Linear Edgelit Lighting Heat Sink Clamp Fastener
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a linear LED-based lighting solution that can provide efficient and flexible lighting for rooms, replacing traditional fluorescent lighting, while allowing for easy linking of multiple fixtures to cover larger areas.
Innovation Solution
A linear edgelit lighting device comprising a housing channel, a heat sink assembly, and a waveguide with LEDs that emit light into the waveguide, allowing for secure retention and easy linking of multiple fixtures through end caps and alignment brackets, enabling extended coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the waveguide is retained in the housing channel using traditional methods, then the structure is simple, but the waveguide retention is insufficient and may lead to misalignment or displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink assembly is divided into two separate components: a heat sink base and a heat sink clamp. The base provides mounting surfaces and thermal pathways, while the clamp specifically engages the waveguide. This segmentation allows the clamp to apply targeted retention forces to the waveguide without requiring complete redesign of the entire heat sink structure, thereby improving waveguide retention while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat sink clamp acts as an intermediary component between the waveguide and the heat sink base. It transfers and distributes clamping forces onto the waveguide, ensuring secure retention and proper alignment. The clamp serves as a mediator that converts the fastening action into distributed pressure on the waveguide, improving retention reliability without directly modifying the waveguide itself.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple lighting fixtures are linked together to cover larger areas, then the lighting coverage is extended, but the alignment and connection between fixtures may be imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The end caps serve multiple functions: they seal the open lateral ends of the housing channel, provide structural support, and incorporate alignment brackets that enable precise connection between adjacent fixtures. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address both endpoint protection and inter-fixture alignment, facilitating accurate linking while extending lighting coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment brackets are pre-formed as integral parts of the end caps during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation of alignment features eliminates the need for field adjustments or additional alignment components during installation. The pre-configured brackets ensure that when fixtures are linked together, the alignment is automatically established with the required precision.
3Force
If the fastener is positioned at an acute angle relative to the waveguide, then the clamping force on the waveguide is increased, but the fastener installation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is intentionally positioned at an acute angle relative to the waveguide rather than symmetrically or perpendicularly. This asymmetric positioning allows the fastener to leverage mechanical advantage, converting a single fastening action into increased clamping force distributed across the waveguide. The asymmetric angle optimizes the force vector to maximize retention effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener configuration utilizes angular orientation in addition to linear positioning. By introducing the acute angle dimension, the system transforms a simple linear fastening motion into a more effective multi-dimensional force application. This angular dimension allows the fastener to generate increased clamping force through mechanical leverage while remaining accessible for installation.
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 provides efficient, flexible, and scalable linear lighting with improved retention of the waveguide and ease of linking, addressing the need for LED-based linear lighting solutions that can cover larger areas effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The fastener is tightened to pull the heat sink clamp against the heat sink base and to exert a horizontal clamping force on the waveguide in order to securely retain the waveguide in the linear edgelit lighting device.
Implementation Method 2
one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed within the light source housing cavity of the heat sink assembly and directed towards the edge of the waveguide such that light emitted by the one or more LEDs enter the waveguide through the edge
Implementation Method 3
The light then emanates from the surfaces of the waveguide. In some applications, the surfaces of the waveguide include etchings or other features to manipulate the light.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting fixture includes a housing channel and a heat sink assembly coupled to the housing channel. The heat sink assembly includes a heat sink base and a heat sink clamp that are coupled together via a fastener to retain a waveguide to the lighting fixture. In particular, the fastener is disposed at an acute angle relative to the respective waveguide. Further, the lighting fixture includes one or more light sources coupled to the heat sink base and oriented such that light emitted by the one or more light sources enters an edge of the waveguide. Furthermore, the lighting fixture includes an end cap that covers an open lateral end of the housing channel. Further, the end cap operates as an alignment bracket to couple the lighting fixture to a second lighting fixture adjacent the open lateral end of the housing channel of the lighting fixture.