Flexible Shroud Covers Gap Between Adjustable Light Engine and Housing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Light fixtures often face a design dilemma where mechanical adjustability for directed illumination can create visually distracting gaps between fixed and movable components, compromising aesthetics and functionality.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a flexible shroud that couples with both the light engine and the outer housing to cover the gap, providing a visually seamless appearance while maintaining adjustability and protecting the fixture from external contaminants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a light engine is made mechanically adjustable to provide directed illumination, then illumination directionality is improved, but visual aesthetics deteriorate due to creation of gaps between the light engine and housing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination directionalityVSAvoidvisual aesthetics

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible shroud is used to cover the gap between the adjustable light engine and the fixed housing. The shroud can flex and deform to accommodate the movement of the light engine while maintaining visual continuity, thus preserving aesthetics while allowing mechanical adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Shape

If a flexible shroud is added to cover the gap, then visual aesthetics improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual aestheticsVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible shroud provides a simple yet effective solution to cover the gap. Its flexibility allows it to adapt to light engine movement without requiring complex mechanical linkages or adjustment mechanisms, thus minimizing added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the flexible shroud is made to fully cover the gap, then protection from contaminants improves, but light output may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant protectionVSAvoidlight output

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible shroud is positioned to cover the gap between the light engine and housing, providing protection from contaminants. Its placement allows it to shield vulnerable areas while leaving the light output path clear, thus maintaining illumination intensity while improving protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS10914455B2Light fixture having flexible shroud

Publication Date: 2021.02.09 ABL IP HLDG LLC

AI summary

A light fixture includes a flexible shroud, an outer housing, and a light source within a light engine. The light engine couples within the outer housing so as to define a gap between the light engine and an inner perimeter of the outer housing. The flexible shroud forms at least first and second edge portions. The light engine couples with the first edge portion, and the inner perimeter of the outer housing couples with the second edge portion, so that the flexible shroud covers at least part of the gap. A shroud for a light fixture may include a flexible shroud that defines one or more edges. The shroud may include one or more coupling features along the one or more edges. The flexible shroud may form a thickness variation at the coupling feature, to engage a corresponding coupling feature of a light fixture.