Floodlight Ball Joint Steering for Tool-Free 3D Angle Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floodlights are difficult to adjust to specific illumination angles after installation, requiring removal and reinstallation for angle adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A floodlight with a steering structure comprising a spherical steering head and hemispherical groove, secured by a compression member with a bell-mouth shaped hole, allowing three-dimensional adjustment without tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a floodlight is fixed on a support base with a U-shaped bracket allowing rotation around a single axis, then the floodlight can be adjusted to a specific illumination angle during installation, but once installed the user cannot rotate the floodlight around multiple axes and must remove and reinstall it to change the illumination angle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment rangeVSAvoidadjustment convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism that transitions from a fixed single-axis rotation to a multi-axis rotational system. The floodlight assembly includes a first rotation mechanism for azimuth adjustment and a second rotation mechanism for elevation adjustment, allowing the floodlight to be dynamically repositioned in multiple directions after installation without removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds another dimension of movement by introducing elevation rotation in addition to the original azimuth rotation. The second rotation mechanism enables the floodlight to rotate around an axis that is not parallel to the first rotation axis, thereby expanding the adjustment from one-dimensional (single-axis) to two-dimensional (multi-axis) movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a floodlight is installed with a fixed mounting structure, then the installation is simple and stable, but the user cannot adjust the illumination angle after installation without removing the floodlight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangle adjustment capabilityVSAvoidmounting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the mounting structure into segmented, independent rotation mechanisms. The first rotation mechanism and second rotation mechanism are separate and can be independently adjusted, allowing complex multi-axis positioning while maintaining relative simplicity in each individual mechanism. This segmentation enables adaptability without proportionally increasing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If a floodlight uses a simple single-axis rotation mechanism, then the device complexity is low, but the floodlight can only be adjusted around one axis and requires removal for angle changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-axis rotationVSAvoidrotation mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two rotation mechanisms into a single integrated floodlight assembly. The first rotation mechanism (for azimuth) and second rotation mechanism (for elevation) are combined in such a way that both functions are available within one compact structure, achieving multi-axis rotation without proportionally increasing the overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3919812B1Ball joint
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 LUCECO UK LTD
  • EP3919812B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3919812B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3919812B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A steering structure for a floodlight, wherein the steering structure comprises a steering head and a steering groove matching the steering head, the steering head having a spherical shape, the steering head being fixed to a support base of the floodlight, the steering groove being located on a rear surface of the floodlight, the steering groove having a hemispherical shape, the steering head being mounted and rotatable within the steering groove, the steering structure of the floodlight further comprising a fixing device for fixing the steering head in the steering groove.