Pivotable Reflector Shells for Uniform Wall Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting devices for illuminating long aisles and shelf walls face challenges in achieving uniform and glare-free illumination due to varying ceiling heights, aisle widths, and shelf depths, as well as off-center installations, which complicates the direction of light beams and results in inadequate brilliance and visibility issues.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device with two pivotally mounted reflector shells that can be adjusted independently to align the indirect and direct light beams, allowing for flexible adaptation to different installation geometries without requiring movable lamp modules, ensuring efficient illumination of both floor and shelf surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single spotlight with fixed reflector is used, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different installation geometries (ceiling heights, aisle widths, shelf depths) is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different installation geometriesVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reflector is divided into two independently adjustable reflector shells that can be tilted relative to each other and to the light source. This segmentation allows each shell to be optimized for different illumination tasks (one for wall illumination, one for floor illumination) while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reflector shells are made dynamically adjustable through pivotal mounting, allowing them to be tilted to different angles during installation. This dynamic capability enables the same device to adapt to various ceiling heights, aisle widths, and shelf depths without requiring multiple fixed designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Illumination intensity

If linear luminaire arrangements are used to illuminate long aisles, then the illumination covers a large area, but the brilliance and visibility of individual products is reduced due to diffuse lighting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrilliance of individual productsVSAvoidcoverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting function is segmented into two distinct beam directions: one focused beam for illuminating specific wall areas/products with high brilliance, and another broader beam for general aisle illumination. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of product brilliance and area coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different quality lighting is provided for different spatial zones: concentrated, high-intensity light for product display areas on walls, and more diffuse light for the aisle floor and general areas. Each reflector shell is optimized to provide appropriate local lighting quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Use of energy by moving object

If point light sources with multiple individual reflectors are used, then the lighting efficiency is improved, but achieving uniform and glare-free illumination becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting efficiencyVSAvoidease of achieving uniform illumination
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination task is segmented into two functions handled by separate reflector shells: one shell focuses light onto wall surfaces for product illumination, while the other directs light onto the floor. This functional segmentation simplifies the optimization process for each reflector while maintaining high overall lighting efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each reflector shell is optimized for its specific illumination target (wall or floor), allowing tailored optimization of light distribution patterns. The wall-illuminating shell prevents glare by directing light away from customer eye levels, while the floor-illuminating shell provides uniform ambient light.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 achieves high lighting efficiency and uniform illumination of both floor and shelf walls, being insensitive to different assembly situations, with a significant portion of the light emitted as direct light to illuminate the floor and indirect light to cover the shelf surfaces, reducing glare and enhancing visibility.

Implementation Method 1

at least one spotlight comprising a light source and a reflector for capturing and radiating the light emitted by the associated light source in the form of a beam of rays

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4372271A1Method and illumination device for illuminating wall surfaces
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 BARTENBACH HLDG
  • EP4372271A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~6
  • EP4372271A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4372271A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Lighting device for illuminating wall surfaces such as shelves or bookcases (6, 7), comprising at least one spotlight (2) which includes a light source (9) and a reflector (8) for capturing and emitting the light emitted by the associated light source (9) in the form of a beam (12, 13), characterized in that the reflector (8) has two reflector shells (10, 11) which are arranged on opposite sides with respect to the light source (9) and are pivotably mounted relative to the light source (9) and relative to each other about at least one tilting axis (14) which extends transversely to the main emission direction (22) of the light source (9) and parallel to a dividing plane (17) between the reflector shells (10, 11), wherein the reflector shells (10, 11) define a light emission opening (23) between them, through which the main emission axis (22) of the light source (9) extends, so that Light emitted from the light source (9) at the reflector cups (10,11) exits as an unreflected direct light beam (12).