Infrared Sensor Assembly Threaded Lens Interchangeability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional occupancy sensors for lighting systems are limited in their adaptability to different lighting applications due to their inability to easily receive and interchange lenses, necessitating separate sensors for various environments, which hampers energy efficiency and user experience.
Innovation Solution
An infrared sensor assembly with a housing and tubular connector featuring external threads, a lens assembly with internal threads, and a sealing gasket, allowing for secure mounting to a substrate and easy lens interchangeability, enabling the assembly to be adapted for various lighting applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional occupancy sensors are designed with fixed lens configurations, then the sensor structure is simple and reliable, but the adaptability to different lighting applications is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is divided into separate modular components: a sensor housing unit and interchangeable lens units. Each lens unit can be independently attached or detached from the housing, allowing different lenses to be swapped based on specific lighting application requirements without affecting the sensor housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor housing is designed with a universal mounting interface that can accommodate multiple types of lenses through standardized thread connections. This universal design enables a single housing to serve multiple functions by accepting different lens configurations, eliminating the need for separate sensors for each lighting application.
2Adaptability or versatility
If occupancy sensors are designed to receive only one type of lens, then the sensor design is simple and reliable, but the ability to adapt to different lighting environments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lens mounting system transitions from a fixed static connection to a dynamic interchangeable connection. The threaded interface allows the lens to be easily attached and detached, providing flexibility to adapt to different lighting environments while maintaining a reliable mechanical connection through standard threading protocols.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate occupancy sensors are procured for each lighting application, then each sensor can be optimized for its specific application, but the cost and complexity of managing multiple sensors increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single sensor housing is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple lens types through standardized thread connections. This allows one housing to be optimized for general use while accommodating different lens configurations for specific applications, eliminating the need to procure and manage multiple separate sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The design merges the sensor housing and lens into a single integrated assembly that can be configured for different applications by simply changing the lens component. This combining approach reduces the total number of separate devices needed while maintaining application-specific optimization capabilities.
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 a versatile and adaptable infrared sensor assembly that can be configured for both indoor and outdoor lighting applications, enhancing energy efficiency and user experience by allowing for customizable lens configurations.
Implementation Method 1
the gasket is compressed between the substrate and the lens assembly to form a seal therebetween
Implementation Method 2
A lens assembly threadably attached to the tubular connector, the lens assembly including a base having an annular groove
Implementation Method 3
infrared sensors, including passive infrared sensors (PIR), have become increasingly popular in the lighting industry due to their ability to detect the presence of individuals or objects in an area by sensing the heat emitted from their bodies
Data Source
AI summary
An infrared sensor assembly for adjusting a light output of a light source is provided. The infrared sensor assembly is configured to be mounted to a substrate and includes a housing that defines a chamber in which an infrared sensor is located. The housing includes a body and a tubular connector projecting from the body. The tubular connector includes at least one external thread that extends proximate to a free open end of the tubular connector. The infrared sensor assembly includes a lens or a lens assembly threadably attached to the tubular connector. The lens or the lens assembly includes a base with an annular groove. The infrared sensor assembly further includes a gasket received within the annular groove of the lens or the lens assembly and an internally threaded locking ring that is configured to be threadably received by the tubular connector to secure the infrared sensor assembly to the substrate. The substrate is configured to be positioned between the threaded locking ring and the lens or the lens housing such that the gasket is compressed between the substrate and the lens or the lens housing to form a seal therebetween.