Pendant Lamp Suspension Locking for Secure, Simple Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pendant lamps face challenges in creating a secure connection between the pendulum body and the pendulum structure, which complicates assembly and can lead to theft or safety issues due to loose connections.

Innovation Solution

A pendant lamp design featuring a connecting structure with an access opening and slot, secured by a plate-shaped locking element that blocks the suspension element within the structure, allowing for easy assembly and enhanced theft protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a secure connection between pendulum body and pendulum structure is created, then safety and theft protection are improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into separate functional components: a connecting structure with access opening/slot for insertion, and a locking element for securing. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in design while collectively providing secure connection, resolving the contradiction between security and assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting structure is pre-configured with an access opening and access slot that guide the suspension element into the correct position before locking. The locking element is designed to automatically block the access opening when the suspension element is inserted, providing preliminary guidance and automatic securing without complex assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a locking element is added to secure the suspension element, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking element is designed as a thin, plate-shaped component that can be easily attached to the pendulum body. This thin-film approach provides effective blocking of the access opening without adding significant structural bulk or complexity, maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliable connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of designing a complex locking mechanism that actively engages, the invention uses a simple plate-shaped locking element that passively blocks the access opening. The suspension element cannot be removed because the locking element physically obstructs the access path, providing reliable security through simple geometric blocking rather than complex mechanical engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If the locking element blocks the access opening, then theft protection is improved, but ease of operation for removal decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetheft protectionVSAvoidremoval ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting structure is pre-designed with an access slot that provides a predetermined removal path. When legitimate removal is needed, the suspension element can be guided through the access slot in a controlled manner, making removal as easy as insertion while the access opening remains blocked during normal operation to prevent theft.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4477942B1Pendulum light with safety element
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP4477942B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4477942B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4477942B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a pendant lamp (1) comprising a pendant body (10) with a connecting structure (12), a suspension structure (30) with at least one suspension element (31) which can be connected to the pendant body (10) via the connecting structure (12) in order to suspend the pendant body (10), and a locking element (40) for each suspension element (31) for securing the suspension element (31) in the connecting structure (12), wherein the connecting structure (12) has an access opening (14) for inserting the suspension element (31) and an access slot (16) adjacent to the access opening (14) for retracting the suspension element (31), and wherein the locking element (40) can be attached to the pendant body (10) such that the locking element (40) secures the suspension element (31) in the connecting structure (12) to the access opening (14) blocks and thus secures in the connection structure (12),and wherein the locking element (40) has a plate shape and/or extends substantially in one plane.