Glass Globe Adapter for Light Fixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching and detaching glass globe covers from light fixtures often result in breakage due to excessive tightening, whether through screws or wire clips, as they do not provide a secure and gentle mounting solution.
Innovation Solution
A threaded adapter system comprising a socket adapter, tubular spacing adapter, external globe plate, and internal globe plate that securely attaches to the glass globe cover and light fixture, allowing for easy installation and removal without direct fastening through the glass cover, using a socket flange and tubular socket wall to distribute weight and prevent dislodgment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screws or wire clips are used to attach the glass globe cover, then the globe cover can be secured to the light fixture, but the glass globe cover may fracture due to excessive tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary adapter assembly that mediates between the light fixture and the glass globe cover. This adapter includes a socket adapter that attaches to the light fixture and a globe adapter that attaches to the globe cover, with a spacing adapter connecting them. This intermediary structure distributes mechanical stress away from the glass globe cover, preventing fracture while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system is divided into multiple independent components: the socket adapter, spacing adapter, and globe adapter. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the socket adapter interfaces with the fixture, the spacing adapter provides structural support and stress distribution, and the globe adapter gently interfaces with the globe cover without requiring excessive tightening force.
2Device complexity
If the glass globe cover is directly attached to the light fixture, then the structure is simple, but the globe cover is difficult to remove for bulb replacement or cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assembly is designed as segmented, easily detachable components. The globe adapter can be quickly removed from the globe cover without tools, and the socket adapter can be detached from the light fixture. This segmentation enables simple bulb replacement and globe cover removal for cleaning while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter system provides dynamic adjustability - the spacing adapter can be positioned at different distances from the light fixture, and the globe adapter can be easily attached and detached. This dynamic design allows for quick maintenance operations while maintaining structural integrity during normal operation.
3Strength
If the glass globe cover is directly screwed into the light fixture, then the attachment is secure, but the glass globe cover may fracture from excessive tightening force
Solution Approach 1:
The spacing adapter serves as a mediator that absorbs and distributes mechanical stress. It provides a rigid structural connection between the socket adapter and globe adapter while preventing excessive tightening forces from being transmitted to the glass globe cover, thus eliminating the harmful mechanical stress factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the attachment system by introducing a spacing adapter with specific dimensional parameters. The spacing adapter's length and thickness are designed to provide adequate stress distribution, changing the stress distribution parameters from concentrated (direct attachment) to distributed (mediated attachment), thereby reducing harmful mechanical stress on the glass.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting cover adapter for glass globe covers attaches to a glass globe cover around a bulb receiving opening of the glass globe cover with an internal globe plate and an external globe plate to secure the glass globe cover to a light fixture. A socket adapter is installed around a lightbulb socket. The internal globe plate is inserted through the bulb receiving opening and fastened to the external globe plate outside of the glass globe cover in order to secure the glass globe cover between the internal globe plate and the external globe plate. The glass globe cover is positioned around the lightbulb and the internal globe plate is then secured to the socket adapter through a spacing adapter in order to mount the glass globe cover to the lighting fixture.