Light Fixture Retrofit Kit with Silicone Optic for Harsh Environments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional light fixtures designed for one harsh environment often require significant modifications to function in another, leading to costly and time-consuming changes, and potential damage during installation or maintenance due to reliance on degraded field equipment.

Innovation Solution

A light fixture with a silicone optic and top cap assembly that is compliant with standards such as UL-844, NSF/ANSI 2-2015, and UL-1598, featuring a securing ring, adjustable interface ring, and self-sealing silicone optic, allowing for easy installation and retrofitting in demanding environments without the need for extensive modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional light fixtures are designed to comply with one environment standard, then they meet the requirements for that specific environment, but they require significant modifications to operate in other environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental compatibilityVSAvoidmodification requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light fixture is designed with a universal mounting system that can comply with multiple environment standards (UL-844, NSF/ANSI 2-2015, UL-1598) through a single configuration. The top cap assembly with interface ring and gasket system provides a standardized interface that adapts to different mounting environments without requiring significant modifications to the fixture itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting system is divided into separable components: top cap assembly, interface ring, gaskets, and securing rings. This segmentation allows individual components to be selected or configured for specific environment requirements while maintaining compatibility with the core light fixture, enabling adaptability without overall redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If traditional light fixtures are installed or changed for maintenance, then lighting needs are met, but the electronics of the fixtures may be damaged due to reliance on degraded field equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation and maintenance efficiencyVSAvoidelectronics protection

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The top cap assembly includes integrated gaskets and sealing components that are pre-installed and protected within the assembly structure. This beforehand cushioning protects the electronics housing chamber from environmental contaminants during installation and maintenance operations, preventing damage to sensitive electronic components while enabling efficient servicing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The top cap assembly acts as an intermediary barrier between the external environment and the electronics housing. The gasket system creates a sealed interface that mediates protection, allowing maintenance personnel to service the fixture without directly exposing electronics to potential damage from field conditions or installation tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If significant changes are made to traditional light fixtures to move them between environments, then environmental compliance is achieved, but the process becomes costly and time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental complianceVSAvoidinstallation and retrofit time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The top cap assembly is pre-configured with the appropriate gaskets, interface rings, and sealing components during manufacturing to match target environment requirements. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming field modifications, as the assembly arrives ready-installed for the specific environment (UL-844, NSF/ANSI 2-2015, or UL-1598 compliant), reducing both time and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of manufacture

If traditional light fixtures rely on degraded field equipment for installation and maintenance, then existing infrastructure is utilized, but damage risk to fixture electronics increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoiddamage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The top cap assembly incorporates protective gaskets and sealing elements that are pre-installed and positioned to shield electronics during the installation process. This beforehand cushioning allows workers to use standard field equipment and procedures without increasing damage risk, as the protective barriers are already in place to absorb or deflect potential harmful effects from degraded tools or rough handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS10634285B1Light fixture and retrofit kit for demanding harsh environments

Publication Date: 2020.04.28 ABL IP HLDG LLC

AI summary

A light fixture includes a fixture housing. In some examples, an optic that includes silicone and is at least 5 inches in diameter is coupled to the fixture housing, and the light fixture is compliant with standard UL-844. In various examples, a top cap assembly is coupled to the fixture housing natively or as a retrofit kit. The top cap assembly includes a top cap and an interface ring, and allows for the light fixture to be attached to an existing top cap.