Removable Decorative Lighting Plate with Pinching Flaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices with decorative effects are not easily customizable or interchangeable, requiring complete panel replacement and the intervention of an electrician, which is time-consuming and costly, limiting their adoption in settings like hospitals and retail displays.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device with a removable decorative plate made of translucent or transparent thermoplastic polyester, allowing easy customization and interchangeability without electrical modifications, featuring flaps that securely clamp onto the frame to maintain position and support inkjet printing for personalized designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the decorative element is integrated directly into the light panel, then the decorative effect is stable and reliable, but the customization and interchangeability are poor, requiring complete panel replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The light panel is divided into two independent parts: the functional light panel and the decorative plate. The decorative plate is a separate removable component that can be detached and replaced without affecting the light panel itself. This segmentation allows the decorative element to be changed independently while maintaining the stability of the lighting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The decorative function is extracted from the light panel and placed into a separate removable plate. This extraction allows the decorative element to be taken out, replaced, or customized independently from the lighting system, solving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire light panel is replaced to change the decorative effect, then the decorative customization is achieved, but the installation time and operational disruption are excessive
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the decorative plate from the light panel, only the plate needs to be replaced for decorative changes, not the entire panel. This reduces installation time and minimizes operational disruption significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The decorative plate is designed as a simple, lightweight component that can be easily replaced. The plate includes predefined folding lines that facilitate quick installation and removal without requiring specialized tools or electrical work.
3Reliability
If an electrician is required for panel replacement, then the installation is reliable and proper, but the operational cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The decorative function is extracted into a separate plate that can be installed independently of the electrical system. This allows users to change decorations without involving electricians, reducing installation complexity and cost while maintaining reliability through proper mounting mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable plate design enables end-users to perform decorative changes themselves without requiring professional electrician intervention. The plate can be easily attached and detached by users, making the system self-service friendly while maintaining installation reliability.
4Strength
If the decorative plate uses a complex mounting mechanism, then the holding strength is sufficient, but the ease of installation and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting mechanism uses a dynamic spring-loaded clamp system that automatically adjusts to hold the plate securely. The spring provides continuous holding force to ensure the plate remains firmly attached during normal use, while still allowing easy manual removal when needed.
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 quick and safe decoration changes without an electrician, enhancing user customization and reducing operational costs by allowing easy replacement of decorative elements while maintaining the lighting panel, thus increasing the appeal and adaptability of lighting devices with decorative effects.
Implementation Method 1
the flaps bear against the frame to hold the working surface of the plate in position by pinching it against the lighting surface of the panel
Implementation Method 2
the plate covers (at least partially) the lighting surface so as to produce a decorative effect when light from the light panel passes through the plate
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A decorative lighting device (100) intended to be recessed into a false ceiling (200), said device (100) comprising: - a frame (10) incorporating a light panel (20) defining a lighting surface (20a), - a removable decorative element (30) consisting of a plate (31) made of a light-transmitting material and covering said lighting surface (20a) to produce a decorative effect when light passes through said plate (31), said plate (31) having a working surface (31a) covering the lighting surface (20a) and a pair of opposing edges (32, 33) comprising flaps (32a, 33a) each forming an angle (α) of less than 89° with respect to said working surface (31a) such that said flaps (32a, 33a) bear against said frame (10) to hold the plate (31) in position against the frame by pinching (10).