Integrated Lighting and Ventilating System with Independent Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting and ventilating systems often have a bulky, unaesthetic design, inefficient component arrangement, inadequate cooling of light fixtures, and lack functionality such as providing lighting when the ventilating system is quiescent, with many systems relying on a single illumination source.
Innovation Solution
A lighting and ventilating system with a main housing that includes a fan wheel for air flow, a grille with apertures for air intake, and a set of illumination devices configured to emit dynamic illumination, allowing for independent ventilation and lighting, with multiple illumination sources and adjustable brightness, and the ability to operate as a night light or task illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional lighting and ventilating systems combine elements of a conventional room ventilating fan with a light fixture, then both ventilation and lighting functions are provided, but the apparatus has a bulky, unaesthetic appearance and complicated design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ventilation fan and lighting fixture into a single integrated housing unit, merging two separate functions into one compact apparatus. The housing contains both the fan wheel for ventilation and multiple illumination devices for lighting, eliminating the need for separate bulky components while maintaining both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the structural enclosure for the ventilation system, the mounting structure for lighting devices, and the air passage channel. This multi-functional design reduces overall device complexity while providing both ventilation and lighting capabilities.
2Device complexity
If conventional lighting and ventilating systems use a single illumination source, then the design is simple, but the system lacks useful functions including failure to provide lighting when the ventilating system is quiescent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of multiple illumination devices with different operating modes. The system can selectively activate different numbers and types of light sources based on operational conditions: all illumination devices can operate during ventilation, while subsets can operate when the ventilating system is quiescent, providing adaptive lighting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of illumination devices based on the ventilation system state. When the ventilating system is quiescent, the control circuitry adjusts which illumination devices are active and at what intensity levels, enabling lighting functionality without requiring the ventilation system to be running.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional lighting and ventilating systems have inefficient component arrangement, then manufacturing is simpler, but the system fails to adequately cool the light fixture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions illumination devices in specific locations within the housing where they receive adequate cooling airflow from the ventilation system. The air passage is configured to direct cool air across the light fixtures, and the housing structure provides thermal management zones that maintain appropriate temperatures for both the fan and lighting components.
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 efficient ventilation and adjustable lighting, improving aesthetics and functionality by allowing independent control of lighting and ventilation, and ensuring illumination is maintained even when the ventilating system is not in use.
Implementation Method 1
A fan wheel can be supported in the main housing and it can be operable to generate a flow of air
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a lighting and ventilating system including a main housing. The main housing can include an inlet through which air can be received within the main housing and an outlet through which the air can exit the main housing. A fan wheel can be supported in the main housing and it can be operable to generate a flow of air. A grille can be coupled to the main housing and the grille can comprise at least one aperture. The system can include a plate coupled to the grille and the plate can include a recess. Also, a set of illumination devices can be at least partially disposed within the recess.