Lighting Fixture Auxiliary Bay for Ceiling Device Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drop ceilings in commercial spaces become cluttered with various devices, requiring frequent changes and significant expenditures for power and data connections, leading to an undesirable appearance and logistical challenges.
Innovation Solution
A lighting fixture with an auxiliary bay that allows for the integration of additional devices, providing a mounting surface and power/data connectivity without altering the ceiling, using a driver circuitry and power source to support both lighting and auxiliary devices, including PoE, AC, or DC power options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are added to the drop ceiling to support increasing technology infrastructure, then the functionality and services provided increase, but the appearance of the ceiling deteriorates and the ceiling becomes cluttered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple devices (lighting fixture, speaker, wireless access point, security camera, emergency lighting) into a single integrated ceiling fixture. This merging approach provides multiple functions while maintaining a clean, unified appearance that does not clutter the ceiling.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting fixture is designed as a universal platform that can support multiple different devices and functions simultaneously. The fixture includes integrated lighting, audio output, wireless networking, security monitoring, and emergency lighting capabilities, allowing one fixture to replace multiple separate devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If devices are added or removed from the drop ceiling to adapt to changing technology infrastructure, then the infrastructure flexibility improves, but permitting and special accommodations are required which increases time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture is pre-configured with integrated power sources, data connections, and mounting mechanisms during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows devices to be quickly added or removed without requiring complex permitting, electrical work, or special accommodations during installation or modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture includes self-contained power sources (such as Power over Ethernet capability or integrated power supply) and built-in connection interfaces that allow auxiliary devices to be powered and connected without requiring separate ceiling modifications, electrical wiring changes, or external infrastructure work.
3Adaptability or versatility
If new devices are installed in the ceiling, then the technology capabilities expand, but significant expenditures are required to deliver power and data connections to the devices
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture combines power delivery and data communication into integrated interfaces. Power over Ethernet capability allows both electrical power and data connectivity to be delivered through a single connection, eliminating the need for separate power wiring and data cabling to auxiliary devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture includes self-contained power sources and integrated connection interfaces that provide both power and data to auxiliary devices without requiring external wiring or infrastructure modifications. This self-service capability eliminates the need for expensive electrical and data installation work.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting fixture includes a fixture body, a lighting bay, a light source, and an auxiliary bay. The lighting bay is in a first portion of the fixture body. The light source is in the lighting bay, and is configured to provide light suitable for general illumination. The auxiliary bay is adjacent to the lighting bay in a second portion of the fixture body. The auxiliary bay includes a mounting surface suitable for mounting an auxiliary device in the auxiliary bay and an auxiliary bay frame surrounding the auxiliary bay, which supports and therefore allows for the installation of a removable auxiliary bay cover over the auxiliary bay. Providing the auxiliary bay in the fixture body allows auxiliary devices to be installed in a ceiling without any changes to the ceiling.