Power Module Drawer for Moving Head Light Fixtures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing moving head light fixtures face challenges in quickly exchanging or replacing power modules and controllers, especially when technical specifications change or in failure situations, due to the complex integration of these components with the light source and the need for efficient cooling and heat management.

Innovation Solution

A modular design featuring a U-shaped drawer that houses the power module, ballast circuit, and controller, allowing for easy removal and replacement by disconnecting automatically through power connectors and safety switches, with independent sections for power and control modules, and integrated cooling mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the power module and controller are integrated into the base with the light source, then heat management becomes complex and component exchange becomes difficult, but separating them reduces thermal interference and enables rapid replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent exchange speedVSAvoidthermal management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base is divided into separate functional modules: a power module drawer containing the power supply and ballast circuit, and a controller drawer containing the controller. These modules are physically separated from the light source housing, enabling independent replacement of each component without disassembling the entire fixture or dealing with thermal management of integrated systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power module and controller are extracted from the light source housing and placed into separate drawables in the base. This extraction removes them from the thermal environment of the light source, simplifying thermal management while enabling rapid replacement through drawer removal without handling hot components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the power module is placed close to the light source for efficient power delivery, then electrical connection efficiency improves, but heat exposure increases and replacement becomes difficult in hard-to-reach locations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery efficiencyVSAvoidmodule accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Electrical connectors serve as intermediaries between the power module drawer and the light source. These connectors transmit electrical power efficiently over the distance from the base to the light source while allowing the power module to be positioned in an accessible location in the base, eliminating the need to place it directly adjacent to the light source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If multiple electronic modules are integrated into a single housing, then device compactness improves, but the ability to independently update or replace individual modules is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase space utilizationVSAvoidmodule independence
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The base contains multiple separate drawers: a first drawer for the power module and a second drawer for the controller. This segmentation allows each module to be independently updated, replaced, or configured without affecting other modules, while all drawers are contained within the same base structure, maintaining compactness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drawer design provides a universal platform that can accommodate different power modules and controllers. Each drawer can be independently configured for specific applications, and modules can be exchanged to adapt the fixture to different technical specifications or failure scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Facilitates rapid and efficient exchange of electronic components, reducing downtime and logistical complexities, especially in hard-to-reach locations, while maintaining effective cooling and protecting against heat-related issues.

Implementation Method 1

The cooling can be made by a blower placed at the outer end of the drawer for blowing air into the drawer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2146141B1Power module drawer
Publication Date: 2014.04.02 MARTIN PROFESSIONAL
  • EP2146141B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2146141B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2146141B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a light fixture (2) comprising a head (4), which head comprises at least one light source, which head is carried rotatably in a yoke (6), which yoke rotates in relation to a base (8), which bases comprises bearings for the yoke, which base comprises at least a power module, which power module comprises at least one ballast circuit, which base comprises at least one controller. It is the object of the invention to achieve a fast exchange of a power module in a light source in situations of changing technical specifications of the power module. Hereby it can be achieved that the module can be exchanged very easily. This can be important in a light fixture placed high above the ground if it needs to have an electronic module exchanged or if specifications are changed after the light fixture has been placed in a truss for operation. Thus, the base (8) comprises a drawer (20) which comprises an electronic module.