Internal Spring Closure for Light Cover Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lamps with external toggle lever closures are aesthetically unpleasing and difficult to operate, as they require manual access to external fastening means for sealing, which can be cumbersome and less efficient.

Innovation Solution

A luminaire design featuring a housing with integrated, inwardly pointing spring elements and hooks on the cover, allowing for closure without external manual access, where the closure elements are mounted from the inside and can be easily replaced or operated from outside, enhancing ease of use and aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external toggle lever closures are used to seal the cover, then moisture-tight or dust-tight sealing is achieved, but the luminaire becomes aesthetically unpleasing and difficult to operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidoperation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The closure element is extracted from the external housing surface and repositioned to the internal side of the housing. The spring element is mounted in a cutout of the inner housing surface, with its arm extending through the housing wall to engage the hook on the cover from the interior, eliminating the need for external toggle levers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring element acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates internal mounting into external engagement. The spring element's arm extends through the housing wall to interact with the hook on the cover, allowing the closure function to be operated from the outside while the mechanism itself is mounted on the inside

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If external toggle lever closures are used, then sealing is achieved, but the luminaire requires manual access to external fastening means which is cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidfastening mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure element is extracted from the external housing surface and repositioned to the internal side of the housing. The spring element is mounted in a cutout of the inner housing surface, with its arm extending through the housing wall to engage the hook on the cover from the interior, eliminating the need for external toggle levers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring element provides automatic engagement and retention functionality. Once the cover is positioned, the spring element's elasticity automatically secures the hook in place, and the stop prevents over-travel, eliminating the need for complex manual fastening operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If closure elements are mounted on the outside of the housing, then sealing is achieved, but the luminaire design is compromised aesthetically

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidaesthetic design
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The closure element is extracted from the external housing surface and repositioned to the internal side of the housing. The spring element is mounted in a cutout of the inner housing surface, with its arm extending through the housing wall to engage the hook on the cover from the interior, eliminating the need for external toggle levers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring element acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates internal mounting into external engagement. The spring element's arm extends through the housing wall to interact with the hook on the cover, allowing the closure function to be operated from the outside while the mechanism itself is mounted on the inside

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If multiple closure elements are used to secure the cover, then reliable sealing is achieved, but the luminaire becomes difficult to handle during installation and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element provides automatic engagement and retention functionality. Once the cover is positioned, the spring element's elasticity automatically secures the hook in place, and the stop prevents over-travel, eliminating the need for complex manual fastening operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The spring element acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates internal mounting into external engagement. The spring element's arm extends through the housing wall to interact with the hook on the cover, allowing the closure function to be operated from the outside while the mechanism itself is mounted on the inside

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 more aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly luminaire that is easier to handle and maintain, with improved sealing capabilities without the need for external fastening mechanisms, ensuring a secure and efficient closure system.

Implementation Method 1

a spring element which extends from the side wall of the housing in the direction of the housing interior and cooperates with one of the hooks to hold cover on the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2644984B1Lock for a light cover
Publication Date: 2015.06.17 SITECO BELEUCHTUNGSTECHNIK GMBH
  • EP2644984B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2644984B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The lamp has a transparent cover (2) that is connected with a side wall (8) of bulb housing, in order to close the housing. Hooks (4) of transparent cover are cooperated with closure elements (6) at the housing. A spring element (14) of the housing-side closure elements is extended from the side wall of the housing in a direction towards the interior of housing. The spring element is cooperated with the hook, in order to hold the transparent cover at the housing.