Light Pipe Illumination Assembly for Movable Shelf Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination systems for shelving with movable components, such as shelf dividers and sliding trays, are difficult to set up and customize, as they often require complex wiring and are not easily adaptable to changing storage and display needs.
Innovation Solution
The illumination assembly features a light pipe that distributes light across the depth of a shelf from the rear to the front edge, with a light supply that can couple and uncouple with the light pipe as the tray moves, eliminating the need for moving wires and allowing for customizable lighting without reconfiguring the electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple light sources connected by wiring are used to illuminate shelving, then illumination can be provided to display surfaces, but the system becomes difficult to set up and customize when shelving has movable components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light source from the movable shelf components and places it on the stationary shelving unit. The light source remains fixed while the light pipe moves with the shelf, eliminating the need for complex wiring that would need to accommodate movable parts. This resolves the contradiction by removing the disturbing element (wiring connected to movable components) while maintaining the illumination function.
Solution Approach 2:
The light pipe serves as an intermediary that transfers light from the stationary light source to the movable shelf. Instead of directly connecting light sources to movable components with wires, the light pipe mediates the light transmission, allowing the shelf to move freely while maintaining optical connection. This resolves the wiring complexity issue while preserving illumination capability.
2Reliability
If light sources are fixed to movable shelving components, then illumination moves with the shelf, but wires become damaged and entangled during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light source from the movable shelf and relocates it to the stationary shelving unit. This eliminates wires that would need to move with the shelf, preventing wire damage and entanglement. The light pipe is attached to the movable shelf instead, allowing free movement without compromising wire integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attaching the light source to the movable shelf (which causes wire entanglement), the patent inverts the arrangement by attaching the light source to the stationary unit and the light pipe to the movable shelf. This reversal maintains reliability by keeping wires stationary while preserving shelf movability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional lighting assemblies are used, then illumination is provided, but customization for changing storage and display needs becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination system into separate modular components: a stationary light source and a movable light pipe. This allows the light pipe to be easily detached and reattached to different shelf positions or configurations without reconfiguring electrical connections. The modular design enables simple customization for changing storage and display needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The light pipe is designed as a universal component that can be attached to various shelf configurations and positions. The standardized coupling mechanism allows the same light pipe to serve multiple functions and positions, enabling easy customization without requiring different components for different arrangements.
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 provides efficient and customizable illumination along the shelf, reducing the risk of wire damage and entanglement, while allowing for easy positioning and interchangeability of light pipes, thus enhancing the aesthetic and visibility of items on display.
Implementation Method 1
a first light pipe having a first end portion including a first light inlet, a second end portion including a first light outlet, and a first body portion extending between the first and second end portions
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination assembly including a light pipe and a light supply for use in illuminating shelf dividers on a shelf. The light pipe includes a first end portion including a light inlet, a second end portion including a light outlet, and a body portion extending between the first and second end portions. The light supply directs light into the light inlet, whereby at least a portion of the light subsequently exits the light pipe through the light outlet. When the first end portion is positioned adjacent a rear edge of the shelf, the body portion extends from the rear edge to a front edge of the shelf. The light pipe is configured to transmit at least a portion of the light emitted by the light supply from the light inlet to the light outlet to illuminate an area adjacent the shelf front edge.