Lighted Cooler with Automatic Lid-Activated Interior Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The interior of traditional coolers can be difficult to see in dark or dimly lit environments, making it hard for users to view items stored inside.
Innovation Solution
A cooler with an illuminated interior, featuring a housing with a lighting mechanism that is powered by a power mechanism and activated when the lid is opened, providing visibility of items inside even in low light conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a traditional cooler without lighting is used, then the device complexity is low, but the illumination intensity inside the cooler is insufficient in dark environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lighting mechanism with the cooler housing and lid structure. The lighting mechanism includes light sources mounted on the housing and/or lid, integrating illumination functionality into the existing cooler structure rather than adding separate, complex lighting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooler lighting system is designed to activate automatically when the lid is opened, using the lid position itself as the activation trigger. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual switches or complex control systems, reducing device complexity while providing illumination when needed.
2Illumination intensity
If a lighting mechanism is added to illuminate the interior, then the illumination intensity improves, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting mechanism operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when the lid is opened and deactivating when the lid is closed. This periodic operation significantly reduces energy consumption compared to continuous lighting, while still providing adequate illumination during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the lid opening/closing action itself to trigger lighting activation/deactivation, creating an energy-efficient automatic control system that illuminates only when the cooler is being accessed, minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.
3Illumination intensity
If the lighting mechanism is always on, then the illumination intensity is sufficient, but the loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting mechanism is designed to operate only during periods when the lid is open, providing illumination intensity sufficient for viewing contents while avoiding energy loss during periods when the cooler is closed and viewing is not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting mechanism is positioned and configured to provide adequate illumination as soon as the lid is opened, ensuring visibility is established immediately without requiring prolonged operation, thus minimizing energy loss while maintaining sufficient illumination intensity.
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 illuminated interior allows users to easily see the contents of the cooler in dark or dimly lit surroundings, enhancing usability and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
A lighting mechanism that illuminates the interior space is coupled to at least one of the housing and the lid
Data Source
AI summary
A lighted cooler device for illuminating an interior of the cooler includes a housing having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall that is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall defining an interior space. The peripheral wall has an upper edge defining an opening into the interior space. A lid is positionable on the housing and abuts the upper edge to selectively cover the opening. A lighting mechanism that illuminates the interior space is coupled to at least one of the housing and the lid. A power mechanism is coupled to the lighting mechanism to power the lighting mechanism. An activation mechanism is coupled to the lighting mechanism and the power mechanism to actuate the lighting mechanism when the lid is not covering the opening.