Elastomeric Sealing Element with Elastic Arm for Lamp Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damp-proof room lights, especially those with frameless covers, are difficult to inspect and maintain, as the cover and sometimes the housing need to be removed, which can result in damage.
Innovation Solution
A sealing element with a base body that serves as both a carrier and a sealing component, featuring an edge sealing element and an attachment sealing element, connected via an elastic arm, providing a positive fit and high tolerance compensation, along with a screw sealing arrangement for easy inspection and maintenance, ensuring a secure and durable seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a frameless cover design is used for damp-proof room lights, then the aesthetic appearance and simplicity are improved, but the inspection and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into multiple independent sealing elements (first sealing element at the connection area, second sealing element at the top area, and third sealing element at the peripheral area), allowing individual inspection and replacement without removing the entire cover, thus maintaining the frameless aesthetic while improving maintainability
2Reliability
If adhesive bonding is used to attach the lamp cover to the housing, then the sealing performance is improved, but the tolerance compensation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements are made from elastomeric material whose physical properties (hardness, elasticity) can be optimized to provide both reliable sealing and tolerance compensation. The elastomeric nature allows the sealing elements to deform and adapt to manufacturing tolerances while maintaining effective sealing
3Ease of manufacture
If the sealing element is made from a single piece structure, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the tolerance compensation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system uses multiple separate sealing elements (first, second, and third sealing elements) positioned at different critical areas. This segmentation allows each element to independently compensate for local tolerances while the overall structure remains relatively simple to manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing elements are made from elastomeric material that combines the benefits of flexibility for tolerance compensation with durability for long-term sealing performance, creating a composite solution that addresses both manufacturing simplicity and adaptability requirements
4Reliability
If high contact pressure is applied during cover installation, then the sealing performance is improved, but the risk of glass breakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric sealing elements act as cushioning elements that deform under compression to provide sealing pressure. This gradual deformation distributes the installation force over time and area, preventing sudden stress peaks that could cause glass breakage while still achieving the necessary sealing contact pressure
5Ease of manufacture
If traditional sealing lips are used for sealing the connection area, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the tolerance compensation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements are made from elastomeric material with optimized hardness and elasticity parameters that enable significant deformation capability. This material parameter change allows the sealing elements to compensate for tolerances of approximately 75% greater than traditional rigid sealing lips while remaining relatively simple to manufacture
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 easy inspection and maintenance of damp-proof room lights by avoiding damage during installation and ensuring a high degree of protection, such as IP68, with improved sealing performance and tolerance compensation, while preventing glass breakage and stress buildup.
Implementation Method 1
An almost constant contact pressure to avoid glass breakage due to the application of undesired forces when installing the cover is avoided by connecting the edge sealing element to the base body via the elastic connecting arm. This connecting arm enables a particularly high level of tolerance compensation
Implementation Method 2
the connecting arm and the edge sealing element together forming an angle lever with two fulcrums, of which a first fulcrum is arranged in the region of the connection of the connecting arm to the base body and a second fulcrum is arranged at an external contact point of the edge sealing element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a sealing element (28) comprising a base body (30) designed for insertion into a luminaire housing to be sealed, in order to seal a connection area between the luminaire housing and a luminaire cover connectable to it, the cover having a top surface and a circumferential edge, in accordance with the protection class. To improve serviceability, the invention proposes providing two sealing elements on the base body. A first edge sealing element is connected to the base body via a connecting arm and is designed to seal an area between the outside of the luminaire cover and the inside of the luminaire housing. The second surface sealing element (42) is designed to fit tightly onto the top surface of the luminaire cover.