Lens Array Mounting Tabs Outside the Light Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing luminaires face challenges in achieving a fully illuminated appearance of lenses due to obstructions from lens mounts and support elements within the light transmissive area, which affect the uniformity of the emitted beam.
Innovation Solution
The lens array is designed with mounting tabs and alignment tabs positioned outside the light transmissive area, coupled to the lens support using fasteners, ensuring that lens mounts and support elements do not obstruct light emission, and the lens array is movable to adjust beam angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lens mounts and support elements are positioned within the light transmissive area to provide structural support, then the lens array is securely mounted, but the lenses appear obstructed and the beam uniformity is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mounting tabs from the light transmissive area and relocates them to the periphery of the lens array. The tabs are positioned on the outer circumference of the lens support, outside the area through which light passes. This extraction eliminates the obstruction caused by mounting elements while maintaining secure structural support through the peripheral positioning of the tabs.
2Strength
If lens mounts are positioned within the light transmissive area to secure the lens array, then the lens array is firmly attached, but the visual appearance is compromised with dark spots in the beam
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting tabs are extracted from the central light transmissive area and repositioned to the outer periphery of the lens array. This ensures that the attachment function is maintained through secure engagement of the tabs with the lens support, while the visual appearance is preserved by eliminating obstructions from the light path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the mounting tabs from a two-dimensional plane within the light transmissive area to a peripheral position in another dimension (outer circumference). This dimensional relocation allows the tabs to provide secure attachment while existing outside the light path, thus avoiding visual obstruction.
3Stability of the object's composition
If lens mounts and support elements are placed within the light transmissive area, then the lens array is stable, but the beam pattern is disrupted with non-uniform illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements (mounting tabs) are extracted from the light transmissive area and repositioned to the periphery. This extraction maintains the stability of the lens array through secure peripheral mounting while eliminating disruptions to the beam pattern, resulting in uniform illumination across the entire light output.
Data Source
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AI summary
A lens mounting system and luminaire are provided. The lens mounting system includes a lens support, a lens array with a plurality of lenses, and a fastener. The lens array has tabs to physically couple the lens array to the lens support. The fastener couples at least one tab to the lens support. Each lens of the lens array receives an individual light beam in a light receiving portion of the lens and the tabs are located outside the light receiving portions of the lenses. The luminaire further includes an array of LED optical modules, and a control system configured to move the lens mounting system relative to the LED optical modules. Each LED optical module emits the individual light beam received by a corresponding lens of the plurality of lenses.