Interchangeable Light Diverting Elements for Landscape Lighting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current landscape lighting systems lack effective control over light intensity and beam direction, leading to uneven illumination, hot spots, and uncomfortable viewing experiences due to fixed light output levels and beam angles.

Innovation Solution

A landscape lighting system featuring a thermally conductive metal housing with an LED driver and interchangeable light diverting elements, allowing for adjustable light intensity and beam angles, including options like 12, 24, and 60 degrees, and a light intensity controller with a button for fine-tuning light levels and an illuminated scale for precise adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fixed light output levels and beam angles are used, then the lighting system is simple to operate, but the illumination becomes uneven with hot spots and black holes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidillumination uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements adjustable light output levels and beam angles that can be dynamically changed during operation. The lighting system transitions from fixed parameters to variable parameters, allowing users to adjust intensity and beam spread to eliminate hot spots and black holes while maintaining ease of operation through preset scenes and simple controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of light output level and beam angle from fixed to variable. By allowing continuous adjustment of these parameters, the system achieves uniform illumination across the landscape while maintaining operational simplicity through intuitive controls and memory functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If light intensity and beam angle are made adjustable, then illumination uniformity improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination uniformityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into a single lighting system: adjustable intensity, adjustable beam angle, memory storage for settings, and scene selection. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve uniform illumination while managing complexity through consolidation rather than adding separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting system includes memory functions that automatically store and recall settings, reducing the need for manual reconfiguration. The system serves itself by remembering user preferences and automatically applying them, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining adjustment capabilities for uniform illumination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple lighting parameters are made controllable, then lighting design versatility improves, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting design versatilityVSAvoidcontrol simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control of lighting parameters into distinct, independently adjustable components. Users can control light output level, beam angle, and scene selection as separate functions, allowing for versatile lighting design while maintaining operational simplicity through modular control interfaces and preset configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables precise control over light intensity and beam direction, creating visually appealing and balanced lighting designs by allowing for adjustable light levels and beam angles, improving the aesthetic and functional aspects of landscape lighting.

Implementation Method 1

an LED secured to a leading end of the light engine slug

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a housing, such as a light engine slug, made of a thermally conductive metal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS9945538B2Landscape lighting systems having interchangeable light diverting elements and light intensity controllers

Publication Date: 2018.04.17 CAST LIGHTING LLC

AI summary

A landscape lighting system includes a light fixture having an LED, a first light diverting element having a first light diversion angle associated therewith, a second light diverting element having a second light diversion angle associated therewith that is different than the first light diversion angle, and a light intensity controller for communicating with the light fixture to selectively control the intensity of the light generated by the LED. The light intensity controller is in wireless communication with the light fixture. The fixture has a first configuration in which the first light diverting element overlies the LED for emitting light having the first light diversion angle, and a second configuration in which the second light diverting element overlies the LED for emitting light having the second light diversion angle.