With Heater Or Refrigerator Patents (Class 362/92)
  • Patent number: 7905614
    Abstract: The refrigerator includes the following parts. A heat-insulating main body has openings in a front side. A divider creates a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment, by dividing inside of said heat-insulating main body into the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment arranged side by side. A lighting unit, located close to at least one of the openings of the first and second storage compartments, respectively, each of which has a light-emitting diode as a light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Aoki
  • Publication number: 20110056477
    Abstract: I lighting arrangement for a barbeque hood. The lighting arrangement includes a light housing and at least one light. The light housing is adapted for mounting adjacent an interior surface of the hood. The at least one light is mounted to the light housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: SHIRO AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Benjamin John Leavens
  • Patent number: 7887207
    Abstract: The display space of a multiple door display merchandiser is illuminated by one or more vertically extending lamps (80) disposed intermediate the vertical sides of an access opening to the display space. A multiple door assembly (44) covers the access opening. To enhance the illumination of the display space, a pair of vertically extending side reflectors (92) are provided, one extending along one side of the access opening and the other extending along the other side of the access opening. An additional reflector may be mounted to an interior facing surface of the door along an upper front region of the door and/or a lower front region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Riad Saraiji, Mark A. Daniels, Robert J. Reese, Stephen Kenney, Thomas E. Drago
  • Patent number: 7874690
    Abstract: An oven lighting fixture includes an LED assembly or assemblies optically coupled with an optical guide member. The lighting fixture also includes a mounting bracket and a pair of electrical leadwires to connect the LED lighting fixture to an external voltage source. The LED assembly has an LED attached to a printed circuit board containing ancillary circuitry for powering the LED, and a heat sink for removing heat from the LED. The mounting bracket is attachable to a door of the oven cavity to support the LED lighting fixture adjacent to a sidelight window. The mounting bracket has a slot adjacent to the window for transmitting light from the LED through the light guide and into the oven cavity. Positioning the lighting fixture outside of the oven cavity and adjacent to the sidelight window permits the LED to operate within required temperature limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Martin Weber, III, Charles Raymond Gingrich, III
  • Patent number: 7866171
    Abstract: A food keeping refrigerator is provided. The food keeping refrigerator keeps food in refrigerating and freezing chambers and refrigerates and freezes the food through a cooling device. The food keeping refrigerator preserves the freshness and nutrition of food for an extended period of time by emitting appropriate light to the food stored in the refrigerating and freezing chambers of the food keeping refrigerator. The food keeping refrigerator includes a storing device that stores food keeping information, a light generating device mounted inside the refrigerating and freezing chambers that generates light and emits the light to the food, and a controller that reads the food keeping information corresponding to the food from the storing device and controls the light generating device to emit the light according to the food keeping information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kwan-Shik Cho, Jong-Min Shin, Eun-Jeong Kim, Eun-Young Park, Deul-Re Min, Yeon-Yi Hwang
  • Publication number: 20100327720
    Abstract: There is provided a door of a refrigerator including: a door assembly which defines the appearance of the refrigerator door; an exterior member which is provided ahead of the door assembly to emit light; a connection member which connects the exterior member to the door assembly; a connection space which is formed between the door assembly and connection member; and a light-emitting means which is disposed at the connection space and emits light to the exterior member. There is an advantage in that it is possible to prevent dazzling of users, since the exterior member is not exposed to the outside and light is emitted via an end of the exterior member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Chanju Pae
  • Patent number: 7857473
    Abstract: There is disclosed an open showcase provided with a light device capable of simplifying a maintenance operation and improving a cooling efficiency in a display chamber. In an open showcase 1 of the present invention, a display chamber 11 is formed in an insulating wall 2 to display commodities in the display chamber 11 while cooling the commodities, the showcase includes a reflective plate 45 which extends externally from a front surface opening 12 of the display chamber 11, and LED lights 40 attached to the reflective plate 45, and the inside of the display chamber 11 is illuminated with light emitted from the LED lights 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sakumi Shibusawa, Atsushi Todoroki, Masaru Sekine, Seiji Kataoka, Yoshiki Makishima, Tetsuya Oketani, Katsuya Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20100319383
    Abstract: Provided are a refrigerator and a refrigerator door. The refrigerator and refrigerator door include a transparent member provided behind an exterior member defining the exterior of the refrigerator, a light emitting member provided on an extending line of an outer end of the transparent member to radiate light toward the transparent member, and a diffusing portion formed at one side of the transparent member. Light from the light emitting member passes through the transparent member and a pattern on the exterior member to be diffused to the outside. Through this configuration producing a soft glow of light, aesthetics can be improved and opulence can be enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventor: Ungsu Kim
  • Publication number: 20100320890
    Abstract: The refrigerator includes a main body provided with a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment, vertically divided from each other. a first storage compartment door and a second storage compartment door are vertically disposed so as to open and close the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment of the main body. an illumination unit is provided at least one of the lower end portion of the first storage compartment door and the upper portion of the second storage compartment. Also an input unit is provided to input operation data of the illumination unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Gyu Jung, Ji Man Kim, Chang Yong Kim, Yun Ho Yang, Sang Woon Jeon, Jae Moon Lee
  • Patent number: 7845809
    Abstract: A domestic appliance includes an operation indicator having an illumination element for emitting a light beam by means of which a gap between the domestic appliance and a surface adjacent to the domestic appliance can be illuminated, and a reflection element in the gap for directing or bundling light emitted by the illumination element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Büsing, Daniel Delle, Gerhard Fetzer, Peter Geissler, Norbert Gerstner, Hubert Groll, Mathias Herrmann, Dieter Hotz, Stefan Kasbauer, Michael Rosenbauer, Bernd Schessl
  • Patent number: 7845818
    Abstract: There is disclosed a showcase provided with a light device capable of simplifying a maintenance operation and improving a cooling efficiency in a display chamber. In a showcase 1 of the present invention, a display chamber 11 is formed in an insulating wall 2 to display commodities on a plurality of steps of shelves 32 disposed in the display chamber 11 and cool the commodities, the showcase includes LED lights 40 which illuminate the inside of the display chamber 11 from the upside, and light guide plates 48 provided on lower surfaces of the shelves 32, light inlet portions 49 of the light guide plates 48 are provided so as to protrude forward from the shelves 32, and a light emitting surface 52 of each light guide plate 48 faces the shelf 32 under the shelf 32 provided with the light guide plate 48.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sakumi Shibusawa, Atsushi Todoroki, Masaru Sekine, Seiji Kataoka, Yoshiki Makishima, Tetsuya Oketani, Katsuya Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20100295425
    Abstract: A decorative panel and a refrigerator having the same are disclosed. Inner gorgeous decorative patterns are seen according to an opening and closing operation of a refrigerator door usually serving as a mirror, providing the user a continuous aesthetic sense with which the user is not bored compared with decorative patterns which are always exposed. In addition, a mirror face is formed on a front plate and a decorative plate to continuously reflect the decorative patterns to thereby provide a three-dimensional aesthetic sense with the planar decorative patterns. Also, because recesses or protrusions are formed on the decorative plate to obtain a decorative effect, the usage amount of high-priced components such as jewels can be reduced to lower a fabrication cost of a product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Ung-Su KIM
  • Patent number: 7832224
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling a lamp of a refrigerator. The apparatus may include a dispenser provided on a refrigerator door and a lamp installed within the dispenser for illuminating the dispenser. The dispenser may include a rotary member that rotates as an operation lever provided in the dispenser is operated and a duct door for selectively opening and closing an ice duct. The rotary member may include a rotary shaft supported by side walls of the dispenser and a connector part that extends from the rotary shaft. The duct door may be coupled to the connection part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Sug Roo, Jai Hwan Shim, Sang Su Lee
  • Patent number: 7824056
    Abstract: A light assembly for a refrigerated merchandiser that includes a case defining a product display area and that has at least one mullion. The light assembly includes a housing that is attachable to the mullion, a specular member that is coupled to the housing within a first receiving portion, and a LED light source that is coupled to the housing within a second receiving portion substantially opposite the specular member. The LED light source includes a first light portion and a second light portion that are directed along at least one illumination path. The first light portion is directed along the illumination path in a first direction directly toward the product display area, and the second light portion is directed along the illumination path toward the specular member. The second light portion is reflected by the specular member in a second direction at least partially opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventors: Sesha C. Madireddi, John M. Roche
  • Patent number: 7824057
    Abstract: An object is to provide a showcase provided with an illumination device capable of simplifying maintenance operability and effectively illuminating the inside of a display chamber, and the showcase in which the display chamber constituted in a main body is illuminated by the illumination device, the illumination device is constituted of an LED illumination member including LED elements, and a pair of holding members which are attached to a reflective plate on a canopy in the main body to hold the LED illumination member, whereby the irradiation angle of light from the LED illumination member is changeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sakumi Shibusawa, Tetsuya Oketani
  • Patent number: 7819540
    Abstract: A control device for a household appliance is disclosed. The control device includes a control panel having a front panel and a panel lip extending outward from the front panel; a plurality of controls for selectively controlling operation of the appliance, the controls being disposed on the front panel; and a plurality of lighting devices supported by the panel lip for illuminating the respective controls. A household appliance such as a gas range incorporating the control device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Desmet, Daniel Joseph Trice, Julia Fonseca, H. Richard Bowles
  • Publication number: 20100259148
    Abstract: There is described a food refrigeration appliance (1) having a casing (2); a food refrigeration chamber (3) housed inside the casing (2); a food-supporting shelf (5) located inside the refrigeration chamber (3); and a lighting system (7), in turn having a number of spot light sources (7a) fixed stably to the shelf (5), and a power line (8) for electrically powering the spot light sources (7a); the lighting system (7) having a number of straight tracks (14) made of electrically conducting material and fixed stably to the shelf (5) to define an electric circuit (9) connecting the spot light sources (7a) to the power line (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V.
    Inventors: Paolo Alberghetti, Ilan Cohen
  • Patent number: 7810967
    Abstract: An adjustable grill light having a lamp portion with light emitting diodes, a lens and a reflector, a gooseneck extension, and an adjustable clamp comprised of two members hingedly joined and locked together. After unlocking, the two members are secured in a selected position by a slidable plate, a fixed plate and a brace hingedly joined therebetween. Further, a timer controls the period during which the grill light is illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Elumx LLC
    Inventors: Wai-Shing Peter Ko, Jon Eric Gibson
  • Publication number: 20100254116
    Abstract: Disclosed are a lighting apparatus and a refrigerator having the same. The lighting apparatus comprises: a lighting module having one or more light emitting devices, and having a circuit board to make the one or more light emitting devices emit light; and a waterproofing unit for protecting the lighting module from moisture. Accordingly, the lighting module is protected from moisture, and entire fabrication processes are simplified. Furthermore, light emitting efficiency is prevented from being degraded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Bong-Kook Lee
  • Patent number: 7806582
    Abstract: A luminous module for mounting in a household appliance has a housing that is embodied in such a way as to receive a luminous element. The luminous module further contains a first optical wave guide having a light admission surface via which light emitted by the luminous element enters the first optical wave guide, and a light output surface via which the light emerges from the luminous module. The housing is embodied in such a way as to alternatively receive a first luminous element and a second luminous element that is different from the first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Mayer, Roland Vetter
  • Patent number: 7806552
    Abstract: A lighted cooler includes a thermally-insulated cooler body having a cooler body interior, at least one lid carried by the cooler body and closeable over the cooler body interior, a front body panel carried by the cooler body, a transparent light panel carried by the cooler body in spaced-apart relationship with respect to the front body panel, a plurality of lights carried by the front body panel adjacent to the transparent light panel, a power source electrically connected to the plurality of lights and a light control button electrically connected between the power source and the plurality of lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Terry L. St. Julien
  • Patent number: 7806543
    Abstract: A temperature controlled case is disclosed that includes a housing defining a display area and a first shelf provided within the display area. The temperature controlled case also includes a light system associated with the first shelf. The light system includes a substrate having a first portion and a second portion and a light source provided at the first portion of the substrate and configured to direct light through the substrate towards the second portion for illuminating an area below the first shelf. According to another embodiment, the substrate is a light sheet that cooperates with the light source to provide a distribution of light that varies between the first portion of the light sheet and the second portion of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Dean Swofford, Larry C. Howington
  • Publication number: 20100220460
    Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes an appliance housing and a liner within the housing, defining an interior storage chamber at least partially enclosed by the liner, and providing a storage chamber rear wall, a first storage chamber sidewall, and a second storage chamber sidewall. The first storage chamber sidewall has a plurality of openings through the first storage chamber sidewall. The second storage chamber sidewall has another plurality of openings through the second storage chamber sidewall. A plurality of lighting devices illuminates the interior storage chamber. Each of the lighting devices is mounted within a respective one of the openings and emits light toward the storage chamber rear wall providing a showcase lighting effect. Each of the lighting devices includes a cover located in the interior storage chamber and a device housing located within the respective one of the openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: David L. Hall
  • Patent number: 7775674
    Abstract: A light emitting system to illuminate ice and a method for illuminating ice are disclosed herein. The system includes multiple light emitting modules that each includes a light source having at least one light emitting element and a cover having a base. The base substantially surrounds the light source. The light emitting modules may then be electrically connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Barco, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew E. Ward
  • Patent number: 7771071
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a thermally controlled optical filter comprises a frame coupled to an etalon where the frame includes a resistive thermal device disposed on the frame to obtain thermal measurements of the etalon during operation. The frame may be generally L-shaped or generally square-shaped. The frame may include a fillet that is generally planar, generally beveled or trapezoidal, or generally circular in shape. A heater may be additionally disposed on the frame. The etalon and frame subassembly may be bonded to a micro hot plate that is capable of heating the etalon to an operational temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Emcore Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Finot, Mark McDonald, Andrew Daiber
  • Patent number: 7766497
    Abstract: A lamp that can be used in a refrigerated or cold environment where an overall light output measured on a target plane is not significantly reduced due to condensation or fog includes a housing including a translucent cover, an LED disposed in the housing, and an anti-fog film. The LED is disposed in the housing with relation to the translucent cover such that light from the LED passes through the cover. The anti-fog film is disposed on at least one of the surfaces of the translucent cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Lumination LLC
    Inventors: Mathew Sommers, William David Sekela, Gerald P. O'Hara, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7748861
    Abstract: A light fixture (10) is provided having a housing (11), a light diffusor (12), a light source (13), and a heating source (14). The housing includes a mounting plate (17) adapted to be mounted to the ceiling of a structure in conventional fashion. The mounting plate includes a radial array of mounting arms (18) which form air intake openings (19) therebetween. The mounting plate is coupled to a tubular flow channel (21) having a central passage (22) extending therethrough. The bottommost portion of the flow channel includes threaded neck (24). A threaded locking plate (28) rotatably mates with the threaded neck. The locking plate includes a radial array of exhaust openings (32) extending therethrough. The heat source includes a heating element (38) and a motorized fan (39).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventors: Brendan Patrick Byrne, Edwin T. Koehler
  • Publication number: 20100149785
    Abstract: An automated de-icing system for a low power lighting device having a light emitting face. The system includes one or more detectors for detecting conditions under which ice, frost or snow are likely to occur on the light emitting face. The system further includes a heat transfer system for transferring heat to the light emitting face and a controller for receiving data from the detector(s) and determining a likelihood of ice, frost or snow forming on the light emitting face. The controller engages the heat transfer system if the likelihood of ice, frost or snow forming on the light emitting face exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Eden Dubuc, Dan Mihai, Christian Auger
  • Publication number: 20100149786
    Abstract: Provided is a lighting device for a refrigerator. A cold air duct is disposed at a rear surface of a storage room of the refrigerator, and the lighting device is disposed at the cold air duct for illuminating the storage room. Therefore, the storage capacity of the refrigerator does not decrease by the lighting device, and the efficiency of the refrigerator can increase. In addition, a user is not dazzled by light emitted from the lighting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Bong-Kook Lee
  • Patent number: 7736010
    Abstract: A refrigerator having a lamp apparatus includes: a lamp receiving part formed at a recess portion of a rear wall surface of a storage space of the refrigerator; a light source unit installed at the lamp receiving part and being parallel to the rear wall surface of the storage space; and a lamp cover for diffusing light emitted from the light source unit. Because the light source unit and the lamp cover are provided at the lamp receiving part formed at a recess portion of the rear wall surface of the storage space of the refrigerator, both upper and lower ends of the storage space may be uniformly illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Seung-Mok Lee
  • Publication number: 20100140511
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flat discharge lamp (1000) that transmits in the visible and/or UV comprising first and second dielectric walls (2, 3) that are facing each other, kept parallel and sealed at the periphery (8), that thus define an internal space (10) filled with a plasma gas and comprising a source of UV and/or visible light (6); and first and second electrodes (4, 5) in separate planes parallel to the first and second walls, the first electrode (4) being at a potential V0 higher than the potential V1 of the second electrode, and the first electrode being arranged in the internal space and closer to the first dielectric wall than the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Guillaume Auday, Laurent Joulaud, Jingwei Zhang, Philippe Guillot, Philippe Belenguer
  • Patent number: 7731395
    Abstract: Various embodiments described herein comprise array of light emitting diodes and a cylindrical lens having front and rear curved surfaces. The cylindrical lens is disposed to receive light from the light emitting diodes and to redistribute the light. The cylindrical lens is located no more than about 8 inches distance from the front an illumination target, which may for example, comprise products on shelves in a refrigerator. The front and rear surfaces of the cylindrical lens are shaped to provide substantially uniform illumination across the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Anthony International
    Inventors: William A. Parkyn, David G. Pelka
  • Patent number: 7726300
    Abstract: A fireplace including a backlighting system. The backlighting system can be positioned in a back portion of the bottom panel of the fireplace. The backlighting system includes at least one light source to shine light upon the components of the fireplace. For example, the light source can be positioned to shine light on a back panel of the fireplace. The light source of the backlighting system can be modulated depending on a state of the fireplace. For example, the light source can be turned on or off depending on whether the flame of the fireplace is on or off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Lyons, Thomas J. Bachinski, Robert S. Waddell, Richard D. Berg, Scott S. Jeutter, Kurt M. Schwie
  • Patent number: 7726831
    Abstract: There is disclosed a showcase provided with a light device capable of simplifying a maintenance operation and improving a cooling efficiency in a display chamber. In a showcase 1 of the present invention, a display chamber 11 is formed in an insulating wall 2 to display commodities in the display chamber 11 while cooling the commodities, the showcase includes LED lights 40 which illuminate the inside of the display chamber 11, and a light transmitting shade 46 which covers the LED lights 40, and the shade 46 has a structure to diffuse light from the LED lights 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sakumi Shibusawa, Atsushi Todoroki, Masaru Sekine, Seiji Kataoka, Yoshiki Makishima, Tetsuya Oketani, Katsuya Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7722204
    Abstract: A cooler is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the cooler includes a thermally-insulated cooler receptacle having a receptacle interior and a thermally-insulated cooler lid carried by the cooler receptacle and positional between open and closed positions. A pressure switch is carried by the cooler receptacle. The pressure switch is closed when the cooler lid is in the open position and open when the cooler lid is in the closed position. A plurality of LEDs is provided in the receptacle interior and connected to the pressure switch. A power source is connected to the pressure switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventor: Jayson T. Sandberg
  • Publication number: 20100097780
    Abstract: A self-contained LED lighting assembly for use in a refrigerated cabinet contains a plurality of LEDs mounted upon a substrate, each using a refractive lens designed to evenly disperse the light emitted from each LED into a flat, wide pattern suitable for lighting the contents of the cabinet. Heat is effectively removed from each LED and transported to an interior air space within the LED lighting assembly housing. The system is designed to replace current lighting systems and is sized fit within the space provided for current lighting systems, without the need for substantial modification, cutting, or removal of the current lighting systems. The assembly may be composed of individual LED lighting modules wired end-to-end to provide a desired length of strip lighting. Upon complete installation, the system provides the same or better lighting using only a fraction of the power required by the system replaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: John Bryan Beatenbough, Ryan Edward Haley
  • Publication number: 20100061079
    Abstract: A refrigerator has a door, a lampshade and a lamp set, internal and external clamping walls and a seal retainer formed on the frame of the door. The lampshade and the lamp are set on the inner side of the frame of the door. The lamp is installed on the inner side of the doorframe, so that on the one hand the inner space of the refrigerator is not occupied by the illuminating device, and on the other hand, damage to the lamp caused by placing or taking goods relative to the refrigerator is prevented. Also, the lamp is installed on the door, and the light generated by the lamp irradiates inwardly to enhance the illuminating effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicants: QINGDAO HAIER SPECIAL FREEZER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Biao Li, Jingchun Wang, Kailong Ren, Fumin Wu, Wen Zhang
  • Publication number: 20100053934
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention uses a light emitting diode with small volume and low heat generation amount so that the storage space of the refrigerator is assured as well as a risk of the degradation in the storage state of foods stored in the refrigerator due to heat emitted from the lighting apparatus is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jong-Seok Yoon, Bong-Kook Lee, Dong-Kyun Kim
  • Patent number: 7670018
    Abstract: An illumination device for a refrigerator and a method of controlling the same are provided. The illumination device includes a lamp assembly that irradiates light to an inside of a storage chamber of the refrigerator, a base plate mounted on a side within the storage chamber, wherein the lamp assembly is provided on a side of the base plate, a watertight cover formed to enclose the lamp assembly blocking direct penetration of water into the lamp assembly, and at least one fastening device formed on a side of the base plate. The at least one fastening device surrounds an outer surface and an inner surface of entire lower edge of the watertight cover along a side of the watertight cover forming a recess-prominence engagement with the watertight cover. Lamps provided in the lamp assembly are individually controlled through a manipulation panel mounted on the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Beom Kim, Dae Kil Kang, Sang Hyun Cheon, Sung Tae No, Sun Kook Ji
  • Publication number: 20100014276
    Abstract: A display assembly that may be used with an electrical appliance. The display assembly includes a light guide plate having a first surface and a second surface, an emitting surface formed from a portion of the first surface, an incident surface formed from a portion of the second surface, a light diffusion film adjacent to the emitting surface, and a light conversion film adjacent to the incident surface. The light guide plate is made of a substantially transparent material adapted to guide light between the first surface and the second surface. The first surface is relatively larger than the second surface. The light diffusion film is adapted to substantially uniformly diffuse light from the emitting surface, and the light conversion film is adapted to substantially convert light from a first wavelength to a second wavelength. The light conversion film extends substantially over the portion of the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: Jung Doo JANG
  • Publication number: 20100006554
    Abstract: A conventional vehicle lighting device has entailed a problem on swaging and fixing a power-feeding portion and a connector to each other insofar. In the present invention, a connector is made up of: a male terminal set at a power-feeding electrically conductive paste on one face of a power-feeding film of a power-feeding portion; a grommeted terminal board (primary swaging tool) on which the terminal and the power-feeding portion have been swaged; and a resin board (secondary swaging tool) on which the male terminal, the power-feeding portion, and the grommeted terminal board have been swaged. As a result, in the present invention, a swaging fixing strength between the power-feeding portion and the connector can be improved by means of the primary swaging fixing of the grommeted terminal board and the secondary swaging fixing of the resin board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Kotoka Inoue, Katsuhiro Murahashi, Hiroto Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 7637624
    Abstract: A cooking device is provided in which damage to a lamp that provides light to a cooking cavity may be prevented. The lamp may be mounted in a lighting assembly and coupled to an outer surface of the cavity by a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly provides for limited movement of the lighting assembly relative to the cavity. Any external shocks or vibrations imparted on the cavity may be attenuated through this limited movement, thus reducing or eliminating forces transmitted to the lighting assembly and preventing damage to the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jae Myeung Chin
  • Publication number: 20090316385
    Abstract: An oven lighting fixture includes an LED assembly or assemblies optically coupled with an optical guide member. The lighting fixture also includes a mounting bracket and a pair of electrical leadwires to connect the LED lighting fixture to an external voltage source. The LED assembly has an LED attached to a printed circuit board containing ancillary circuitry for powering the LED, and a heat sink for removing heat from the LED. The mounting bracket is attachable to a door of the oven cavity to support the LED lighting fixture adjacent to a sidelight window. The mounting bracket has a slot adjacent to the window for transmitting light from the LED through the light guide and into the oven cavity. Positioning the lighting fixture outside of the oven cavity and adjacent to the sidelight window permits the LED to operate within required temperature limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Martin Weber, Charles Raymond Gingrich, III
  • Patent number: 7628525
    Abstract: A light source for a refrigerator includes a power supply and a light emitting diode (LED) module. A light emitting portion of the LED module may be located in the interior of a rear end of a shelf plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Bong Kook Lee, Ki Cheol Woo
  • Patent number: 7617698
    Abstract: The present invention is a refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser with a lighted dispenser target ring. The dispenser has a lighted target ring to facilitate positioning of a container for receipt of ice and water. An additional benefit is that the lighted target ring reduces ice and water spray outside of the container being filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Bowen, Lawrence J. Ertz, Bruce A. Kopf, Dean A. Martin, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Chad J. Rotter
  • Patent number: 7614761
    Abstract: An object is to provide a showcase capable of realizing a stable attaching operation of sockets and a replacement operation of an illuminative lamp, the showcase provided with the illuminative lamp having terminals at opposite end portions, respectively, includes a pair of sockets which connect the illuminative lamp to a power source of a main body, each socket includes a housing having an opening in at least a surface on an illuminative lamp side, and a lid member to block the opening of the housing in a state in which the terminals are allowed to enter the housing, the housing has a connecting portion to store a power supply portion internally connected to the terminal, and a holding protrusion moved in a direction disengaging from the illuminative lamp to engage with a lower surface of a shelf, and the lid member is fixed to the lower surface of the shelf by a screw in a state in which the lid member blocks the opening of the housing which holding protrusion is engaged with the lower surface of the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20090244884
    Abstract: A refrigerator unit with a lighted door including a cabinet including a top, bottom and opposed sides defining a front opening. The refrigerator further includes a door including a door frame mounted to the cabinet, said door frame having an inside and outside and including a top framing member, a bottom framing member, opposed side framing members and a glass panel having an exterior and an interior. Finally, provided is a lighting assembly attached to at least one of the top framing member, a bottom framing member and opposed side framing members. The lighting assembly includes a channel for maintaining a plurality of LEDs. The channel is disposed at an angle to direct light from the LED either parallel to the glass plane or at an oblique angle thereto. The system may reduce the intensity of the light when the door is opened. A method for operating a refrigerator is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: TRUE MANUFACTURING CO. INC.
    Inventor: Steven L. Trulaske, SR.
  • Patent number: 7588340
    Abstract: A refrigerating appliance, especially a refrigerating or freezing appliance, including an inside area and an internal lighting system. The appliance internal lighting system includes at least one organic light-emitting diode (OLED) for substantially uniformly illuminating the inside area of the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Bauer, Fritz Hägele, Erich Hell
  • Publication number: 20090201663
    Abstract: A lighting installation for grill stove, which is positioned on a platform with a fixing surface arranged of the grill stove, comprising a base and a light set on the base, wherein the base is positioned on the platform with a fixing surface arranged by a fastening piece and is removable as required. The invention is applicable to a platform with a fixing surface arranged made of any material, not limited to magnetic materials as the base of the invention is fixed by the fastening piece; meanwhile, the fastening piece is designed to be flexibly removed, the lighting installation of the invention is easily to be installed or dismounted as required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Kao Hsung Tsung
  • Patent number: 7572024
    Abstract: A variably-adjustable grill light with a lamp portion having pitch, roll and/or yaw adjustability, along with a telescopic arm, wherein the grill light can be installed and then selectively adjusted without the need for removal so that it will shine on any selected portion of the grill, or, alternately, the lamp portion can be removed without removing the clamp from the handle for portable use or to shine on other surfaces. This provides a grill user with the ability to easily see the condition of the food being cooked and provides visibility during application of spices, sauces or other condiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Elumx, LLC
    Inventors: Wai-Shing Peter Ko, Jon Eric Gibson