Low-Profile LED Fixture for Harsh Environments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Chicken houses face challenges with lighting due to dust, moisture, and chemical exposure, leading to inconsistent light intensity and short bulb life, particularly with traditional bulb-type lighting and existing LED solutions that suffer from flicker, dust collection, fragility, and high turnover rates.

Innovation Solution

A low-profile LED light fixture with a metal base, printed circuit board, and domed clear plastic cover, designed for attachment to a standard ceiling fixture junction box, providing a waterproof, dustproof, and chemical-proof solution with a circular array of LEDs, heat dissipation, and dimmable functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If LED bulbs are used to save energy and improve light conditions, then energy efficiency is improved, but flicker during dimming and moisture incursion problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidflicker-free operation and moisture resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The light fixture integrates multiple functions into a single unit: the sealed housing provides both structural support and moisture/dust protection, the gasket system simultaneously seals against environmental contaminants and enables safe wire penetration, and the integrated LED assembly combines lighting with heat dissipation features. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by creating a reliable fixture that maintains energy efficiency while eliminating flicker and moisture issues through unified design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary elements to protect the LED components: a sealed housing acts as an intermediary barrier between the LEDs and the harsh chicken house environment, while the gasket system serves as an intermediary that allows wire passage without compromising the seal. These intermediaries enable the fixture to maintain reliable, flicker-free operation while preserving energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If traditional bulb-type lighting is used, then installation is simple, but dust collection on bulbs decreases light intensity and requires manual cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidlight intensity consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of dust accumulation into a beneficial sealed environment. The airtight housing with gasket seals excludes dust and moisture from reaching the LED components, transforming the problematic dust-filled chicken house environment into a clean, protected internal space. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple installation while ensuring consistent light intensity without manual cleaning requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Use of energy by moving object

If LED bulbs are used in chicken houses, then energy consumption is reduced, but dust collection on LEDs and chemical exposure affect their lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidLED lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adopts a modular LED assembly design that functions as a replaceable unit. If the LEDs do fail after extended use, the entire assembly can be quickly replaced without affecting other components. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining low energy consumption while addressing lifespan concerns through an economical replacement strategy rather than attempting to extend individual component life indefinitely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealed housing and gasket system serve as protective intermediaries that shield the LEDs from dust and chemical exposure throughout their operational life. This allows the LEDs to maintain their extended lifespan by isolating them from the harsh chicken house environment, while continuing to provide energy-efficient lighting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If a sealed housing is used to protect against moisture and dust, then reliability is improved, but heat dissipation from LEDs becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproof and dustproof protectionVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a sealed housing that functions as a protective shell while incorporating thermal management features. The housing acts as a flexible barrier against moisture and dust, yet includes pathways or materials that allow heat to conduct away from the LED components. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable environmental protection while enabling effective heat dissipation through intelligent housing design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 offers reliable, flicker-free, and efficient LED lighting with improved light dispersal and extended lifespan, reducing maintenance needs and providing consistent lighting coverage with reduced dust collection and easy cleaning.

Implementation Method 1

A low-profile LED light fixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

The domed cover is molded from clear plastic through which light from the LEDs may pass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission through transparent material: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3566002B1Low-profile LED light fixture
Publication Date: 2020.09.16 GLOBAL PRODUCT SOURCES LLC
  • EP3566002B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3566002B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3566002B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A light fixture configured for attachment to a standard ceiling fixture junction box includes a metal base, a printed circuit board, a circular array of LEDs, and a domed cover. The metal base has a hole pattern that matches a mounting screw hole pattern of the standard ceiling fixture junction box. The printed circuit board is attached to a bottom surface the metal base. The circular array of LEDs is attached to an outer perimeter of the printed circuit board. The domed cover is attached to the bottom surface of the metal base and covers the printed circuit board and the circular array of LEDs. The domed cover is molded from clear plastic through which light from the LEDs may pass.