Solar Light Shade Releasable Housing Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solar-powered lighting devices have shades that are difficult to replace, either due to being fixed securely or requiring complex mechanisms like elastomeric rings, limiting flexibility and user-friendliness.

Innovation Solution

The shade is designed to be releasably connected to the housing, allowing it to loosely rest on the external surface without any fixing elements, enabling easy removal and replacement without tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the shade is fixed securely to the housing using clamps or fixing elements, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the ease of operation for replacing the shade deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidease of shade replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes all fixing elements, clamps, and fastening mechanisms from the shade assembly. The shade simply rests on the external surface of the housing without any mechanical fixation, allowing users to remove and replace the shade by hand without tools, thereby maximizing ease of operation while maintaining sufficient connection reliability for normal use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention separates the shade from the housing connection system by eliminating the need for integrated fixing mechanisms. The shade becomes an independent, freely replaceable component that can be easily detached and reattached, improving user accessibility and ease of maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If an elastomeric ring is used to fix the shade to the housing, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need to handle the elastomeric ring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidconnection mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention completely removes the elastomeric ring and any other fixing elements from the assembly. The shade connects to the housing through simple gravitational contact on the external surface, eliminating the need for users to handle, install, or remove elastomeric rings, thereby simplifying the device and improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system serves itself through gravity and simple geometric contact between the shade and housing surface, without requiring additional components like elastomeric rings to maintain the connection. The design relies on the natural weight of the shade to maintain its position on the housing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 flexible use of differently colored or shaped shades, enhancing user convenience and ease of maintenance by eliminating the need for tool handling.

Implementation Method 1

The solar-power unit comprises at least one solar cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

The solar-power unit may further comprise at least one rechargeable battery connected to and chargeable by the at least one solar cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery energy storage: Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 3

The lighting element may particularly comprise one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode effect: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3516295B1Lighting device with releasably connected shade
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 INTER IKEA SYST
  • EP3516295B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3516295B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D
  • EP3516295B1 patent drawingFigure 1E

AI summary

The invention provides a lighting device (1) comprising a housing (2) including a solar-power unit and a lighting element, and a shade (3) connected to the housing (2), wherein the shade (3) is releasably connected to the housing (2) and loosely rests on an external surface of the housing (2) when connected thereto.