Luminaire Accessory Interface Using Shape-Conforming Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of luminaire-based control components into housings often results in a disjointed appearance due to manufacturing tolerances and varying sizes, shapes, and configurations, leading to gaps between mounting surfaces, which affects aesthetics and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A shape-conforming accessory interface made of elastic or viscoelastic materials, such as silicone, is used to connect control components to the luminaire housing, filling voids and ensuring a uniform surface appearance while allowing for horizontal mounting of control components on non-horizontal surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If control components are integrated into luminaire housings using standard mounting methods, then networking and automatic control functionality are provided, but gaps and discontinuities appear between mounting surfaces resulting in a disjointed appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory interface uses a compliant material that changes its physical state from a softer cured state during assembly to a harder service state, allowing it to deform and fill gaps between the control component and housing surface, thereby achieving a uniform appearance while maintaining functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory interface acts as an intermediary element between the control component and the luminaire housing, providing both mechanical mounting and aesthetic coverage to eliminate the disjointed appearance caused by direct mounting of control components
2Adaptability or versatility
If standard luminaire housing sizes and configurations are used, then compatibility with industry standards is maintained, but control components from different applications create gaps and discontinuities
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory interface material undergoes a parameter change in hardness from the curing process to the service state, enabling it to adapt to varying control component dimensions and positions while maintaining a precise, gap-free appearance across different luminaire configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory interface serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical mounting for control components, fills gaps between mounting surfaces, maintains ingress protection ratings, and provides a uniform aesthetic appearance, making it universally applicable across different luminaire types and control component configurations
3Ease of manufacture
If control components are mounted directly to housing surfaces, then installation is straightforward, but manufacturing tolerances and surface variations increase the disjointed appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory interface material is formulated to be softer during the assembly process, allowing easy installation of control components, then cures to a harder service state that provides structural support and eliminates surface discontinuities, thereby achieving both ease of manufacture and aesthetic uniformity
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 provides a uniform and aesthetically pleasing appearance while maintaining the performance and ingress protection rating of the luminaire by eliminating discontinuities and ensuring proper orientation of control components.
Implementation Method 1
The accessory interface includes a shape conforming material, such as silicone, that is capable of deforming around different size and shape control components
Implementation Method 2
A shape-conforming accessory interface made of elastic or viscoelastic materials, such as silicone, is used to connect control components to the luminaire housing
Data Source
AI summary
A luminaire includes a housing containing a light emitter. A lens is connected to the housing. An accessory interface is connected to one of the lens or the housing. A control component is connected to the accessory interface. The accessory interface includes a shape conforming material configured to receive the control component and to eliminate discontinuities between the control component and the lens or housing.