Recessed Luminaire Spring Damping for Ceiling Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Recessed luminaires can damage false ceilings during installation due to the violent return of spring mechanisms, leading to costly repairs and potential rust exposure when the spring impacts the luminaire's body.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating deformable damping members on the springs to absorb kinetic energy, which gradually reduces pressure and spreads the impact area, preventing damage to the covering wall by cushioning the spring's movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spring return means are used to hold the luminaire in place, then the luminaire is securely fixed to the covering wall, but the violent return of the spring can damage the covering wall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure fixationVSAvoidimpact damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A deformable damping member is attached to the free end of the spring rod to cushion the impact before it reaches the covering wall. The damping member deforms under impact, absorbing kinetic energy and preventing damage to the covering wall while maintaining the spring's fixation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping member acts as an intermediary element between the spring rod and the covering wall. It mediates the interaction by absorbing the violent return force of the spring and transmitting only a reduced, controlled force to the covering wall, thus preventing damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the spring exerts constant pressure to maintain the luminaire, then the luminaire remains stable, but the constant pressure can cause the spring to penetrate the covering wall over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveluminaire stabilityVSAvoidpenetration damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable damping member provides continuous cushioning between the spring and the covering wall. As the spring exerts constant pressure, the damping member deforms progressively, distributing the pressure over time and preventing the spring from penetrating the covering wall while maintaining luminaire stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping member changes its physical state from undeformed to deformed as it absorbs the spring's pressure. This parameter change (deformation) allows the spring to exert force without directly transmitting the full pressure to the covering wall, preventing penetration over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If an overmolded sheath is used to protect the luminaire body, then the main body is protected from damage, but the sheath cannot absorb kinetic energy and can still damage the covering wall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveluminaire protectionVSAvoidimpact transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The damping member serves as an intermediary between the spring rod and the covering wall, positioned at the free end of the spring. It absorbs kinetic energy through deformation and prevents this energy from being transmitted to the covering wall, while the overmolded sheath continues to protect the luminaire body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping member converts the harmful kinetic energy of the spring's violent return into beneficial deformation energy. By absorbing this energy through its own deformation, it prevents damage to both the luminaire and the covering wall, turning a potentially harmful impact into a controlled energy absorption process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 deformable damping members effectively absorb kinetic energy, preventing damage to the false ceiling by distributing the force over a larger area, thus reducing the risk of impact-related damage and ensuring the luminaire's secure installation without harming the covering wall.

Implementation Method 1

a deformable damping member, intended to bear against the second face under the action of the spring, by deforming in contact with the second face in order to absorb the kinetic energy resulting from the movement of the free end of the spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectKinetic energy absorption through deformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP2803909B1Luminaire intended for being recessed and supported by pressure through a covering wall

Publication Date: 2016.04.06 LUCIBEL

Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6

AI summary

This luminaire (1) comprises a main body (2), a support wall (4) extending laterally from the main body (2), the support wall (4) being intended to bear against a first face (52) of the casing wall (50), and two springs (6) attached to the main body (2), the springs (6) each having a free end extending laterally from the main body (2), above the support wall (4), to clamp the casing wall (50) with the support wall (4). Furthermore, the luminaire (1) includes, attached to the free end (6a) of each spring (6), a deformable damping element (12), intended to bear against a second face (54) of the wall (50) of the covering under the action of the spring (6), deforming in contact with the second face (54) in order to absorb the kinetic energy resulting from the displacement of the free end of the spring (6).