Household Appliance Comprising an Interior Light, and Lighting Subunit Therefor

Abstract

A household appliance comprising a body and a door which surround an interior, and a light source for illuminating the interior. The inventive household appliance further comprises a door opening sensor for detecting the open or closed state of the door and adjusting the mode of operation of the light source based on the detected state of the door. The door opening sensor encompasses a light sensor which is exposed to ambient light when the door is open while being isolated from said ambient light when the door is closed.

1 - 9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . A cupboard- or chest-like household appliance comprising: 
 a body enclosing an interior compartment;    a door being movable between open and closed states with respect to the body for providing access to the interior compartment;    a light source for illuminating the interior compartment;    a door opening sensor detecting the open or closed state of the door and adjusting the operating state of the light source based on the detected state of the door; and    a light sensor being exposed to ambient light when the door is open and being shielded from ambient light when the door is closed.    
   
   
       11 . The household appliance according to  claim 10 , wherein the light sensor is arranged in the interior compartment.  
   
   
       12 . The household appliance according to  claim 11 , further comprising a time switch member for switching off the light source again after a predefined switch-on time.  
   
   
       13 . The household appliance according to  claim 10 , wherein the light sensor is shielded from the light of the light source when the door is closed.  
   
   
       14 . The household appliance according to  claim 10 , wherein the light sensor comprises a delay member for delayed switching of the light source after detecting a change in state of the door.  
   
   
       15 . The household appliance according to  claim 10 , further comprising an operating mode selector switch for switching between an automatic control of the light source by the light sensor and at least one further operating mode in which the light source is switched on or off independently of the light detected by the light sensor.  
   
   
       16 . The household appliance according to  claim 10 , wherein the light source and the light sensor are accommodated in a common lighting subunit.  
   
   
       17 . A lighting subunit for a household appliance comprising: 
 a light source; and    a light sensor, the light source being switched on in response to the light sensor detecting light.    
   
   
       18 . The lighting subunit according to  claim 17 , further comprising a time switch member for switching on the light source again after a predefined switch-on time.