Built-in Lighting Device with Seamless Glass Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing built-in lighting devices with glass outer surfaces struggle to hide all fixing means, compromising aesthetics and accessibility for maintenance, while current solutions either expose metallic frames or make devices difficult to control once sealed.

Innovation Solution

A built-in lighting device design where the glass covering plate is coupled to the containment body using an adhesive seal, with a supporting ring and elastic tongues ensuring hydraulic and mechanical security, hiding all fixing elements and allowing easy access for inspection and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the glass plate is fixed to the containment body using visible fixing screws and metallic frames, then the mechanical strength and reliability of the connection is improved, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible fixing elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strength of connectionVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the visible metallic frame and fixing screws from the final assembly. The glass plate is fixed directly to the containment body using adhesive or chemical bonding, eliminating all visible fixing elements and metallic frames, thus achieving a completely glass outer surface with superior aesthetic appearance while maintaining reliable connection through the bonding method.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Shape

If the glass plate is sealed with adhesive to achieve a completely glass surface, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the ease of repair and maintenance deteriorates as the device becomes difficult to disassemble

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidaccessibility for maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the bonding system into two functional parts: a permanent adhesive bond between the glass plate and containment body for aesthetic purposes, and a separate reversible mechanical locking system (such as a detent mechanism or snap-fit feature) that enables easy disassembly for maintenance. This allows the device to maintain a seamless glass appearance during operation while facilitating straightforward access to internal components when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If metallic frames and visible fixing elements are used to secure the glass plate, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the hydraulic sealing deteriorates due to gaps and joints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strength of fixationVSAvoidhydraulic sealing
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes all metallic frames and joint structures that create gaps in the system. The glass plate is bonded directly to the containment body using a continuous adhesive layer that eliminates gaps and joints, thereby achieving superior hydraulic sealing while maintaining mechanical strength through the bonding method alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP1710490B1Built-in floor or wall lighting device with a completely glass outer surface
Publication Date: 2010.06.02 IGUZZINI ILLUMINAZIONE
  • EP1710490B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1710490B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1710490B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Built-in lighting device comprising a containment body (1) of one or more light sources, a covering plate (2) of said containment body (1) and an outer casing (3) for the housing of said containment body (1) characterized in that it also comprises a supporting ring (8), with an external perimeter corresponding to the perimeter of said covering plate (2) and sealed to the lower surface of said covering plate (2), coupling means (10, 11, 12) between said supporting ring (8) and said containment body (1) and coupling means (5, 6) between said containment body (1) and said outer casing (3).