In-Grade Light Fixture Modular Enclosure and Condensation Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional in-grade lighting fixtures face issues with condensation, corrosion, and reduced component life due to water ingress, and lack flexibility in enclosure placement, leading to installation challenges and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
The design features a light fixture housing with removable enclosures, an anti-condensation valve, and a vacuum air passageway to prevent condensation, along with flexible enclosure placement options and a watertight construction to address water ingress and heat management, enhancing reliability and installation flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the housing extends deep into the ground to hold all components, then all electrical and optical components can be contained, but the installation complexity increases and flexibility in placement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple sections: an upper housing portion with the lens at grade level, and a lower housing portion extending into the ground. Electrical components are separated into enclosures that can be independently mounted on the upper housing portion, allowing modular installation and greater placement flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Enclosures are mounted on the exterior surface of the upper housing portion rather than requiring deep vertical space inside the housing. This utilizes the external dimensional space, allowing components to be distributed around the housing perimeter rather than constrained by internal volume.
2Reliability
If enclosures are added inside the housing to hold electrical components, then component protection is improved, but the overall size of the light fixture increases
Solution Approach 1:
Enclosures containing electrical components are removed from the interior of the housing and mounted on the exterior surface. This extracts the volume requirement from the housing interior, allowing the housing to maintain a compact size while still providing protected enclosures for components.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosures are designed to mount on the exterior of the housing in a nested arrangement, where multiple enclosures can be attached to the housing surface without significantly increasing the overall footprint of the fixture.
3Illumination intensity
If the lens is left uncovered to allow light emission, then light output is maximized, but water ingress risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
A waterproof gasket or seal (thin film barrier) is installed around the perimeter of the lens opening where the lens meets the housing. This creates a water-tight seal that prevents water ingress while allowing the lens to remain uncovered for maximum light emission.
4Device complexity
If conventional optical chambers are used, then light emission structure is simple, but condensation develops inside the chamber reducing component life
Solution Approach 1:
A desiccant material (intermediary substance) is placed inside the optical chamber to absorb moisture and prevent condensation. This intermediary component actively counteracts the condensation problem caused by temperature cycling, extending component life without requiring complex structural modifications.
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 improves the reliability and flexibility of in-grade lighting fixtures by preventing condensation, reducing corrosion, and allowing for adaptable installation configurations, thereby extending component life and ensuring safer operation.
Implementation Method 1
condensation can develop inside the chamber through the heating and cooling of the lamp
Implementation Method 2
an air passageway between the optical chamber and at least one of the enclosures. The air passageway causes a vacuum to form in the one of said enclosures when a vacuum forms in the optical chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An in-grade light fixture comprises a light fixture housing arranged to be buried substantially below grade level. The light fixture housing has a light opening substantially at grade level and an optical chamber having a light source arranged within the optical chamber and the optical chamber arranged within the housing with light from the light source passing through the light opening. The fixture further comprises a plurality of housing openings and one or more enclosures, each of which is removably mounted to a respective one of the housing openings. The enclosures accept external power and generate power to energize the light source causing it to emit light. The optical chamber can also comprise an anti-condensation valve and an air passageway between the optical chamber and one of the enclosures form a vacuum in the optical chamber and vacuum during operation.