Distributed Lighting Control for Artificial Trees

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional lighted artificial trees have complex and tedious assembly processes due to web-like wiring configurations and offer limited control over individual light strings, making them inefficient and difficult to manage.

Innovation Solution

A distributed power and control system for lighted artificial trees, utilizing internal trunk electrical connectors to couple tree sections and a master controller with multiple sub-controllers to simplify assembly and provide precise control over lighting elements, reducing the need for extensive wiring and allowing for various lighting effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional power plugs and light strings are used to illuminate artificial trees, then the tree can be lit up, but the assembly process becomes complex and tedious with web-like wiring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly processVSAvoidwiring configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the control functionality from centralized power plugs and distributes it to individual lighting elements. Each lighting element becomes an independent controllable unit with its own driver circuit, eliminating the need for complex web-like wiring of traditional light strings while maintaining the illumination function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical plug-and-wire system with a wireless control system. A control signal wirelessly communicates with each lighting element's driver circuit, eliminating the need for physical wiring connections between power source and individual lights, thus simplifying assembly and reducing wiring complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional light strings are used, then the tree can be illuminated, but control over individual light strings is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the illumination system into individually controllable lighting elements rather than treating light strings as single control units. Each lighting element has its own driver circuit that can be independently controlled, enabling precise control over individual lights while the segmented architecture manages complexity through modularity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes wireless communication for traditional wired control systems. Each lighting element's driver circuit receives control signals wirelessly, providing adaptability and versatility in controlling individual lights without the complexity of extensive wiring and control connections required by traditional systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If multiple power plugs are connected to illuminate the tree, then more lights can be powered, but the wiring becomes more complex and tedious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of lightsVSAvoidwiring structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power distribution function from multiple interconnected power plugs and implements a wireless power transmission system. Power is transmitted wirelessly to each lighting element's driver circuit, allowing a large quantity of lights to be powered without creating complex web-like wiring structures associated with traditional multi-plug systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical plug-socket connection system with wireless power and control signal transmission. This substitution allows numerous lighting elements to be powered and controlled without the physical wiring complexity that arises from connecting multiple power plugs in traditional systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10178887B1Lighted artificial tree with distributed lighting power and control

Publication Date: 2019.01.15 WILLIS ELECTRIC

AI summary

A lighted artificial tree that includes a first tree section including a trunk, wiring assembly and trunk electrical connector; a second tree section including a trunk, wiring assembly and trunk electrical connector; a distributed light power and control system, including: a primary controller and a plurality of sub-controllers, each of the plurality of sub-controllers in electrical communication with the primary controller; and a plurality of lighting elements, each of the plurality of lighting elements in direct electrical communication with one of the plurality of sub-controllers. The trunk electrical connector of the first tree section couples to the second trunk electrical connector such that power is conducted from the first tree section to the second tree section, and the primary controller controls each of the plurality of sub-controllers, and each of the plurality of sub-controllers selectively powers each of the plurality of lighting elements to create a lighting effect.