Paneless LED Light Fixture with Downward Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light fixtures, particularly post top fixtures, are not energy efficient and contribute to light pollution by emitting a significant amount of light upward, violating Dark Skies initiatives, and are prone to inefficiencies due to the use of panes that cause optical loss and potential vandalism.
Innovation Solution
A light fixture design that maximizes direct lighting by using light engines with LEDs positioned to emit light downwardly, eliminating panes to reduce optical loss and upward refraction, and incorporating a thermally conductive mounting plate to enhance efficiency, while minimizing upward light emission and pollution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If panes are used in the carriage to protect the light source, then protection and structure are improved, but optical efficiency is reduced due to light loss and refraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the panes from the carriage structure entirely, extracting the protective function and replacing it with a paneless design that eliminates optical losses from refraction and reflection at the glass surfaces, thereby improving optical efficiency while maintaining structural integrity through alternative protective measures
2Illumination intensity
If light is emitted upward to illuminate the area, then illumination coverage is improved, but energy is wasted and light pollution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs different optical properties at different locations within the fixture - specifically using a reflective surface positioned to redirect upward-emitted light back downward, creating localized optical control that concentrates light in the intended illumination area while preventing energy waste and light pollution
3Loss of energy
If reflectors are added to redirect upward light, then indirect lighting is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the light source, reflective surface, and carriage into a unified compact assembly where the reflective surface is positioned directly within the carriage structure, merging multiple functions into a single integrated unit that achieves efficient indirect lighting without requiring separate, complex components
4Illumination intensity
If glass or brittle plastic panes are used, then optical transmission is improved, but vulnerability to vandalism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the vulnerable glass or brittle plastic panes from the carriage structure entirely, extracting the protective barrier function and replacing it with a paneless design that eliminates the vulnerability to vandalism while maintaining optical transmission through alternative transparent or translucent materials that are more resistant to damage
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 solution significantly increases direct lighting efficiency, reduces energy waste, and aligns with Dark Skies initiatives by minimizing upward light emission, while also being cost-effective by allowing modification of existing fixtures rather than complete replacement.
Implementation Method 1
The light sources are light-emitting diodes
Implementation Method 2
mounting plate, which is subsequently mounted to the hood such that the light engines are in close proximity to the hood surface thus minimizing the thermal path for heat from the light engines to travel to the hood surface
Data Source
AI summary
Light fixtures having a plurality of light-emitting diodes that maximize the amount of direct light into an intended area. The light fixture may include a carriage with a first (top) end and a second (bottom) end. A hood may be mounted to the first end of the carriage. At least one light engine comprising a plurality of light sources is mounted to the hood. The light sources emit light downwardly directly onto an intended area. In certain embodiments the second end of the carriage is shaped and sized so that it does not interfere with emission of the light to the intended area. The light fixture thus provides light in a thermally efficient manner, maximizes the amount of direct light, and limits the amount of light pollution.