Light Fixture Tightness Testing With Integrated Pressure Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light fixtures face challenges in conducting tightness tests efficiently and cost-effectively, requiring external equipment and frequent relocation, which leads to high intervention costs and risks of internal damage due to undetected deterioration.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a test device within the light fixture comprising a pump, pressure sensor, venting device, and control device to create a pressure difference within the casing, allowing for remote and continuous tightness assessment without structural modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If external equipment is used to test tightness, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and loss of time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetightness test accuracyVSAvoidexternal equipment requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the tightness test device with the light fixture itself, integrating the pump, pressure sensor, and control unit into the fixture's internal structure. This eliminates the need for separate external testing equipment while maintaining measurement precision through the embedded sensor system that monitors pressure changes within the fixture's housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light fixture performs its own tightness testing autonomously using internally integrated components. The pump creates pressure differential, the pressure sensor detects changes, and the control unit evaluates sealing status without requiring external intervention or specialized testing equipment, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If external equipment is used to test tightness, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetightness test accuracyVSAvoidintervention timing
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated test device enables the light fixture to perform self-diagnosis of tightness issues at any time without requiring external intervention. The autonomous system can detect sealing deteriorations immediately when they occur, eliminating the delays associated with scheduling external testing appointments and transporting equipment to the fixture location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure sensor continuously monitors internal pressure changes and provides real-time feedback to the control unit about sealing status. This continuous monitoring enables immediate detection of tightness issues as they develop, allowing for prompt intervention before damage occurs, thereby reducing the time loss associated with periodic external testing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If light fixture is relocated for testing, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting accessibilityVSAvoidintervention timing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The light fixture performs tightness testing autonomously in its installed position without requiring relocation. The integrated pump and pressure sensor system operates within the fixture's housing, allowing testing to be conducted at the fixture's location regardless of where it is installed, thereby eliminating time loss from transportation and relocation activities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Loss of time

If tightness testing is not carried out systematically, then loss of time is reduced, but reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting frequencyVSAvoidsealing detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous pressure monitoring provides ongoing feedback about sealing status, enabling systematic tightness detection without requiring frequent manual testing interventions. The real-time data collection and analysis automatically identify sealing deteriorations as they occur, maintaining high reliability through continuous monitoring while avoiding the time consumption of repeated manual testing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 simple, cost-effective, and timely tightness testing in any condition and location, reducing the need for external equipment and preventing internal damage by detecting sealing issues promptly.

Implementation Method 1

a pump fluidically communicating with the at least one inner chamber and the environment outside the casing; a control device configured to: control the activation of the pump... in such a way that a pressure difference is created between the at least one inner chamber and the environment outside the casing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference creation: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

at least one pressure sensor arranged in the at least one inner chamber; acquire data detected by the at least one pressure sensor... assess the sealing level of the casing on the basis of the pressure data acquired

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Implementation Method 3

a venting device coupled to an opening of the casing and configured to selectively equalise the pressure between the at least one inner chamber and the environment outside the casing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure equalization:

Data Source

PatentEP4636375A1Light fixture provided with a device for testing its tightness and method for testing the tightness of a light fixture
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 CLAY PAKY SPA
  • EP4636375A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4636375A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4636375A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A light fixture comprising: at least one casing (2) configured to define at least one inner chamber (7) having a given volume; at least one test device (10) configured to test the tightness of the at least one casing (2) and comprising: • a pump (11) fluidically communicating with the at least one inner chamber (7) and the environment outside the casing (2) ; • at least one pressure sensor (12) arranged in the at least one inner chamber (7); • a venting device (14) coupled to an opening (18) of the casing (2) and configured to selectively equalise the pressure between the at least one inner chamber (7) and the environment outside the casing (2); • a control device (15) configured to: - control the activation of the pump (11) and the venting device (14) in such a way that a pressure difference is created between the at least one inner chamber (7) and the environment outside the casing (2); - acquire data detected by the at least one pressure sensor (12) in an acquisition time interval; - assess the sealing level of the casing (2) on the basis of the pressure data acquired.