Rubberized Light Housing with Flexible Ribs for Well Lights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light bulb mounting systems in well lights and similar fixtures expose bulbs and electrical connections to environmental factors and are difficult to install, repair, or replace due to their rigid construction.
Innovation Solution
A rubberized light housing with a tubular shape and flexible ribs that hermetically seals light bulbs and electrical connections, allowing for easy installation and adaptation to various fixture sizes, along with an adaptor ring for larger fixtures, providing a water-tight seal and secure mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid metal structures are used to retain light bulbs, then the structural strength is improved, but the ease of installation and repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible rubber housing with resilient ribs instead of rigid metal structures. The ribs are configured to be resiliently flexible, allowing them to be compressed during installation and then expand to frictionally engage with the lighting can interior, providing both structural support and ease of installation without permanent attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static rigid metal structures to dynamic flexible rubber components. The resilient ribs can deform during installation and operation, adapting to the lighting can dimensions while maintaining secure retention through elastic friction contact, thereby improving both installation ease and structural functionality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid metal structures are used to retain light bulbs, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of repair and replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible rubber housing with resilient ribs allows for simple bulb replacement by compressing the ribs to release the bulb, then allowing them to expand back to frictional contact. This eliminates the need for tools or permanent fastening mechanisms, greatly improving ease of repair while maintaining structural stability through continuous elastic engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the retention function into separate resilient ribs that independently contact the lighting can interior. This segmentation allows individual ribs to flex and adapt while collectively providing stable retention, and enables easy release by applying force to any single rib or section for bulb replacement.
3Device complexity
If light bulbs are exposed to environmental factors, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible rubber housing that hermetically seals around the light bulb and electrical connections. The resilient ribs create a tight friction fit within the lighting can, forming a protective barrier against water and moisture while maintaining a relatively simple single-piece construction without complex gaskets or sealing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The rubber housing acts as an intermediary protective layer between the light bulb/electrical connections and the external environment. It provides hermetic sealing and environmental protection while allowing the bulb to remain accessible and replaceable, balancing protection with operational simplicity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a hermetic seal is implemented, then the protection from environmental hazards is improved, but the adaptability to various fixture sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible rubber housing with resilient ribs can elastically deform to accommodate different lighting can diameters and shapes. The ribs compress during installation into various fixture sizes and then expand to create a hermetic seal through friction contact, providing both environmental protection and adaptability to different fixture dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in the physical state and dimensions of the rubber material through elastic deformation. The resilient ribs can compress to smaller dimensions during installation and expand to larger dimensions to seal against different fixture interiors, allowing a single housing design to adapt to various fixture sizes while maintaining hermetic sealing.
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 easy installation and protection of light bulbs from environmental hazards while ensuring a secure and water-tight seal, making it easier to work with, repair, and replace light bulbs in well lights and similar fixtures.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the plurality of ribs is resiliently flexible and configured for friction contact with an interior of a lighting can
Implementation Method 2
The elongated body, sealing port, and plurality of ribs are preferably all manufactured from a rubber material
Data Source
AI summary
A resiliently flexible, rubberized light housing for sealingly enclosing and protecting a light bulb or fixture against moisture and other intrusion. The housing has an elongated, generally tubular body with an open first end and a closed second end. The open first end may receive and retain a bulb or fixture that has an exposed bulb or element or is environmentally sealed. If the bulb or fixture is sealed, then the same may hermetically seal the open first end. If the bulb or fixture is not sealed, then a lens may be included to hermetically seal the open first end with the bulb or fixture in the interior. Electrical wires for connection to the bulb or fixture may be passed through a sealing port on the closed send end. The plurality of ribs are configured for friction contact with the inside of a lighting can.