Sealed LED Fixture Magnetic Control Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Outdoor lighting fixtures with LED technology are sealed to protect against moisture, making it difficult to adjust attributes like intensity, color, and beam angle, requiring replacement of entire fixtures and resulting in time-consuming processes and high inventory costs.

Innovation Solution

A light fixture design that uses a non-mechanical stimulus, such as a magnetic field, to control attributes like intensity, color, and beam angle through a reed switch and light control circuit, allowing for adjustable settings without physical access to the light source.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If LED lighting fixtures are sealed to protect against moisture, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because attributes cannot be adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against moistureVSAvoidadjustment of lighting attributes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical bulb replacement with an electronic control system. A control circuit board with integrated circuitry enables remote adjustment of LED attributes through electrical signals, eliminating the need to open the sealed fixture housing while maintaining both reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit board serves multiple functions: it controls light intensity, color temperature, and beam angle adjustment while maintaining the sealed structure. This multi-functional integration allows the fixture to be adjusted without compromising the moisture protection seal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If entire LED fixtures must be replaced to change attributes, then reliability is maintained, but loss of time increases due to replacement process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixed performance characteristicsVSAvoidtime for attribute adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms static LED fixtures with fixed attributes into dynamic fixtures with adjustable characteristics. The control circuit enables real-time modification of light intensity, color, and beam angle without physical replacement, reducing adjustment time while maintaining reliable performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of replacing entire fixtures, the invention changes operational parameters through electronic control. The control circuit modifies voltage, current, and signal frequencies to adjust LED output characteristics, allowing attribute changes without time-consuming physical replacements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If outdoor lighting fixtures use sealed structures, then protection against environmental factors is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because fixtures cannot be adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from moisture and temperature swingsVSAvoidadjustability of lighting attributes

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms with electronic control systems that fit within the sealed structure. The control circuit board with integrated circuits enables attribute adjustment without requiring opening the seal, maintaining environmental protection while achieving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuitry is nested within the existing sealed fixture housing. The control circuit board integrates with the LED module and power supply within the sealed structure, allowing adjustment functionality to be contained within the protective envelope without compromising the seal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Enables convenient and economical adjustment of lighting attributes in outdoor settings, reducing the need for frequent replacements and inventory, while maintaining a sealed and environmentally protected fixture.

Implementation Method 1

the switch, coupled to the light control circuit and disposed within the housing, comprising contacts that are opened and closed in response to a non-mechanical stimulus external to the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS9655203B2Adjustable light fixture

Publication Date: 2017.05.16 UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for controlling a light fixture having at least one adjustable attribute are described. In one embodiment, a light fixture having at least one adjustable attribute comprises a housing, a light source disposed within the housing, a cover secured to the housing that allows at least some light from the light source to pass, a light control circuit, coupled to the light source and disposed within the housing, for detecting a state change of a switch and for providing a control signal for varying an attribute of the light fixture, and the switch, coupled to the light control circuit and disposed within the housing, comprising contacts that are opened and closed in response to a non-mechanical stimulus external to the housing.