Universal Power Supply Applicable to Rail Lighting Housing

Abstract

The present invention comprises: a body portion having a hollow shape that is inserted into the interior of a rail housing; a screw tightening portion integrally extended from one side of the body portion and configured to have a through hole drilled in the upper portion to fix a wire; a wire inlet portion disposed on the front of the screw tightening portion to guide and stably support a wire supplied from the outside to be inserted; a connection portion integrally extended from the other side of the body portion to allow a connection terminal to be inserted and fixed toward the screw tightening portion; and a partitioning piece that vertically crosses the connection portion, the body portion, and the center of the body portion to partition. The present invention relates to a universal power supply applied to a rail lighting housing, which is configured to be inserted into the existing rail lighting housing and rotated to automatically align, and to be stably fixed by a tension member while electrically connected, thereby making it universally applicable regardless of the structure of the existing rail system and facilitating installation and maintenance. It can provide robust fixing force and highly reliable electrical connection within the rail housing, and since installation is completed with only simple insertion and rotation movements, even unskilled workers can easily perform assembly and maintenance, making installation simple, applicable to various rail systems, and providing a universal power supply with highly reliable electrical connection.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply device for a rail lighting housing, and more specifically, to a general-purpose power supply device applicable to a rail lighting housing that can be applied to a rail lighting housing that is already installed. Background Technology

[0002] In general, rail lighting systems are widely used in commercial, industrial, and residential lighting systems, and have established themselves as an important component supporting the flexible placement of lighting fixtures and power supply.

[0003] This rail lighting system is based on a rail housing installed on a rail on a ceiling or wall, and is configured to allow lighting fixtures to be moved along the rail housing or installed at a desired location.

[0004] In the past, lighting fixtures were proposed that provided illumination by connecting a light fixture to a power supply rail that supplied power in the form of a rail, combined with a power connection member, as a rail lighting system.

[0006] For example, Korean Patent Registration No. 10-2090899 relates to a "straight rail lighting fixture with a movable rail fixing part," proposing a configuration in which a lighting module is installed on a power supply rail and power can be supplied while moving the rail fixing part within the lighting module.

[0007] The main components include a plug terminal, a rail catch, a power converter, and a movable connector. The lighting module is configured such that the plug terminal rotates via a lever to contact the outlet terminal of the power supply rail, thereby stably connecting to the power supply rail and transmitting power to the lighting module.

[0008] The aforementioned prior art provides the effect of allowing lighting modules to be flexibly positioned without compromising the aesthetics of the power supply rail by configuring the rail fixing part to be movable. In particular, it is designed to facilitate installation and operation by having a structure that allows easy connection to the outlet terminal of the power supply rail by rotating the plug terminal through lever operation. Furthermore, it presents a configuration in which a power converter is embedded in the rail fixing part to convert the power supplied from the power supply rail so that it can be used by the lighting module.

[0009] However, the aforementioned prior art is designed to be optimized for power supply rails and lighting modules of specific structures, making it difficult to use universally for various types of rail lighting housings. In other words, there is a problem of limited compatibility because the connection structure of the outlet terminals and plug terminals inside the power supply rail is restricted to specific sizes and shapes.

[0010] Furthermore, the method of connecting by rotating the plug terminal with a lever requires the user to fully understand the operation process and necessitates additional work during installation, which can be difficult for unskilled workers and leads to inefficiencies in the assembly and maintenance processes.

[0011] In addition, externally exposed components such as rail catches and plug terminals may experience performance degradation due to environmental factors such as moisture or dust, and accessories such as levers and moving connections may experience reduced durability due to prolonged use.

[0013] Korean Patent Registration No. 10-2226121 is a technology related to a "rail-type lighting device," which consists of a rail connecting part that is combined with a power supply rail to transmit power to a lighting part and a lighting part. It focuses on simplifying the connection between the rail connecting part and the power supply rail and supplying stable power to the lighting part, and in particular, it can be considered a prior art that enhances the reliability of the lighting part by preventing overcurrent and maintaining current stability through a variable current part.

[0014] However, even in the case of the aforementioned prior art, the rail connection part is configured to be applied to a power supply rail of a specific size and shape, making it difficult to apply to various rail lighting housings, and since the structure of the locking projection and internal power terminal is based on a specific power supply rail structure, its use may be limited to other types of rail systems.

[0015] In other words, there is a problem in that it cannot be applied to existing rail lighting housings.

[0016] In addition, although connection and disconnection with the power terminal are achieved through the rotary control unit, the structure is complex due to the numerous components, such as operating protrusions and a central axis, and there are many parts that the user must operate directly, which may make it inconvenient for unskilled users during the installation process.

[0017] In addition, the protrusions and locking projections are highly likely to be exposed to the external environment (moisture, dust, etc.), raising concerns about long-term performance degradation, and the contact area between the internal power terminal and the external power terminal is exposed to problems that may be vulnerable to contamination or wear.

[0019] Another prior art document, Korean Patent Registration No. 10-2708762, 'rail-coupled lighting fixture,' is disclosed. It presents a configuration that allows a lighting module to be stably coupled and detached from a rail installed on an indoor ceiling or product display stand, thereby providing stable coupling and detachment between the lighting module and the coupling rail, simplifying the user's installation and separation process, and providing flexibility in lighting placement by allowing the lighting module to be fixed or moved at various positions on the rail through a rotating fixing part. Furthermore, the structure of the lighting module is robust, providing the effect of being able to be used stably in various environments such as indoor ceilings or product display stands.

[0020] However, even in the case of the aforementioned prior art, the coupling rail and lighting module are configured relying on a specific structure, making it difficult to apply to various types of rail lighting systems. For instance, the configuration of the prior art, which consists of complex structures such as anti-detachment ridges, interlocking coupling parts, and wing parts, presents a problem in that it is difficult to expect compatibility with other rail systems.

[0021] In addition, since the operation of the rotating fixing part and the fixed coupling part is not simple, it may be difficult for unskilled workers to install and remove it, and the rotation and fixing mechanism using a lever requires additional work learning and time from the operator, and there is a possibility that manufacturing costs will increase due to the complex configuration of the rotating fixing part including the fixed coupling part, and there is a problem that the performance of the anti-detachment jaw and the rotation structure will deteriorate due to external environmental factors (moisture, dust, etc.).

[0023] Therefore, most prior art technologies present power supply units that are applicable to specific forms and structures and are externally exposed, making them unsuitable for various rail lighting housings and thus lacking universality. Consequently, when a power supply unit in an already installed rail lighting housing reaches the end of its service life and needs to be replaced, there are problems such as the need to procure and install a suitable power supply unit.

[0024] In addition, many structures in most prior art require complex work steps during the installation and disassembly process, which not only makes them unsuitable for unskilled workers but also reduces installation efficiency. Furthermore, in the case of power supply units exposed to rail lighting housings, the durability of parts exposed to the external environment (moisture, dust, etc.) is insufficient, and there is a risk of performance degradation or damage during long-term use. In particular, there are problems with insufficient durability and environmental resistance due to sensitivity to wear and corrosion of contact parts and coupling structures, and there are problems that cause high costs in the production process due to the structure of numerous complex components and fixed coupling parts. Prior art literature

[0026] Korean Patent Registration No. 10-2090899 (Published March 18, 2020) Korean Patent Registration No. 10-2226121 (Published March 10, 2021) Korean Patent Registration No. 10-2708762 (Published September 23, 2024) The problem to be solved

[0027] Therefore, the present invention has been devised to resolve the aforementioned problems,

[0028] First, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a power supply configured to be compatible regardless of the shape and structure of existing rail lighting housings, thereby enabling easy replacement and combination even in already installed rail lighting housings, and to expand applicability to various rail lighting housings to ensure universality.

[0029] Secondly, another objective of the present invention is to simplify installation and maintenance so that even unskilled workers can easily install and maintain the device by simplifying the complex installation process through the automatic alignment and grounding of the terminals of the power supply with the terminals of the rail lighting housing.

[0030] Third, another objective of the present invention is to prevent performance degradation caused by external environmental factors (moisture, dust, etc.) by configuring the power supply unit to be introduced into the interior of the rail lighting housing.

[0031] Fourth, the present invention has another objective of reducing production and maintenance costs through a simplified configuration by removing unnecessary components.

[0032] Fifth, another objective of the present invention is to ensure the reliability of the power connection and maximize performance by supplying stable power to the lighting fixture, as well as to supply power while easily adapting to the selective position change of the lighting fixture. means of solving the problem

[0034] To achieve the purpose of the present invention as described above,

[0035] A body part having a hollow shape that is inserted into the rail housing;

[0036] A screw fastening part integrally extended from one side of the above body part and configured to have a screw hole drilled in the upper side to fix a wire;

[0037] A wire entry part positioned on the front of the above-mentioned screw tightening part, guiding and stably supporting wires supplied from the outside to be drawn in;

[0038] A connection part formed integrally extending to the other side of the body part above, for inserting and fixing a connection terminal toward the screw tightening part side;

[0039] It consists of the above-mentioned connecting part and the above-mentioned body part and a partitioning piece that vertically crosses the center of the body part. Effects of the invention

[0041] According to the present invention,

[0042] It is configured to be applicable to various types of existing rail lighting housings, ensuring independence from specific manufacturers or rail structures. By enabling stable connection with the connecting bar inside the rail housing, it allows for use in a wide range of rail lighting housings, thereby securing versatility and compatibility through ease of maintenance, such as replacing the power supply while maintaining the existing rail system.

[0043] In addition, the present invention features a structure that automatically aligns and connects by rotating after being inserted into the rail housing, allowing the user to easily install it without separate alignment work. Furthermore, since it can be easily replaced by simply rotating and removing it during maintenance without a complex disassembly process, it is expected to improve the convenience of installation and maintenance, such as shortening work time and reducing maintenance costs.

[0044] In addition, the present invention can improve the accuracy of connection between the connection part and the connection terminal with the connection bar positioned on both sides inside the rail housing, thereby providing the effect of providing a highly reliable electrical connection.

[0045] In addition, since the present invention provides a structure that is inserted into the rail housing, it is expected to have the effect of ensuring durability against external environments (moisture, dust, etc.) even during long-term use. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0047] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating an example of a power supply device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the power supply unit of FIG. 1 from a different angle. FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the power supply device according to the present invention of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in an exploded view. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating the state of introducing a power supply unit into the interior of a rail housing in a vertical position, for application within an existing rail housing using the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a power supply unit, having been inserted vertically into the rail housing as in FIG. 4, is rotated 90° so that the spot end of the connection terminal contacts a connection bar provided on the inner wall of the rail housing. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the spot terminal of the connection terminal of the present invention contacts the connection bar of the rail housing in the state of FIG. 5, enabling current flow. FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing showing the state in which the power supply of the present invention is rotated from the state of FIG. 5 so that it is fully retracted into the rail housing. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state of FIG. 7. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0048] Specific structural or functional descriptions of embodiments according to the concept of the present invention disclosed in this specification are provided merely for the purpose of explaining embodiments according to the concept of the present invention.

[0049] Embodiments according to the concept of the present invention may be subject to various modifications and may take various forms, and thus include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutions that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, terms or words used in the specification and claims are not limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, and should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention, based on the fact that the inventor may appropriately define the concept of the terms to best describe his invention.

[0050] Therefore, the embodiments described in the specification of the present invention and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention; thus, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may be possible or exist at the time of filing the present invention.

[0051] Furthermore, unless otherwise defined in the specification of the present invention, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0052] Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this specification.

[0054] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0056] The above body part (100) is structured to have a suitable size and shape so as to be inserted into the rail housing (300), and is configured to be smoothly inserted into the rail housing (300), and has a hollow interior, and is configured so that the interior area is vertically divided into two areas by a partition piece (150).

[0057] In the two internal areas partitioned by the aforementioned partition (150), a pair of connection terminals (200) based on the partition (150) may be arranged on both sides, and the connection terminals (200) are electrically connected to bar-shaped connection bars (310) provided on each internal side of the rail housing (300), thereby enabling stable power supply.

[0058] After the lower side of the body part (100) is inserted into the housing (300), it is rotated 90° so that the connection terminal (200) can electrically communicate with the connection bar (310) of the rail housing (300).

[0059] In addition, after the body part (100) is inserted into the rail housing (300) and rotated 90° to achieve a stable electrical connection between the connection terminal (200) and the connection bar (310), the body part (100) can be pressed to rotate around the connection terminal (200) so that the body part (100) is fully inserted into the rail housing (300).

[0060] In this way, when the body part (100) is completely retracted into the rail housing (300), the power supply device of the present invention is not exposed to the outside.

[0061] As described above, the above-mentioned section (150) divides the body part (100) into two areas, and this is applied in the same way to the screw tightening part (120), wire entry part (130), and connection part (140), which will be described in detail later, so that they are divided into two areas.

[0063] The screw tightening part (120) is integrally formed extending to one side of the body part (100) and is a component that has a through hole (121) drilled in the upper side to fix the wire (400).

[0064] The lower region of the screw tightening part (120) is divided into two regions by a partition piece (150) as described above, and each region has a structure in which a conductive block (160) is inserted.

[0065] The above-mentioned conductive block (160) is made of a metal material capable of electrical conduction, and a through hole (161) is formed that penetrates the front and rear, and a screw hole (162) is formed so that a screw can be coupled through the through hole (121) by communicating with the through hole (161) on the upper side.

[0066] Accordingly, the wire (400) is inserted through the through hole (161) of the current block (160) by the current block (160), and then fixed by being fastened with a screw through the through hole (121) on the upper side of the screw tightening part (120), thereby allowing a stable electrical connection state to be maintained even against external shocks and vibrations.

[0067] In addition, tension members (110) are integrally formed on each of the upper sides of the body member (100). After the body member (100) forming the power supply device (1) is vertically inserted into the rail housing (300) and then tilted and fully inserted, the outer side of the tension member (110), which has a wedge shape, is caught on the upper inner side of the rail housing (300), thereby completely preventing the power supply device (1), including the body member (100), from being ejected from the rail housing (300).

[0068] Therefore, the power supply unit (1) can be maintained without shaking even after being inserted into the rail housing (300) by the tension member (110) described above, thereby ensuring stability within the rail housing (300), and since the tension member (110) fixes the power supply unit (1), the electrical connection stability of the connection member (140) can be guaranteed, so that electrical contact failure does not occur even after long-term use.

[0069] In addition, the configuration of the tension unit (110) described above allows for a stable fixed state to be maintained even with changes in the external environment. For example, the environment in which the rail housing is installed can be various places such as a factory, a store, or an exhibition hall. During this process, there is a possibility that the parts may expand or contract due to changes in internal temperature or humidity, but the tension unit (110) allows the power supply unit (1) to be stably maintained inside the rail housing (300) even with such changes in the environment.

[0071] The above-mentioned wire inlet section (130) is integrally arranged on the front of the above-mentioned screw tightening section (120) and serves to guide and stably support the wire (400) supplied from the outside. The above-mentioned wire inlet section (130) has a structure formed to protrude as a pair from the front of the above-mentioned screw tightening section (120).

[0072] When the wire (400) is inserted into the body (100) through the wire inlet section (130), it is secured by the screw tightening section (120) and the conductive block (160) so that it can be connected to the connection section (140) and the connection terminal (200). The wire inlet section (130) goes beyond serving as a simple wire insertion path; it acts as a guide to ensure the wire (400) flows in the correct direction and assists in maintaining a stable electrical connection inside. Through this, the power supply unit (1) can operate normally inside the rail housing (300).

[0074] The above connection part (140) is formed to be integrally extended to the other side of the body part (100) and means a configuration for inserting and fixing the connection terminal (200) to the screw tightening part (120), and serves to guide the connection terminal (200) to be inserted and fixed to the screw tightening part (120) which is extended to one side of the body part (100).

[0075] As described above, the above-mentioned connection part (140) is divided into two areas by a partition (150) inside, and each area is open toward the front side (meaning the front side of the connection part as seen in the drawing). Due to this open shape, the connection terminal (200) is guided to be inserted along both sides centered on the partition (150), thereby enabling the connection terminal (200) to secure a state of electrical connection with the wire (400) introduced through the wire inlet (130) on one side of the body part (100), and serves to guide the connection bar (310) provided on both inner sides of the rail housing (300) to be accurately connected.

[0076] One end of the connection terminal (200) inserted into the connection part (140) must be electrically connected to the outside of the aforementioned conductive block (160), and the other end must protrude outward from the connection part (140) and be connected to the aforementioned connection bar (310) provided on each side inside the rail housing (300).

[0077] To this end, the outer side of the front end of the connection part (140) must be open so that one end of the connection terminal (200) is exposed to the outside and can come into contact with the connection bar (310) of the rail housing (300).

[0079] The above connection terminal (200) is configured to allow the power supply device (1) of the present invention to make a stable electrical connection with the connection bar (310) inside the rail housing (300). As described above, it is inserted into the connection part (140) and is configured to maintain alignment while being placed in each of the two side areas by the partition piece (150), thereby allowing the electrical connection with the connection bar (310) of the rail housing (300) to be maintained more stably.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 3, such a connection terminal (200) is formed by a terminal body (210) in the shape of a thin bar and one end of the terminal body (210) is bent at a right angle to form a spot end (212) with a thin width, and the other end of the terminal body (210) is formed by a clamp contact end (211) in the shape of a clamp as shown in FIG. 3.

[0081] The spot portion (212) is in contact with the connection bar (310) of the rail housing (300) so as to be electrically connected, and the bracket contact portion (211) is in contact with the outer surface of the aforementioned electrically connected block (160) so as to be electrically connected.

[0082] Meanwhile, the spot portion (212) is exposed to the opening of the connection portion (140) and comes into contact with the connection bar (310), and the upper and lower sides of the bracket contact portion (211) come into contact with the conductive block (160). That is, the central part of the bracket contact portion (211) is shaped like "<" or ">" as seen in the drawing, but the central part does not come into contact with the conductive block (160), and the upper and lower sides come into contact with the conductive block (160). (Refer to the enlarged view of FIG. 3)

[0083] In this way, the connection terminal (200) has a bracket contact terminal (211) of the terminal body (210) connected to the outside of the current block (160) inside the connection part (140), thereby receiving current flowing in from the wire (400).

[0084] As described above, the above-mentioned conductive block (160) is positioned below the screw tightening part (120) and has a structure in which the wire (400) is fixed, allowing current to flow smoothly.

[0085] The spot terminal (212), which is the other end of the connection terminal (200), protrudes outwardly from the open side of the connection part (140) as described above, and is directly connected to the connection bar (310) on both sides inside the rail housing (300) so that it is in a state where it can conduct electricity.

[0086] As described above, the connection structure between the connection terminal (200) and the connection bar (310) of the rail housing (300) is formed by the spot terminal (210) to accurately maintain the contact state with the connection bar (310) provided on both inner sides, even if the rail housing (300) has various structures. This ensures versatility, allowing connection with the connection bar (310) of various rail housings (300) to be achieved regardless of the area of ​​the connection bar (310) by the pointed spot terminal (210).

[0088] The process of connecting the power supply device (1) of the present invention to the connecting bar (310) of the rail housing (300) using the above configuration is explained.

[0089] First, the power supply device (1) of the present invention is inserted through the open lower part of the rail housing (300). At this time, the wire (400) is inserted into the wire inlet part (130) of the power supply device (1) and is then inserted into the through hole (161) of the power block (160) and screw-coupled through the screw hole (160) so that it is in a state where it can be powered, and the connection terminal (200) is inserted into the inside of the rail housing (300) as shown in FIG. 4.

[0090] At this time, the connection terminal (200) and the connection bar (310) of the rail housing (300) are in a state where they are not in contact.

[0091] In this state, the operator rotates the body part (100), which is the power supply unit (1), 90° as shown in FIG. 5. As the rotation occurs, the spot terminal (210) of the connection terminal (200) inserted into the connection part (140) is exposed through the opening of the connection part (140), and a direct connection with the connection bar (310) is made.

[0092] After the power supply unit (1) is rotated, the user rotates the body part (100) to fully retract it into the rail housing (300). (See FIG. 7)

[0093] In this process, the tension portion (110) formed on both upper sides of the body portion (100) comes into contact with the inner wall of the rail housing (300) and provides a constant resistance force. The tension portion (110) is shaped like a wedge outward, so as the power supply device (1) is pushed inward, it is fixed and stably maintained inside the rail housing, allowing it to be firmly mounted without shaking inside the rail housing.

[0094] In this way, when the power supply unit (1) is fully inserted, the spot terminal (212) of the connection terminal (200) is in close contact with the connection bar (310) inside the rail housing (300), allowing current to be supplied to the rail lighting.

[0095] If the power supply unit (1) is to be removed from the rail housing (300) for maintenance or replacement, the power supply unit (1) is pulled toward the lower side of the rail housing (300) to release the fixing force of the tension part (110), and then rotated 90° in the opposite direction to release the connection between the connection terminal (200) and the connection bar (310), and then the power supply unit (1) is pulled toward the open lower side of the rail housing (300) to be completely removed.

[0097] As described above, although the present invention has been explained by limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations from the description above may be possible by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.

[0098] Therefore, the technical concept of the present invention should be understood by the claims set forth below, but it is obvious that all equivalent or analogous variations thereof fall within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0100] 1; Power supply 100; Body part 110; Tension part 120; screw fastening part 121; through hole 130; Wire entry section 140; Connection section 150; Section 160; Conductive block 161; through hole 162; screw hole 200; Connection terminal 210; Terminal body 211; Bracket contact terminal 212; Spot terminal 300; Rail housing 310; Connection bar 400; wire

Claims

Claim 1 A general-purpose power supply unit applicable to a rail lighting housing, comprising: a body portion having a hollow shape that is inserted into the interior of the rail housing; a screw tightening portion integrally extended from one side of the body portion and configured to have a through hole drilled in the upper side to fix a wire; a wire inlet portion disposed on the front of the screw tightening portion to guide and stably support a wire supplied from the outside to be inserted; a connection portion integrally extended from the other side of the body portion to allow a connection terminal to be inserted and fixed toward the screw tightening portion; and a partitioning piece that vertically crosses the connection portion, the body portion, and the center of the body portion to partition. Claim 2 A general-purpose power supply device applied to a rail lighting housing, comprising: in claim 1, a conductive block made of a metal material capable of electrical conduction is inserted into each of the two regions in which the lower region of the screw tightening part is divided by the partition piece, wherein a through hole is formed penetrating the front and rear of the conductive block, and a screw hole communicating with the through hole is formed on the upper side. Claim 3 A general-purpose power supply applied to a rail lighting housing, comprising: a tension member that extends vertically from each of the upper sides of the body part and has a wedge shape outwardly so that the power supply is firmly fixed inside the rail housing in claim 1. Claim 4 A general-purpose power supply device applied to a rail lighting housing, comprising: in claim 1, the interior of the connection part is formed in such a way that the front side of each area is open while the two side areas are separated by the partition piece to guide the insertion of the connection terminal, wherein one end of the connection terminal is electrically connected by contacting the outer surface of a conductive block provided in the lower area of ​​the screw tightening part, and the other end is opened so that it protrudes to the outside of the connection part. Claim 5 A general-purpose power supply applied to a rail lighting housing, wherein the connection terminal comprises: a terminal body forming a thin bar shape; a spot terminal formed by bending one end of the terminal body at a right angle to form a thin width shape; and a clamp contact terminal formed by aligning the other end of the terminal body in a clamp shape.

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