterilization, and a housing, in which the first light source and the second light source are disposed, in which the first light source is disposed outside an area having an angle corresponding to about 50% of a maximum amount of light emitted from the second light source based on a line extending from a center of the second light source along a direction substantially perpendicular to a light emitting surface of the second light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Seoul Viosys Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Young Choi, Kyu Won Han, Seong Tae Jang, Sang Wook Jung, Woong Ki Jeong
  • Patent number: 11477862
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system for an induction cooking device with at least one induction coil (2) and an at least partially transparent or semi-transparent top plate (3), the optical system (10) comprising at least one light source (11) to be arranged in a central area of said induction coil (2) in order to provide light through a central opening (2.1) of said induction coil (2), light deflecting means (12) configured to receive light from the light source (11) and provide said light at one or more openings (12.1) and light guiding means (13) for guiding light provided at said one or more openings (12.1) in an area between the upper side of the induction coil (2) and the lower side of the top plate (3), said light guiding means (13) being configured to guide the light into a space between the induction coil (2) and the top plate (3) and provide a light indicator at the top side of the top plate (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Marco Saporetti, Jochen Holzinger, Jennifer Burkhardt, Michael Herzog, Peter Negretti
  • Patent number: 11454388
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator with an improved lighting structure. The refrigerator includes a main body in which a storage compartment is formed, a light source provided on an inner surface of the storage compartment to provide light, and a lighting cover provided to cover the light source, wherein the lighting cover includes a first opening formed to irradiate light in a direction perpendicular to the inner surface of the storage compartment, and a second opening formed to be inclined with respect to the inner surface so that light is irradiated to the front of the storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Seong Kim, Byoung Woo Ko, Jung Kwon Kim, Gwang Jin Jung, Jeong Su Han
  • Patent number: 11419434
    Abstract: In one general aspect, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a display case door that includes a transparent panel and a door handle coupled to the transparent panel. The handle includes a camera that is coupled to the handle. The camera is positioned such that a field of view of the camera is aimed away from the transparent panel. The handle includes an aperture opposite the camera lens. The aperture receives a power cable extending away from the camera to a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Anthony, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Artwohl, Pedro Almaguer, Jeffery W. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 11255507
    Abstract: A lamp apparatus may include: a housing; a board housed in the housing; a plurality of light source modules mounted on the board and configured to generate light; an optic unit through which lights emitted from the plurality of light source modules enter and exit; a lens unit installed in the housing, and installed in front of the optic unit; and a control unit configured to individually turn on/off the plurality of light source modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyung Gu Min
  • Patent number: 11191359
    Abstract: A cabinet having a front part, which closes access to the inner region of the cabinet and is mounted movably relative to the cabinet carcass, and supporting inner or side walls or a side cheek arranged vertically in relation to the floor on which the item of furniture is standing. An access opening is formed between the front part and the side cheek, between the front part and at least one further front part, or between the front part and an upper side, which is formed as a table top. A profile is arranged to the rear of the access opening such that it is impossible to see into the inner region of the cabinet through the access opening, the profile having a first part and a second part, each having a face visible through the access opening, the visible faces arranged such that a shadow gap is formed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Siematic Möbelwerke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ulrich Wilhelm Siekmann
  • Patent number: 11187454
    Abstract: An edge protection module for attachment to an outer edge of a shelf of a domestic refrigerator, includes a metallic carrier strip having a strip axis, a lighting rod which is mounted on the carrier strip and extends along the strip axis and which has two axially opposite rod ends and a row of lighting elements, which are arranged in an axially distributed manner, and two connection points in electrical connection with the row of lighting elements, which connection points are arranged axially on both sides of the row of lighting elements in a defined axial position relative to the carrier strip and are accessible from outside the edge protection module, where at least one of the connection points is part of a contacting unit which is structurally separate from the lighting rod and is mounted on the carrier strip at an axial distance from the lighting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: EMZ-HANAUER GMBH & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Johann Schenkl, Martin Brabec, Markus Rauch, Matthias Wallner
  • Patent number: 11079171
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a vacuum insulated cabinet and a surround lighting feature. The vacuum insulated cabinet includes a liner disposed within a wrapper, which are interconnected by a thermal bridge to form a vacuum cavity therebetween. A wall covering assembly includes a top wall disposed adjacent to and spaced-apart from a top wall of the liner. The wall covering assembly also includes a rear wall disposed adjacent to and spaced-apart from a rear wall of the liner. In assembly, the liner and the wall covering assembly cooperate to define a refrigerator compartment. A cavity is formed between liner and the wall covering assembly. A surround lighting assembly is disposed around an opening into the refrigerator compartment and is powered by a wiring system concealed by the wall covering assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Giulia Marinello, Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Julia B. Burke, Daniel Chow, Abhay Naik
  • Patent number: 10959574
    Abstract: A grill or BBQ appliance that is generally intended for outdoor use has a pivoting hood disposed in hinged connection with a grill body, both of which are raised above a firebox that receives a food support grate. The hood may include overhanging lights configured to provide optimal lighting through a range of hood positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Hestan Commercial Corporation
    Inventors: Hans F. Wenzel, Ray Nilssen
  • Patent number: 10907894
    Abstract: A refrigerator has a door which is selectively transparent by providing a display behind the door and a light source inside the refrigerator that turns on and activates based on user input. When the light source is turned on, the display is activated while the door is closed such that the user sees the display through the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyungkyu Park, Jongpil Kim, Cheoljun Park
  • Patent number: 10900710
    Abstract: A refrigerator equipped with a door that becomes transparent as necessary to make the interior thereof visible is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage compartment defined therein, a lighting device for illuminating the interior of the storage compartment, a door, which is hingedly coupled to the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment, and has an opening and a panel assembly including a front panel disposed on the front surface thereof, a sensor for detecting sound waves, which are generated by a knock input applied to the door and are transmitted through the front panel, and a controller for controlling the lighting device to allow light to be transmitted through the panel assembly, thus making the storage compartment visible from outside the door through the opening when a predetermined knock input is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sangoh Kim, Hangbok Lee, Jaeyoul Lee, Minsub Kim, Jungkyu Son, Jaehyun Soh, Eugene Suh, Nami Kim
  • Patent number: 10883726
    Abstract: A light-emitting device is provided for a cooking appliance that includes a body that defines a cooking chamber having an opening, and a door configured to open and close at least a portion of the opening of the cooking chamber. The light-emitting device includes a light-emitting member that is located on at least one of the door or the body, that faces a gap defined between an edge portion of the door and a front portion of the body, and that is configured to emit light of a predetermined color in response to operation of the cooking chamber, and a reflective portion that extends from the front portion of the body, that is configured to receive light from the light-emitting member through the gap, and that is configured to direct light in a direction away from the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seungtae Jang, Yoonji Lee, Jae Myung Lim
  • Patent number: 10877202
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a surface light source assembly and a refrigerator having the same. The surface light source assembly comprises: a light source and a light guide plate which is vertically illuminated by the light source, wherein the light source is provided along a first side of the light guide plate; a plurality of light guide spots is provided at a front surface of the light guide plate, a through hole is vertically formed in the middle of the light guide plate; a first region is provided at a position close to the upper edge of the through hole, the diameter and density of the light guide spots in the first region are less than the diameter and density of the light guide spots in the peripheral region of the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: QINGDAO HAIER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haidong Tang, Shidong Li, Guangrui Wu, Ming Wang, Ning Wang, Falin Yang
  • Patent number: 10808991
    Abstract: The refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage compartment therein, an illumination device for illuminating the interior of the storage compartment, a door hinged to the cabinet for opening and closing the storage compartment, the door having an opening formed therein and a panel assembly having a front panel provided at the front thereof, a knock sensor module including a microphone module for sensing a sound wave generated by knock vibration applied to the door and a module microcomputer for determining whether the knock vibration is a predetermined knock based on the sensed sound wave, and a controller provided separately from the module microcomputer for receiving a knock-on signal from the module microcomputer and operating the illumination device such that light is transmitted through the panel assembly, whereby the interior of the storage compartment can be seen from outside the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Sangoh Kim
  • Patent number: 10690335
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an LED lamp comprising a strip housing having an inner cavity for accommodating a lamp body and at least at one end forming a opening for loading the lamp body; and a sealing end cover for sealing the opening; a sealing member is embedded in the opening, and the sealing member and the inner space of the opening have the same cross section perpendicular to the length direction of the strip housing; the sealing member and the sealing end cover are spaced apart to form a sealing cavity for injecting the sealant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Self Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuanfang Xue, Zhaoyong Zheng
  • Patent number: 10683989
    Abstract: A refrigerator apparatus includes a case opening passing through an inner case; and an lighting device in the opening, wherein the device includes: a lamp case having a cavity defined therein; a light-emitting unit accommodated in the cavity, wherein the light-emitting unit is disposed more outwardly than the case opening, wherein the light-emitting unit irradiates light toward an inner surface of the cavity; a cover coupled with the lamp case to cover the case opening, wherein light from the light-emitting unit is reflected from the cavity through the cover toward the refrigerator interior space; and a reflection portion formed on the cover, wherein the reflection portion is configured to allow light from the light-emission unit directed toward the case opening to be redirected toward the inner surface of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Changbong Choi, Hyesun Jung
  • Patent number: 10641546
    Abstract: A refrigerator equipped with a door that becomes transparent as necessary to make the interior thereof visible is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage compartment defined therein, a lighting device for illuminating the interior of the storage compartment, a door, which is hingedly coupled to the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment, and has an opening and a panel assembly including a front panel disposed on the front surface thereof, a sensor for detecting sound waves, which are generated by a knock input applied to the door and are transmitted through the front panel, and a controller for controlling the lighting device to allow light to be transmitted through the panel assembly, thus making the storage compartment visible from outside the door through the opening when a predetermined knock input is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sangoh Kim, Hangbok Lee, Jaeyoul Lee, Minsub Kim, Jungkyu Son, Jaehyun Soh, Eugene Suh, Nami Kim
  • Patent number: 10568440
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator, which includes a refrigerating compartment, a freezing compartment, and a door assembly. The freezing compartment is adjacent to the refrigerating compartment. The door assembly selectively opens the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment. The door assembly includes a glass member defining a frontal exterior thereof and allowing an inside of the refrigerating compartment or the freezing compartment to be seen therethrough when the door assembly is closed, a deposition treated layer formed on a rear surface of the glass member to allow light to partially pass through the glass member, and a transparent plate spaced a predetermined distance from the glass member. Gas for insulation is injected in a space formed between the glass member and the transparent plate, and the space is sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Eun Joo Lee, Hang Bok Lee
  • Patent number: 10554942
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a display apparatus including: a display; a signal receiver configured to receive an image signal; a signal processor configured to process the image signal received in the signal receiver; a first sensor configured to sense ambient brightness; and a controller configured to control the signal processor to change grayscale of an output image to be displayed on the display based on characteristics of the image signal and characteristics of the display apparatus if a glare level corresponding to the ambient brightness sensed by the first sensor and brightness of the display is greater than a preset threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-ho Park, Doo-seop Choi, Young-su Moon, Young-hoon Jeong
  • Patent number: 10555406
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the illumination of a display case containing a plurality of products includes a housing and an access panel. A transparent display is located in the access panel and is illuminated by an illumination device. A sensor is positioned to determine whether access panel is in an opened or a closed position. A processor measures the amount of time that has passed since the access panel was last closed or opened and drives the illumination device at a reduced power level accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: MANUFACTURING RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: William Dunn, Rick De Laet
  • Patent number: 10551069
    Abstract: An oven includes a main body having a cooking room, a door disposed in the main body to open or close the cooking room, a door having a window to view the inside of the cooking room, a light emitting member disposed in the door, and a guide member to guide light of the light emitting member toward the cooking room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ji-Woon Je, Byoung Woo Ko, Gwang Jin Jung, Jung Kwon Kim, Chun Seong Kim, Sung Soo Park
  • Patent number: 10508815
    Abstract: A domestic oven includes a muffle which delimits a cooking chamber, and a lighting device for illuminating the cooking chamber. The muffle has in a muffle side wall a light outlet window into which a window element having a light outlet surface is fitted. The lighting device includes a light source which, when viewed normally to the muffle side wall, is arranged outside the contour of the light outlet window, a reflective surface with a diffuse reflecting property which is arranged behind the light outlet surface within the contour of the light outlet window and is irradiated with light from the light source, and a lens element with a collecting property which is arranged in the light path between the light source and the reflective surface. In some embodiments, the lens element is also arranged outside the contour of the light outlet window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: emz-Hanauer GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Manfredi Signorino, Johann Schenkl, Martin Brabec
  • Patent number: 10455671
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the illumination of a display case containing a plurality of products includes a housing and an access panel. The access panel hold a transparent display which is illuminated by an illumination device. A sensor is positioned to determine whether access panel is in an opened or a closed position. A processor measures the amount of time that has passed since the access panel was closed and drives the illumination device at a reduced power level accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
    Inventors: William Dunn, Rick De Laet
  • Patent number: 10429032
    Abstract: A refrigerator apparatus includes a case opening passing through an inner case; and an lighting device in the opening, wherein the device includes: a lamp case having a cavity defined therein; a light-emitting unit accommodated in the cavity, wherein the light-emitting unit is disposed more outwardly than the case opening, wherein the light-emitting unit irradiates light toward an inner surface of the cavity; a cover coupled with the lamp case to cover the case opening, wherein light from the light-emitting unit is reflected from the cavity through the cover toward the refrigerator interior space; and a reflection portion formed on the cover, wherein the reflection portion is configured to allow light from the light-emission unit directed toward the case opening to be redirected toward the inner surface of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Changbong Choi, Hyesun Jung
  • Patent number: 10415797
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus for display includes a plurality of illumination units each including a light source that emits illumination light and a lens body, wherein the plurality of illumination units are disposed in parallel along one end of a front surface side of the display item, and the lens body has an incidence section to which illumination light enters, a reflecting surface that condenses the illumination light entering from the incidence section in a same direction by reflecting the illumination light, a first emission surface that emits the illumination light from the one end of the front surface side of the display item toward other end, and a second emission surface that emits some of the illumination light entering the reflecting surface from the one end of the front surface side of the display item to a closer side in a depth direction by allowing a transmission thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuro Uchiyama, Yoshifumi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 10416372
    Abstract: An appliance includes a control panel with a dielectric substrate. A printed circuit board is spaced from a back surface of the dielectric substrate. A light emitter and a capacitive sensor are positioned on the printed circuit board. The capacitive sensor includes a pair of conductive bodies that extend between the dielectric substrate and the printed circuit board. The dielectric substrate is positioned on a cabinet such that the capacitive sensor is triggered when a user touches a front surface of the dielectric substrate and such that an appliance function indicator is illuminated at the front surface of the dielectric substrate during operation of the light emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler James Doering, Corey Phillip Polhamus
  • Patent number: 10408464
    Abstract: A lighting device and a cooking appliance including a lighting device are disclosed herein. The lighting device may include a light source installed outside a cavity where a through hole is formed, the light source including a light emitting diode (LED), a light tube installed outside the cavity to be connected to the light source and receiving light emitted from the LED via a light incidence surface that diffuses the light in an area where the through hole is formed, a transmissive cover installed on the cavity to cover the through hole to transmit the light diffused in the light tube toward inside of the cavity, and a supporter installed outside the cavity to support the light source such that it is spaced apart from the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Dong Yeol Lee, Sungho Choi
  • Patent number: 10371437
    Abstract: A household refrigeration device includes a heat-insulated body with an inner container which delimits a coolable interior space for storing foodstuffs and has a pocket-shaped recess with a bottom. A refrigeration device cools the coolable interior space. A door panel closes the coolable interior space in a closed state and makes the coolable interior space accessible in an open state. An interior lighting system, which is fastened in the pocket-shaped recess, illuminates the coolable interior space when the door panel is open. The bottom of the pocket-shaped recess includes at least one fastening device, and the interior lighting system has at least one mating fastening device which is fastened on the at least one fastening device. A method for producing a household refrigeration device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Armin Weber
  • Patent number: 10317130
    Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a body having a cooling chamber which can be closed at a door opening by a door attached to the body. The refrigeration appliance has a light and storage shelves in the cooling chamber which are spaced apart from the door opening by a spacing leaving a clear space between the door opening and the storage shelves. A drawer disposed underneath the storage shelves projects into the clear space when pushed in and the drawer has side walls and a front edge. The light is a spotlight for emitting light within a cone of light so that the center of the front edge of the drawer is located within the cone of light and the side walls of the drawer are located outside the cone of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: René Alt, Christoph Becke, Max Eicher, Christine Hartwein, Maike Kirschbaum, Ralph Staud, Thomas Tischer, Matthias Wiedenmann
  • Patent number: 10307504
    Abstract: A disinfecting apparatus may include a shelf securable to a wall; a mount configured to secure the shelf to the wall; at least one UV light source coupled to the shelf, the UV light being configured to sanitize air and surfaces in close proximity to the UV light source; and a programmable controller being operatively coupled to the motion detector, the controller being configured to cause cause at least one of energization and de-energization of the UV light source upon a predetermined event. A method of safely disinfecting or sterilizing air and surfaces may include the apparatus and may further provide UV light in the range of 250-290 nm and interruption of the generation of UV light in response to the predetermined event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: SteriLumen, Inc.
    Inventor: Max Munn
  • Patent number: 10293369
    Abstract: A light emitting device is provided which includes a printed board, light emitting elements, and a light-transmissive member. The light emitting elements are arranged in three or more rows, and mounted on the printed board. The light-transmissive member includes three or more semi-semi-cylindrical lens portions that are arranged side by side transversely to cover the three or more rows. The heights of the tops of the semi-cylindrical lens portions are substantially equal to each other. The semi-cylindrical lens portions include first semi-cylindrical lens portions which are arranged to cover at least the both end rows, and a second semi-cylindrical lens portion which is arranged on the interior sides relative to the first semi-cylindrical lens portions in the transverse direction. The radius of curvature of the second semi-cylindrical lens portion is smaller than the first semi-cylindrical lens portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihiko Aizawa, Masato Ono, Daisuke Kishikawa
  • Patent number: 10295249
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet, a door including a door frame with an opening, a panel assembly provided at the opening and configured to allow an inside of the refrigerator to be seen through the panel assembly from an outside of the refrigerator, a knock detection device configured to detect a user's knocking operation on the panel assembly, and a lighting unit provided inside the refrigerator and configured to turn on or off based on a signal of the knock detection device while the door is closed. The panel assembly includes a front panel, an insulation panel spaced apart from a rear surface of the front panel, and a spacer bar provided between the front panel and the insulation panel. An insulation space is defined between the front panel and the insulation panel, and the knock detection device is provided outside the insulation space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyungkyu Park, Jongpil Kim, Cheoljun Park
  • Patent number: 10260690
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a main body that is elongated; a light emitter disposed on a top surface of the main body; and a light-transmissive cover that is elongated along a lengthwise direction of the main body and covers the light emitter from above. The lighting apparatus includes a substrate having a major surface; and a receiver that is disposed on the major surface and receives the radio waves. The substrate is disposed on a side of the main body in the lengthwise direction, in such an orientation that the major surface intersects the lengthwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuta Miyahara
  • Patent number: 10018350
    Abstract: A container apparatus includes a container and a light assembly. The light assembly can include four elongate light members. The container can include a rectangular base and a rectangular sidewall extending upwardly from the base. The sidewall defines four corners of the container, and four elongate recesses are formed in the sidewall proximate the four corners of the sidewall to receive the elongate light members. The recesses are sized and shaped to conform to the elongate light members so that the light members can be releasably retained within the elongate recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: LIT Coolers, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew S. Brown
  • Patent number: 9976723
    Abstract: A downlight fixture is disclosed, and includes a lens defining at least one lens opening, a reflector, and a housing. The reflector defines at least one first retaining feature and at least one second retaining feature. The at least one lens opening is shaped to receive a corresponding first reflector retaining feature to interlock the lens and the reflector with one another. The housing defines at least one housing opening shaped to receive a corresponding second retaining feature to interlock the housing and the reflector with one another. The lens, the reflector, and the housing are each constructed of plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: TECHNICAL CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: George J. Uhler
  • Patent number: 9965798
    Abstract: The invention provides a refrigerator system, a method and a software program product for controlling and/or advising a diet for a user. The refrigerator system has a refrigerator including a light and a camera that captures an image of contents of the refrigerator. The image is processed by a graphics processing unit (GPU) integrated with the refrigerator and/or a cloud server. The GPU analyzes the image to recognize a quantity, a quality, and/or a kind of food articles and/or food packages such as, vegetables, fruits, beverages, etc. A central processing unit (CPU)/GPU of the refrigerator provides diet plans, recipe recommendations, identifies grocery replenishment requirements, updates and shares shopping lists with food delivery agents, etc., based on the analysis of the refrigerator contents. The invention helps in minimizing food wastage, expanding meal options considering expiry dates, and maximizing benefits of a healthy diet by recommending and controlling the user's diet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventor: Mikko Vaananen
  • Patent number: 9903582
    Abstract: A lighting unit for a household appliance, the lighting unit has a printed circuit board having a light-emitting means arranged on the printed circuit board, and a base for receiving the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is arranged on a metallic holding part such that good thermally conductive contact is provided between the printed circuit board and the holding part, and the holding part is fastened on the base in such a way that good heat transfer is provided from the holding part to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Marquardt Mechatronik GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Kizele, Heinrich Müller, Wolfgang Moosmann, Björn Werhan
  • Patent number: 9763526
    Abstract: An LED light fixture assembly includes an elongated first support member, an elongated second support member spaced from and substantially parallel to the first support member, and a plurality of elongated LED lighting fixtures coupled to and extending between the first support member and the second support member. Each LED lighting fixture includes an elongated structural frame member having a substantially channel shaped support portion, and a mounting portion opposite the support portion. Each LED lighting fixture also includes a plurality of LED light modules secured to and positioned along the mounting portion, and a cover extending along and supported by the mounting portion. The cover is positioned so light emitted from the plurality of LED light modules passes through the cover and away from the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: ElectraLED, Inc.
    Inventors: James Thomas, Vladimir Volochine
  • Patent number: 9671584
    Abstract: A method for cooling an optical element for EUV applications is disclosed. Heat is transferred from the optical element to a heat sink, and, via a first feed line, a first cooling medium is introduced into a cooling channel in the heat sink, in such a way that the first cooling medium effects laminar flow through the cooling channel and in the process absorbs heat from the heat sink. After flowing through the cooling channel, the first cooling medium is discharged into a discharge line leading away from the optical element. A second cooling medium is introduced into the discharge line via a second feed line, and the first cooling medium and the second cooling medium, downstream of the second feed line at a location that is further away from the optical element than the cooling channel, are subjected to a force field introduced into the discharge line externally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Guenther Dengel, Joachim Hartjes
  • Patent number: 9610000
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a dishwashing compartment having a loading opening which can be closed by a door configured. At least one washware basket is provided for movement out of and into the dishwashing compartment, with at least one movement position of the washware basket being recognized by a device. At least one light source is arranged in or on the dishwasher and controlled by a control device in dependence on the at least one movement position of the washware basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Karlheinz Rehm, Michael Georg Rosenbauer, Robert Sachon, Carsten Stelzer
  • Patent number: 9494297
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a solar-powered lighting fixture includes a solar panel electrically connected to a control circuit, a rechargeable battery to store electrical energy generated by the solar panel, and a LED module with a lens, wherein the lens has a plurality of integral optical elements comprising an inner refracting surface and an outer refracting surface, and the control circuit is capable of charging the battery by adjusting the charge current from the solar panel to the battery, automatically powering the at least one light-emitting diode on and off, and automatically adjusting the level and duration of electrical current provided to the at least one light-emitting diode. In at least one embodiment, the control circuit includes a microprocessor to calculate an operational profile based on the charge stored in the battery and an anticipated power requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: William E. Nagengast, Judy Nagengast, Steven F. Tregilgas, Jerry D. Heiniger
  • Patent number: 9435581
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a light system associated within an interior of the refrigerator cabinet, the light system including a light source, a reflector having a first position wherein light from the light source is directed in a first direction and a second position wherein the light from the light source is directed in a second direction, and wherein the refrigerator is configured to move the reflector between the first position and the second position based on interactions between a user of the refrigerator and the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Hammond, Michael T. Moore
  • Patent number: 9287021
    Abstract: Shelf brackets to conduct electricity to refrigerator shelves are disclosed. An example shelf bracket includes an end configured to engage a support rail, the end having a first area to conduct electricity from the support rail to the shelf bracket, an arm extending from the end to support the shelf, the arm comprising a second area to conduct electricity from the shelf bracket to the shelf, a non-electrically conductive coating applied to substantially all of the shelf bracket except in the first and second areas, a first electrically conductive material applied to at least a portion of the first area, and a second electrically conductive material applied to at least a portion of the second area, wherein the shelf bracket is formed from a third electrically conductive material, the third electrically conductive material to conduct electricity between the first and second areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Hammond, Michael Todd Moore
  • Patent number: 9212848
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for storage in a refrigerated appliance. One aspect includes glides or slides underneath and within the bottom perimeter dimensions of any bin or bin carrier relative to its supporting structure in the refrigerated appliance. This allows adjacent bins to more efficiently utilize lateral storage space in the refrigerator. It also promotes hiding of the glide or slides from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Kendall, Michael C. Lah, Timothy T. Murphy, Todd J. Tunzi