Recessed Light Emitter Connectors Eliminate Shadowing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light emitters face issues with connector protrusion, which leads to shadowing and reduced light efficiency due to the connectors and fasteners interfering with the light emission path.
Innovation Solution
A light emitter design featuring a substrate with recessed features for connectors and fasteners, allowing them to be positioned on a different layer or surface than the light emitting elements, ensuring they do not obstruct light emission and facilitating easy connection and disconnection without interfering with mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If connectors and fasteners are positioned on the same surface as light emitting elements, then electrical connection and mechanical mounting are simplified, but shadowing occurs that reduces light emission efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions connectors and fasteners in recesses that extend into the substrate from the light-emitting surface, utilizing the third dimension (depth) to resolve the conflict. Connectors are recessed into cavities within the substrate thickness, allowing them to be electrically connected to light emitting elements while physically removed from the light emission path, eliminating shadowing effects.
2Illumination intensity
If connectors are recessed into the substrate, then light emission efficiency is improved by eliminating shadowing, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is segmented into multiple functional layers including a light-emitting surface layer and an embedded connector housing layer. This segmentation allows connectors to be recessed into dedicated cavities within the substrate structure, separating the electrical connection function from the light emission function and eliminating shadowing while maintaining structural integrity.
3Illumination intensity
If connectors are recessed relative to the light emitting surface, then light efficiency is enhanced, but connector access and connection ease are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is nested within a recessed cavity in the substrate, with the cavity opening positioned to allow access from the side or end of the fixture rather than from the light-emitting surface. This nesting arrangement permits connectors to be recessed for optimal light performance while maintaining ease of connection through alternative access paths.
Data Source
AI summary
A light emitter includes a first portion, a light emitting element, a second portion, a pocket positioned in one of the first portion and the second portion, and an electrical connector. The first portion includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The light emitting element is positioned adjacent the first surface of the first portion. The second portion is coupled to the second surface of first portion. The electrical connector is disposed in the pocket, and the electrical connector is recessed relative to the first surface of the first portion.