Light Fixture Housing Mounting System with Yoke Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Architectural lighting fixtures face issues with unreliable friction joints in yoke-mounted fixtures, limited adjustability, assembly difficulties with trunnion fasteners, and temperature-related problems with photocells, leading to slippage, seal damage, and aesthetic detractions.
Innovation Solution
A light fixture housing with a rigid yoke featuring alignable opposed mounts and a yoke pin with a truncated conical outer surface for locking, a porous water-repellent plug for pressure management, and a sealed photocell assembly with a protective cover for external positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If smooth surfaces are used on fixture housing for yoke mounting, then ease of assembly is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to slippage
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture housing features localized serrated surfaces at the mounting interfaces rather than smooth surfaces throughout. These serrations are specifically positioned where friction contact occurs with the yoke, providing enhanced grip and preventing slippage only at critical mounting points while maintaining overall housing smoothness for ease of assembly.
2Reliability
If serrated surfaces are used on fixture housing for yoke mounting, then reliability is improved by preventing slippage, but adjustability deteriorates due to limited movement range
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system transitions from a static friction joint to a dynamic adjustable mechanism. The yoke incorporates a threaded adjustment feature that allows it to be positioned at multiple discrete angles relative to the fixture housing. Each position is secured by the serrated surfaces preventing slippage, while the threading mechanism enables deliberate repositioning to achieve proper lighting aim.
3Ease of manufacture
If concentric fasteners are used as trunnions for mounting, then ease of assembly is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to inadequate pivot members
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: the fixture housing with mounting cavities, the yoke with adjustment mechanism, and distinct pivot members. The pivot members are specifically designed as separate cylindrical elements that fit into corresponding cavities in both the housing and yoke, creating dedicated rotation axes that are more reliable than integrated fastener-trunnion combinations.
4Ease of manufacture
If studs are employed in the housing for yoke assembly, then ease of assembly is improved, but device complexity deteriorates due to bending requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of bending the yoke to fit over studs protruding from the housing, the design inverts the approach: the housing contains recessed mounting cavities that receive the yoke, and the yoke has corresponding protruding features that engage these cavities. This eliminates the need to bend the yoke and simplifies the assembly process while maintaining secure mechanical engagement.
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 a secure and adjustable mounting system, maintains neutral pressure within the fixture, and addresses temperature limitations while maintaining architectural aesthetics by preventing water intrusion and ensuring proper sealing.
Implementation Method 1
a plug of porous water repellant material known commercially as a gore vent. Such a plug allows the flow of air to and from the internal cavity of the fixture to maintain a neutral pressure.
Implementation Method 2
The yoke pin operating as a lock includes a retainer to prevent rotation within the yoke mount. A fastener associated with the yoke pin can engage the fastener engagement to draw the yoke lock into interfering fit with the truncated conical inner surface of the mounting cavity.
Data Source
AI summary
An architectural light fixture with a mounting includes a rigid yoke with opposed mounts aligned with external cavities located on a housing. The cavities have conical inner surfaces and bottoms with fastener engagements. Yoke pins include conical outer surfaces to operate as yoke locks. Fastener associated with the yoke pins engage to draw the yoke locks into interfering fit with the truncated conical inner surface of the mounting cavity. The light fixture housing has a port with a plug of porous water repellant material. A cover is employed to protect the plug. The light fixture housing also has a flat mounting surface with a wire access hole. The fixture includes a cover to enclose a photocell biased toward the mounting surface and retains an O-ring against the fixture housing.