IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,482,435
Granted Patent B2
US 9,482,435 · App. 13/485,041 · Granted Nov 1, 2016

Method for light emitting device protection and performance in an appliance

Inventor: Eric Xavier Meusburger (Louisville, KY)
Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
F24C15/008H05B6/6444H05B33/089H05B33/0854Y02B20/341
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,482,435
App. No.
13/485,041
Granted
Nov 1, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

An appliance and method for variably controlling a drive signal to a light emitting device of the appliance based on a temperature value indicative of a temperature within a chamber of the appliance is provided. The light emitting device can be included in a display or disposed within a chamber of the appliance to provide illumination. The light intensity level of the light emitting device can be controlled based on the temperature value indicative of a temperature within the chamber. The temperature value indicative of a temperature within the chamber can be a value detected within the chamber, a value detected on a surface of the chamber, or a value that anticipates the temperature within the chamber. The light intensity can be controlled with a driving signal to the light emitting device. For instance, the light intensity can be controlled using pulse width modulation of the driving signal.

Claims (11)

1. A method of controlling the light intensity of a light emitting device of an appliance comprising:

receiving a temperature value associated with an anticipated temperature associated with the inside of a chamber of the appliance, the anticipated temperature corresponding to a user input of a desired temperature for the inside of the chamber of the appliance, the temperature value being determined based at least in part on a signal transmitted from memory indicative of a time interval specifying an expected amount of time required for the inside of the chamber of the appliance to reach the anticipated temperature;

determining a light intensity level for the light emitting device based on the time interval; and

controlling the light emitting device to substantially achieve the light intensity level.

2. The method as in claim 1 , wherein controlling the light emitting device to substantially achieve the light intensity level comprises adjusting a driving signal provided to the light emitting device.

3. The method as in claim 2 , wherein the driving signal is a current control signal or a voltage control signal.

4. The method as in claim 1 , wherein controlling the light emitting device comprises controlling one or more light emitting devices.

5. The method as in claim 1 , wherein determining a light intensity value for the light emitting device based on the time interval comprises:

comparing the temperature value with a predetermined threshold; and

adjusting a driving signal provided to the light emitting device based on the difference between the temperature value and the threshold.

6. The method as in claim 1 , wherein the light emitting device is a display.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 10, 2016
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 038951/0080 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 31, 2012
From: MEUSBURGER, ERIC XAVIER
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 028297/0333 →
Continuity (1)
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