Rotatable PCB Mounting for LED Lighting Maintenance Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED lighting devices require significant handling of fragile printed circuit boards during installation and maintenance, increasing the risk of mechanical and electrostatic damage, as well as strain on connecting cables, due to the need to detach or support the boards for access to mounting fixings and electrical connections.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device design featuring a printed circuit board mounted to an off-centre pivot point within a housing, allowing rotation in a plane parallel to the housing, with holding means such as screws and fixing elements to secure the board in place, and a stopping element to retain it in a defined position, reducing handling and protecting the board and cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the printed circuit board is detached from the housing for access to mounting fixings and electrical connections, then accessibility for installation and maintenance is improved, but the risk of mechanical and electrostatic damage to the fragile board increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility for installation and maintenanceVSAvoidrisk of damage to printed circuit board
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The printed circuit board is mounted to rotate around an off-centre pivot point instead of being fixed rigidly. This dynamic mounting allows the board to remain connected while enabling access to mounting fixings and electrical connections by rotating the board to a defined position, eliminating the need to completely detach it and reducing handling damage risk

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

An off-centre pivot point acts as an intermediary mechanical connection between the housing and the printed circuit board. This pivot point serves as a hinge that maintains mechanical connection while allowing rotational movement, enabling access without complete detachment and reducing strain on connecting cables

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the printed circuit board is completely detached from the housing, then full access to components is achieved, but strain on connecting cables increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to componentsVSAvoidstrain on connecting cables
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable mounting allows the board to pivot around an off-centre point, maintaining cable connections while providing access. The cables remain attached to the housing side while the board rotates, preventing strain that would occur with complete detachment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the printed circuit board is mounted rigidly to the housing, then structural stability is improved, but accessibility for maintenance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidaccessibility for maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The off-centre pivot point creates a hinged connection that provides structural stability when the board is in its operational position, while allowing controlled rotation for maintenance access. The holding means secure the board during operation but permit rotation when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If multiple fixing elements are used to secure the printed circuit board, then mechanical connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical connection reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of fixing elements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot point is positioned off-centre rather than at the geometric center of the board. This asymmetric mounting allows the board to rotate while maintaining stable connection, and the holding means are strategically positioned to provide adequate securing without requiring excessive fixing elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3604898B1Lighting device
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 THORN LIGHTING
  • EP3604898B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3604898B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3604898B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Lighting device, comprising a first housing (7), a lighting means (12) arranged on a printed circuit board (8), an electronic circuitry (13) accommodated in the first housing (7) for operating the lighting means (12) and electrically connected to the lighting means (12) by wires, printed circuit board (8) being mounted to an off-centre pivot point by holding means (1) to the first housing (7), whereby the printed circuit board (8) is designed to be rotated in a plane parallel to the a first housing (7) whereby the holding means (1) keeps the printed circuit board (8) being mechanically connected to the first housing (7).