Conductive Lines for LED Module Electrical Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for connecting LED modules, such as soldering or using connectors, are costly and complex, especially when aiming for automated processes, and lack flexibility in voltage and current supply arrangements.

Innovation Solution

A method and device utilizing a flexible substrate with conductive lines and adhesive properties to establish selective electrical connections between LED modules, allowing for parallel or series connections without dedicated connectors, using conductive lines that can be easily applied and fixed to the modules and mounting surfaces, enabling rapid, economical, and flexible assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If soldering or connectors are used to connect LED modules, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing cost and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidconnection process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the connection function from dedicated connectors and soldering processes, integrating it directly into the mounting surface through conductive lines. This eliminates the need for separate connector components and complex soldering operations, reducing both device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining reliable electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the mounting surface and electrical connection function into a single integrated structure. The conductive lines are directly formed on the mounting surface, combining the mechanical mounting function and electrical connection function into one unified system, thereby eliminating the need for separate connectors and reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If dedicated connectors are used for LED module connection, then stable electrical connection is achieved, but investment and processing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive dedicated connectors with simple, inexpensive conductive lines directly formed on the mounting surface. These conductive lines are integrated into the mounting structure itself, eliminating the need for costly separate connector components while maintaining adequate connection stability for the application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting surface is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical mounting of LED modules and electrical connection through integrated conductive lines. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated connectors, reducing investment and processing costs while maintaining connection stability.

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

3Productivity

If automated assembly process is implemented with traditional connectors, then production efficiency is improved, but processing costs and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidconnection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the connector component from the automated assembly process, replacing it with conductive lines directly integrated into the mounting surface. This simplification enables more straightforward automated assembly operations, improving productivity while reducing the complexity of the connection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of manufacture

If fixed-width modules are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but installation flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodule manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidinstallation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces flexibility through the conductive lines on the mounting surface, which can be configured in various patterns and lengths to accommodate different module arrangements. This dynamic configuration capability allows the system to adapt to different installation requirements while maintaining simple module manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3297409B1A method of connecting lighting modules and corresponding device
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 OSRAM GMBH
  • EP3297409B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3297409B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3297409B1 patent drawingFigure 5~9

AI summary

A method of providing electrical connection to electrically-powered stripe-like lighting modules (S1, ......, Sn), having one or more electrical contact pad(s) (P) on one face of the stripe, includes: - arranging one or more stripe-like lighting module(s) (Sk) on a mounting surface (M) with said one or more electrical contact pad(s) (P) facing away from the mounting surface (M), - adhesively applying one or more electrically-conductive line(s) (14) onto said mounting surface (M) having said one or more lighting module(s) (Sk) arranged thereon, and - providing electrical connection (20) between said one or more electrical contact pad(s) (P) and said one or more electrically-conductive line(s) (14).