Universal Lamp Support Monolithic Substrate Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for replacing fluorescent lamps with LEDs in lighting applications often require modification of the light fixture, use of end caps or adapters, and are orientation-dependent, making installation cumbersome and inefficient, especially in elevated locations.
Innovation Solution
An extruded monolithic substrate with terminal ends that fit directly into existing lamp sockets without end caps or adapters, allowing for easy installation and orientation-independent operation, and featuring LEDs affixed to its exterior for illumination, along with embedded circuitry and a weatherproof sleeve for protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a monolithic substrate with integrated terminal ends is used, then installation time and complexity are reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the substrate body and terminal ends into a single monolithic structure, eliminating the need for separate end caps or adapters. This integration reduces the number of installation steps and components, directly addressing the installation time reduction goal while maintaining precise fits through unified manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal ends are designed to universally fit multiple socket types and orientations without requiring modification or additional adapters. This multi-functional design allows the same monolithic substrate to be installed in various configurations, reducing installation complexity while the standardized terminal design ensures consistent precision across different applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If end caps or adapters are used to connect to existing sockets, then adaptability to different socket orientations is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal ends are integrated directly into the monolithic substrate, eliminating the need for separate end caps or adapters. This merging of functions allows the substrate itself to provide both structural support and socket interface capabilities, reducing component count while maintaining adaptability to different socket orientations through the design of the terminal ends themselves.
3Ease of operation
If a monolithic substrate is used instead of multiple components, then installation ease is improved, but structural complexity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional components (substrate body, terminal ends, LED mounting surfaces) into a single monolithic structure. This integration directly improves installation ease by reducing the number of parts to handle and assemble, while the internal structural design of the monolithic substrate maintains the necessary structural complexity for mechanical strength and electrical functionality.
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
Facilitates quicker, cost-effective, and efficient replacement of fluorescent lamps with LEDs, providing consistent illumination without the need for fixture modification or orientation alignment, enhancing installation efficiency and service life.
Implementation Method 1
The LEDs affixed to the exterior faces of the monolithic substrate provide illumination
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination apparatus includes a monolithic support substrate and light emitting diodes (LEDs) on one or more external sides of the support substrate. The support substrate may comprise an elongated extrusion enclosing a hollow core. The LEDs may be affixed to rigid or flexible electrical substrates. Each electrical substrate may be affixed to an external side of the extrusion and may include embedded LED circuitry. The hollow core may enable the extrusion to be received in a recessed socket of a light fixture, wherein the recessed socket provides structural support for the applicable end of the extrusion, rendering end caps or end socket adapters unnecessary. The light fixture may include a contact protruding from the recessed socket and the electrical substrates may include circuity configured to couple the LEDs to a source of power not coupled to the protruding contact.