Sealed Hinge Joint for Adjustable Outdoor Lamp Head

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Solution Overview

Problem

Outdoor lamps face challenges in maintaining a sealed connection against external influences like dust and moisture when adjusting the light head, as previous solutions compromise tightness during adjustment.

Innovation Solution

A lamp design featuring a sealed joint with a pivotable joint part and a prestressing mechanism that ensures a permanent seal, allowing for adjustable light head positioning without compromising sealing, using a tubular projection and ring seal, and a tensioning element to maintain contact pressure, along with locking mechanisms to secure the light head in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the light head is adjusted in relation to the housing, then the lighting direction is flexible and adaptable, but the sealed connection between housing components is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting direction adjustmentVSAvoidsealed connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The joint component is designed to be dynamically adjustable through a locking mechanism that allows the light head to be positioned at different angles while maintaining a secure sealed connection. The adjustable joint enables the system to transition between fixed and movable states, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A joint component acts as an intermediary element between the housing and light head, providing both adjustment capability and sealing function. This intermediate component with integrated sealing elements enables independent optimization of both adjustability and seal integrity without compromising either requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a rigid sealed connection is used between housing components, then protection against dust and moisture is maintained, but the light head cannot be adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against external influencesVSAvoidlight head adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system transitions from a static rigid seal to a dynamic adjustable joint with sealing capabilities. The locking mechanism allows the system to maintain sealed protection while enabling light head adjustment when needed, eliminating the need to choose between rigidity and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is divided into separable components (housing and light head) connected through a specialized joint. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component while the joint provides both adjustment and sealing functions, enabling protection against external influences without sacrificing adjustability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the joint is made adjustable with multiple components, then light head positioning flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight head positioningVSAvoidjoint construction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functions (adjustment, locking, and sealing) are merged into a single integrated joint component rather than using separate mechanisms for each function. This consolidation reduces the number of parts and assembly steps while maintaining full adjustability and sealing capabilities, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The joint component is designed as a multi-functional element that simultaneously provides adjustment capability, locking mechanism, and sealing function. This universal component eliminates the need for multiple specialized parts, simplifying the overall joint construction while achieving comprehensive light head positioning flexibility.

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

The solution enables flexible adjustment of the light head while maintaining a permanent sealed connection, ensuring reliable protection against external influences and meeting protection classes like IP 65, 66, or 67, with self-locking functionality to prevent the light head from falling or losing seal.

Implementation Method 1

a tensioning element (50) which is attached to the housing (10) relative to which the joint part (40) is pivotably mounted and which exerts contact pressure on the joint part (40)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

seals are provided in areas of the joint openings, so that the joint is sealed off from the outside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical Containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP3601883B1Lamp with adjustable lighting head
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP3601883B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3601883B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3601883B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a lamp (100) comprising a first housing (10) in which an operating device is arranged for operating luminous elements, a second housing (20) in which luminous elements are arranged, supply lines extending from the operating device to the luminous elements, and a hinge joint (30) which pivotally connects the second housing (20) to the first housing (10), wherein the hinge joint (30) is sealingly connected to the two respective housings (10, 20) and forms a passage (48) through which the supply lines are installed from the first housing (10) to the second housing (20).