Strip-light luminaire with upward light-emitting modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Continuous-row luminaires primarily designed for downward light emission lack the capability for upward light emission, limiting their applications, and retrofitting with conventional lighting modules is hindered by suspension means acting as obstacles.

Innovation Solution

A continuous-row luminaire with a mounting rail featuring a light source for downward emission and a separately configurable lighting module for upward emission, utilizing holding means and electrical conductor elements for independent power supply, allowing flexible placement and easy installation, even when suspended.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional continuous-row luminaire is retrofitted with a separate continuous-row light on the upper side of the mounting rail to implement indirect lighting, then upward light emission for indirect lighting is achieved, but the suspension means or their attachment elements on the mounting rail form obstacles that prevent satisfactory installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting application versatilityVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the downward and upward light-emitting modules into a single integrated continuous-row luminaire unit. The mounting rail accommodates both light sources simultaneously, with the upward-emitting module installed on the upper side and the downward-emitting module on the lower side, eliminating the need for separate retrofitting operations and avoiding conflicts with suspension means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The luminaire is divided into separate upward and downward light-emitting modules that can be independently configured and installed. Each module has its own optical system and can be positioned at different locations along the mounting rail, allowing flexible installation that accommodates suspension means while achieving both direct and indirect lighting functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the continuous-row luminaire is designed to provide both downward and upward light emission, then lighting application versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting application versatilityVSAvoidluminaire structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting rail is designed as a universal support structure that accommodates both upward and downward light-emitting modules along with suspension means. The rail system provides integrated mechanical support and electrical power distribution to all components, enabling multi-functionality without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding upward lighting to an existing downward-lighting luminaire (which would increase complexity), the patent inverts the approach by designing the luminaire from the ground up with both upward and downward capabilities integrated into the core structure. The mounting rail is specifically designed to receive modules oriented in opposite directions, making dual-directional lighting a fundamental feature rather than an add-on.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the lighting module is made separately configurable and independently powered, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodule configurabilityVSAvoidpower supply system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each light-emitting module is equipped with its own power supply unit, allowing it to operate independently. The modules can be freely positioned along the mounting rail and will automatically receive power through contacts integrated into the rail system, eliminating the need for complex centralized power distribution and simplifying installation and reconfiguration.

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

Enables variably configurable upward light emission for indirect lighting and simplifies handling and installation by allowing the lighting module to be securely and easily attached at any point on the mounting rail, independent of the downward light source's power supply.

Implementation Method 1

a light source which is arranged on the mounting rail and which emits light downwards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

at least one lighting module for emitting light upwards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2807419B1Strip-light luminaire with light-emitting modules for indirect illumination
Publication Date: 2016.06.29 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP2807419B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2807419B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2807419B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A strip-light luminaire has a support rail (2), which extends along a longitudinal axis (L), and a light source, arranged on the support rail (2), for emitting light downwards. Provision is furthermore made for at least one light-emitting module (3, 3', 3") for emitting light upwards and an electric conductor element (4) for supplying the at least one light-emitting module (3, 3', 3") which extends along the longitudinal axis (L) with power, wherein the at least one light-emitting module (3, 3', 3") comprises holding means (5) for holding the at least one light-emitting module (3, 3', 3") on the support rail (2).