Application Characteristics

If there’s any place that needs optimal lighting it’s a hospital or health care facility. While most health care organizations are focused on the bottom line and how to reduce energy costs, they should also consider how lighting design can deliver additional benefits for patients, staff and their operating budgets.

Good lighting has been credited with more than ambiance. It has even been linked to improved staff productivity, patient satisfaction and patient healing — the ultimate goal of health care facilities.

In environments like patient hospital rooms, getting the color temperature right is key to evoking an atmosphere that is less clinical and more peaceful. And white color temperature is ideal for setting the right mood.

Downlighting is too harsh for patients, so low-profile, less-intrusive fixtures should also be considered wherever possible.

Application Requirements

In close collaboration with top electro-mechanical distributor, Hawk Electronics, and manufacturer representative, EK Micro, VCC was added to our client’s approved vendors. We then created a custom solution that achieved all of the large OEM manufacturer’s design requirements for its patient room night light:

Energy-efficient and long-lasting operation
Rugged and watertight construction due to exposure to harsh cleaning chemicals and other liquids
Low-profile, low-glare illumination
Appropriate color temperature to enhance patient experience
Streamlined production processes
Quick turnaround from design to final production

Solution / Approach

Our team developed a custom solution that included an overmolded transistor assembly. This component-level customization was crucial for maximizing production efficiencies. Our team of experts:

Designed and prototyped a custom circuit board and photocell unit
Worked closely with the client and completed several subprocesses to help the client streamline the manufacturing and assembly of the hospital room night light
Overmolded the circuit board and photocell unit with High performance thermoplastic for added durability
Designed and built test jigs to assure final assembly process meet the necessary requirements

An accelerated timeline helped our client get to market faster — we designed and shipped the custom product in 12 weeks and the first production order was delivered one month later.