Diffuse Oven Light Pipe Assembly for Shadow-Free Cavity Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oven lighting arrangements suffer from shadows caused by rack and utensil placement, reduced light source lifespan due to high temperatures, and glare from spot lights, which diminish visibility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A light pipe assembly with a light source positioned outside the oven cavity, using optical communication through a central body within the cavity and an end portion outside, distributing light efficiently and reducing heat exposure on the light source, often using LEDs for energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If incandescent or halogen lights are mounted within the oven cavity, then the light source can illuminate the interior space, but the high temperatures during bake and self-clean operations reduce the lifespan of the light source
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is extracted from the oven cavity interior and positioned in the exterior door assembly, separating the illumination function from the high-temperature environment. The light pipe serves as a conduit to deliver light from the external source into the cavity, allowing the light source to operate in a cooler environment while still providing interior illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
A light pipe assembly acts as an intermediary between the external light source and the oven cavity interior. The light pipe transmits light from the source located outside the cavity to the interior space, enabling illumination without exposing the light source to high temperatures that would reduce its lifespan.
2Illumination intensity
If spot light sources are used for illumination, then the light intensity is sufficient, but glare is generated that diminishes food item visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The light pipe assembly introduces a diffuser element that creates local quality variation in the light distribution. Instead of a concentrated spot source, the diffuser spreads the light across multiple areas of the cavity interior, maintaining illumination intensity while eliminating glare by distributing the light source appearance across a larger area.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser material in the light pipe assembly alters the appearance of the light source by scattering and redistributing the light rays. This changes the visual characteristics of the illumination from a harsh spot source to a softer, more diffuse light distribution that reduces glare while maintaining adequate illumination intensity.
3Illumination intensity
If lights are mounted within the oven cavity, then the interior space is illuminated, but racks and baking utensils create unfavorable shadows that diminish visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The light pipe assembly introduces light from multiple locations around the cavity perimeter rather than from a single central mount point. This multi-point illumination approach, achieved through multiple light pipes positioned at different locations, eliminates shadows by providing light from various angles and dimensions around the food items and racks.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system is segmented into multiple light pipe assemblies distributed around the oven cavity rather than using a single centralized light source. Each light pipe segment provides localized illumination, and the combined effect of multiple segments creates uniform lighting that eliminates shadows cast by racks and utensils.
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
This solution provides improved visibility by reducing shadows and glare, extends light source lifespan, and lowers energy consumption by isolating the light source from oven heat, while maintaining effective illumination within the oven cavity.
Implementation Method 1
A light source is disposed outside of a wall of the oven cavity and is in optical communication with an optical light pipe. The light pipe has a central body portion disposed within the oven cavity, and an end portion extending from the central body portion. The end portion extends outside of the oven cavity and is in optical communication with the light source. The central body distributes light from the light source within the oven cavity.
Implementation Method 2
using borosilicate glass or similar materials to withstand heat
Implementation Method 3
using efficient LED lighting that reduces energy consumption
Data Source
AI summary
An oven has a plurality of walls defining an oven cavity, a light source disposed outside of a wall of the oven cavity, and an optical light pipe in optical communication with the light source. The light pipe has a central body portion disposed within the oven cavity, and an end portion extending from the central body portion, the end portion extending outside of the oven cavity and being in optical communication with the light source. The central body distributes light from the light source within the oven cavity.