Multi-Channel Plate Integrating Lighting and Fluid Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lighting modules are bulky, complex, and costly due to the need for thick components to prevent sagging, ensure waterproofing, and provide impact resistance, and they do not integrate lighting functions with other functionalities like plumbing or electrical tubing, leading to inefficiencies in space and material usage.

Innovation Solution

The integration of multiple functions into a single multi-channel plate with a combination of optical and non-optical channels, where the optical channels provide lighting and the non-optical channels can be used for fluid transport, air/cooling, mechanical reinforcement, or electrical components, allowing for efficient use of space and materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional lighting modules use thick components to prevent sagging, ensure waterproofing, and provide impact resistance, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and material costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcomponent thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple previously separate components (lighting elements, waterproofing layers, structural support elements) into a single integrated panel structure. This merging eliminates the need for thick individual components while maintaining overall structural integrity and reliability through the synergistic combination of functions in the integrated panel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The panel is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing lighting, ensuring waterproofing, and offering structural support. This multi-functionality allows a single thinner panel to replace what would traditionally require multiple thicker components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional lighting modules use multiple separate components for different functions, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional integrationVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges lighting elements, waterproofing layers, and structural support into a single integrated panel, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining the ability to adapt the panel for different functions through design modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated panel is designed as a universal structure that can provide multiple functions (lighting, waterproofing, structural support) simultaneously, and can be adapted for different applications by modifying the panel design rather than adding separate components.

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

3Reliability

If conventional luminaires occupy more space to accommodate separate components, then reliability is improved, but volume of moving object increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent separationVSAvoidluminaire size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges previously separate components into a single integrated panel, dramatically reducing the volume occupied by the lighting module while maintaining reliability through the coordinated design of the integrated elements rather than relying on physical separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a three-dimensional assembly of separate components to a two-dimensional integrated panel structure, effectively reducing the volume occupied by the luminaire while maintaining all necessary functions within the panel plane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3440926B1Extruded channel plate as basis for integrated functions
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP3440926B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3440926B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3440926B1 patent drawingFigure 2D~3A

AI summary

The invention provides a multi-channel plate (100) comprising (i) a plurality of parallel arranged channels (1) and (ii) at least a light source (10) configured to provide light source light (11), wherein a first channel (110) includes a light transmissive part (12), wherein the light source (10) is configured to provide light source light (11) downstream from the light transmissive part (12) and external from the first channel (110) as a first lighting function, and wherein the multi-channel plate (100) includes a second channel (120), configured to provide an additional function different from said first lighting function.