Trim Accessory for Recessed Lighting with Tapered Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recessed LED lighting in homes can be overly bright and distracting, with dimmer switches providing only temporary relief, and existing solutions to mitigate this, such as replacing the lighting fixtures, are costly.
Innovation Solution
A trim accessory that attaches to existing recessed lighting fixtures, featuring a tapered annular panel and retainer system, which directs and restricts light emission to specific areas, blocking direct visibility of the light source while allowing light to be utilized where needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If LED recessed lights are used to provide sufficient lighting, then illumination intensity is improved, but direct visibility of the light source becomes harmful
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into functional zones using the shield structure. The shield divides the space into a lit area (where light is needed) and a shielded area (where direct light visibility is unwanted). This segmentation allows the same light source to serve multiple purposes: providing illumination where needed while blocking direct visibility in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield acts as an intermediary element between the light source and the surrounding environment. It selectively blocks direct light paths while allowing indirect light to reach the desired areas. The shield mediates the interaction between the bright LED source and the human eye, enabling light utilization without direct visibility.
2Illumination intensity
If a dimmer switch is installed to decrease light output, then illumination intensity in unwanted areas is improved, but the solution provides only temporary relief and does not eliminate direct visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of direct light visibility is extracted and separated from the useful illumination function. The shield removes the direct line of sight to the light source while preserving the beneficial lighting effects in target areas. This extraction allows the lighting system to maintain high output without the harmful direct visibility effect.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If recessed lighting fixtures are replaced with focused light assemblies, then direct light visibility is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The shield serves multiple functions simultaneously: it blocks direct light visibility, defines lighting zones, provides aesthetic coverage, and maintains compatibility with existing recessed fixtures. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for complex specialized fixtures while achieving the same harmful factor reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of replacing the entire lighting fixture with a complex focused assembly, the invention uses a simple shield component that copies or replicates the light-blocking function of expensive fixtures. The shield provides the same visual and functional effects at a lower complexity level.
4Device complexity
If existing recessed lighting is retained, then device complexity is minimized, but the ability to restrict light emission to specific areas is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The shield introduces dynamic adaptability to the static recessed lighting system. By positioning and adjusting the shield, users can dynamically control light distribution patterns to match different usage scenarios. The same simple shield structure adapts to various lighting needs without changing the underlying fixture complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A trim accessory and method of its use that attaches or retrofits to an existing recessed light fixture, and directs or restricts emitted light from the lighting fixture to areas or locations desired by the end user. The trim accessory attaches to the trim, and has a tapered annular panel with an outer surface, an inner surface, an outer edge, an annular inner portion, and one or more retainers along the annular inner portion that retain an outer periphery of the outer-extending trim of the recessed lamp, to secure the trim accessory against the ceiling or other surface using the recessed lighting fixture. The tapered annular panel extends outwardly and upwardly against the ceiling, to blend visually into the undersurface of the ceiling.