Busbar System With Segmented Cross-Sections For Multi-Directional Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional busbar systems have limited flexibility in component positioning due to a constant cross-section line support system, restricting the arrangement of lighting units to only underneath the system, making lateral or overhead installations difficult and requiring additional effort.

Innovation Solution

The busbar system features a line holding system with at least two different cross-sectional configurations, allowing lines to be contacted from various directions, including the underside, side, and top, with stabilization areas ensuring stable support throughout the length.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the cable support system has a uniform cross-section along its entire length, then the manufacturing process is simplified and structurally consistent, but the flexibility in positioning and arranging lighting units is limited to only underneath the system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidpositioning flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cable support system is divided into multiple profile parts, each with different cross-sectional configurations (first, second, and third cross-sections). These segmented sections can be arranged in different sequences to create varied contact directions along the longitudinal axis, enabling lighting units to be positioned from multiple directions (underside, lateral sides, or above) while maintaining a systematic manufacturing approach for each standardized profile part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the cable support system are assigned different cross-sectional qualities: some sections have configurations that enable contact from the underside, others from lateral sides, and others from above. This local differentiation of structural properties allows the system to adapt to specific positioning requirements at different locations along its length, resolving the contradiction between uniform manufacturing and varied adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cable support system uses varying cross-sectional configurations to enable contact from multiple directions, then positioning flexibility is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and structural consistency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a finite set of standardized profile parts with different but predefined cross-sectional configurations. Rather than creating continuously varying complex structures, the system segments the cable support into discrete sections with manageable complexity, each designed for specific contact directions. This segmentation maintains positioning flexibility while controlling manufacturing and structural complexity through standardization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cable support system is designed with multi-functional profile parts that can serve different purposes depending on their orientation and arrangement. The same basic profile design can be configured to enable contact from different directions (underside, lateral, or above) by varying the arrangement of profile parts, reducing the need for entirely different structural designs for each positioning scenario and thereby controlling overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If stabilization areas are added to ensure stable line support between contact areas, then line support stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveline support stabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable support system is segmented into alternating contact areas and stabilization areas along the longitudinal axis. Contact areas enable positioning of lighting units from specific directions, while stabilization areas provide continuous support for the cables between these contact points. This segmentation approach ensures line support stability without requiring complex continuous stabilization structures, as the stabilization function is distributed across discrete sections that integrate with the overall modular profile design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3346183B1Busbar system
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP3346183B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP3346183B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c
  • EP3346183B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

In a busbar system (100) with an elongated support arrangement (10) and a conductor support system (20) extending along the support arrangement (10), which holds conductors (5a, 5b) for power supply and/or signal transmission in such a way that the conductors (5a, 5b) can be contacted by units to be connected to the busbar system (100), the conductor support system (20) has at least two different cross-sectional configurations (A, B), each of which allows the conductors (5a, 5b) to be contacted from different directions.