Low-Profile LED Fixture With Stacked Wireways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Public transportation facilities face challenges in retrofitting old lighting systems with LED lighting due to limited ceiling heights and the need to accommodate multiple power and communications wires, requiring innovative solutions for compact and efficient lighting and wireway assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile light fixture and wireway assembly with a stacked configuration of wireways and an edge-lit LED light engine, allowing for the integration of power supplies within the fixture housing and lateral taps without external conduits, enabling direct mounting to ceilings or beams while providing optional secondary and tertiary lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional lighting systems are retrofitted with LED lighting in public transportation facilities, then energy efficiency and lighting performance are improved, but the limited ceiling height and need to accommodate multiple wires create installation constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the LED light engine, wireways for multiple wires, and power supply into a single integrated fixture housing. This merging eliminates the need for separate installations of lighting and wire routing systems, resolving the contradiction by maintaining energy efficiency while reducing overall installation complexity in limited ceiling spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it contains the LED light engine for illumination, provides stacked wireways for routing multiple power and communication wires, and houses the power supply. This multi-functionality addresses the contradiction by consolidating multiple systems into one unit that meets both lighting and wiring needs within constrained spaces
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple power and communications wires are added to accommodate modern lighting needs, then functionality and adaptability are improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wireway system is segmented into multiple stacked compartments within the fixture housing, each capable of carrying separate power or communication wires. This segmentation allows organized routing of multiple wires without creating a complex tangled arrangement, maintaining adaptability while managing device complexity through structured organization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by stacking wireways one above another within the fixture housing. This dimensional approach allows multiple wires to be accommodated in a compact vertical arrangement rather than requiring horizontal expansion, thereby improving wire accommodation capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity
3Length of stationary object
If a low-profile configuration is used to accommodate limited ceiling heights, then the fixture fits constrained spaces better, but the internal arrangement of components becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The components are arranged in a nested configuration where the power supply is positioned within the fixture housing and the wireways are stacked around and above the light engine in a compact vertical arrangement. This nesting allows all components to fit within a low-profile envelope while maintaining ease of manufacture through systematic component placement
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a horizontal spread-out arrangement to a vertical stacked arrangement, utilizing the vertical dimension efficiently. The wireways are stacked vertically above the light engine, and the power supply is positioned within the housing footprint, creating a low-profile configuration that simplifies manufacturing through standardized vertical stacking of components
4Reliability
If the LED power supply is connected to multiple power sources with connections disposed entirely within the fixture housing, then safety and sealed enclosure are improved, but the internal space requirements and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple power source connections are merged into a single integrated power supply unit housed within the sealed fixture enclosure. This consolidation maintains reliability by keeping all connections internal and sealed while simplifying manufacturing compared to managing multiple separate connection points, as the power supply receives input from multiple sources through a unified internal arrangement
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 configuration allows for efficient use of space, reduces the need for external conduits, and supports multiple power sources, enabling effective lighting in constrained environments like subway platforms with a compact and aesthetically clean installation.
Implementation Method 1
LED lighting systems having a low profile with sealed light engines carried by mounts and used in combination with wireways
Data Source
AI summary
A light fixture and wireway assembly is provided in a low-profile configuration wherein at least a portion of a plurality of wireways are disposed in a stacked configuration with a low-profile, edge-lit LED light engine. In one configuration, at least portions of two to four individual wireways are disposed in a stacked configuration with a low-profile, edge-lit LED light engine powered by an LED power supply also disposed within the outer perimeter of the overall assembly. Each wireway can be accessed through a single wireway wall without requiring conduit outside of the outer perimeter of the assembly.