Interconnected Sleeve Lighting Structure for Glare Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting devices require mechanical frames and diffusive sheets to reduce glare, limiting their shape and increasing costs, especially for large-scale architectural panels and flexible textile applications.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device with a layered structure of interconnected sleeves and light sources, where the interconnecting seams are arranged to direct light internally, eliminating the need for diffusive layers and mechanical frames, and allowing for flexible and scalable designs with improved air circulation and acoustical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If diffusive sheets are used to reduce glare, then glare effect is reduced, but light absorption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglare effectVSAvoidlight absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the diffusive sheet from the lighting structure, extracting the harmful light-diffusing function while preserving the beneficial glare reduction through geometric design. The light sources are positioned within cavities formed by interconnected sleeves, eliminating the need for diffusive materials that absorb light.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the optical mechanism of diffusive sheets with a geometric-mechanical arrangement of sleeves and cavities. The structured geometry of interconnected sleeves creates controlled light distribution and glare reduction through physical form rather than light-diffusing materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If mechanical frames are used to support layered structure, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidframe structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the structural support function with the light-distributing sleeves themselves. The interconnected sleeves form a self-supporting modular structure that maintains stability without requiring separate mechanical frames, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the lighting structure into modular interconnected sleeves that can be assembled independently. Each sleeve acts as a self-contained unit with cavity housing, allowing modular construction that simplifies support requirements and reduces overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If diffusive layers are included in lighting structure, then glare is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglare effectVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the diffusive layer from the manufacturing process, reducing material costs and assembly complexity. Glare control is achieved through the geometric arrangement of sleeves and light source positioning rather than through expensive diffusive materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs simple, inexpensive sleeve structures made from basic materials rather than costly diffusive layers. The modular sleeve design uses straightforward manufacturing processes, reducing overall production costs while maintaining functional performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Strength

If tight mesh structure is used, then structural integrity is improved, but air circulation around light sources decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidheat dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different structural densities in different regions: the sleeve walls maintain sufficient thickness for structural integrity, while the cavities and interconnecting spaces provide open pathways for air circulation. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of strength and heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a porous-like structure through interconnected sleeves with cavities and openings, allowing air flow paths while maintaining overall structural integrity. The mesh-like arrangement provides both strength and permeability for thermal management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Data Source

PatentUS10883706B2Lighting device and method for producing such device

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV

AI summary

The present invention relates to a lighting device, which comprises a structure of interconnected sleeves and a light emitting arrangement arranged inside the sleeves. The structure forms a polygon mesh and light sources on the light emitting arrangement can be positioned by the structure so that the problem of glare can be reduced. The present invention also provides a sound-absorbing, flexible and collapsible structure which can be used in e.g. large scale architectural panels, horticulture and phototherapy devices. The lighting device can be produced by connecting the sleeves with thermoplastic material or by sewing.