Rotational Ceiling Hub Connector for Single-Point Luminaire Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ceiling-mounted devices require multiple points of mounting connectivity, which is inefficient and costly, and existing swivel connectors fail to maintain alignment with neighboring devices and can cause undue stress due to misalignment of the center of gravity.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical or electromechanical device with a hub that couples directly to the ceiling structure, allowing for single-point suspension and orientation, enabling alignment with neighboring devices and maintaining orientation even when bumped, while also conveying power and data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If multiple mounting points are used to suspend ceiling devices, then alignment and stability are improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic swivel connector that allows rotational movement to accommodate misalignment between the mounting point and device center of gravity. This dynamic adjustment capability enables single-point mounting while maintaining alignment stability, as the connector can rotate to compensate for positional deviations without requiring multiple fixed mounting points.
Solution Approach 2:
The swivel connector acts as an intermediary element between the rigid ceiling structure and the suspended device. It mediates the connection by providing rotational freedom, allowing the device to be mounted from a single point while maintaining proper alignment. The connector serves as a buffer that absorbs misalignment stresses without requiring additional mounting points.
2Reliability
If swivel connectors are used to restore mounting elevation, then alignment recovery is improved, but device orientation alignment with neighboring devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel connector provides dynamic rotational adjustment that enables the suspended device to realign with neighboring devices after being bumped or displaced. The rotational freedom allows the device to swing back into proper orientation while maintaining the mounting elevation restored by the connector's mechanical design.
3Productivity
If single-point mounting is used to reduce material costs, then installation efficiency is improved, but alignment precision and stress distribution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel connector introduces dynamic adjustment capability that compensates for the lack of multiple mounting points. It allows the device to be quickly installed at a single point while maintaining alignment precision through rotational adjustment, thus achieving both installation efficiency and alignment accuracy without requiring multiple mounting points.
Solution Approach 2:
The swivel connector changes the operational parameter of the mounting system by introducing rotational degrees of freedom. This parameter change allows the system to achieve precise alignment and proper stress distribution through rotation rather than through multiple fixed mounting points, thereby maintaining alignment precision while enabling single-point mounting for improved installation efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An orientation hub couples an electromechanical device, such as a luminaire with at least one bottom facing light source coupled, covered by an orientation specific lensed optics. The orientation hub enables the luminaire to rotate so as to direct light toward a targeted surface. Other devices (perhaps passive devices) coupled to the hub can be rotated to align with at least one surface or a like device by at least one of a string and a laser beam. For example, the laser beam can be projected through an array of luminaires' eye-loops that support the weight of the suspended from above luminaires.