Polymeric Explosion-Proof Lighting Apparatus with Glass Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing explosion-proof lighting apparatuses face challenges in being installed in chemically aggressive environments due to metal material exposure and suffer from reduced luminous efficiency due to polymeric resin degradation and light emission alterations.

Innovation Solution

A lighting apparatus with a containing body made of polymeric material, featuring a dissipator support and hermetically sealed compartments, utilizing a sheet of glass with sealing material to isolate the light source, allowing for use in chemically aggressive environments without altering light emission or color rendering index, and maintaining high luminous efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If metal material is used for the containing body, then thermal dissipation function is improved, but resistance to chemically aggressive environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal dissipationVSAvoidchemical aggression resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining polymeric material for the containing body (providing chemical resistance) with a separate metal dissipator support (providing thermal dissipation). This composite approach resolves the contradiction by allowing each material to perform its optimal function without being compromised by the other's weaknesses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If polymeric resin is used to seal the light source, then explosion-proof protection is improved, but light emission and color rendering index are altered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexplosion-proof protectionVSAvoidlight emission quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sealing function from the polymeric resin that was previously used for both sealing and light transmission. By removing the resin's light-transmitting role and using it only for sealing purposes in a different location, the light path remains clear and unobstructed, preserving light emission quality while maintaining explosion-proof protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces glass as an intermediary material between the light source and the external environment. The glass allows light to pass through without alteration while the polymeric resin provides sealing protection elsewhere in the structure, mediating between the conflicting requirements of light transmission and explosion-proof sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If polymeric resin is used to seal the light source, then hermetic insulation is improved, but luminous efficiency deteriorates over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehermetic insulationVSAvoidluminous efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the polymeric resin from the light transmission path, extracting it from a position where it could degrade and reduce luminous efficiency. The resin is retained only for hermetic sealing functions where it cannot interfere with light emission, thus preserving luminous efficiency while maintaining hermetic insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses glass as a substitute for the polymeric resin in the light transmission path. Glass provides the necessary hermetic sealing and light transmission properties without the degradation issues associated with polymeric materials, effectively copying the sealing function without the negative aging effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Temperature

If metal material is used for components, then thermal dissipation is improved, but adaptability to chemically aggressive environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidenvironmental compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials by using polymeric material for the containing body to ensure chemical resistance and adaptability to aggressive environments, while incorporating a metal dissipator support specifically for thermal management. This composite structure allows the apparatus to adapt to chemically aggressive environments while still effectively dissipating heat.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 enables the lighting apparatus to be used in chemically aggressive environments with intermediate explosion risk while maintaining high and constant luminous efficiency throughout its life, reducing production costs and assembly complexity.

Implementation Method 1

the presence of a dissipator support to which a light source is attached in correspondence with the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the housing and the compartment are hermetically sealed, with respect to the external environment, by means of the closing elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHermetic sealing:

Data Source

PatentEP3995734B1Lighting apparatus and corresponding production method
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 CORTEM
  • EP3995734B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3995734B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3a
  • EP3995734B1 patent drawingFigure 4~4a

AI summary

The present invention concerns a lighting apparatus (10) configured to be used, at most, in environments with an intermediate risk of explosion, comprising a containing body (11) of polymeric material, internally provided with a housing (12) in which a light source (16) is attached. The invention also concerns a method to produce the apparatus (10).