X-axis Curvable LED Strip with Nested Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED strip lighting systems face limitations in bending and turning corners due to their geometry, leading to light loss and increased costs, as they often require multiple strips and suffer from inefficiencies in light direction and fixture compatibility.
Innovation Solution
An x-axis curvable LED lighting system featuring a single LED strip positioned within a notched, flexible channel enclosed in a casing, allowing for free bending and direct light emission through a lens, reducing light loss and improving fixture efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional LED strip lighting is used, then the lighting can be provided with a fixture and diffuser, but the lighting cannot turn corners and requires multiple strips increasing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The PCB is segmented into multiple sections with each section containing LEDs and circuitry that can be independently bent. This segmentation allows the LED strip to turn corners and adapt to various shapes without requiring multiple separate strips, thereby improving adaptability while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCB is designed with curvature capability, allowing it to be bent into various shapes and angles. This curvature feature enables the LED strip to turn corners and follow contoured surfaces, directly addressing the inability of conventional strips to turn corners while maintaining a single-strip configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible strip lighting with x-axis bending capability is used, then corners can be turned, but parts are raised off the surface creating dark spots and light loss
Solution Approach 1:
The LED strip is nested within a channel that is itself nested within a fixture housing. This nested configuration allows the bent LED strip to remain contained within the fixture structure, preventing parts from being raised off the surface and eliminating the dark spots and light loss that occur with conventional flexible strips.
3Adaptability or versatility
If plastic-based quick connectors are used, then x-axis bending is enabled, but dark spots are created and fixture compatibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The quick connector components are extracted and replaced with a channel-based containment system. The channel is integrated into the fixture housing and provides the bending capability without requiring separate connector components that create dark spots, thereby eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining adaptability.
4Reliability
If jumper wires soldered onto tape light are used, then electrical connection is achieved, but dark spots are created and light loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The channel acts as an intermediary structure that contains the LED strip and provides a path for electrical connections without requiring soldered jumper wires. This intermediary configuration achieves reliable electrical connection while preventing the dark spots and light loss associated with soldered wires by keeping all components contained within the fixture structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables efficient light emission with reduced light loss and cost-effectiveness by allowing a single strip to bend freely and emit light directly through a lens, addressing the limitations of existing LED strip lighting designs.
Implementation Method 1
Many of the most recent ones consist of light emitting diodes (LEDs) as light sources
Implementation Method 2
LEDs can be mounted onto a flexible substrate (called an LED strip or LED tape light) and can be provided in a fixture (typically aluminum) with a diffuser (typically acrylic, polycarbonate, or silicone) to produce a clean line of light
Data Source
AI summary
An x-axis curvable LED lighting system includes an elongated notched x-axis curved channel enclosed in a casing which can be freely bent without a machine having a bottom portion and one or more walls extending therefrom; an elongated lens to secure over a top of the elongated curved channel; and a flexible light strip, having a mounting strip to secure to one of the one or more walls of the elongated curved channel; LED lights attached to the mounting strip by an extension such that the LED lights are positioned within the elongated curved channel along the bottom portion; the LED lights emit light through the elongated lens.