Waterfall Fixture Light-Focusing Module and Baffle Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighted waterfall fixtures for swimming pools and spas face challenges in isolating water and electrical components, managing internal light reflection, and ensuring component serviceability.
Innovation Solution
An artificially-lighted waterfall fixture apparatus with a housing design that includes a water-distributing channel, a passageway for creating a laminar flow, and an artificial light-focusing module using a light-emitting diode (LED) and semi-annular light-focusing optic, which generates a predetermined light configuration in conjunction with the water flow, while being removable and replaceable for serviceability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If water and electrical components are placed in close proximity to create a lighted waterfall effect, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but safety and reliability deteriorate due to risk of water contact with electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture is divided into separate waterproof and non-waterproof sections. The LED light source and electrical components are housed in a sealed waterproof compartment, while the water flow occurs in a separate channel. This segmentation allows close proximity of water and light without direct contact, maintaining both aesthetic appeal and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
A waterproof barrier or seal acts as an intermediary between the electrical components and water flow. This intermediary element allows the electrical components to generate light near the water without direct exposure, resolving the contradiction between aesthetic proximity and safety isolation.
2Illumination intensity
If light is directed through flowing water to create visual effects, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but light reflection and heat dissipation become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is extracted from the water flow path and placed in a separate waterproof housing. This extraction eliminates internal light reflection within the water channel while allowing the light to illuminate the water from the side or rear, maintaining visual effects without the harmful reflection and heat buildup that would occur with direct immersion.
3Reliability
If light-emitting components are sealed in waterproof housing to prevent water contact, then reliability is improved, but component serviceability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof housing incorporates a removable or accessible cover that can be opened or detached to allow access to the LED light source and electrical components for maintenance or replacement. This dynamic access feature maintains waterproof sealing during normal operation while enabling serviceability when needed.
4Illumination intensity
If high power LED is used to increase light output, then illumination intensity is improved, but heat generation increases causing overheating issues
Solution Approach 1:
A heat sink or thermal management structure acts as an intermediary between the high-power LED and the surrounding environment. This intermediary component absorbs and dissipates heat away from the LED, allowing high light output without overheating, while the waterproof housing prevents moisture from reaching the thermal management components.
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 solution effectively addresses the challenges by creating an aesthetically pleasing light effect, ensuring safe electrical isolation, and enhancing component serviceability, while allowing for increased light output without overheating issues.
Implementation Method 1
an artificial light-focusing module using a light-emitting diode (LED) and semi-annular light-focusing optic
Implementation Method 2
semi-annular light-focusing optic, which generates a predetermined light configuration in conjunction with the water flow
Implementation Method 3
an elongated baffle disposed in the fixture housing along a top portion of the water-distributing channel to receive and convert the forward flow of water from the water-distributing channel to a forward laminar flow of water through the passageway
Data Source
AI summary
An artificially-lighted waterfall fixture apparatus includes a fixture housing having a lower housing part and an upper housing part overlying and fitted with the lower housing part so as to define a water-distributing channel and a passageway extending forwardly from and in communication with the water-distributing channel to receive a flow of water therefrom and produce an artificial waterfall flowing from an outlet of the passageway. The apparatus also includes an elongated baffle disposed in the fixture housing along a top portion of the water-distributing channel to receive and convert the flow of water to a laminar flow through the passageway, and an artificial light-focusing module supported centrally in the fixture housing proximate the water-distributing channel and aligned with the passageway so as to generate a beam of light through the passageway that produces a predetermined configuration of light in the laminar flow of water.