Light Guide Support with Contact Edges for Minimal Light Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices with side-light guides face challenges in minimizing the impact of supports on light output and ensuring secure retention of the light guide in the required orientation, especially during assembly and installation.
Innovation Solution
The use of a support with contact edges that engage the light guide at specific points, allowing for minimal physical contact and enabling easy assembly while maintaining the light guide's orientation, and the inclusion of location features on the light guide to enhance retention and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a support structure is used to retain the light guide in the required orientation, then the light guide is securely positioned, but the support blocks part of the light output from the light guide
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into discrete retention features (protrusions and recesses) rather than a continuous blocking structure. This allows the support to hold the light guide in position and orientation while leaving gaps that permit light to pass through the support region, thus resolving the contradiction between secure retention and light output.
2Reliability
If a support structure is provided to hold the light guide, then the light guide is retained in position, but the assembly becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is merged with the light guide assembly such that the retention features (protrusions and recesses) are integrated into a single unitary structure. This eliminates the need for separate mounting brackets or fasteners, simplifying the overall assembly while maintaining secure retention of the light guide in the required orientation.
3Reliability
If the support structure is made rigid to ensure stable positioning, then the light guide is securely retained, but the support cannot accommodate curved installations
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates flexible elements or segmented sections that allow it to bend and adapt to curved installation paths while maintaining the light guide in the correct orientation. The retention features remain functional throughout the curve, providing stable positioning even when the overall support structure is bent to accommodate curved surfaces.
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
This solution minimizes the effect of the support on light output, allows for easy and secure assembly of the light guide, and increases the flexibility of the support for curved installations without significant reduction in light emission.
Implementation Method 1
light that is injected into a guide from a light source at one end to be extracted selectively from the guide along its length
Implementation Method 2
the only physical engagement between the support and the light guide is provided by the contact edge(s)
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device (30) comprises a side-light light guide 1′ located in a support (2) that has an elongate opening for the passage of light emitted by the light guide. The support (20) is shaped to provide contact edges (24) and the only physical engagement between the support and the light guide is along those contact edges. The support also has planar surfaces internal positioned adjacent, and parallel to, planar surfaces (15) in the light guide to retain the light guide in the required orientation in the support. To enhance the flexibility of the support, in some embodiments only part of the support is continuous along the whole length of the support. (FIGS. 14 to 19).