LED Night-Light Adapter for Incandescent Housing Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED night-light assemblies are not compatible with standard night-light housings designed for incandescent bulbs, limiting the use of LEDs in conventional night-light setups.
Innovation Solution
An LED night-light assembly that includes a housing with parallel prongs for insertion into an electrical outlet, a toggle switch for controlling power, and a self-contained unit comprising a light-emitting diode, circuit components, and conductors, allowing the LED to be used with standard night-light assemblies by modifying the existing housing to accommodate both incandescent and LED bulbs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If LED is used with standard night-light assembly for incandescent bulb, then energy efficiency and longevity are improved, but compatibility with existing housing and electrical connections deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal adapter assembly that can accommodate both traditional incandescent bulbs and LED modules. The adapter includes a housing with a socket for incandescent bulbs and a separate mounting mechanism for LED modules, allowing the same night-light housing to support multiple lighting types. This resolves the compatibility issue while enabling energy-efficient LED operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter assembly serves as an intermediary device between the existing night-light housing and the LED module. It provides the necessary electrical connections, mechanical support, and interface compatibility, allowing LEDs to be integrated into housings originally designed for incandescent bulbs without modifying the original housing structure.
2Ease of operation
If LED night-light assembly is designed with standard two-prong plug, then ease of operation and portability are improved, but electrical connection reliability and switching control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrical connection system into separate functional components: a two-prong plug for power input, a toggle switch for control, and distinct circuit paths for different LED configurations. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function reliably while maintaining overall system portability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a toggle switch that dynamically controls the electrical circuit, allowing the user to switch between different operating modes (on/off, different LED configurations). This dynamic control element maintains reliability by providing explicit user control over power delivery while preserving the simplicity of a two-prong plug connection.
3Device complexity
If LED module is integrated into housing, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of repair and component replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the LED module as a nested, self-contained unit that fits within the adapter assembly housing. The LED module can be inserted into and removed from the adapter without disassembling the entire night-light system. This nested structure reduces overall device complexity while maintaining ease of repair, as the LED module can be independently replaced.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables easy extraction of the LED module from the adapter assembly through a simple insertion/removal mechanism. The LED module is designed as a separate, removable component that can be taken out for replacement or repair without affecting other parts of the system, thus maintaining ease of repair while achieving integration benefits.
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 the use of LEDs in standard night-light assemblies, providing a compatible and functional LED lighting solution while maintaining the existing infrastructure of incandescent bulb housings, with the ability to power on and off the LED unit seamlessly.
Implementation Method 1
a light-emitting diode
Data Source
AI summary
An LED night-light includes a housing and a toggle switch mounted on the housing. First and second prongs are supported by the housing. An LED driver circuit is electrically connected to a light-emitting diode. Movement of the toggle switch to a first position presses a second conductor against the second prong and thereby switchably connects the second conductor to the second prong. Movement of the toggle switch to a second position allows the second conductor to move out of contact with the second prong and thereby switchably provides an open circuit between the second conductor and the second prong. Electricity is supplied to the light-emitting diode and to the LED driver circuit when the toggle switch is in the first position. No electricity is supplied to the light-emitting diode and LED driver circuit when the toggle switch is in the second position.