Tilted Floodlight Modules Reduce Wind Load
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Floodlights for sports lighting face challenges with high wind loads due to their large area and height, leading to increased drag and aerodynamic inefficiencies, as well as issues with light distribution and reflections, which affect their efficiency and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A floodlight design comprising interconnected modules with a tilted optical element that reduces wind resistance by minimizing the frontal area and drag coefficient, allowing for efficient light distribution and heat management, while maintaining a compact and lightweight structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If floodlights are positioned at high poles to achieve large-area illumination, then illumination coverage is improved, but wind load increases due to large frontal area and height
Solution Approach 1:
The floodlight assembly transitions from a traditional horizontal mounting configuration to a tilted configuration where the optical element is angled at 30-60 degrees relative to the ground. This dimensional change in orientation reduces the projected frontal area exposed to wind while maintaining illumination coverage through optical redirection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetrical optical elements and non-symmetrical mounting configurations to achieve both reduced wind resistance and effective light distribution. The asymmetrical design allows the floodlight to present a smaller profile to prevailing winds while directing light coverage through optimized optical pathways.
2Illumination intensity
If symmetrical lenses are used with tilted modules to achieve high peak angle, then light emission efficiency is improved, but wind resistance increases due to larger projected area
Solution Approach 1:
By tilting the optical element at 30-60 degrees, the system achieves high peak angle illumination without requiring a large horizontal projected area. The tilted configuration redirects light vertically while presenting a smaller windward profile.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If floodlights are mounted horizontally to reduce wind load, then aerodynamic efficiency is improved, but light emission efficiency decreases due to reflections and optical influences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability through a motorized drive mechanism that can tilt the optical element between 30-60 degrees. This dynamic positioning allows the system to optimize between wind resistance and light emission efficiency based on operational requirements, overcoming the static limitations of purely horizontal mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the mounting angle parameter from the conventional horizontal (0 degrees) to an optimized range of 30-60 degrees. This parameter change simultaneously reduces the effective windward area while maintaining optical efficiency through proper alignment of the light path.
4Area of stationary object
If large-area floodlight modules are used to achieve broad illumination, then coverage area is improved, but drag force increases proportionally with frontal area
Solution Approach 1:
The floodlight assembly is tilted at 30-60 degrees to redirect the illumination coverage vertically while reducing the horizontal frontal area exposed to wind. This dimensional reorientation maintains coverage effectiveness while minimizing drag force proportional to the reduced projected area.
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 design significantly reduces wind loads, enhances light efficiency by redirecting spill light, and improves maintenance through heat transfer, resulting in a high-performance, cost-effective, and durable floodlight solution.
Implementation Method 1
an optical element (30)... which is able to optically interact with at least the light emitted from the first group of light sources (11)
Implementation Method 2
asymmetrical lenses are usually used. This in combination with the cover or glass enclosure being provided downstream with respect to the direction of light emission results, however, in unwanted optical influences (reflections and the like)
Implementation Method 3
A floodlight design comprising interconnected modules with a tilted optical element that reduces wind resistance by minimizing the frontal area and drag coefficient
Implementation Method 4
improves maintenance through heat transfer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Floodlight (1), in particular floodlight for sports lighting, comprising: a first floodlight module (10) having a first group of light sources (11) for light emission, a second floodlight module (20) having a second group of light sources (21) for light emission, and an optical element (30). A peripheral end (16) of the first floodlight module (10) is connected to a first peripheral end (27) of the second floodlight module (20), and a peripheral end (35) of the optical element (30) is connected to a second peripheral end (26) of the second floodlight module (20) being opposite to the first end (27). Each of the first floodlight module (20) and the optical element (30) are tilted with respect to the second floodlight module (20) in a direction towards each other, such that the optical element (30) is able to optically interact with at least the light emitted from the first group of light sources (11).