Monday, October 29, 2007

Selection Rejection

During last summer I research on use and how-to’s for producing a lighting fixture. This lighting fixture is meant to fix to a wall, have its own power source, and the ability to point the light source, used to elucidate artwork, trophies, plaques, and other prized possessions.

The first solution is a basic premise that has two joints, one at the head of the fixture and another in the middle, for turning ability. Its head is cylindrical and its shape provides a sleek and uniform appeal. The lens contours with the shape of the head to make a full circle.

Pros - sleek design
- adequate turning
- variability

Cons - complicated design

The second solution is similar to the first design except that the head is flattened at the lens to allow a different lighting angle. Also the joints are at the base of the head and at the connection of the back-plate to the fixture. This also allows for a sleek and uniform appeal to the industrial world.

Pros - Sleek design
- adequate turning

Cons - complicated design

The third solution is the more dissimilar of the other two. Its head is a lamp-like shape and makes for a circular lighting. There are also three joints in this design and it allows for various degrees of movement. This will also have LED lighting as the other two do.

Pros - great degree of turning
- simple design

Cons - unappealing design

Monday, October 1, 2007

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Background Information

From The Eiffel Tower to a desk, lights are everywhere. They are a part of our everyday lives and without those humans would not be nearly as advanced as they are now. They allow us to function at night and therefore we can be active throughout the entire 24 hour day. As for survival, lights can be used for entertainment purposes. A museum at night with no lights is of no use; it needs lights to be successful.

“Light is a form of energy that can be released by an atom. It is made up of many small particle-like packets that have energy and momentum but no mass. These particles, called photons, are the most basic units of light. Photons are released as a result of moving electrons. In an atom, electrons move in orbitals around the nucleus. Electrons in different orbitals have different amounts of energy. Generally speaking, electrons with greater energy move in orbitals farther away from the nucleus.

For an electron to jump from a lower orbital to a higher orbital, something has to boost its energy level. Conversely, an electron releases energy when it drops from a higher orbital to a lower one. This energy is released in the form of a photon. A greater energy drop releases a higher-energy photon, which is characterized by a higher frequency.

As we saw in the last section, free electrons moving across a diode can fall into empty holes from the P-type layer. This involves a drop from the conduction band to a lower orbital, so the electrons release energy in the form of photons. This happens in any diode, but you can only see the photons when the diode is composed of certain material. The atoms in a standard silicon diode, for example, are arranged in such a way that the electron drops a relatively short distance. As a result, the photon's frequency is so low that it is invisible to the human eye -- it is in the infrared portion of the light spectrum…


…Visible light-emitting diodes (VLEDs), such as the ones that light up numbers in a digital clock, are made of materials characterized by a wider gap between the conduction band and the lower orbitals. The size of the gap determines the frequency of the photon -- in other words, it determines the color of the light.” -Tom Harris

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Research

Related Patents

US 7,202,505 B2
US 7,214,116 B2
US 7,201,492 B2
US 7,151,282 B2

Ergonomics and Anthropometric Factors
http://www.ergonomiclighting.com/index.php

Biometrics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biometrics

Components

-2 joints
-reflector
-bulbs/L.E.D.'s
-metal
-wiring
-lenses
-transformer
-UL stickers

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Testing Procedures

Expectations

The end product must be tested before it is complete.The end product will be expected to properly illuminate any prized possession and be safe to use.


Step 1
Recheck finished product for any mistakes/all proper stickers to be in place

Step 2
Install the end product onto a wall near any prized possession

Step 3
Properly angle the end product to
face the desired angle

Step 4
Turn on the end product so that it produces light

Step 5
Make sure the end product is safe and secure and working properly

Step 6
Judge if the end product can properly illuminate the prized possession by using various opinions

Step 7
Allow a licensed professional to uninstall the end product

Monday, September 24, 2007

Limitations

The end product must:

- be less than 1 foot long
- be able to turn with atleast a 90 degree angle
- not cost more than $200 to the customer per fixture
- have atleast 2 turning joints

Friday, September 21, 2007

Specifications

The end product must:
- be able to be fixed onto a wall
- have its own power source
- be able to cast light
- meet all UL standards of safety
- be easily turned to a specific angle
- be efficient in energy expenditure
- not damage the piece either threw heat or light
- be made of durable materials



Design Brief

Design a lighting fixture that fixes to a wall, has its own power source, and the ability to point the light source, used to elucidate artwork, trophies, plaques, and other prized possessions.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Calendar

September
17th – Weblog started
20th – Calendar updated on weblog
24th – Design Brief updated on weblog
24th – Weblog update
24th – Contact mentor
24th – Invite mentor to admin status on weblog
28th – Weblog update
29th – Contact mentor

October
1st – Weblog update
2nd – Presentation outline created
3rd – Brainstorming updated onto weblog
3rd – Alternative Solutions updated onto weblog
3rd – 3 copies of presentation outline created
3rd – Testing Procedures updated onto weblog
3rd to 5th – Trial meeting
4th – Contact mentor
5th – Weblog update
6th – Start model
8th – Weblog update
8th – Contact mentor
12th – Weblog update
13th – Contact mentor
15th – Weblog update
18th – Contact mentor
19th – Weblog update
22nd – Weblog update
22nd – Contact mentor
25th – Finish model
26th – Weblog update
27th – Touch up model in preparation for presentation
27th – Contact mentor
29th – Weblog update
30th – Finish Mentor Contact sheet
31st – Mentor Contact sheet handed in
31st – Outline 11/1 Presentation
31st – Practice presentation
31st – Print 3 copies of outline
31st – Selection/Rejection report updated on weblog



November
1st – Contact mentor
1st to 2nd – MP1 presentations
2nd – Weblog update
5th – Weblog update
5th – Contact mentor
9th – Weblog update
10th – Contact mentor
12th – Weblog update
13th – MP1 ends