Waveguide Luminaire Anchor Opening for Sensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Luminaires with embedded occupancy sensors face challenges in mounting and aesthetics due to insufficient structural support and visual distraction, especially when the luminaire has a small profile or is a prominent architectural element.
Innovation Solution
An edge-fed waveguide luminaire with a 'floating' sensor mounted on the waveguide, where the sensor's base is dark and its lens portion is light-colored, allowing optimal coverage and minimal visual impact, using an anchor opening displaced from the edge support structure to create a visually appealing and effective sensing solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor is mounted on the luminaire housing or support structure, then the sensor can be positioned for occupancy detection, but the sensor becomes visually distracting and the mounting structure may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is merged with the waveguide luminaire body by being received within an opening in the waveguide, integrating the sensor into the luminaire structure itself rather than mounting it separately on the housing or support structure. This integration eliminates the visual distraction of separate sensor mounts while ensuring reliable mounting through the waveguide's own structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor is nested within the waveguide luminaire body by being received in an opening formed in the waveguide, with the sensor positioned inside the luminaire structure. This nesting approach allows the sensor to be housed within the existing luminaire form factor without adding external visual elements.
2Ease of manufacture
If the sensor is mounted on the luminaire housing, then the sensor can be installed, but the mounting structure may be insufficient for proper sensor positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide luminaire structure is merged with the sensor mounting function by incorporating an opening directly in the waveguide body to receive the sensor. This integration ensures that the mounting structure is specifically designed for sensor positioning rather than being an afterthought on the housing, improving both installation ease and positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide luminaire body acts as an intermediary structure that provides a dedicated mounting location for the sensor. Rather than mounting the sensor directly on the support structure or housing, the waveguide body serves as an intermediate platform with a specifically formed opening that facilitates proper sensor positioning and installation.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned for optimal coverage, then occupancy detection is improved, but the luminaire's aesthetic qualities may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor detection function is merged with the luminaire's aesthetic form by positioning the sensor within an opening in the waveguide body, allowing the sensor to be optimally positioned for occupancy detection while remaining integrated into the luminaire's design. The sensor becomes part of the luminaire structure rather than an external add-on.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening for the sensor is positioned at a specific location on the waveguide luminaire body where it provides optimal occupancy detection coverage. This localized positioning allows the sensor to achieve measurement precision while the overall luminaire aesthetic is maintained through the integration of the sensor within the waveguide structure rather than as a separate external component.
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 enables effective occupancy and light level sensing with minimal visual distraction, allowing for energy savings by optimizing sensor placement and reducing the aesthetic impact on the luminaire, while maintaining effective light control and coverage.
Implementation Method 1
The light waveguide has light extraction means, such as one or more microprismatic layers or surfaces for extracting light fed into the light waveguide through at least the guide's visible bottom surface to produce direct lighting
Implementation Method 2
The sensor is responsive to conditions in the space below the luminaire, and communicates with light switching means for adjusting the light output from the luminaire in response to changes in conditions in the space below the luminaire. The sensor can be an occupancy sensor or other type of sensor, such as a light level sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
An edge-fed waveguide luminaire includes a light waveguide having a planar body, a waveguide edge support structure, and an anchor opening in the planar body of the light waveguide, which is displaced from said waveguide edge support structure. A sensor is fixed in the anchor opening of said light waveguide so as to be responsive to conditions in the space below the luminaire. The sensor, which will have minimal impact on the aesthetic qualities of the luminaire, is in communication with light switching means for adjusting the light output from the luminaire in response to changes in conditions in the space below the luminaire.