Surface-Mounted LED Lighting System with Rear Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface-mounted LED lighting systems face difficulties in easy lamp replacement, especially in confined or hard-to-access areas, where space limitations and proximity of terminals to the rear or underside of the panel make proper connections challenging.
Innovation Solution
A versatile surface-mounted lighting system featuring a junction hub with multiple connectors and a light emitting diode subassembly that includes a tubular lens body and plug member, allowing for easy insertion and removal of LEDs without requiring access to the rear or underside, with a frictional engagement forming a liquid-tight seal and strain relief to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If LEDs are mounted on the front surface of a panel with terminals close to the rear or underside, then the physical form is compact and space is saved, but lamp replacement becomes difficult in confined or hard-to-access areas
Solution Approach 1:
The LED assembly is segmented into two main parts: the LED module mounted on the front surface and the terminal connections located on a separate rear access plate. This segmentation allows the LED to remain in its compact front-mounted position while the replacement access is provided through a removable plate, resolving the contradiction between compact mounting and easy replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
A rear access plate serves as an intermediary structure that provides access to the LED terminals and replacement mechanisms from the backside of the panel. This intermediary allows technicians to perform lamp replacements in confined spaces without needing to access the front surface directly, solving the accessibility problem while maintaining the compact front-mounted LED configuration.
2Ease of repair
If specialized lenses, sockets and sleeves are used for LED replacement, then lamp replacement is enabled, but the assembly becomes complicated and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the socket, lens holder, and LED mounting structure into a single integrated LED module that can be replaced as one unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate specialized sockets and lenses, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining lamp replacement capability through the rear access plate mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear access plate serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the terminal connections, enables LED replacement access, and seals the rear opening. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized components, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining full replacement capability.
3Volume of moving object
If space behind or below the surface is limited, then compact installation is achieved, but proper connections become difficult to assure during LED replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal connections are pre-configured and mounted on the rear access plate before the LED replacement process begins. This preliminary arrangement ensures that proper electrical connections are established and secured in advance, allowing technicians to focus on replacing the LED module itself without worrying about connection reliability in the confined space.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal connections are extracted from the main panel structure and mounted on a separate removable rear access plate. This extraction allows the connections to be properly established and secured in a dedicated location, ensuring connection reliability while maintaining compact overall installation space.
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
Enables straightforward and efficient replacement of LEDs in confined spaces, ensuring proper connections and preventing damage, while maintaining a watertight seal and effective heat dissipation, thus enhancing maintenance and operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a frictional engagement forming a liquid-tight seal
Data Source
AI summary
A surface-mounted lighting system and method wherein a lamp (e.g., an LED) is mounted within a surface (e.g., a wall, the wall of a pool or spa, a panel, etc.) such that it casts light to one side of the surface. A lighting system of the present invention comprises a) a lens cap/light emitting diode/first connector subassembly and b) a second connector/wire subassembly. A first connector located on the lens cap/light emitting diode/first connector subassembly is connectable to the second connector located on the second connector/wire subassembly such that power may be delivered through the second connector/wire subassembly to the lamp. Thereafter, when it is desired to remove or change the lamp, the first connector is disconnected from the second connector and the entire Lens cap/LED/first connector subassembly may be removed and replaced. In this manner, the lamp may be changed from a front or exposed side surface of a wall in which the lamp is mounted without the need to access wiring that is concealed or enclosed behind or on the opposite side of that wall.