Modular Flat Panel Lighting Holder Element Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flat panel light systems face challenges in achieving simple, accurate, and aesthetically pleasing assembly due to difficulties in aligning OLED substrates and connectors, leading to suboptimal lighting performance and energy efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A modular design featuring a set of sockets and elongated holding bodies that allow for precise alignment and mechanical connection, enabling the formation of a flat panel lighting arrangement with defined spacing and easy installation of flat surface light lamps, such as OLED tiles, which can be arranged in various configurations while maintaining a uniform plane.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a one-piece socket with multiple openings is used to hold multiple flat surface light lamps, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and alignment accuracy of the lamps deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesocket structureVSAvoidalignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The socket is divided into multiple independent individual sockets instead of a single one-piece structure. Each individual socket can be manufactured and positioned separately, then assembled together using holding bodies. This segmentation allows each socket to be precisely manufactured and aligned independently, solving the alignment accuracy problem while maintaining relatively simple individual socket structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Holding bodies are introduced as intermediary components between the individual sockets and the final luminaire structure. These holding bodies provide precise positioning features and connection interfaces that enable accurate alignment of multiple sockets during assembly, thereby achieving the desired manufacturing precision without requiring complex integrated socket manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If bracket-shaped mounts are used to enclose the substrate at two opposite points, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of the connection between the illuminant and socket deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemount structureVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting function and the holding/positioning function are merged into a single integrated holding body structure. The holding bodies incorporate both the mounting features (for attaching to substrates or surfaces) and the positioning features (for aligning sockets and lamps), eliminating the need for separate bracket-shaped mounts and improving connection reliability through a unified, optimized design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate flat surface light lamps are assembled without a standardized holding structure, then the adaptability of the luminaire configuration is improved, but the manufacturing precision and uniformity of the luminous surface deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminaire configurationVSAvoidluminous surface uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The holding bodies are designed with universal, standardized interfaces and dimensions that can accommodate different individual sockets and flat surface light lamps. The standardized connection features enable various luminaire configurations (different numbers and arrangements of lamps) while maintaining precise alignment and uniform luminous surfaces through consistent positioning geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2769144B1Holder element for holding at least one flat surface-light lamp, set of a plurality of lampholders and a plurality of elongate holding bodies and luminaire
Publication Date: 2021.01.20 OSRAM OLED
  • EP2769144B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2769144B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2769144B1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

What is disclosed is: a holder element for holding at least one flat surface-light lamp, which holder element has an elongate, flat plate body (1) and at least one lampholder (20) which is or can be fitted on the plate body, for mechanically holding or making electrical contact with a flat surface-light lamp. An engagement section is formed on each of the two longitudinal ends of the plate body (1), which engagement section is formed by a cutout, which extends, in plan view, from the respective longitudinal end of the plate body over the entire width of the plate body in the direction towards the longitudinal centre, with the result that the plate body can be connected at each of its two longitudinal ends to another, identically formed plate body so as to form a form-fitting connection formed by the engagement sections of the adjacent plate bodies.