Detachable Icicle Light Connectors for Tangle-Resistant Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Decorative lighting assemblies, such as net lights and icicle lights, are prone to tangling, leading to consumer frustration and potential safety hazards due to the extensive lengths of wire required to form desired shapes, which can result in wires being pulled from their connectors during untangling.
Innovation Solution
The use of unique wire and lamp connectors, along with a specific layout and reduction of wires between lamps, contributes to tangle-resistant features in decorative lighting assemblies, including detachable icicle drops and a connector system that ensures safety and convenience by preventing wire detachment during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If extensive lengths of wire are used to form desired shapes in decorative lighting assemblies, then the lighting assembly can achieve the desired shape and structure, but the assembly becomes prone to tangling and wires may be pulled from connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The wire assembly is divided into multiple segments or sections, each with defined connection points. This segmentation allows the lighting assembly to maintain its desired shape while reducing tangling by organizing wire paths into discrete, manageable sections that connect at specific locations rather than as continuous extensive lengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a connector system where connectors are nested or integrated into the wire assembly structure. The connectors are positioned within the wire path and secured in a way that prevents wires from being pulled out, effectively nesting the connection mechanism within the overall wire assembly to maintain both shape and reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional connector systems are used in decorative lighting assemblies, then the assembly can be manufactured with standard components, but the connectors may become detached during use causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The connector system incorporates pre-designed retention features and securing mechanisms that prevent detachment before it can occur. The connectors are engineered with built-in safety features such as locking mechanisms or friction-fit designs that cushion against the harmful effect of wire pull-out, ensuring connectors remain secured during normal use while still allowing for manufacturing with standard components.
3Area of stationary object
If extensive wire lengths are used in decorative lighting assemblies, then the assembly can cover larger areas and provide more comprehensive lighting, but the complexity of managing and organizing the wires increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the wire assembly into organized sections with defined connection points, the patent reduces wire management complexity while maintaining large coverage area. Each segment can be independently managed and connected, making the overall system easier to handle despite extensive total wire length.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector system acts as an intermediary element that simplifies wire management. These connectors provide standardized connection points that organize the extensive wire lengths into manageable units, reducing the complexity of managing and organizing wires while enabling the assembly to cover larger areas.
Data Source
AI summary
A tangle-resistant decorative lighting assembly, comprising: a main portion including a plurality of wires and connectors, including first and second connectors and first and second lighted-extension portions extending transversely from the main portion. The first lighted extension portion including: a first connector configured to detachably connect to the first connector of the main portion, a first plurality of wires connected to the first connector, and a first plurality of lamp assemblies connected to the first plurality of wires. The second lighted-extension portion including: a second connector configured to detachably connect to the second connector of the main portion, a second plurality of wires connected to the second connector, and a second plurality of lamp assemblies connected to the second plurality of wires. The first connector of the main portion comprises a lock portion configured to engage with a lock portion of the first connector of the first lighted-extension portion.