U-Shaped Lighting Profile Adapting to Ceiling Deformations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting devices in ceiling areas face challenges in maintaining an aesthetic appearance due to geometric changes and deformations caused by settlement processes or weight forces, leading to undesirable alignment deviations and non-flush transitions.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device with a flat, elongated, translucent profile element having a U-shaped cross-section and a flexible design, where the profile element is made of a material with lower resistance to deformation than the base part, allowing the unit to adapt to deformations while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the lighting unit is made with rigid materials to maintain structural stability, then strength and stability are improved, but the ability to adapt to geometric changes and deformations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to geometric changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting unit employs different materials with different deformation characteristics in different regions: the profile element uses a first material that deforms more easily, while the base part uses a second material that deforms less. This local differentiation allows the unit to adapt to geometric changes through the profile element while maintaining overall structural stability through the base part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting unit is constructed as a composite structure combining two different materials: a first material for the profile element that offers less resistance to deformation, and a second material for the base part that offers greater resistance to deformation. This composite approach enables the unit to simultaneously achieve adaptability and structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Shape

If the lighting unit is designed with a U-shaped profile element for aesthetic appearance, then shape and aesthetics are improved, but resistance to deformation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidresistance to deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The U-shaped profile element is specifically designed with a first material that offers less resistance to deformation, allowing it to flex and adapt to geometric changes while maintaining its aesthetic U-shape. The base part uses a second material with greater deformation resistance to provide structural support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameter (deformation resistance) of the profile element to be lower than that of the base part. This parameter differentiation allows the profile element to deform more easily, accommodating geometric changes while preserving the aesthetic U-shaped design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the lighting unit is made more flexible to adapt to deformations, then adaptability is improved, but structural strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility to deformationsVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the lighting unit have different material properties: the profile element uses a first material with lower deformation resistance for flexibility and adaptability, while the base part uses a second material with higher deformation resistance for structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting unit combines two materials with complementary properties: a softer first material in the profile element for flexibility and a stronger second material in the base part for structural integrity. This composite construction resolves the contradiction between flexibility and strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

The solution enhances the lighting device's flexibility and resilience, ensuring better alignment with the carrier component, reducing force effects, and providing a stable attachment even in vibrating environments, thus maintaining an attractive appearance and improved holding effect.

Implementation Method 1

the at least partially translucent profile element is formed with a first material which offers less resistance to deformation than a second material with which the flat base part is formed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP3315848B1Lighting device and lighting unit
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 H4X
  • EP3315848B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3315848B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3315848B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a lighting device with a flat, elongated lighting unit and a profile-shaped support component, wherein the lighting unit is designed for attachment to the support component. The lighting unit has a profile element that is at least partially translucent and has a cross-sectional shape that is at least partially U-shaped. Opposing legs of the U-shaped cross-section extend substantially in the thickness direction of the lighting unit, and the U-shaped cross-section forms an interior region of the profile element with an opening between the legs. Furthermore, the lighting unit has a flat base part that is arranged in the region of the opening and coupled to the profile element.The profile element, which is at least partially translucent, is formed with a first material that offers less resistance to deformation than a second material with which the flat base part is formed. A light-generating device for producing light that can be emitted by the lighting unit during operation is arranged in the interior area. The invention further relates to a lighting unit, in particular for such a lighting device.