Sensor Actuated Door Lighting

Abstract

Disclosed is commercial refrigerator display that allows for the automatic illumination of the refrigerator contents in the presence of a consumer. Illumination is provided by a series of light emitting diodes (LEDs) which are positioned on an internal surface of one of the mullions that make up the compartment frame. These LEDs are interconnected to both a power source and one or more sensors. The sensors are preferably motion sensors that can detect the presence of an individual near the refrigerator housing. Thus, when an individual is detected, the sensor supplies power to the LEDs to thereby illuminate the interior of the refrigerated compartment. The present invention also relates to the bracket assembly that is used in mounting the sensor to the frame.

1 . A system for automatically illuminating the interior of a refrigerated compartment comprising:
 a frame positioned about an opening of the refrigerated compartment, the frame including a top frame member, a bottom frame member, and side frame members, a series of mullions extending between the top and bottom frame members and defining a plurality of door openings, each mullion having an internal surface facing the interior of the compartment;   a plurality of glass doors, with the number of doors corresponding to the number of door openings, each door being pivotally secured to an associated door opening and providing selective access to the interior of the compartment;   a series of light emitting diodes secured along the internal surface of at least one mullion, the light emitting diodes being interconnected to a power source, the light emitting diodes having illuminated and non-illuminated states;   a pair of motion sensors for detecting the presence of an individual adjacent the compartment, each motion sensor including a mounting bracket for securing the sensor to the top frame member at approximately a 45° angle;   a controller operatively coupled to both the motion sensors and the power source, the controller functioning to bring the light emitting diodes into the illuminated state when an individual is detected by the sensors and further functioning to bring the light emitting diodes into the non-illuminated state in the absence of an individual being detected by the sensors.   
   
   
       2 . A system for automatically illuminating the interior of a refrigerated compartment comprising:
 a frame positioned about an opening of the refrigerated compartment;   a glass door pivotally secured to the frame and providing access to the interior of the frame;   a series of lights secured to the interior of the compartment, the lights being interconnected to a power source and having illuminated and non-illuminated states;   a motion sensor for detecting the presence of an individual adjacent the compartment;   a controller operatively coupled to both the motion sensor and the power source, the controller functioning to bring the lights into the illuminated state when an individual is detected by the sensors.   
   
   
       3 . The system as described in  claim 2  wherein the motion sensor is mounted to the top of the frame by way of a bracket. 
   
   
       4 . The system as described in  claim 3  wherein the bracket mounts the sensor facing downwardly at a 45 degree angle. 
   
   
       5 . The system as described in  claim 2  wherein the lights are light emitting diodes. 
   
   
       6 . The system as described in  claim 2  further comprising an adjacent refrigerated compartment and separate lighting within the adjacent refrigerated compartment and wherein the controller is operatively connected to and controls the lights of the adjacent refrigerated compartment. 
   
   
       7 . The system as described in  claim 2  wherein the lights are mounted to mullions secured to the frame.