Tiltable Luminaire Joint With Interlocking Cylinders for Precise Aiming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing luminaire joints are either mechanically complex and expensive or have limitations in range, accuracy, and sealing, making them inadequate for reliable and precise angular adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A tiltable joint for luminaires featuring a first joint portion with interengaging surfaces and a second joint portion with receiving surfaces, allowing for precise positioning and adjustment through a stable mechanism, with a fixation means enabling engagement and release for rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing luminaire joints use mechanical fasteners or complex mechanisms for angular adjustment, then the positioning can be secured, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The joint is divided into two separate portions: a first joint portion attached to the support and a second joint portion attached to the luminaire head. These portions can be independently manufactured and assembled, reducing the complexity of each individual component while maintaining overall reliability through their interconnected design with multiple interengaging surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The first joint portion is housed within the second joint portion, creating a nested configuration. The first joint portion includes an outer cylindrical surface section that fits within the inner cylindrical surface of the second joint portion. This nesting arrangement consolidates multiple adjustment mechanisms into a compact structure, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining positioning reliability.
2Device complexity
If existing luminaire joints use simple mechanisms for adjustment, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and positioning accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The joint incorporates a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the second joint portion can rotate relative to the first joint portion around a pivot axis. The fixation means allows the system to transition between locked and unlocked states, enabling precise angular positioning during installation and maintenance while maintaining structural integrity during operation. This dynamic capability achieves high positioning precision without requiring overly complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism utilizes rotational movement around a pivot axis defined by shaft portions extending through bearings. By introducing this rotational dimension, the joint achieves precise angular positioning capability. The multiple interengaging surfaces distributed around the cylindrical interface provide precision control in the angular domain without requiring complex multi-axis mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing luminaire joints allow broad angular adjustment range, then the adaptability to different applications improves, but the mechanical stability and sealing capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The joint employs cylindrical surfaces (outer cylindrical surface section of the first joint portion and inner cylindrical surface of the second joint portion) to facilitate rotational movement. This curved geometry naturally guides the rotation around the pivot axis, maintaining mechanical stability throughout the adjustment range. The cylindrical configuration also provides a sealed interface that preserves stability and sealing capability while enabling broad angular adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint design with its nested cylindrical portions and multiple interengaging surfaces serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides broad angular adjustment range for adaptability to different lighting applications, maintains mechanical stability through the nested configuration and fixation means, and enables sealing through the cylindrical interface. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between adjustability and stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments relate to tiltable luminaire joints. One example tiltable joint for a luminaire includes a first joint portion that includes a joint member provided with an outer cylindrical surface section having an axis and opposing bearings aligned with said axis. The outer cylindrical surface section being provided with a first plurality of interengaging surfaces. The tiltable joint also includes a second joint portion that includes a joint housing provided with a pair of axially-aligned receiving surfaces, and an inner cylindrical surface provided with a second plurality of interengaging surfaces configured to interengage the first plurality of interengaging surface. The joint member of the first joint portion is configured for being housed within the joint housing of the second joint portion. Further, the tiltable joint includes first and second shaft portions that extend in alignment with the pair of axially-aligned bearings. Additionally, the tiltable joint includes a fixation means.