LED Wave Guide Retrofit Fixture with Modular Mounting Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light fixtures often require complex and costly replacements, especially when switching from inefficient lighting technologies to LED-based systems, as consumers may lack the comfort or expertise to handle electrical and mechanical coupling, leading to delayed replacements and additional expenses.

Innovation Solution

A system for retrofitting traditional light fixtures with LED wave guide down light fixtures, featuring a mounting plate with apertures, fastening devices, a trim assembly, and an LED driver that can be coupled without tools, allowing for easy installation and adaptation to various fixture sizes and types, including junction boxes and down cans.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If traditional light fixtures are replaced with LED fixtures, then energy efficiency is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase due to electrical and mechanical coupling requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The LED fixture is divided into separate modular components: a trim assembly containing the LED light source and wave guide, a mounting plate for electrical connection, and fastening devices. This segmentation allows the electrical and mechanical aspects to be handled separately, reducing installation complexity while maintaining energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting plate includes pre-configured electrical contacts and mechanical mounting features that enable the fixture to be installed by simple attachment without requiring complex electrical wiring work. The design allows consumers to perform the replacement themselves, eliminating the need to hire electricians while still achieving energy-efficient LED conversion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If traditional light fixtures are replaced with LED fixtures, then energy efficiency is improved, but additional expenses are incurred due to hiring electricians and wall repairs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture design enables do-it-yourself installation by consumers without requiring electrician intervention. The mounting plate integrates electrical contacts that connect to existing fixture wiring through simple mechanical attachment, and the modular design allows easy removal and installation. This eliminates the need to hire electricians and avoids wall repair expenses, making LED conversion cost-effective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Use of energy by moving object

If existing fixtures are retrofitted with LED components, then lighting efficiency is improved, but adaptability to various fixture sizes and types is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting efficiencyVSAvoidadaptability to fixture types

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting plate is designed with universal electrical contacts and mounting features that can adapt to various existing fixture types including down cans and junction boxes of different sizes. The trim assembly can be configured to fit different fixture geometries, allowing a single LED fixture design to replace multiple types of traditional fixtures across residential and commercial applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 efficient and cost-effective replacement of light fixtures by allowing users to upgrade to LED technology without extensive electrical or mechanical expertise, minimizing additional expenses and simplifying the retrofitting process while ensuring energy efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a wave guide positioned adjacent to the LED array and mechanically coupled to the trim assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWaveguide: Waveguide (optics)

Implementation Method 2

at least one thermally conductive material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10309632B2Light-emitting diode wave guide down light retrofit fixtures

Publication Date: 2019.06.04 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV

AI summary

A system for mounting a light emitting diode (LED) wave guide down light retrofit fixture. The system can include a mounting plate having a number of apertures symmetrically positioned around a center of the mounting plate. The system can also include at least one fastening device mechanically coupled to an upper surface of the mounting plate using at least a first aperture of the apertures, where the at least one fastening device mechanically couples to a base of an existing fixture. The system can further include a coupling device mechanically coupled to a lower surface of the mounting plate. The system can also include a trim assembly having a frame and a LED light source mechanically coupled to the frame. The frame can have a coupling feature disposed on a top surface of the frame, where the coupling feature mechanically couples to the coupling device.