Modular Lighting Array with Removable Rigid Housings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting arrays are rigid, inflexible, and costly to manufacture, making them difficult to transport, adapt, and recycle, as they require custom fabrication and are not easily reusable for different applications.
Innovation Solution
A modular lighting array comprising a grid with interconnected cells, removable rigid housings, and flexible holding arms, allowing for reconfiguration and recyclability, which can be formed into various shapes and sizes using materials like laser-cut metal, supporting LED, incandescent, or fluorescent lights with a power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed rigid structure is used to mount lights, then the lighting array maintains structural stability, but it becomes difficult to transport and cannot be easily removed or reconfigured
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting array is divided into modular units with individual cells that can be independently assembled and disassembled. Each cell contains its own light sources and structural elements, allowing the array to be segmented for easy transport while maintaining structural integrity when assembled. The grid structure consists of separate vertical and horizontal elements that can be quickly connected and disconnected.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting array transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic reconfigurable system. The modular design allows the array to be dynamically assembled, disassembled, and reconfigured into different shapes and sizes. Connection elements enable quick assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural stability during operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom fabrication is used to create lighting arrays, then the structure can be precisely tailored to specific lighting uses, but manufacturing costs and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting array uses universal modular components that can be applied to various lighting applications. The standardized cells, grid elements, and connection mechanisms can be configured for different shapes, sizes, and lighting patterns without requiring custom fabrication. This multi-functional design allows the same basic components to serve multiple purposes across different installations.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the lighting array into standardized modular units, the system eliminates the need for custom fabrication of entire structures. Each module can be mass-produced using standard manufacturing processes, then assembled into custom configurations as needed, significantly reducing both manufacturing costs and labor requirements compared to fully custom approaches.
3Strength
If a one-piece rigid structure is used, then the lighting array maintains structural integrity, but it cannot be easily recycled or reused for different applications
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting array is constructed from modular segments that can be independently removed and reused. The grid structure consists of separate vertical and horizontal elements that can be disassembled and reconfigured for different applications. This segmentation enables both structural integrity during use and easy disassembly for recycling and reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design enables recovery and reuse of lighting array components after deployment. Individual cells, grid elements, and light sources can be recovered from one installation and reused in different configurations or applications, reducing waste and enabling sustainable reuse of lighting infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting array comprising a grid to be formed into multiple positions with at least two cells, at least one interconnected wall between each pair of cells, and an opening in each cell. The lighting array further comprises at least a first holding arm secured to each cell, a second holding arm secured to each cell opposite the first holding arm, a rigid housing removably insertable into each cell, at least one light supported within each rigid housing and a power supply connected to each light.