Cross Runner Light Fixture With Integrated Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional light fixtures for suspended ceiling grids are bulky, costly, and difficult to retrofit with LED technology, as they require fire-rated materials and occupy entire grid spaces, making them inefficient in terms of size, cost, and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A light fixture design utilizing a light guide that employs total internal reflection, with a compact LED array and reflective film, allowing for efficient light distribution and mounting on ceiling tiles or grid frames without occupying the entire grid space, using injection molding for cost-effectiveness and flexibility in design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional light fixtures are used in suspended ceiling grids, then fire code regulations are met and lighting function is provided, but the fixtures are bulky, occupy entire grid spaces, and have high manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the traditional monolithic light fixture into separate functional components: a light guide element that can be integrated into ceiling tiles or grid sections, and a separate LED light source. This segmentation allows the lighting function to be distributed throughout the ceiling structure rather than requiring a single bulky fixture occupying the entire grid space.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide is designed to be nested within or integrated into the existing ceiling tile or grid structure. The light guide element can be placed inside ceiling tiles or attached to grid sections, utilizing the existing ceiling infrastructure to house the lighting components, thereby eliminating the need for separate bulky fixtures.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional light fixtures are used in suspended ceiling grids, then lighting function is provided, but the fixtures are costly and difficult to retrofit with LED technology
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide design is universal and can be integrated into various ceiling configurations (different grid types, ceiling tiles) and can accommodate different LED light sources. The standardized light guide interface allows for easy adaptation to different LED modules, making the system versatile and suitable for both new installations and retrofits across different building types.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses injection molding to manufacture the light guide, which allows for cost-effective mass production. The injection molding process enables precise control of the light guide's optical parameters (refractive index, surface features) while maintaining low manufacturing costs. This manufacturing approach makes the system economically viable for both new construction and retrofit applications.
3Ease of manufacture
If compact LED arrays are used instead of traditional fixtures, then manufacturing cost is reduced and flexibility is improved, but uniform light distribution and fire code compliance become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide acts as an intermediary between the compact LED light source and the ceiling space. It receives light from the small LED array and redistributes it uniformly across the ceiling tile or grid section through total internal reflection and carefully designed extraction surfaces. This intermediary function allows a compact, low-cost LED source to achieve the uniform light distribution previously requiring large, expensive fixtures.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide incorporates locally varied optical properties, including different surface textures, refractive indices, and extraction feature distributions in different regions of the guide. These local variations are specifically engineered to control light extraction patterns and achieve uniform overall illumination from the compact LED source, addressing the non-uniformity that would otherwise result from using small LED arrays.
4Reliability
If light fixtures occupy entire grid spaces, then fire code regulations are met, but the aesthetics and space efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting function is segmented into individual ceiling tiles or grid sections rather than requiring a single large fixture. Each tile or section contains its own integrated light guide and LED source, creating a distributed lighting system that maintains the clean, uniform appearance of the ceiling while providing adequate illumination. This segmentation eliminates the visual bulk of traditional fixtures.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide is merged with the ceiling tile or grid section, creating an integrated assembly where the lighting function becomes part of the ceiling structure itself. This merging eliminates the need for separate visible fixtures and allows the ceiling tiles to serve dual functions: structural/aesthetic coverage and light distribution, thereby improving aesthetics and space efficiency while maintaining fire code compliance.
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
The solution enables a compact, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing LED lighting system that meets fire code regulations, reduces material usage, and provides uniform light distribution while allowing for flexible installation and reduced manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide configured for the transmission of light through total internal reflection
Data Source
AI summary
In an example embodiment, a cross runner of a suspended ceiling grid is provided, wherein the cross runner may comprise a light fixture configured to function as a cross runner, and the light fixture may comprise a light guide.