Configurable Extruded Light Fixture with Modular Optical Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light fixtures are not easily configurable for various mounting options and functional lighting layouts within installed panel systems, such as suspended ceiling and drywall arrangements, limiting their adaptability and aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
The development of highly configurable light fixtures using a minimal set of components, including LED boards and optical elements, which can be manufactured through continuous extrusion and cut to specific angles, allowing for customizable mounting and light distribution patterns within ceiling and wall constructions, including T-bar based systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional light fixtures are used in installed panel systems, then mounting is straightforward, but configurability for various functional lighting layouts and aesthetic appearances is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The light fixture is divided into modular components: an elongate housing body, optical elements, LED light sources, and mounting features. These segments can be independently selected and configured to create different lighting layouts and aesthetic appearances while maintaining straightforward installation in panel systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongate housing body is designed with universal mounting features that can be configured for various functional lighting layouts (ambient, task, accent, wall wash) and aesthetic appearances. The same basic fixture structure serves multiple lighting functions through different optical element configurations and mounting orientations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If light fixtures are designed with multiple configuration options, then adaptability increases, but manufacturing complexity and component variety increase
Solution Approach 1:
Configuration options are achieved through modular components rather than complex monolithic designs. The housing body, optical elements, and mounting features are separate segments that can be manufactured using standard processes and assembled in different configurations, simplifying manufacturing while increasing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different mounting options and lighting configurations are achieved by changing parameters such as the orientation of mounting features, the type of optical element selected, and the arrangement of LED light sources, rather than creating entirely different fixture designs. This allows a single manufacturing process to produce multiple configurations.
3Volume of moving object
If available height or depth for light fixture is limited, then installation space is constrained, but fixture functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture design shifts emphasis from vertical height to horizontal elongation, with the elongate housing body providing the necessary lighting functions through its length rather than height. This dimensional transition allows the fixture to maintain full functionality while adapting to constrained vertical spaces such as shallow plenums or thin ceiling assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical elements are designed as thin, elongate components that can be integrated into fixtures with minimal height requirements. These thin optical films or shells provide the necessary light distribution and optical control without adding significant vertical depth to the fixture assembly.
4Adaptability or versatility
If light fixtures are made highly configurable, then aesthetic appearance and functional layout options increase, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical assembly is segmented into separate selectable components: the housing body, optical elements, and LED light sources. Each segment can be independently configured to achieve different lighting distributions (ambient, task, accent, wall wash) without increasing the complexity of individual components. This modular segmentation allows high configurability through simple component selection and arrangement.
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
Enables flexible and efficient installation in various geometric shapes and orientations, providing adjustable light distributions for different applications while maintaining structural support, thus enhancing both functionality and aesthetics within limited space constraints.
Implementation Method 1
The light distribution of any individual light fixture is highly configurable by selecting the type of optical assembly with specific primary and auxiliary optical elements, the specific light scattering properties of specific optical elements
Implementation Method 2
various embodiment light fixtures can provide low-glare emitting surfaces, wide spread 'batwing' ambient light distributions, and directional light distributions
Implementation Method 3
The light fixtures are provided with various types and arrangements of LED light sources
Implementation Method 4
Embodiment light fixtures comprise one or more LED boards and an optical element
Implementation Method 5
The light fixtures are highly configurable as both the elongate housing body and optical elements can be manufactured by continuous extrusion process
Data Source
AI summary
A light fixture controls lighting distributions with one or more electrically addressable LED boards and a primary optical element which can be back-lit or edge-lit. The light fixture body is configurable, comprising a 3-dimensional housing body with ends that can be cut at a configured angles to create geometric patterns within a ceiling grid installation. The housing body comprises features to retain and align LED boards and the primary optical element. Edge-lit configurations can enable the lighting assembly height to be less than the height of a ceiling grid T-bar. In some embodiments the lighting assembly can also provide structural support within an installed panel system and replace one or more T-bars. The light fixture can be configured to provide low-glare or wide spread “batwing” ambient light or more directional wall wash, task and accent lighting.