Night Light Sensor Isolation and Diffusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical wiring devices with night lights face issues such as inadequate illumination, safety concerns, aesthetic compromise, and inefficient energy use, particularly when ambient light levels drop, and they often require complex and costly installation processes.
Innovation Solution
An electrical device with a housing containing a control circuit, ambient light sensor, and light emitting elements, where the sensor is proximate to the LEDs but isolated electronically, and a diffusing lens and switch actuator provide uniform illumination without shadows, and a modular framing system that eliminates the need for fasteners and ensures easy, safe installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the light sensor and light element are separated by a great distance to prevent contamination, then the sensor operation is not contaminated by light, but the lighting assembly size must be reduced which provides inadequate illumination
Solution Approach 1:
A reflective barrier is introduced as an intermediary element positioned between the light sensor and light emitting elements. This barrier reflects light away from the sensor while allowing the sensor to detect ambient light levels, preventing contamination without requiring physical separation. The barrier acts as a mediator that manages light paths to protect sensor operation while maintaining compact assembly size for adequate illumination.
2Ease of operation
If conventional light switches are disposed adjacent to the point of entry, then the switch is easily located, but the person entering must navigate around objects and may trip over low-disposed objects
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device is positioned at wall height (vertical dimension) rather than floor level, providing illumination from above that casts light across the entry path. This dimensional change allows the light switch to remain easily accessible at wall level while the illuminated path guides entry safely over low-disposed objects without requiring the person to navigate around furniture.
3Illumination intensity
If temporary lighting devices are plugged into receptacles for extended periods, then adequate illumination is provided, but the lighting bill becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a light sensor that continuously monitors ambient light levels and provides feedback to the control circuit. Based on this feedback, the system automatically turns the light emitting elements on or off, ensuring illumination is provided only when ambient light is insufficient. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual plugging/unplugging while preventing excessive energy consumption by conditioning lighting operation on actual illumination needs.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the light element is hard-wired to power contacts, then the lighting device is permanently installed, but the light element life expectancy is limited and requires periodic replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional incandescent or neon light elements to LED (light-emitting diode) technology. This parameter change in the light source type provides significantly extended life expectancy (50,000+ hours for LEDs versus a few years for conventional lights) while maintaining permanent installation stability through hard-wired connections to power contacts.
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 device provides sufficient, aesthetically pleasing illumination while ensuring user safety and energy efficiency, with a modular design that simplifies installation and reduces the risk of electrical shock hazards.
Implementation Method 1
an ambient light sensor disposed on a substrate and proximate the plurality of light emitting elements on the substrate. The ambient light sensor is configured to provide the processing circuit with ambient light data.
Implementation Method 2
A lighting assembly includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed on a substrate.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to an electrical device that includes a control circuit having a processing circuit, an electronic switch, light emitting elements and an ambient light sensor disposed on a substrate. The processing circuit provides an electronic barrier between the light emitting elements and the ambient light sensor such that the operation of the ambient light sensor is not contaminated by light emitted by the plurality of light emitting elements. A cover assembly includes a lens element and a switch actuator comprised of a diffusing material. The lens element and the switch actuator are disposed over the light emitting elements such that the light emitted by the light emitting elements is diffused by the lens element and the switch actuator to emit a substantially uniform illumination without any shadow or hot spot artifacts being visible on either the lens element or the switch actuator.