Locked Polymeric Antenna Enclosure for Lighting Control Assemblies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lighting device control assemblies face challenges with space efficiency and interference susceptibility due to the placement of antennas outside the metal housing, leading to complex layouts and increased risk of safety issues with loose covers.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device control assembly featuring a polymeric enclosure element that securely houses communication elements, with a metal closure locking the enclosure extension to prevent unintentional detachment, allowing for safe signal reception and transmission while maintaining space efficiency and reducing interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the communication element is housed in a polymeric enclosure element without locking, then the assembly is simple and easy to manufacture, but the enclosure element may unintentionally detach causing safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure system is divided into two functional parts: the polymeric enclosure element that houses the communication element, and the metal closure that provides locking. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the polymeric part for ease of manufacturing and the metal closure for reliability and locking function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines the polymeric enclosure element and metal closure into an integrated enclosure system where both components work together. The metal closure merges with the polymeric enclosure to form a complete protective enclosure that prevents unintentional detachment while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the metal closure locks the polymeric enclosure extension, then the enclosure element is securely fixed preventing detachment, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is designed to be dynamically simple - the metal closure can be easily attached to and detached from the polymeric enclosure extension. This allows the system to transition between locked and unlocked states without complex mechanisms, maintaining low device complexity while ensuring reliability when locked.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex mechanical locking systems with a simpler attachment mechanism between the metal closure and polymeric enclosure extension. The locking function is achieved through straightforward mechanical engagement rather than complex multi-component locking systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If the communication element is placed outside the metal housing, then space for terminals is preserved and layout is simplified, but the antenna is susceptible to interference and programming is vulnerable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidinterference susceptibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The communication element is nested within the polymeric enclosure element, which is in turn associated with and protected by the metal closure and housing structure. This nested arrangement allows the communication element to be positioned optimally for signal reception while being protected from interference by the enclosing structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The polymeric enclosure element acts as an intermediary between the communication element and the external environment, providing protection while allowing signal transmission. The metal closure serves as another layer of intermediary protection, shielding the communication element from electromagnetic interference and physical damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4338558B1Secure locking of enclosure element of a communication element
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP4338558B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4338558B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D
  • EP4338558B1 patent drawingFigure 1E~1G

AI summary

The invention provides a lighting device control assembly (500) comprising: (A) a housing part (401); (B) a support (600) comprising a printed circuit board, wherein the support (600) comprises a first support part (610) and a second support part (620); wherein the support (600) is functionally coupled to the housing part (401); (C) lighting device control electronics (510) functionally coupled to the first support part (610) of the support (600); (D) a metal closure (640) functionally coupled to the housing part (401), wherein the lighting device control electronics (510) are configured in an enclosure (630) at least partly defined by the metal closure (640) and the housing part (401); (E) a communication element (520) functionally coupled to the second support part (620) and functionally coupled to the lighting device control electronics (510); (F) a polymeric enclosure element (800) functionally coupled to the second support part (620), wherein the polymeric enclosure element (800) at least partly encloses the communication element (520), wherein the polymeric enclosure element (800) comprises a first polymeric enclosure extension (811), wherein the metal closure (640) is configured to lock the first polymeric enclosure extension (811).