Pivoting Light Fixture Reflector for Ballast Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting fixtures require labor-intensive processes to access and replace the electrical ballast, often necessitating partial disassembly and access from above the ceiling, which is inefficient and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A light fixture design featuring a housing with a releasable lens and reflector assembly that pivots to expose the ballast, allowing easy access and replacement from beneath the ceiling without disassembling the fixture, using a combination of hinges, latches, and fasteners for secure engagement and release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the ballast is mounted inside the housing enclosed by lens and reflector assemblies, then the fixture structure is compact and secure, but access to the ballast requires partial disassembly and is labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure mounting of ballastVSAvoidaccess to ballast for replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture is divided into functional modules: a stationary housing containing the ballast, and removable lens and reflector assemblies. This segmentation allows the ballast to be securely mounted within the housing while enabling easy access by simply removing the lens and reflector assemblies, which are designed as separate serviceable components with release mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lens and reflector assemblies are designed with dynamic release mechanisms (latches, clips, or snap-fit connections) that allow quick transition from a secured closed position to an open service position. This dynamic design enables the assemblies to be easily removed and reattached without tools, facilitating rapid ballast replacement while maintaining secure enclosure during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the lens and reflector assemblies are permanently fixed to the housing, then the fixture structure is simple and robust, but maintenance requires extensive disassembly and multiple trips

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixture structureVSAvoidtime for ballast replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lens and reflector assemblies are pre-equipped with release mechanisms (latches, clips, or snap-fit connections) that are designed to facilitate quick removal. This preliminary design of the release system allows maintenance personnel to access the ballast rapidly without needing to disassemble the entire fixture or make multiple trips, significantly reducing maintenance time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the ballast is accessible from above the ceiling, then access is straightforward, but the fixture requires access from above which is not always feasible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to ballastVSAvoidaccess from different locations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Traditional fixtures require access from above the ceiling to reach the ballast. This invention inverts the access approach by designing the lens and reflector assemblies to be removable from below the fixture, allowing maintenance personnel to access and replace the ballast from the room side without needing to access the ceiling space above.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of operation

If the lens and reflector assemblies are made removable with release mechanisms, then access to ballast is easy, but the assembly mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to ballastVSAvoidrelease mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lens and reflector assemblies incorporate self-latching mechanisms (clips, snaps, or magnetic retainers) that automatically engage when the assemblies are installed and automatically release when actuated from below. This self-service design eliminates the need for complex manual latching mechanisms or tools, providing easy removal and reattachment while keeping the mechanism relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10247389B2Light fixture assembly with pivoting reflector assembly and lens assembly

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 HUBBELL LIGHTING INC

AI summary

A light fixture assembly includes a housing having an interior surface, a ballast mounted on the interior surface of the housing, a first reflector releasably coupled to the interior surface of the housing, the ballast being substantially enclosed between the housing and the first reflector when the first reflector is in a first, closed position and being exposed when the first reflector is in a second, open position spaced from at least a portion of the interior surface, a lens releasably coupled to the housing, the first reflector being substantially enclosed between the lens and the housing when the lens is in a first, closed position and substantially exposed when the lens is in a second, open position. This construction provides relatively easy and quick access to the ballast for replacement and from below the fixture if it is mounted in or on the ceiling.