Modular Light Bulb with Releasable Component Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional light bulbs are manufactured in a permanent manner, leading to waste when they break, as components have different lifespans and cannot be easily replaced or recycled.
Innovation Solution
A modular light bulb design featuring releasable components such as a light source unit, driver unit, base unit, and optical unit, which are fastened using plug and socket connections and form-locks, allowing for assembly and disassembly without adhesives or soldering, enabling individual component replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If light bulb components are permanently assembled using adhesive and soldering, then the structural integrity and electrical connection are strong, but the entire assembly must be discarded when the bulb breaks, causing material waste
Solution Approach 1:
The light bulb is divided into separate modular components (base unit, driver unit, light source unit, optical unit) that can be independently replaced. The chassis unit provides a framework for assembling these modules with releasable connections, allowing functional components to be reused while only replacing damaged parts.
2Ease of manufacture
If light bulb components are permanently assembled, then the manufacturing process is simple and cost-effective, but components cannot be easily replaced or recycled when they fail
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly transitions from static permanent bonds to dynamic releasable connections. Mechanical fastening elements allow components to be easily attached and detached, enabling user-level replacement without specialized tools or skills while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
3Stability of the object's composition
If adhesive and thermal bonding are used to fasten components, then the assembly is strong and stable, but the assembly cannot be disassembled for component replacement
Solution Approach 1:
Chemical bonding methods (adhesive, thermal bonding) are replaced with mechanical fastening systems. The mechanical fastening elements provide stable assembly during use while enabling straightforward disassembly and reassembly for maintenance or upgrades.
4Reliability
If wires are soldered to connect electrical components, then the electrical connection is reliable and low-resistance, but the electrical assembly cannot be reconfigured or repaired
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system is segmented into modular units with standardized interfaces. Electrical conductors are integrated into the modular components rather than being permanently soldered together, allowing individual components to be replaced while maintaining reliable electrical connections through the modular interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A light bulb includes a light source unit, an optical unit enclosing the light source unit, a chassis unit having an upper chassis part and a lower chassis part releasably fastened to one another a driver unit received within the chassis unit and configured to drive the light source unit, and a base unit engageable with a light bulb socket and coupled to the driver unit. The driver unit, the base unit, the light source unit, and the optical unit are configured for easy and quick independent replacement by a user of the light bulb.