Kitchen Hood Task Lighting with Matrix-Based Spot Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing task lighting systems in kitchens face challenges with adjustable light direction, as systems with flexible bases or necks occupy space and get dirty, while those mounted in furniture elements are difficult to adjust, and advanced solutions like motorized kinematic structures are expensive and complex.
Innovation Solution
A task lighting system with a control unit that adjusts the direction and features of a macro light spot using a matrix of lighting elements, allowing users to set spot shape, size, and light features through an input interface, without requiring protruding elements or mechanical movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lights on flexible bases or necks are employed, then users are able to easily modify the direction of the emitted light, but the lighting system occupies space and is more prone to get dirty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms (flexible bases, necks, or protruding elements) with an optical control system. Multiple lighting elements arranged in a matrix can be selectively activated or adjusted in intensity through electronic control, allowing the light spot position and size to be modified without any mechanical movement. This substitution eliminates the need for protruding adjustable components while maintaining full adjustability of the emitted light direction and concentration.
2Ease of operation
If lights on flexible bases or necks are employed, then users are able to easily modify the direction of the emitted light, but the lighting system is more prone to get dirty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms (flexible bases, necks, or protruding elements) with an optical control system. Multiple lighting elements arranged in a matrix can be selectively activated or adjusted in intensity through electronic control, allowing the light spot position and size to be modified without any mechanical movement. This substitution eliminates the need for protruding adjustable components while maintaining full adjustability of the emitted light direction and concentration.
3Volume of moving object
If task lighting systems are directly mounted in furniture element or home appliance, then the system is more compact and less prone to get dirty, but it is more difficult to adjust the direction of the emitted light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lighting system into multiple independent lighting elements (e.g., LEDs) arranged in a matrix pattern. Each element can be independently controlled to emit light in a specific direction and intensity. By selectively activating different combinations of these segmented elements, the system can electronically steer the light spot to different positions and adjust its size without requiring mechanical movement of the entire lighting assembly, thus maintaining compact integration while achieving full adjustability.
4Ease of operation
If motorized kinematic structure is used to orient the light source, then the direction of the emitted light can be adjusted, but the system becomes expensive and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms (flexible bases, necks, or protruding elements) with an optical control system. Multiple lighting elements arranged in a matrix can be selectively activated or adjusted in intensity through electronic control, allowing the light spot position and size to be modified without any mechanical movement. This substitution eliminates the need for protruding adjustable components while maintaining full adjustability of the emitted light direction and concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic lighting control system where the intensity and activation state of each lighting element can be adjusted in real-time based on control signals. This dynamic electronic control allows the light spot to be steered and resized by changing the electrical parameters of the lighting elements rather than through mechanical movement, significantly reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining full adjustability.
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
Enables intuitive and natural control of light direction and intensity, reducing space occupation and maintenance needs, while being cost-effective and easy to use, with the ability to adapt to different areas without mechanical adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
each lighting element (110) is configured to emit light when activated
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2B
AI summary
A kitchen unit (200), for example an extraction hood, has a task lighting system (100) for illuminating an operative area (210) below the kitchen unit, the task lighting system comprising: - at least a plurality of fixed lighting elements (110) configured to generate, on the operative area, corresponding fixed elementary light spots (270) and macro light spots (280) by the union of the elementary light spots; and - a control unit (115) configured to receive a spot position signal indicative of a desired position of a macro light spot and to selectively activate, based on the spot position signal, the lighting elements to generate a macro light spot with said desired position.