Sensor-Activated Illuminating Fixture for Low-Light Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Home fixtures, such as towel rings, often become difficult to detect in low-level lighting conditions, making it hard for users to access items attached to them, as they are typically constructed from opaque materials that do not provide sufficient illumination in dark environments.
Innovation Solution
A fixture with a hub body made of non-transparent material and a translucent mounting plate that houses a system of electronic components, including sensors and a light generating unit, which automatically illuminates the surrounding area based on motion detection and ambient light levels, ensuring visibility of the fixture and its contents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fixture is constructed from opaque materials to maintain aesthetic design and durability, then the fixture structure is stable and durable, but the fixture becomes undetectable in low-level lighting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate changes its optical properties from opaque to translucent based on ambient light conditions. In dark environments, the plate becomes translucent to allow light transmission and illuminate the fixture, while in well-lit conditions it maintains its opaque appearance to preserve aesthetic design.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate transitions from a static opaque structure to a dynamic element that adapts its transparency based on environmental lighting conditions. This dynamic behavior allows the fixture to be invisible during daytime and visible during nighttime without requiring additional lighting components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the fixture uses opaque materials to coordinate with similar fixtures within a designated area, then the aesthetic consistency is maintained, but users cannot detect items on or near the fixture in low light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate's ability to change from opaque to translucent allows it to maintain aesthetic coordination with other fixtures during the day while providing necessary illumination at night to make items on the fixture accessible to users.
3Strength
If the fixture is mounted on walls or surfaces within rooms using opaque materials, then the fixture maintains structural integrity, but no illumination is provided to the surrounding area in dark conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate serves dual functions: maintaining structural integrity as an opaque mounting surface during the day, and providing illumination by becoming translucent at night to allow light passage to the surrounding area.
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 provides effective illumination to the area surrounding the fixture, enhancing usability and safety by automatically turning on lights when needed, thus addressing the issue of visibility in low-light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The light generating unit includes at least one light. The controller is configured to generate a light beam from the light
Implementation Method 2
the sensor system includes both a motion detector sensor and an ambient light sensor that can detect and transmit information regarding the area surrounding the fixture
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminating fixture includes forming a hub body, the hub body formed to include a cavity and an opening extending through an end of the hub body. The fixture further includes a mounting plate configured to be secured to the end of the hub body with the opening, and the mounting plate is configured to secure the hub body to an external surface. The hub body and/or the mounting plate includes a transparent portion that can illuminate an area surrounding the fixture. The fixture further includes a system of electronic components including a sensor system, a controller, and a light generating unit. The controller is configured to generate a light beam based on input from the sensor system. The sensor system may include a motion detection sensor and/or an ambient light sensor. An optical assembly of the fixture is configured to direct the light beam through the transparent portion.