Edgelit Lighting Fixture Spring Finger Lightguide Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting fixtures face a challenge in balancing economical manufacturing and service with high optical efficiency and visual appeal, particularly in edgelit fixtures where tight fits are needed for efficiency but loose fits are preferred for manufacturing ease.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system design that incorporates a light source and a lightguide with spring fingers or set screws to accommodate manufacturing tolerances, ensuring secure assembly and alignment while allowing for flexibility in assembly and service, thus achieving both economic benefits and optical efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If tight fits are used in edgelit lighting fixtures, then optical efficiency and visual appeal are improved, but manufacturing and service become more difficult due to low tolerances required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fit parameter from tight to loose, allowing assembly with larger tolerances while maintaining optical efficiency through the compliant mechanism that ensures proper contact between the light source and lightguide despite manufacturing variances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a compliant or adjustable mechanism that allows the assembly to dynamically adapt to manufacturing tolerances, enabling loose fits during assembly while maintaining tight optical contact during operation through the compliant mechanism
2Ease of manufacture
If loose fits are used in edgelit lighting fixtures, then manufacturing and service become easier with higher tolerances, but optical efficiency and visual appeal deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The compliant mechanism automatically compensates for loose fits by self-adjusting during assembly, ensuring proper optical contact without requiring precision manufacturing, allowing the assembly to self-correct for manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a compliant or adjustable mechanism that allows the assembly to dynamically adapt to manufacturing tolerances, enabling loose fits during assembly while maintaining tight optical contact during operation through the compliant mechanism
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 allows for cost-effective fabrication and installation while maintaining high optical efficiency and visual appeal by accommodating manufacturing variances and ensuring secure light emission and reflection.
Implementation Method 1
The spring fingers can be formed from an elastic or shape memory material, or can include a spring or elastomeric or rubber material
Implementation Method 2
edgelit fixtures where tight fits are needed for efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments described herein are directed to a lighting fixture including a lightguide that distributes light from a major surface, a light assembly including light sources arranged linearly, and a frame including a means for providing a force that urges the light assembly against an edge of the lightguide. A standoff or spacer can provide an air gap between a light source of the light assembly and the waveguide edge. In various embodiments, the lighting fixture may incorporate a spring, a spring finger, a spring clip, a screw, or other means for securing the light assembly against the edge of the lightguide. In this manner, substantially all light provided by the light assembly is emitted into the edge of the lightguide. The fixture is formed to accommodate tolerances among elements of the lighting fixture, while maintaining the light assembly securely against the edge of the lightguide.