Lighted Food Container with Integrated Wall Circuit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable food storage containers lack a convenient and efficient way to illuminate the interior, making it difficult for users to locate items in low-light conditions.
Innovation Solution
A portable storage container with a lighted interior, featuring a housing with a light source integrated into the walls, a circuit with a power source, and a switch that activates the light when the cover is opened.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light source is added to illuminate the interior, then visibility of items is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is integrated directly into the container walls, merging the illumination function with the container structure. The circuit and power source are embedded within the wall assembly, combining electrical components with the structural element to reduce overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall structure serves dual purposes: it provides structural containment and houses the light source and circuitry. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving illumination.
2Illumination intensity
If a power source and circuit are integrated into the wall, then illumination is enabled, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into modular sections with walls that can be manufactured as separate units containing the light source and circuitry. This segmentation allows each wall module to be pre-assembled and tested before final integration, simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit and power source are nested within the wall structure, with components arranged concentrically or in nested configurations. This nesting allows compact integration and simplifies assembly by reducing the number of separate mounting operations required.
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 container provides users with a means to easily locate items within the storage container, enhancing usability and convenience, especially in low-light environments.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one light source having a surface that is flush with an associated inner surface of the pair of side walls
Data Source
AI summary
A storage container is provided. The storage container having a parallelepiped housing with a plurality of walls that define a hollow interior portion. The plurality of walls include a pair of side walls, and a front, rear, and bottom walls. A cover is coupled to the housing, the cover is movable between an open and closed position, the cover enclosing the hollow interior and in contact with a top surface of the walls when in the closed position. A light source is disposed within at least one of the plurality of walls and arranged to project light into the hollow interior. A circuit having a power source is provided, the circuit being electrically coupled to the at least one light source and being configured to transfer electrical power to the at least one light source in response to the cover member being moved towards the open position.