C-Shaped Downlight Fixture With Flexible Snap-In Wings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downlights with angular designs face challenges in simple and secure attachment and removal of light fixtures to mounting frames, often requiring strong springs or tools, leading to instability and unattractive gaps when multiple fixtures are adjacent.
Innovation Solution
A C-shaped light fixture with flexible wings that snap into a mounting frame, featuring snap-in means and guide elements for easy attachment and removal without tools, ensuring stable retention of heavier luminaire heads and allowing multiple fixtures to be installed adjacently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a twisted insertion with locking mechanism is used to attach the light fixture to the mounting frame, then the light fixture can be retained on the mounting frame, but the light fixture cannot exceed the width of the frame with regard to its height and requires additional securing measures
Solution Approach 1:
The light fixture is divided into a body portion and a separate flexible wing portion. The wings are designed to be deflectable and snap into the mounting frame independently, allowing the fixture to be secured without additional locking mechanisms while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wings of the light fixture are designed to be flexible and deflectable rather than rigid. This dynamic property allows the wings to be pushed into the mounting frame and snap into place, providing secure retention without requiring complex locking mechanisms or additional securing measures.
2Reliability
If strong spring mechanisms are used to retain the light fixture, then the light fixture can be securely held, but the springs must be designed to be strong enough to retain the light fixture with the luminaire head, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is completely removed from the system. Instead of using elastic elements to provide retention force, the invention employs a direct snap-fit connection where the flexible wings are pushed into the mounting frame and held in place by friction and geometric interlocking, eliminating the need for spring design considerations.
Solution Approach 2:
The light fixture itself provides the retention mechanism through its own flexible wings that snap into the mounting frame. The fixture's weight and the friction between the wings and frame work together to secure the connection without requiring external spring mechanisms or additional securing components.
3Reliability
If a twisted insertion method is used, then the light fixture can be locked in place, but a relatively large gap is necessary to enable removal, potentially resulting in unattractive gaps with multiple light fixtures
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible wings can be deflected inward to release the light fixture from the mounting frame. This dynamic deflection mechanism allows for compact removal without requiring large gaps, as the wings can be pushed aside to disengage from the frame's locking recesses, enabling tight spacing between adjacent fixtures.
4Device complexity
If the light fixture is designed with fixed rigid wings, then the structure is simple, but the light fixture cannot be easily attached or removed without tools
Solution Approach 1:
The wings are designed with flexible material properties that allow them to be deflected by hand. This dynamic characteristic enables the light fixture to be attached and removed without tools, as the wings can be pushed into the mounting frame and released by manual deflection, while maintaining a relatively simple overall fixture design.
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
Facilitates simple, tool-free attachment and removal of light fixtures, providing stable retention for heavier luminaire heads and enabling efficient installation of multiple fixtures on a common mounting frame without additional securing measures, reducing installation effort and avoiding gaps.
Implementation Method 1
the wings of the light fixture are flexible, and designed to snap into the mounting frame
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a downlight (100) comprising a mounting frame (50) to be mounted in the area of a ceiling mounting hole, and a light fixture (10) that is to be fastened to the mounting frame (50) and includes a luminaire head (30). The light fixture (10) is formed by a substantially C-shaped element having a main surface (11) and two angled wings (20) on two opposite sides of the main surface (11); the wings (20) of the light fixture (10) are designed in a flexible manner and in such a way as to interlock with the mounting frame (50).