Foldable Light Cover With Pivoting Side Legs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light emitting assembly covers are limited to unidirectional light emission, are inflexible, and unsuitable for applications requiring emission from side surfaces, leading to inhomogeneous and aesthetically poor light distribution due to their rigid and fixed lengths, which are also prone to expansion and shrinkage issues.
Innovation Solution
A foldable optic cover with an elongated central portion and side legs connected via flexible hinge joints, allowing pivoting for multidirectional light emission, providing a stable, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing solution that can be easily stored and adapted to various lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flat planar cover is used to close the light emitting assembly, then the cover can be stored in a rolled-up manner and has a simple structure, but light emission is limited to one direction only
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into a central portion and two side legs that can be pivoted independently. This segmentation allows different parts of the cover to be positioned at different angles, enabling light to be emitted in multiple directions simultaneously while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The side legs are made pivotable relative to the central portion, transforming the cover from a static flat structure to a dynamic one that can adapt its configuration. This allows the cover to change its light emission characteristics based on installation requirements while retaining ease of storage when folded flat.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rigid dropped diffuser covers are used to allow side surface light emission, then multidirectional light emission is achieved, but the covers are inflexible and require multiple pieces to cover different lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The side legs are designed to be pivotable rather than rigid, allowing a single cover to adapt to different installation lengths and configurations. This eliminates the need for multiple rigid covers and simplifies installation while maintaining multidirectional light emission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover's configuration parameters (side leg angles) can be changed to adapt to different installation scenarios. This allows a single cover design to serve multiple length requirements and lighting scenarios by simply adjusting the pivot angles of the side legs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple rigid covers of pre-fixed length are used to cover the support member, then different lengths can be covered, but visible light deflections are produced at contact points resulting in inhomogeneous light emission
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is segmented into a central portion and side legs that can be independently positioned. This allows the cover to conform to the support member's shape without creating visible seams or light deflections, as each segment can be adjusted to align properly with the underlying structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable side legs allow the cover to dynamically adjust to different support member lengths and configurations, eliminating the need for multiple pre-fixed length covers. This dynamic adjustment ensures continuous, homogeneous light emission without visible interruptions at joint points.
4Stability of the object's composition
If rigid covers are used, then structural stability is maintained, but expansion and shrinkage effects from ambient conditions and heat cause aesthetic and functional issues
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable side legs provide controlled flexibility that allows the cover to accommodate thermal expansion and shrinkage of the support member. The hinge joints act as expansion joints, absorbing dimensional changes while maintaining the cover's structural integrity and aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge joints introduce flexible connection points between the rigid cover components. This flexible connection allows the cover to respond to environmental changes and thermal effects without compromising structural stability or creating aesthetic defects.
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
Enables homogeneous and multidirectional light emission, improved light mixing, and secure sealing while maintaining durability and ease of installation, with the ability to be adapted to different lengths and lighting scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
the hinge joints are each formed by a connecting portion which is made of a material of increased flexibility and which connects the central portion to the associated side leg
Implementation Method 2
whereby the cover is at least partially light-transmitting
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A cover (100) for an elongated light emitting assembly (1). The cover comprises an elongated central portion (121), which extends in a first plane, and two side legs (122) provided on both sides (121L, 121R) of the central portion (121), whereby the cover (100) is at least partially light-transmitting. Further, the side legs (122) are each connected to the central portion (121) via a hinge joint (123) in such a way that the side legs (122) can be pivoted (pv) from a first position (Pi), in which they extend substantially in the first plane of the central portion (121), into a second position (P2), in which they are aligned at an angle to the central portion (121). Moreover, the hinge joints (123) are each formed by a connecting portion which is made of a material of increased flexibility and which connects the central portion (121) to the associated side leg (122) in a materially locking manner.