Surgical Lighting Closure Plate with Integrated Lens Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical lighting devices are complex, expensive, and difficult to assemble and maintain due to the need for precise alignment of multiple optical elements, which increases weight and reduces durability.
Innovation Solution
A surgical lighting device with a simplified design featuring a shell and light sources coupled to a closure plate with integrated lens elements that collect and focus light without additional optical elements between the sources and the plate, reducing weight and complexity while facilitating assembly and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple optical elements (reflectors, condensers, prisms, filters) are used to collect and focus light from the light source, then the illumination quality and control are improved, but the device complexity, weight, and assembly difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical elements (reflector, condenser, prisms, filters) into a single integrated closure plate structure. The closure plate incorporates all necessary optical functions in one component, eliminating the need for separate optical elements and their complex alignment mechanisms. This merging approach maintains high illumination quality while dramatically reducing device complexity and assembly difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural closure, an optical element for light collection and focusing, a filter for wavelength selection, and a support structure. This multi-functionality consolidates what would traditionally require multiple separate components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive illumination control.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple optical elements are precisely aligned and positioned within the lighting device, then the optical performance is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating all optical elements into a single closure plate, the patent eliminates the need for precise alignment between multiple separate components. The optical elements are fixed relative to each other within the integrated structure, reducing manufacturing precision requirements from inter-component alignment to intra-component fabrication tolerances.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple optical elements and internal structures are used to support and align the optics, then the optical functionality is improved, but the overall weight of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of optical elements into the closure plate eliminates the need for separate mounting structures, support frames, and alignment mechanisms. This consolidation removes redundant structural components, significantly reducing the overall weight of the lighting device while maintaining full optical functionality.
4Illumination intensity
If multiple separate optical elements are used, then the light collection and focusing capability is improved, but the assembly and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The closure plate integrates all optical elements into a single manufacturable component or pre-assembled unit. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of parts to be produced, handled, and assembled. Maintenance is also simplified as the integrated structure can be serviced or replaced as a single unit, reducing assembly complexity.
5Reliability
If additional mechanical support structures are provided for optical elements, then the structural stability is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The closure plate serves as both the structural support and the optical element housing. The integrated design eliminates the need for separate mechanical support structures, as the closure plate itself provides the necessary support and positioning for all optical components. This reduces structural complexity while maintaining stability.
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 results in a lighter, more durable, and cost-effective surgical lighting device with reduced assembly complexity and improved maintenance, as all optical elements are fixed to the shell, eliminating the need for intermediate supports and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
The closure plate comprises a plurality of lens elements thereon, each lens element being configured to collect and focus light from a corresponding light source to generate an illumination spot
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a surgical lighting device comprising a shell (12), a plurality of light sources (24) coupled to the shell, and a closure plate (18) for closing the lighting device by allowing light to pass through. The closure plate comprises a plurality of lens elements, each lens element being configured to collect and focus light from a corresponding light source to generate a light spot of a predetermined diameter located at a predetermined distance from the lighting device. In order to simplify the structure of the lighting device, the light sources and the cover plate are arranged in such a way that the light beams coming from the light sources and received by the associated lens elements arrive at the lens elements without substantial reflection or deflection. The closure plate therefore comprises all the optics necessary for collecting and focusing the light from the light sources.