Modular Template System for Recessed Luminaire Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing recessed installation methods for components within surface materials often lack precision and efficiency, particularly in guiding the formation of apertures for components like luminaires, leading to potential gaps and suboptimal finishes.

Innovation Solution

A modular template system comprising adjacently disposable modules with aligned edges to define a continuous spacing, guiding the removal of surface material to accommodate components, ensuring precise recessed installation and alignment, and providing a method for installing luminaire modules in accordance with a designated pattern.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional non-modular templates are used for recessed installation, then the installation process is simpler, but the precision and alignment of the aperture formation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaperture formation precisionVSAvoidtemplate system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The template system is divided into multiple modular template members that can be independently positioned and aligned. Each module can be separately manufactured and then assembled together to form the complete template structure, allowing for precise alignment through standardized connection interfaces between modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular template members are designed with standardized features that allow them to be used in various configurations for different aperture sizes and shapes. The same basic module type can serve multiple functions by combining different numbers of modules in series or parallel arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If traditional installation methods are used, then the installation process is faster, but the finish quality and gap reduction deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefinish qualityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The template members are pre-assembled and pre-aligned before being placed against the workpiece. The modular design allows for preliminary adjustment and verification of dimensions and angles, ensuring that the aperture is precisely formed in the correct position and orientation before the actual cutting or material removal begins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If fixed non-adjustable templates are used, then the template structure is simpler, but the adaptability to different component dimensions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of component dimensionsVSAvoidtemplate adjustability mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The template system uses separable modular members that can be independently adjusted and reconfigured. This segmentation allows the same set of modules to be arranged in different configurations to accommodate various component dimensions, eliminating the need for multiple fixed templates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The template members incorporate adjustable features such as movable connection points, variable spacing mechanisms, or reconfigurable positioning elements that allow the template to dynamically adapt to different component sizes and shapes while maintaining structural integrity and alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9140435B2Method and apparatus for outlining recessed installation of a component within a surface material
Publication Date: 2015.09.22 AXIS LIGHTING
  • US9140435B2 patent drawing
  • US9140435B2 patent drawing
  • US9140435B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Described are various embodiments of a method and apparatus for outlining recessed installation of a component within a surface material. In one embodiment, the apparatus generally comprises two or more template or alignment modules adjacently disposable against the surface material and each comprising opposed edges that can be aligned with adjacently disposed edges so to define a substantially continuous spacing along these adjacently disposed edges. This spacing is generally dimensioned so to accommodate a corresponding component dimension such that, the aligned edges guide removal of surface material along the spacing to accommodate recessed installation of the component within the surface material.