Motorized Lens Light Fixture for Liquid Detection and Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light fixtures face issues with moisture ingress, increased friction and noise due to special sealings, and reduced lighting quality from protective windows, especially in outdoor environments with potential rain exposure.

Innovation Solution

A light fixture design with a movable lens and electric motor system that detects liquid presence based on motor current, allowing for liquid removal without additional seals, thus maintaining high light output and minimizing internal reflections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protective window is arranged in front of the lens at a distance to allow movement of the lens relative to the light source, then the lens can move without collision and moisture ingress risk is decreased, but internal reflections increase, fingerprints change the output light, and light output is decreased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture ingress protectionVSAvoidlight output

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the protective window entirely from the system. Instead of having a window at a distance that causes reflections and light loss, the design uses a sealed compartment structure that protects the lens while allowing it to move freely without requiring an additional window element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a membrane structure that seals the compartment containing the lens and light source. This flexible membrane allows the lens to move relative to the light source while maintaining the seal against moisture ingress, replacing the need for a rigid protective window.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If special sealings and hydrophobic grease are used at joints between elements arranged for mutual movement, then ingress protection is improved, but friction and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveingress protectionVSAvoidfriction and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the light fixture into separate sealed compartments - the head containing the light source and the lens housing. This segmentation allows each compartment to be independently sealed, protecting against ingress while allowing movement between segments without requiring complex sealings at moving joints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible membrane seals the joint between the movable lens housing and the fixed head. This membrane allows relative movement while maintaining the seal, eliminating the need for friction-prone special sealings and hydrophobic grease at moving joints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If an extra window is arranged in front of the lens at a distance, then the lens can move relative to the light source without collision, but the window may cause internal reflections and decrease output light

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens movement capabilityVSAvoidoutput light

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective window is completely removed from the design. The lens housing itself is made movable relative to the light source, allowing the lens to change position without requiring an additional window element that would cause reflections and light loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the lens housing dynamically movable relative to the light source through motorized actuation. This dynamic configuration allows the lens to be positioned at different distances from the light source to achieve various beam angles and patterns without needing a fixed protective window.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 system effectively detects and removes liquid on the lens, preventing moisture ingress and maintaining lighting quality while reducing mechanical stress and operational noise.

Implementation Method 1

an electric motor configured to move the lens relative to the light source in direction of the main light emission direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a control unit configured to determine a current used by the electric motor to move the lens in the main light emission direction and the control unit is configured to detect a presence of liquid on the lens based on the determined current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical resistance change due to liquid presence: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS20250354684A1Light fixture with liquid detection

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 MARTIN PROFESSIONAL

AI summary

The application relates to a light fixture comprising a compartment housing at least one light source configured to emit light in a main light emission direction. A lens is provided movably arranged relative to the light source in direction of the main light emission direction, and an electric motor configured to move the lens relative to the light source in direction of the main light emission direction. A control unit determines a current used by the electric motor to move the lens in the main light emission direction, wherein the control unit is configured to detect a presence of a liquid on the lens based on the determined current.