Modular Lighting Assembly with Magnetic Coupling for Smart Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Edison-screw sockets lack the necessary infrastructure to support advanced lighting technologies like LED lighting, which require control features such as dimming, sensors, and remote operation, necessitating complex and costly installations of additional hardware.
Innovation Solution
A modular lighting assembly comprising a base with multiple interfaces that allows for the attachment of a detachable module, enabling features like timers, dimmers, receivers, transmitters, and sensors, while maintaining compatibility with standard sockets through a conductive magnetic coupling system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If advanced lighting control features (timers, dimmers, sensors, remote control) are integrated into the lighting system, then lighting functionality and intelligence are improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase due to requiring specialized hardware and electrical modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lighting control system into separate modular components that can be independently selected and attached. The base unit contains essential lighting functions, while additional control features (timers, dimmers, sensors, remote control receivers) are provided as separate attachable modules. This segmentation allows users to start with a simple base and add only the specific control features they need, avoiding the complexity of pre-installing all possible hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple types of control modules through magnetic attachment. A single base can support various combinations of control features (timer module, dimmer module, sensor module, remote control module), making the system multi-functional without requiring different base hardware for each feature set. This universal design reduces installation complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If specialized electrical hardware (switches, transmitters, receivers) is installed to enable centralized and remote control lighting systems, then lighting control capability is improved, but installation cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control system is segmented into a base unit with integrated transmitter capabilities and separate receiver modules that attach magnetically. This allows the remote control functionality to be added by simply attaching a module rather than installing wired hardware throughout the building, dramatically reducing installation time while maintaining full remote control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/wired control systems (hardwired switches and control circuits) with magnetic attachment and wireless communication technologies. The magnetic coupling mechanism eliminates the need for physical wiring modifications, while wireless transmitters and receivers replace hardwired control circuits, significantly reducing installation time and complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wired hardware is installed to add dimmable or sensor-responsive lighting, then lighting intelligence is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Sensor-responsive functionality is provided through separate sensor modules (motion sensors, light sensors, temperature sensors) that attach magnetically to the base unit. This segmentation allows users to add sensor capabilities without installing wired hardware, as the sensors communicate wirelessly with the base controller. The modular approach reduces installation complexity while maintaining full sensor-responsive functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces wired sensor installations with wireless sensor modules that attach magnetically to the base. Traditional sensor installations require running wires from sensors to control circuits, but this invention uses wireless communication between the sensor module and base, eliminating the need for wiring modifications while providing the same sensor-responsive functionality.
4Ease of operation
If modular components are used to reduce installation complexity, then ease of installation is improved, but connection reliability may worsen due to detachable interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic coupling mechanism as an intermediary between the base unit and control modules. The magnetic field acts as a mediator that provides both mechanical retention (keeping modules securely attached) and electrical connection (through conductive magnetic material). This intermediary approach maintains connection reliability while preserving the ease of modular attachment and removal, as the magnetic force ensures stable contact without requiring permanent mechanical fastening.
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 the integration of advanced lighting control features without requiring extensive hardware installations, providing a cost-effective and flexible solution for implementing customizable and intelligent lighting systems.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive magnetic coupling system
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting assembly includes a base assembly configured to fit into a conventional light bulb socket. A separate bulb assembly is configured to interface with the base assembly, making the bulb and base assemblies selectively separable from one another. In some instances, a module configured to be connected to the base assembly provides a convenient means for adding or supplementing functionality to the lighting assembly. At least in some cases, the module is configured to take the place of the bulb assembly on the base assembly, and is configured to provide a separate interface to which the bulb assembly is coupled, such that the module is disposed intermediate the base assembly and the bulb assembly. In some instances, functionality associated with a lighting element of the lighting assembly is included in the base assembly or the bulb assembly.