Variable Focus Lighting Fixture Spiral Slot Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing variable focus lighting fixtures with thread-based mechanisms face limitations in achieving large inclination angles and long strokes, leading to wear and reduced precision due to excessive friction and required gaps between threads.
Innovation Solution
A variable focus lighting fixture design featuring a fixed and moveable sleeve assembly with a spiral curve slot and sliding pin actuation assembly, allowing the moveable sleeve to rotate and move axially, altering the light projection path while reducing wear and enhancing precision through a roller and spring mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If thread-based mechanisms are used to connect inner and outer sleeves, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the stroke is limited and wear occurs due to excessive friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional thread-based mechanical connection with a rack-and-pinion gear mechanism. The inner sleeve includes a rack gear that engages with a pinion gear on the outer sleeve, converting rotational motion into precise linear motion. This substitution eliminates the limitations of thread-based systems, allowing for greater stroke length and reduced wear while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
2Length of moving object
If a long circumferential stroke is configured to achieve greater movement, then the movement range is improved, but the threads are prone to wear out due to excessive long distance of friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thread-based mechanical connection with a rack-and-pinion gear mechanism. The inner sleeve includes a rack gear that engages with a pinion gear on the outer sleeve, converting rotational motion into precise linear motion. This substitution eliminates the limitations of thread-based systems, allowing for greater stroke length and reduced wear while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Ease of operation
If gaps are required between male and female threads to generate rotations, then the mechanism can rotate, but the precision of the action becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thread-based mechanical connection with a rack-and-pinion gear mechanism. The inner sleeve includes a rack gear that engages with a pinion gear on the outer sleeve, converting rotational motion into precise linear motion. This substitution eliminates the limitations of thread-based systems, allowing for greater stroke length and reduced wear while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
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 enables greater flexibility in light path adjustment with reduced wear and improved precision, extending the fixture's useful lifetime and allowing simultaneous rotation and axial movement of the moveable sleeve, thus enhancing the overall performance.
Implementation Method 1
the roller abuts against an inner wall of the spiral curve slot
Implementation Method 2
The sliding pin includes a spring arranged therein; two ends of the spring respectively abut against the roller and another end of the sliding pin opposite from the rear end
Data Source
AI summary
A variable focus lighting fixture includes a fixed sleeve assembly, a moveable sleeve assembly, a light emitting unit, a lens and an actuation assembly. The moveable sleeve assembly penetrates into the fixed sleeve assembly and moves relative to the fixed sleeve assembly. The light emitting unit is secured onto the fixed sleeve assembly. The lens is secured onto the moveable sleeve assembly. The actuation assembly is connected between the moveable sleeve assembly and the fixed sleeve assembly. The actuation assembly includes a spiral curve slot and a sliding pin penetrating into the spiral curve slot. When the moveable sleeve assembly rotates along a central axis of the moveable sleeve assembly, the sliding pin moves along the spiral curve slot to drive the moveable sleeve assembly to move along the axial direction thereof. Accordingly, the projection path of the light from the light emitting unit through the lens is altered.