Horizontal Light Guide Lighting Fixture for Uniform Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
LED-based lighting fixtures often produce non-uniform lighting and harsh glares due to a lack of precise optical control, necessitating an improved design that addresses these deficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A horizontally oriented lighting fixture with an elongated housing bracket, side rails, and a light guide where LEDs are positioned proximate to the light guide's edges, along with a reflector system for enhanced light distribution and control, and a quick attachment device for easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional LED based lighting fixtures are used, then high energy efficiency and longer lifetime are achieved, but non-uniform lighting and harsh glares are produced due to lack of precise optical control
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the LED light source and the illuminated area. The light guide receives light from LEDs positioned at its edges and distributes it uniformly across its surface, eliminating direct glare while maintaining energy efficiency. This mediator enables precise optical control without requiring complex LED arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting approach transitions from direct point-source illumination to surface illumination through the light guide. By moving the light emission from discrete LED points to a continuous light guide surface, the system achieves uniform lighting distribution and eliminates harsh glares while preserving the energy efficiency of LED technology.
2Ease of manufacture
If LEDs are positioned close to the light guide edges for precise optical control, then uniform lighting is achieved, but the structural complexity increases due to additional components like side rails and reflectors
Solution Approach 1:
The side rails serve multiple functions: they mechanically support the light guide, position the LEDs at precise distances from the light guide edges, and hold the reflectors in place. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing structural complexity while achieving precise optical control and uniform lighting.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing bracket, side rails, and reflector support structures are integrated into a unified structural assembly. By combining these elements into a cohesive design, the patent reduces the number of discrete parts while maintaining the precise positioning required for uniform lighting distribution.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed lighting fixture design is used, then structural stability is maintained, but installation and maintenance become time-consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting fixture is divided into modular components: the housing bracket, the light guide assembly with side rails, and the reflector system. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured, installed, and maintained, significantly reducing installation and maintenance time while preserving overall structural stability through designed connection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between components incorporates adjustable and removable features, allowing the lighting assembly to be dynamically configured during installation and easily disassembled for maintenance. This dynamic design enables quick adjustments and component replacement without compromising the structural integrity of the installed fixture.
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
The solution provides uniform lighting, reduces glare, and allows for easy installation and maintenance by ensuring precise optical control and flexibility in lighting fixture design.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide that is configured to receive light from a light source through an edge of the light guide and emit the received light through a major surface of the light guide
Implementation Method 2
at least one reflector that is removably coupled to the elongated housing bracket on one side of the at least one reflector and the side rail on an opposite side of the at least one reflector
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting fixture includes a housing bracket and pair of side rails, each side rail located adjacent opposite sides of the housing bracket. Further, the lighting fixture includes a light guide that is oriented horizontally and securely retained by the pair of side rails. Furthermore, the lighting fixture includes a plurality of light sources that are disposed on or within a cavity defined by at least one of the side rails such that the plurality of light sources are positioned in close proximity to and along an edge of the light guide. The light guide receives light emitted by the plurality of light sources through the edge of the light guide and emits the light through a major surface of the light guide. Further, the lighting fixture includes an end plate and an end cap disposed on each lateral end of the lighting fixture.