Removable-Ring Centerplate for Clean Lighting Assembly Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional support brackets for lighting assemblies are large, unwieldy, prone to flexing, and require laborious installation, often resulting in jagged protrusions that interfere with assembly and potential damage to lighting fixtures.
Innovation Solution
A centerplate with a plurality of concentrically arranged, selectively removable rings connected by stems, featuring notches for guided cutting to minimize protrusions and pre-formed gaps for fastener insertion, enhancing rigidity and simplifying installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional support brackets are used to support lighting assemblies, then structural support is provided, but the brackets are large, unwieldy, prone to flexing, and require laborious installation
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket is segmented into multiple concentric rings that can be selectively removed. This segmentation allows the bracket to be compact yet provide sufficient structural support when needed, while enabling easy installation by removing only the necessary rings to accommodate the lighting assembly size.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket transitions from a static, fixed-configuration design to a dynamic, adjustable configuration. Rings can be selectively removed based on the lighting assembly size, allowing the bracket to adapt its structure. This dynamic adjustment simplifies installation while maintaining structural integrity.
2Strength
If conventional support brackets are used, then support is provided, but jagged protrusions are created that interfere with assembly and may damage lighting fixtures
Solution Approach 1:
Notches are pre-formed in the rings at the locations where stems connect to the inner ring. These notches prepare the structure in advance for clean cutting, ensuring that when rings are removed, the cut edges are smooth and free of jagged protrusions that could interfere with lighting assembly installation or cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harm of jagged protrusions is converted into a benefit by pre-forming notches that guide the cutting tool. The notches transform what would be a harmful irregular edge into a controlled, clean cut surface that is actually beneficial for protecting the lighting assembly during installation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If rings are selectively removed to accommodate different lighting assembly sizes, then versatility is improved, but the structure may become less rigid
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is divided into separable rings connected by stems, allowing selective removal of outer rings while retaining inner rings. This segmentation provides versatility for different lighting assembly sizes while maintaining structural rigidity through the remaining rings and stems, which continue to provide support.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket design serves multiple functions: it provides structural support when all rings are present, allows selective ring removal for different lighting assembly sizes, and maintains rigidity through the stem connections. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between versatility and structural stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A centerplate for a lighting assembly may include a plurality of rings that are selectively removable to define different size openings for the lighting assembly. A first ring of the plurality of rings may define a first inner radius. A second ring of the plurality of rings may define a second inner radius that can be greater than the first inner radius, with a notch extending radially outwardly into the second ring to receive a cutting tool. A stem may extend from a connection with the first ring at the first radius to a cuttable portion of the stem within the notch, to connect the first ring to the second ring.