Lamp Light Emission Element Snap-Fit Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lamps have limited design options due to the requirement of a frame around the light-emitting element, which restricts their external appearance and makes installation and sealing challenging.

Innovation Solution

A lamp design featuring a light-emitting element with a latching connection to the housing that eliminates the need for a frame, utilizing a light guide plate with a narrow and flat side for efficient light distribution and a reflector element for uniform illumination, along with snap-in connections for easy assembly and sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a frame is used to hold the light-emitting element, then the structural stability is improved, but the design options for external appearance are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddesign options
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the frame structure that traditionally surrounds the light-emitting element. Instead, the light-emitting element is held directly by latching elements integrated into the housing, eliminating the frame and thereby expanding design options while maintaining structural stability through the latching mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The latching elements are integrated directly into the housing structure, merging the holding function with the housing itself. This eliminates the need for a separate frame component while maintaining the structural stability required to secure the light-emitting element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a frame is used around the light-emitting surface, then the light-emitting element is securely held, but the installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure holdingVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is removed from the design, eliminating the complex assembly steps required to attach and align a separate frame structure. The light-emitting element is secured directly to the housing through integrated latching elements, simplifying installation while maintaining secure holding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The latching elements are designed to automatically engage and secure the light-emitting element during installation without requiring additional fastening steps or complex alignment procedures. The snap-in connection provides self-aligning and self-securing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If a frame is used to hold the light-emitting element, then the structural support is improved, but the sealing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidsealing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is eliminated, removing the complex sealing joints that would be required between the frame and both the housing and light-emitting element. The direct integration of latching elements into the housing creates fewer interfaces, simplifying the sealing structure and reducing sealing difficulty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Illumination intensity

If the latching element is arranged outside the light-emitting surface area, then the light distribution is improved, but the compactness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight distributionVSAvoidcompactness
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The latching element is positioned in the depth dimension (along the optical axis) rather than in the lateral dimensions. This allows the light-emitting surface to maintain its full lateral area for optimal light distribution while the latching element is arranged within the projection of this area by extending in the depth direction, achieving compactness without compromising light distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This design allows for a compact, aesthetically versatile lamp with improved installation simplicity and effective light distribution, enhancing both the external appearance and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a light emitted by the light element enters the light guide plate enters through the narrow side and emerges from the light guide plate through the flat side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight guidance: Waveguide (optics)

Implementation Method 2

the light can be directed particularly uniformly onto the inner surface of the light-emitting element by the reflector element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2466573B1Lamp
Publication Date: 2014.04.02 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP2466573B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2466573B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2466573B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a luminaire comprising a luminaire housing (2), a luminaire element (4), for example in the form of several LEDs (42, 42'), a light guide plate, and a light emission element (8). The light emission element (8) has a light emission surface (84) through which a surface normal (N) is defined. Light emitted by the luminaire element (4) is laterally directed into the light guide plate and subsequently exits the luminaire via the light emission surface (84) in the direction of the surface normal (N). Furthermore, the light emission element (8) has a locking element for a snap-fit ​​connection (R1) with the luminaire housing (2), wherein, viewed in a projection along the surface normal (N), the locking element is arranged completely within the area (B) circumscribed by the light emission surface (84).The locking element arranged in this way allows the light emission element (8) to be held on the luminaire housing (2) without the need for a frame element around the light emission surface (84). The locking connection (R1) makes it particularly easy to connect the light emission element (8) to the luminaire housing (2).