Modular Light Tile with Magnetic Base Unit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modular light systems face limitations in durability and practicality due to older technologies with limited lifetime light sources, making it impractical for permanent installation in buildings and walkways, until the advent of solid-state lighting systems like LEDs, which offer durability and flexibility but require innovative solutions for customization and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A modular light system comprising light tiles with a light-source bed and base unit configuration that allows mechanical and electrical interconnection, enabling flexible arrangement, replacement of light source beds without replacing the base units, and integration of advanced control systems for varied illumination needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If modular light systems use older light source technologies, then the system can be assembled and disassembled easily, but the light sources have limited lifetime making permanent installation impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The light tile is divided into two separable components: a base unit containing the power supply and control electronics, and a light-source bed holding the LED modules. This segmentation allows the light sources to be replaced independently while retaining the durable base unit, resolving the contradiction between long lifetime and customization flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate different types of light-source beds through standardized mechanical and electrical interfaces. This multi-functionality enables the base unit to work with various LED configurations and light source types, maintaining customization flexibility while ensuring long-term durability through the reusable base unit.
2Reliability
If light tiles are permanently installed into buildings and walkways, then durability is improved, but older light source technologies with limited lifetime make this impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The design enables discarding only the light-source bed component when LEDs reach end-of-life, while recovering and retaining the durable base unit for continued use. This selective replacement approach maintains installation durability by keeping the permanently installed base unit while easily swapping out the light sources.
3Ease of repair
If light source beds are replaced without replacing base units, then maintenance efficiency is improved, but mechanical and electrical interconnection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical connection between base unit and light-source bed is replaced with a magnetic attachment system. The magnetized front face of the base unit automatically holds the light-source bed in place, eliminating complex mechanical fasteners while enabling easy maintenance through simple magnetic attachment and detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized self-contained design of the light-source bed module enables maintenance personnel to perform replacements independently without requiring specialized tools or complex procedures. The module's integrated design with automatic magnetic attachment and standardized electrical interfaces allows for quick swap-out operations.
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 modular system provides customizable, durable, and low-power lighting solutions with the ability to add or remove tiles and replace light sources easily, offering flexibility in design and performance while maintaining structural integrity and efficient power distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The light sources are light emitting diodes
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a light tile including a light-source bed having a rear face and a front face configured for accommodating at least one light source; and a base unit having a rear face and a front face. The base unit includes an electric unit and an interconnecting arrangement for interconnecting the base unit with a base unit of at least one other light tile. The base unit is configured for interfacing with the light-source bed so as to establish mechanical connection therebetween, and the electric unit is configured to be electrically connected with the light-source bed so as to establish electric communication therebetween and to provide electric power to the at least one light source.