Drawer Rail Lighting with Motion Sensor Control for Energy Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drawer lighting systems lack user-friendliness and energy efficiency, as they often require manual operation and consume energy unnecessarily, especially when the drawer is closed.

Innovation Solution

A drawer lighting system that incorporates a sensor arrangement, including acceleration, vibration, and gyro sensors, to detect movement states and control LED lighting automatically, switching it on only when the drawer is opened and off when closed, with an energy storage unit providing power and a programmable lighting control device for precise energy management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual operation is used to control drawer lighting, then the lighting can be activated, but user-friendliness deteriorates due to requiring manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser-friendlinessVSAvoidautomatic control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system automatically detects drawer opening/closing movements and activates/deactivates lighting without user intervention. The control device monitors movement state and autonomously manages lighting operation, making the system serve itself rather than requiring manual control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control device receives feedback about drawer movement state and adjusts lighting operation accordingly. This closed-loop control enables automatic response to user actions, improving ease of operation while achieving automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Illumination intensity

If lighting remains on continuously, then visibility is improved, but energy consumption increases unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting operates periodically based on drawer usage rather than continuously. The control device activates lighting only during relevant periods when the drawer is opened, and deactivates it when closed, creating an on-demand periodic operation pattern that reduces energy consumption while maintaining visibility when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting system dynamically adjusts its operation state based on real-time drawer movement conditions. Rather than static continuous operation, the lighting intensity and activation state change dynamically in response to drawer opening/closing events, optimizing the balance between visibility and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Extent of automation

If sensor arrangement is added to detect movement state, then automation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic detectionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs multiple functions: it monitors drawer movement state, determines opening/closing directions, controls lighting activation, and manages energy consumption. By making the control device multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity while achieving high automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system provides a user-friendly, energy-efficient lighting solution by automatically activating the lighting when the drawer is opened and deactivating it when closed, minimizing energy consumption and ensuring the storage space is illuminated only during use, enhancing visibility and reducing unnecessary energy use.

Implementation Method 1

the sensor arrangement is capable of to detect acceleration and/or inclination and/or vibration and/or shock and/or a change in position or distance with respect to the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration detection: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

the sensor arrangement is capable of to detect acceleration and/or inclination and/or vibration and/or shock and/or a change in position or distance with respect to the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration detection: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

the sensor arrangement is capable of to detect acceleration and/or inclination and/or vibration and/or shock and/or a change in position or distance with respect to the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGyroscopic detection: Gyroscope

Implementation Method 4

an energy storage device for supplying the lighting device with electrical energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical energy storage: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentEP3711629B1Device comprising a drawer rail and a lighting device, drawer and furniture
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 GRASS GMBH
  • EP3711629B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3711629B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3711629B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

A device (11) is proposed, consisting of a drawer rail (12, 13) and a switchable lighting device comprising a light source unit with which a light effect in the drawer rail can be temporarily set, wherein the lighting device (14, 15) comprises a lighting control device (16) for operational control of the lighting device, an energy storage device (17, 32-34) for supplying the lighting device with electrical energy and a sensor arrangement (18) for detecting a movement state of the device and the drawer, wherein the lighting control device is configured to switch the lighting device on or off depending on the detected movement state of the device, wherein the sensor arrangement is capable ofwith regard to the device to detect an acceleration and/or a tilt and/or a vibration and/or a shock and/or a change in position or distance.