Modular Light Fixture Assembly With Spring-Clamped Thermal Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light fixtures, particularly LED fixtures, are not modular, making it difficult to replace components and establish electrical connections, especially when working at heights, and they often lack efficient heat dissipation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A modular light fixture assembly featuring a tubular housing with a thermally conductive material, a functional module, and a coupling piece, utilizing spring means for thermal contact and electrical coupling, allowing for easy installation and replacement of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If light fixtures are made non-modular with fixed components, then structural stability is improved, but ease of repair and component replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light fixture is divided into separate modular components: a housing, a functional module (light module), and a coupling piece. These modules can be independently replaced while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the fixture, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling piece provides a dynamic connection mechanism between the housing and functional module, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining stable operation during use. This enables hot-swappable modules without compromising structural stability.
2Reliability
If complex coupling mechanisms are used to connect light fixtures to electrical cables, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling piece combines multiple functions into a single component: electrical connection, mechanical coupling, and thermal management interface. This integration simplifies the installation process while maintaining reliable electrical and thermal connections between the modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling piece serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it provides electrical connectivity to the functional module, mechanical support and positioning, and a thermal interface for heat dissipation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed while improving overall system reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional light fixtures are used without modular design, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture is segmented into standardized modular components that can be manufactured independently using conventional processes, then quickly assembled on-site. This maintains manufacturing simplicity while dramatically improving installation productivity and enabling rapid module replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional modules are pre-assembled and tested as complete units before installation. This preliminary preparation allows for quick installation and replacement without complex on-site assembly, improving productivity while keeping individual module manufacturing simple.
4Reliability
If adequate heat dissipation is implemented in light fixtures, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing and coupling piece serve dual functions: structural support and thermal management. The thermally conductive materials in these components provide heat dissipation pathways without requiring separate cooling systems, maintaining simplicity while improving reliability through effective thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermally conductive housing and coupling piece passively dissipate heat from the functional module through conduction to the surrounding environment. This self-service heat dissipation mechanism requires no active cooling components, maintaining device simplicity while ensuring reliable thermal management.
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 rapid and simple installation and repair of light fixtures by creating simultaneous electrical connections and efficient heat dissipation through a thermally conductive jacket, extending the lifespan of the light module and components.
Implementation Method 1
The tubular housing has a wall which is manufactured from a thermally conductive material, and the functional module comprises a jacket of thermally conductive material. The at least one spring means is configured to clamp a part of the jacket against the wall of the housing, such that a thermal contact is realized between the housing and the jacket
Implementation Method 2
The at least one spring means is configured to clamp a part of the jacket against the wall of the housing
Implementation Method 3
The coupling piece is configured to be electrically coupled to an electric line, for instance to an electrical cable in the wall, on one side and to be electrically coupled to the functional module on the other
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
Assembly (1000) for forming a functional fixture, typically a light fixture on or in a wall, such as a ceiling, wherein the assembly comprises: a tubular housing (200) with at least one open end, a functional module, such as a light module (300) with a light source, which is configured to be inserted into the housing via the at least one open end of the housing, and a coupling piece (100) which is configured to be inserted into the housing via the at least one open end and to be received at least partially in the housing, wherein the tubular housing (200) has a wall (205) which is manufactured from a thermally conductive material, and the functional module (300) comprises a jacket (305) of thermally conductive material, wherein at least one spring means (400) is arranged between the housing and the functional module in order to clamp a part (307) of the jacket (305) against the wall (205) of the housing.