Adjustable Interior Light Lens Displacement for Beam Angle Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing interior lights for shelf or display case illumination require a fixed beam angle, limiting their adaptability to different presentation needs and requiring large diameters for manual adjustability, which complicates design and manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

An interior light with a retractable adjustment unit that displaces along the primary axis of a cylindrical recess, allowing for adjustable beam angles without rotational mechanisms, enabling small construction sizes and simplified operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rotational adjustment mechanism is used to change beam angle, then the beam angle is adjustable, but the device becomes bulky and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam angle adjustabilityVSAvoidrotational adjustment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of rotating the lens or housing to change beam angle, the patent inverts the approach by translating the lens assembly along the optical axis. This linear movement changes the distance between the LED and lens, thereby adjusting the beam angle without requiring rotational mechanisms. The guide groove and spring mechanism enable this linear adjustment in a compact manner.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex rotational mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a simpler linear translation system. The guide groove constrains movement to a straight line, and the spring provides automatic positioning, eliminating the need for rotatable housings or multiple adjustment components while achieving beam angle variability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a rotational adjustment mechanism is used to change beam angle, then the beam angle is adjustable, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam angle adjustabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by using axial translation instead of rotational movement. This allows the lens to be positioned at different distances from the LED along a linear path, achieving beam angle adjustment without the space required for rotational mechanisms, thereby maintaining a compact device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The lens assembly is nested within the housing and can translate along a guide groove that is integrated into the housing structure. The spring mechanism is also integrated within the same space, allowing multiple functional elements to occupy overlapping spatial volumes and reducing the overall device footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If a fixed beam angle design is used, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to different presentation requirements is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidbeam angle variability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to an otherwise simple fixed structure. The lens assembly can move dynamically along the guide groove to different positions, changing the beam angle according to presentation requirements. The spring mechanism provides automatic return to a default position, enabling repeated adjustments without complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment mechanism is segmented into discrete functional elements: the guide groove defines the movement path, the spring provides positioning force, and the lens assembly is the movable component. This segmentation allows each element to be simple in design while collectively providing adjustable functionality.

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

The solution allows for flexible beam angle adjustments in a compact design, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs, while enabling versatile use in various illumination scenarios without the need for large diameters or rotational forces.

Implementation Method 1

an adjustment unit, which has a lens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS9995464B2Interior light and method of manufacture

Publication Date: 2018.06.12 H4X

AI summary

An interior light, in particular for shelf or display case illumination, includes an adjustment unit, which has a lens; a main body, which has a cylindrical recess inside which a lighting means is arranged; at least one guide which is provided on the recess and extends parallel to a cylinder axis of the recess; and latch means which are arranged in the region of the recess and have a plurality of latching stages, the adjustment unit having mating latch means which can latch to the latch means and guide means for guiding the adjustment unit in the guide; the guide means being arranged in each case at different positions within the guide when the mating latch means latch to the different latching stages, and a different distance being set between the lighting means and the lens in each case.