Indirect Lighting Structure with Reflective Wall and Profile Slots

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing luminous structures, such as false ceilings and slabs, often suffer from non-homogeneous light diffusion and visibility of defects due to the distance and distribution of light sources, leading to aesthetic issues.

Innovation Solution

A luminous structure with interconnected walls and a profile that houses light means, where one wall diffuses light and the other reflects it, using oblique slots to direct light for indirect lighting, ensuring homogeneous diffusion and concealing defects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If light means are fixed directly to the bottom of the frame with a tablecloth diffuser, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but homogeneous light diffusion cannot be ensured and defects become visible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehomogeneous light diffusionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is segmented into multiple profiles with slots, and the light means are distributed across these profiles rather than concentrated at the bottom. This segmentation allows each profile to contribute to homogeneous light diffusion across the entire visible surface, eliminating the non-uniform distribution caused by bottom-mounted lights.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A reflective wall is introduced as an intermediary element between the light means and the diffusing tablecloth. The reflective wall redirects light from the slots to illuminate the tablecloth from multiple angles, ensuring homogeneous diffusion while keeping the light sources hidden within the profile slots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the tablecloth is placed close to the light sources, then the structure is compact, but defects in the tablecloth become visible and light diffusion is non-homogeneous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight diffusion uniformityVSAvoidvisibility of defects
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the tablecloth receive light from different profiles and angles via the reflective wall. This creates local variations in illumination that mask defects in specific areas, as no single defect is uniformly illuminated from all angles as would occur with direct bottom lighting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting system transitions from a single-plane bottom illumination to a multi-dimensional approach where light travels from horizontal slots, reflects off the vertical reflective wall, and then illuminates the tablecloth from multiple angles. This dimensional change in light paths ensures homogeneous diffusion and hides defects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Illumination intensity

If light means are distributed across the bottom surface, then light coverage is improved, but the structure complexity increases and installation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight coverageVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The profiles serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the frame, contain the light means within their slots, and position the light sources at optimal locations for reflection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies installation while achieving comprehensive light coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 configuration achieves uniform light distribution and enhances aesthetic appeal by masking imperfections through indirect lighting and reflective surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

the other wall has at least one face capable of reflecting the light emitted by the luminous means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

one of the walls being capable of diffusing the light emitted by the luminous means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP3344913B1Lighting structure including indirect illumination
Publication Date: 2020.12.30 NORMALU
  • EP3344913B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a lighting structure (1) including two walls (2, 3) interconnected by at least one profile member (4), and lighting means (7). The profile member (4) defines, with said walls (2, 3), a closed inner space (5). One of the walls (3) is capable of spreading the light emitted by the lighting means. The structure (1) is characterized in that the other wall (2) has at least one surface (20) capable of reflecting the light emitted by the lighting means, and in that the profile member (4) comprises at least one slot (6) in which the lighting means (7) are housed. Said slot (6) has an opening (60) in the inner space (5) and is arranged such that the light, leaving the profile member (4), is directed towards the surface (20) capable of reflecting the light.