Flexible Profile Sealing for Line of Light Systems

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing line of light systems face challenges in sealing the channel-like receiving space at its end regions, leading to potential gaps and compromised protection from external influences like dust and moisture, especially due to the limited length of individual mounting rail elements and joints between them.

Innovation Solution

The system employs elongated flexible profile parts made of soft plastic, such as silicone, connected in a sealing manner with end parts fixed to the profile parts via screw connections and adhesive bonding, ensuring a sealed receiving space that can expand or contract with temperature fluctuations, and uses web-like support elements for flexibility and central mounting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If individual mounting rail elements are arranged one behind the other to form the receiving space, then the system can be assembled from standard components, but gaps or openings appear at the joints between elements, compromising protection from external influences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly from standard componentsVSAvoidprotection from dust and moisture

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible profile parts made of soft plastic material that can be bent and shaped to create continuous sealing elements along the entire length of the receiving space, eliminating gaps at joints between mounting rail elements while maintaining the modular assembly advantage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the receiving space is sealed rigidly to protect from external influences, then protection against dust and moisture is improved, but the system cannot adapt to temperature fluctuations and curvature requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from dust and moistureVSAvoidadaptation to temperature and curvature

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic sealing by using flexible profile parts that can dynamically adapt their shape and position in response to temperature-induced expansion or contraction of the receiving space, while maintaining continuous sealing contact throughout the operational range

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible profile parts made of soft plastic material allow the receiving space to be sealed in a manner that accommodates both curvature installation requirements and thermal expansion, providing continuous protection while adapting to dimensional changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If the receiving space is made flexible to follow curved surfaces, then adaptability to installation geometries is improved, but sealing reliability at joints and ends may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefollowing curved surfacesVSAvoidsealing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible profile parts are designed to maintain continuous sealing contact along the entire length of the receiving space, including at joints and end regions, while accommodating the curved geometry through their inherent flexibility and elastic recovery properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

This solution provides a reliably sealed and flexible channel-like receiving space that can follow curved surfaces, effectively protecting internal components from external influences while allowing for adjustable length and easy assembly, ensuring uniform light emission and increased protection against dust and moisture.

Implementation Method 1

The adhesive bonding material is applied to the entire outer surface area of the front part, with the exception of the regions where the sealing elements are arranged, in order to secure the front part to the profile part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

end parts, which are fixed to at least one of the profile parts and seal the receiving space at the end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

ensuring a sealed receiving space that can expand or contract with temperature fluctuations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 4

effectively protecting internal components from external influences while allowing for adjustable length and easy assembly, ensuring uniform light emission and increased protection against dust and moisture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier sealing: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP3242078B1System for forming a line of light

Publication Date: 2020.03.11 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6

AI summary

In a system for forming a light line (1) with an elongated, channel-like receiving space (250) which has a translucent light exit area on one side and in which several lighting units (40) are arranged, at least two elongated profile parts (100, 200) are provided, each of which is at least partially made of a flexible material and is sealed together to form the receiving space (250), with end pieces (50) being provided on both end faces of the receiving space (250), which are fixed to at least one of the profile parts (100, 200) and seal the receiving space (250) at each end face.