Integrated Lighting Assembly with Time-Dependent Directional Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting arrangements for general lighting often appear undesirable from an architectural perspective and require multiple lights and adjustments for effective lighting, making it difficult to achieve a balanced and calm spatial impression, especially when changes in lighting are desired.

Innovation Solution

An integrated lighting arrangement featuring a first light generating unit for diffuse light and a second light generating unit for directed light, with means to adjust the emission direction of the second unit over time, creating a homogeneous appearance and simulating natural light effects by varying the shadows and light directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate lights are installed for general lighting and targeted lighting, then lighting functionality is improved, but architectural appearance and spatial homogeneity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting functionalityVSAvoidarchitectural appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple light sources (diffuse light source and directed light source) into a single luminaire housing. The diffuse light source provides general illumination while the directed light source provides targeted lighting, merging previously separate lighting functions into one integrated unit that maintains architectural appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The luminaire is designed to perform multiple lighting functions simultaneously - it provides both general diffuse lighting and directional spotlighting through a single device. The housing serves as both the structural element and the light-emitting component, making the same object serve multiple purposes.

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

2Illumination intensity

If multiple lights are installed and adjusted for appropriate lighting, then lighting quality is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting qualityVSAvoidnumber of lights
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the diffuse light source and directed light source within a single luminaire housing, reducing the number of separate devices from multiple lights to one unified unit. This simplifies installation and adjustment while maintaining the ability to provide both general and targeted lighting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If lighting arrangement is fixed, then installation simplicity is improved, but adaptability to changing lighting needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidlighting variation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a movable directed light source within the luminaire housing that can be adjusted to change the direction of emitted light. This dynamic element allows the lighting direction to be varied according to different needs while the overall luminaire remains fixed in position, providing adaptability without requiring complex installation changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Illumination intensity

If directed light is emitted at steep angles, then lighting effectiveness is improved, but risk of blinding users increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting effectivenessVSAvoidblinding risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the directed light source asymmetrically within the luminaire housing, specifically locating it at a distance from the light exit surface and orienting it at an angle between 10° and 70° relative to the normal of the exit surface. This asymmetric positioning ensures that directed light is emitted at angles that provide effective illumination while avoiding direct line-of-sight exposure that could cause blinding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3172483B1Assembly for general lighting and method for controlling such an assembly
Publication Date: 2018.09.12 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP3172483B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3172483B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3172483B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an assembly for general lighting, which comprises a first light-generating unit (1) for generating a diffuse light (L1) and a second light-generating unit (2) for generating a light (L2) directed in an emission direction (R). In addition, the assembly comprises means for influencing the second light-generating unit (2). Said means are designed to influence the second light-generating unit (2) in such a way that the emission direction (R) changes in a time-dependent manner. Because the two light-generating units (1, 2) are integrated in an assembly, the outer appearance can be made especially homogeneous and/or inconspicuous. Because of the time-dependent change in the emission direction (R), the lighting can be changed over the course of time. Thus, for example, shadows, which are formed by illuminated objects, and/or light directions can be changed over the course of time. For example, in this way, the lighting situation can be varied in such a way that a changing position of the sun is felt.