In-wall Night Light with Dimmable Lens and Occupancy Sensor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional night lights are limited by their fixed intensity, location near the floor, ease of removal and misplacement, and inability to adjust lighting levels according to user preferences, providing insufficient and non-adjustable illumination for nighttime tasks.
Innovation Solution
An electrical wiring device with a dimmable night light featuring one or more LEDs and a lens that allows for adjustable light intensity, integrated into the device for improved positioning and user control, such as through a push-button or rotating lens mechanism, enabling variable light emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional night lights are used, then they provide basic nighttime illumination, but they have fixed intensity that cannot be adjusted based on user preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dimmable night light with variable intensity control, transforming the fixed-output conventional night light into a dynamic system that can adjust light output levels. This allows the night light to adapt to different user preferences and lighting conditions while maintaining a relatively simple integrated circuit-based control structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of light intensity by incorporating a dimmable LED driver or pulse-width modulation (PWM) control circuitry. This enables the night light to operate at multiple intensity levels rather than a single fixed level, providing adaptability without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
2Length of stationary object
If conventional night lights are placed at floor level, then they provide illumination near the floor, but they provide limited distance illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the limited illumination distance by optimizing the optical distribution in different spatial dimensions.通过使用扩散板、反射器或透镜等光学元件，使光线在水平方向和垂直方向都能有效扩散，从而在保持 floor-level 安装位置的同时，扩展了有效照明距离。
3Reliability
If conventional night lights are used, then they provide nighttime lighting, but they are easily removed and misplaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the night light function directly into the electrical wiring device (such as a light switch or outlet), merging two separate functions into a single integrated unit. This ensures the night light remains permanently installed and cannot be misplaced, while maintaining full nighttime lighting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional electrical wiring device that combines both the main lighting control function and the night light function in one unit. This universal device serves multiple purposes: controlling main lights and providing nighttime illumination, thereby ensuring reliable functionality while eliminating the need for separate night light devices that could be misplaced.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional night lights emit uniform intensity light, then they provide consistent illumination, but they cannot meet varying user preferences for different lighting levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dimmable night light with variable intensity control, transforming the fixed-output conventional night light into a dynamic system that can adjust light output levels. This allows the night light to adapt to different user preferences and lighting conditions while maintaining a relatively simple integrated circuit-based control structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of light intensity by incorporating a dimmable LED driver or pulse-width modulation (PWM) control circuitry. This enables the night light to operate at multiple intensity levels rather than a single fixed level, providing adaptability without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides enhanced nighttime illumination with adjustable intensity, improved positioning for better distance coverage, and secure integration within the electrical wiring device, reducing the risk of misplacement and meeting user-specific lighting needs.
Implementation Method 1
The night light includes one or more light emitting diodes ("LEDs") and a lens disposed over the LEDs. The LEDs emit light and the lens allows the light to pass through it.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical wiring device includes a dimmable night light therein. The night light includes one or more light sources for emitting light and an optional lens disposed over the light sources. The lens allows light from the light sources to be emitted therethrough. In some embodiments, the lens is used to turn on the night light, turn off the night light, and dim the night light. In some exemplary embodiments, manipulation of the lens selects an operating mode for the device. The device optionally includes an occupancy detection sensor to assist detecting occupancy within a monitored area.