In-Grade Light Fixture Collar Interference Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor light fixtures, especially those installed in-grade, face challenges in reliability and ease of repair due to exposure to environmental hazards and complex maintenance requirements.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an in-grade light assembly with an outer housing and an interchangeable inner housing assembly, featuring a collar that creates an interference fit with the outer housing, facilitating easy installation and removal, and allowing for adjustments to the light module and lens assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a light fixture is designed with a fixed housing structure for outdoor installation, then it can provide reliable lighting, but it becomes difficult to repair and maintain due to environmental exposure and complex assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The light fixture is divided into two main segments: an outer housing that remains fixed in the installation location and an inner housing assembly that contains the lighting components and can be removed as a unit. The collar structure with fingers that engage with the outer housing enables this segmentation, allowing the inner assembly to be extracted for repair while leaving the outer housing in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner housing assembly is nested within the outer housing, with the collar structure providing the connection interface. The fingers of the collar engage with the outer housing to secure the inner assembly inside, creating a nested configuration that protects components while enabling removal for maintenance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a light fixture uses a complex housing structure for environmental protection, then it can withstand outdoor conditions, but it increases maintenance requirements and repair complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into an outer protective housing that remains installed and provides environmental protection, and an inner removable assembly containing the components. This segmentation allows the protective outer housing to remain in place while the inner assembly is removed for maintenance, reducing the complexity of servicing outdoor fixtures.
3Strength
If a light fixture uses a secure housing structure for outdoor installation, then it can provide reliable protection, but it becomes difficult to disassemble for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The collar structure provides a dynamic connection between the inner and outer housings. The fingers of the collar can be compressed to reduce their diameter, allowing easy insertion and removal from the outer housing, while normally maintaining a secure interference fit for structural strength during operation.
4Reliability
If a light fixture uses a fixed structure for outdoor installation, then it can provide stable lighting, but it increases repair costs and time
Solution Approach 1:
The light fixture is segmented into a fixed outer housing and a removable inner housing assembly. This allows the inner assembly containing the lighting components to be quickly removed and replaced as a unit, significantly reducing repair time compared to disassembling a fixed structure, while maintaining lighting stability during normal operation.
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
This design enhances the reliability and ease of maintenance for outdoor light fixtures by providing a modular and adjustable system that can withstand environmental hazards and reduce repair costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a collar configured to slidingly engage with the body in a direction parallel to the outer housing axis so as to create an interference fit between a portion of the collar and the inner surface of the sleeve portion
Data Source
AI summary
An in-grade light assembly can include an inner housing assembly. The inner housing assembly can include a body and a collar configured to slidingly engage with the body so as to create an interference fit between the collar and an outer structure. The collar can include a base and a flexible portion. The flexible portion can be one or more fingers.