Solar Light Fixture with Concentrating Optics and 360 Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar-powered lighting products for architectural and landscape applications face slow market penetration due to deficient design, complex installation processes, and unrefined light output.
Innovation Solution
A compact, autonomous, solar-powered, modular light fixture with concentrating optics and an electronic energy management system that simplifies design, installation, and provides efficient, adaptable, and aesthetically pleasing lighting solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If conventional solar-powered lighting products are used, then they can provide basic lighting functionality, but they suffer from deficient design and utilitarian appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The light fixture is divided into modular components including a housing, photovoltaic cells, concentrating optics, light source, and mounting system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for both aesthetic quality and manufacturing ease, while maintaining overall design coherence.
Solution Approach 2:
The light fixture incorporates a universal mounting system with multiple mounting configurations (pole mounting, wall mounting, ground mounting) that can accommodate various installation scenarios. This multi-functionality enhances design versatility without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.
2Ease of operation
If conventional solar-powered lighting products are used, then they can provide lighting output, but they have complicated specification and installation processes
Solution Approach 1:
The light fixture is designed as a pre-assembled integrated unit with all components (photovoltaic cells, battery, light source, mounting hardware) configured during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex on-site assembly and specification during installation, allowing installers to simply mount the complete fixture.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture includes an electronic energy management system that automatically manages power distribution, battery charging, and lighting operation without requiring external control or complex configuration. This self-service capability simplifies installation by eliminating the need for complex electrical wiring and programming.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional solar-powered lighting products are used, then they can provide lighting output, but they have unrefined light output quality
Solution Approach 1:
Concentrating optics are introduced as an intermediary component between the photovoltaic cells and the light source. These optics concentrate sunlight onto the photovoltaic cells to maximize energy harvesting efficiency, and also direct light from the light source to improve illumination quality and distribution patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs adjustable lighting parameters including various light distribution patterns (omnidirectional, directional, focused), adjustable brightness levels, and different color temperatures. These parameter changes allow the light output to be refined and optimized for different application requirements without requiring complex optical hardware changes.
4Use of energy by moving object
If photovoltaic cells are tilted to maximize solar energy capture, then energy efficiency improves, but the fixture appearance becomes inconsistent and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The photovoltaic cells are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration on the housing surface, utilizing vertical and curved surfaces to capture sunlight from multiple angles. This dimensional approach allows the fixture to maintain a consistent horizontal appearance while capturing solar energy effectively throughout the day as the sun moves across the sky.
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 high-efficiency, reliable, and versatile lighting that meets various application requirements, offering consistent performance and extended lighting periods with adaptable configurations and mounting options.
Implementation Method 1
photovoltaic cells configured to receive sunlight proximate an upper portion of the housing
Implementation Method 2
concentrating optics atop the photovoltaic cells that reduce the tilt and increase performance and reliability
Implementation Method 3
an energy storage device to receive energy from the photovoltaic cells and to provide energy to the light source
Data Source
AI summary
A compact, autonomous, solar-powered, modular and aesthetic light fixture that produces useful light levels for general illumination, and includes a housing, photovoltaic cells configured to receive sunlight proximate an upper portion of the housing, concentrating optics at least partially covering the photovoltaic cells, a light source configured to emit light from the housing, an energy storage device to receive energy from the photovoltaic cells and to provide energy to the light source, an electronic energy management system for controlling charge associated with the photovoltaic cells, the energy storage device and the light source. The light fixture can be rotated 360° to accommodate any solar irradiation while sustaining a consistent appearance, it can accommodate a variety of mounting conditions, and it can be combined to form lighting systems in a variety of configurations.