Extruded Polymeric Section Bar with Transverse LED Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for LED strip installations in furniture and structures face issues such as non-removability, damage during insertion, inadequate ventilation leading to overheating, and unsatisfactory light distribution, along with visual and functional limitations.
Innovation Solution
A section bar made of extruded polymeric material with a hollow seat and angled longitudinal opening allows easy insertion and removal of the LED strip, maintains ventilation, and ensures uniform light distribution through a design that keeps the seat open to the external environment, preventing overheating and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the LED strip is removably inserted inside a closed longitudinal cavity by sliding along the longitudinal extension of the section bar, then the LED strip can be removed and replaced, but the strip may break or deform during insertion and friction prevents easy sliding
Solution Approach 1:
The section bar is divided into two functional parts: a closed longitudinal cavity for housing the LED strip and separate transverse opening(s) for insertion/removal. This segmentation allows the LED strip to be inserted through the transverse opening rather than sliding along the longitudinal cavity, eliminating friction and deformation risks while maintaining removability
Solution Approach 2:
The transverse opening acts as an intermediary access point that mediates between the external environment and the closed longitudinal cavity. It provides a frictionless insertion path for the LED strip without requiring the strip to contact the cavity walls during insertion, thus preventing damage while enabling easy replacement
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the extruded sections are hermetically closed at their ends to isolate LED diodes from external environment, then protection from dust and liquids is achieved, but ventilation is blocked causing overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The section bar employs different quality characteristics in different locations: the longitudinal cavity is hermetically closed at its ends to provide protection from dust and liquids, while transverse opening(s) are provided at specific locations to enable ventilation. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of protection and heat dissipation
Solution Approach 2:
The transverse opening(s) convert the potential harm of open access (dust and liquid entry) into a benefit by providing ventilation pathways. The opening is positioned and dimensioned to allow air flow for heat dissipation while the closed longitudinal cavity structure maintains protection from environmental contaminants
3Ease of operation
If sections are used with oversized cross-sectional dimensions to create a larger cavity, then easy longitudinal sliding of LED strip is achieved, but the profile has greater visual impact and is unsuitable for furniture applications
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion function is segmented from the housing function. Instead of requiring a large longitudinal cavity for insertion, the transverse opening provides a separate access route that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. This allows the longitudinal cavity to be compact and suitably sized for furniture applications while still enabling easy LED strip insertion through the transverse opening
Data Source
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AI summary
Improved section bar (30) to be applied to a structure and/or installation (1) in which lighting is provided and/or required, said profile being made of extruded polymeric material and being configured so as to define a seat (31) therein longitudinally extending to house a LED strip (40), and characterized in that said section bar (30): - always presents, along at least a part of its longitudinal extension, at least one through opening (50), also longitudinally extending, in order to always put said hollow seat (31), which is defined inside the section bar itself (30), in communication with the outside - is configured so that the insertion of said LED strip (40) inside the hollow seat (31) occurs through said through opening (50) and in a direction (45) which is angled, and which is preferably substantially orthogonal, with respect to the longitudinal development direction of the profile itself, - comprises at least a portion which is configured to allow, at least in part, the transmission towards the external environment of the light generated by said LED strip (40) which is intended to be housed within said hollow seat (31).