Universal Light Fitting Housing with Interchangeable Bezel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current light fitting assemblies, particularly adjustable and fire-resistant types, face challenges in reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining functionality and safety.

Innovation Solution

A light fitting assembly kit that includes adjustable bezels, which can be securely attached to the housing to inhibit or allow movement of the light emitting device, enabling the conversion between adjustable and fixed types, thereby simplifying production and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate production lines are used for adjustable and fixed light fittings, then each product type can be optimized for its specific function, but manufacturing costs increase and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct configuration flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal light fitting housing design that can accommodate both adjustable and fixed configurations through a standardized bezel mounting interface. The housing includes a bezel mounting structure that accepts different bezel types (adjustable and fixed) without requiring separate production lines, allowing a single manufacturing process to produce both product variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic configuration capability where the same housing can be adapted to different operational modes (adjustable or fixed) by simply changing the bezel component. This dynamic adaptability allows the manufacturing system to produce different product types using the same base structure, improving productivity while maintaining functional optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple product variants are produced separately, then each variant can be optimized for its specific market, but storage and transportation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct variant diversityVSAvoidinventory volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The universal housing design with standardized bezel mounting allows the company to produce a single base product that can serve multiple market segments. By maintaining inventory of the universal housing and interchangeable bezels rather than separate finished products, the company reduces storage requirements while still offering both adjustable and fixed variants to different customers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the light fitting into modular components (housing, bezel, lighting assembly) where the bezel serves as an interchangeable module. This segmentation allows the company to store generic housings and swap bezel modules to create different product variants, significantly reducing the total inventory volume needed to serve diverse markets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If a single housing design is used for both adjustable and fixed light fittings, then manufacturing costs decrease, but the ability to provide specialized features for each type is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidproduct specialization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the light fitting into distinct functional modules: a universal housing containing common components (lighting assembly, heat sink, driver), and a specialized bezel module that provides type-specific features. This segmentation allows standardized mass production of the housing while maintaining customization capability through bezel variation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The universal housing design incorporates a standardized bezel mounting interface that can accommodate both adjustable and fixed bezel types. This multi-functional interface allows the same housing to support different product specializations without compromising the ability to provide specialized features for each type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3027959B1Light fitting assembly
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 SCOLMORE (INTERNATIONAL) LIMITED
  • EP3027959B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3027959B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3027959B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A light fitting assembly (10) comprises the combination of a light fitting (9) and a bezel (41), the light fitting comprising a housing (11) and a light emitting device (13) which is secured to a support (12) within the housing for movement relative to the housing, wherein the housing provides a bezel mounting (17) to which a bezel (22) may be secured and wherein the bezel provides an abutment (43) whereby when the bezel (22) is secured to the bezel mounting (17) movement of the light emitting device (13) relative to the housing (10) is inhibited.