Flat Plug Conductor Strip for Replaceable Furniture Loads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for supplying electrical energy to consumers, such as luminaires and displays, require specialized soldering connections that are prone to weak points and are difficult to replace, making them inaccessible to non-experts and inefficient for frequent changes.

Innovation Solution

A device with a plug system that allows easy connection of consumers to a support element, featuring a self-adhesive and insulating support element with a flat, permanently connected plug, ensuring secure and directional electrical connections, and a flexible design adaptable to various applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If soldered connections are used to connect consumers to contact surfaces, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidease of connection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into modular components: a support element with conductor tracks, contact surfaces for power supply, and a plug for consumer connection. This segmentation allows the plug to be a separate, easily replaceable component rather than requiring permanent soldered connections, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable electrical contact through dedicated contact surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plug acts as an intermediary component between the power supply system and the consumer. Instead of directly soldering the consumer to the contact surfaces, the plug provides a standardized interface that simplifies connection while ensuring reliable electrical contact through its design with dedicated contact surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If soldered connections are used to connect consumers to contact surfaces, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into modular components that can be manufactured separately and assembled. The support element with conductor tracks and contact surfaces can be manufactured as a complete unit, and the plug can be manufactured separately and then connected. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process compared to requiring precise soldering operations for each connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support element is designed with self-adhesive properties, allowing it to be easily attached to carriers or surfaces without requiring complex manufacturing processes. The plug and contact surfaces are designed to work together automatically when connected, reducing the need for specialized assembly skills.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If consumers are replaced by detaching soldered connections, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconsumer replaceabilityVSAvoidtime for replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The modular design with a separate plug component allows consumers to be quickly disconnected and replaced by simply detaching the plug, rather than requiring time-consuming desoldering and resoldering operations. This segmentation enables rapid consumer replacement while maintaining reliable electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows for easy discarding of old consumers and recovery of the plug component. The plug remains with the support element and can be reused with different consumers, reducing waste and enabling quick replacement without losing the connection infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

4Shape

If a flat plug design is used, then visual appearance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual appearanceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plug is permanently connected to the support element, merging these two components into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate mounting hardware and reduces overall device complexity while achieving a flat, visually appealing design that can be easily attached to carriers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The plug design with conductor tracks and contact surfaces creates a standardized interface that can be replicated and integrated into different support element configurations. This standardized copying of the plug design simplifies manufacturing and assembly while maintaining a consistent, clean visual appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2792221B1System with device for supplying electrical energy to a load
Publication Date: 2015.08.26 DULA WERKE DUSTMANN & CO GMBH
  • EP2792221B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (10) for supplying electrical energy to a load. A supporting element (11) made of electrically insulating material, in particular of a support film, is provided, which element has at least one, preferably two, electrical strip conductors (20), each of which is formed from an electrically conductive layer. Further, at least one electrically conductive contact face (21) per strip conductor (20) is provided on the source side (22), via which contact face the strip conductor is contactable with the voltage source. According to the invention, a preferably very flat plug (24) that comprises the load-side (23) ends of the strip conductors (20) is provided on the supporting element (11). The electrical connection (31) to the load is effected via said plug (24). Further, a system for electrification of at least one electrical load on a furniture item is provided, wherein at least one device (10), one or more supports (40) and at least one vertical profile (50) are provided, wherein the device (10) can be mounted on the support (40) and the strip conductors (20) of the support (10) can be electrified by inserting the support (40) into the profile (50). For that purpose, the profile (50) has at least one, preferably two, vertically arranged conductor rails (51, 52).