Angular Luminaire Connection System with Sliding Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of light fixtures into corner or angled joints is time-consuming and aesthetically challenging, requiring a system that aligns and connects housings seamlessly without visible gaps or fasteners.
Innovation Solution
A connection system comprising a cover and a connector with parallel guides and a securing mechanism, allowing for sliding engagement and secure alignment, with a recess and protrusion for proper positioning and hidden fastening, enabling easy assembly of light fixtures into various shapes and patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional connection methods are used to assemble light fixtures into corner joints, then the structural connection is achieved, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and the joints show visible gaps or fasteners
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate modular components: a cover piece and a connector piece with complementary protrusion and recess features. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with precise guide features, enabling quick assembly while maintaining alignment consistency through the interlocking design of the segmented parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector piece acts as an intermediary component between two housing sections, providing a standardized interface with guide features that mediate the connection process. This intermediary component ensures consistent alignment and hidden fastening, resolving the contradiction between quick assembly and precise alignment by providing a pre-configured connection interface.
2Strength
If visible fasteners and connection features are used, then the structural connection is secure, but the aesthetic appearance is compromised with visible joints and seams
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening features are extracted and hidden within the interior of the connection system. The cover piece encloses the connector and fasteners, removing the visible connection elements from the exterior view. This allows the structural connection to remain secure while the exterior surfaces maintain a clean, seamless aesthetic appearance without visible fasteners or joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system employs a nested structure where the connector piece with fastening features is enclosed within the cover piece. This nested arrangement hides the structural connection elements inside the housing, allowing secure fastening while presenting a smooth, continuous exterior surface that maintains aesthetic appearance.
3Ease of operation
If manual alignment methods are used for angular joints, then the connection can be made, but the process becomes difficult and time-consuming especially for multiple housings
Solution Approach 1:
The guide features (protrusions and recesses) are pre-configured on the connector and cover pieces during manufacturing. This preliminary action of pre-aligning the connection interface eliminates the need for manual alignment during assembly, making the operation easy and quick. The pre-built guide features automatically guide the housing sections into correct alignment when connected.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system employs self-aligning guide features that automatically position the housing sections correctly during assembly. The complementary protrusion and recess features guide the parts into proper alignment without requiring external alignment tools or manual adjustment, enabling workers to quickly connect multiple housings without time-consuming alignment procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A connection system for a luminaire that includes a cover having a base wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a plurality of guides; and a connector having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side wall, a second side wall, a plurality of guides, where the plurality of guides of the cover engage the plurality of guides of the connector. The cover may be slidably engaged onto the connector and the cover may be secured to the connector using a securing member.