Lighting Fixture Reflector Axial Adjustment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lighting assemblies require tools or both hands to connect, disconnect, and adjust axially and rotationally, posing difficulties during installation, especially at elevated positions, and lack adjustable reflectors, leading to high manufacturing costs for various reflector lengths.

Innovation Solution

A lighting assembly utilizing a pair of leaf springs that are releasably engaged with recesses on a reflector to allow for tool-less axial and rotational adjustments, enabling secure connection and alignment without the need for tools or multiple hands, accommodating different bulb sizes and reflector surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional lighting assemblies use a single connecting assembly for the reflector and socket, then the structure is simple, but the reflector cannot be adjusted axially and manufacturing costs increase due to the need for multiple reflector lengths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial adjustabilityVSAvoidconnecting assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting assembly is segmented into multiple independent components: a socket member with a first connecting assembly and a reflector with a second connecting assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be adjusted independently, enabling axial adjustment of the reflector while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting assemblies incorporate resilient members (springs) that enable dynamic adjustment. The first resilient member connects the socket member to the reflector, allowing axial movement and adjustment, while the second resilient member provides additional connection flexibility. This dynamic design transforms a static single-connection system into an adjustable multi-connection system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If conventional lighting assemblies require tools or multiple hands for connection and adjustment, then the connection mechanism can be secure, but installation becomes difficult especially at elevated positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool-free connection and adjustmentVSAvoidconnection security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient members (springs) are designed to automatically engage and disengage the connecting assemblies without requiring external tools or multiple hands. The springs provide self-latching connection through their elastic properties, allowing single-handed operation while maintaining secure connection, thus enabling easy installation at elevated positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional lighting assemblies use fixed reflector lengths, then manufacturing is simpler, but adaptability to different bulb sizes and reflector surfaces is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different bulb sizesVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting assemblies are designed as universal components that can accommodate various reflector lengths and bulb sizes through axial adjustment. The resilient members enable the same socket member and reflector configuration to adapt to different applications without requiring custom-manufactured components, thus achieving multi-functionality while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables easy, tool-free connection and adjustment of the reflector to the socket member at various distances and orientations, reducing installation challenges and manufacturing costs while accommodating different sizes and orientations.

Implementation Method 1

A resilient member, such as a leaf spring, coupled to the socket member for securely connecting the socket member to the reflector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the resilient member can be a leaf spring including first and second cam surfaces to move the leaf spring out of one recess and into another upon relative rotation of the socket member and reflector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS7740384B2Lighting fixture with adjustable reflector

Publication Date: 2010.06.22 HUBBELL LIGHTING INC

AI summary

A lighting assembly comprising a socket member having a substantially tubular wall defining a cavity therein and a reflector having a first substantially tubular section telescopically received within the socket member side wall. The reflector includes first and second recesses in the first tubular section wherein the first recess is located at a first distance from an end of the first tubular section and the second recess is located at a second distance, greater than the first distance, from an end of the first tubular section. The lighting assembly includes a resilient or spring-biased member, such as a leaf spring, coupled to the socket member extending into the cavity wherein the socket member and reflector are adapted to be coupled together at first and second different positions with the first resilient member being receivable in the first recess in the first position and the first resilient member being receivable in the second recess in the second position.