Aerial Lighting Connector for Power and High-Speed Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aerial lighting fixtures lack an efficient and standardized connector system for both power supply and high-speed data transmission, leading to compatibility issues and limited functionality in controlling and managing lighting systems.
Innovation Solution
The development of an enhanced interface (EI) connector system that integrates a primary connector compliant with standards like ANSI C136 and a secondary connector for high-speed data communication, enabling simultaneous electrical coupling and data transmission between a controller and a roadside aerial lighting fixture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standards-compliant primary connector is used for power supply, then compatibility and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases due to integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a primary standards-compliant connector (ANSI C136) for power supply with a secondary high-speed data connector into a single integrated connector assembly. This merging allows simultaneous power delivery and data transmission through one connection interface, improving reliability while managing complexity through unified design
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated connector serves multiple functions: it provides both power supply (through the primary connector) and high-speed data transmission (through the secondary connector). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate connections, improving system reliability without proportionally increasing complexity
2Speed
If a secondary connector for high-speed data is added, then data transmission capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into distinct primary and secondary portions, each handling specific functions. The primary connector handles power supply while the secondary connector handles high-speed data transmission. This segmentation allows optimized performance for each function while organizing complexity into manageable, separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary data connector is integrated within or alongside the primary power connector structure. This nesting approach allows the high-speed data capability to be added without requiring a completely separate external connection, thereby improving data transmission speed while containing the increase in device complexity within the existing connector footprint
Data Source
AI summary
A system to couple a controller to a roadside aerial lighting fixture includes a primary male connector integrated with the controller and a primary female connector integrated with the roadside aerial lighting fixture. The primary male and female connectors are compliant with a roadway area lighting standard promoted by a standards body. The primary male connector protrudes from a first substantially planar surface of the controller. The primary female connector is recessed within a second substantially planar surface of the roadside aerial lighting fixture. A controller-side high speed communications data element is integrated with the primary male connector, and a fixture-side high speed communications data element is integrated with the primary female connector. The controller-side high speed communications data element is arranged for point-to-point high speed data communication with the fixture-side high speed communications data element when the controller is rotatably coupled to the roadside aerial lighting fixture.