LED Strip Connector Assembly for Clean Corner Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED light strips face challenges when connecting multiple strips, particularly at corners or angles, leading to undesirable appearances and stress on the strips due to twisting or bending.
Innovation Solution
A connector system comprising a base member and clamp members that can pivot or snap-fit to securely join LED light strips in various configurations, including linear, angled, and perpendicular arrangements, with electrical contacts for power and control signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single light strip is used and twisted or bent at corners, then the light strip can follow the desired path, but the appearance becomes undesirable and stress is placed on the light strip
Solution Approach 1:
The light strip system is divided into multiple separate light strip segments that can be connected using connectors. Instead of bending a single continuous strip, each segment maintains its straight shape while connectors join them at corners and angles, preserving the aesthetic appearance of each segment while achieving the desired overall path configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Connectors serve as intermediary components between light strip segments. These connectors are specifically designed to join strips at various angles (including perpendicular corners) without requiring the light strips themselves to be bent or twisted, thus maintaining their appearance while enabling flexible routing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single light strip is used and twisted or bent at corners, then the light strip can follow the desired path, but stress is placed on the light strip
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the light strip into separate sections connected by connectors, the mechanical stress that would occur from bending or twisting a single strip is eliminated. Each segment remains straight and stress-free, while the connectors handle the structural requirements for corner and angle connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector acts as a stress-absorbing intermediary that joins light strip segments without transmitting bending or twisting forces to the strips themselves. This allows the strips to maintain their structural integrity while still achieving the desired path configuration through the connectors.
3Shape
If connectors are used to join light strips, then appearance and stress are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides mechanical joining of light strip segments, electrical connectivity through integrated contacts, and structural support for various connection angles. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed as a universal component that can join light strip segments in multiple configurations (linear connections, corner connections at various angles, T-junctions). This multi-functionality means that while complexity increases, the range of applications and configurations that can be achieved also increases proportionally.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector is for an LED light strip assembly. The assembly includes a first LED light strip and a second LED light strip. The connector includes at least one base member, a first clamp member and a second clamp member each associated with the base member, and a number of electrical contacts coupled to the base member, and each configured to be electrically connected to each of the first and second LED light strips. The first and second clamp members are configured to pivot about the first side of any of the base members between open and closed positions, such that when the first and second clamp members are in the closed position, the first and second clamp members each face a top of the base member and press the electrical contacts into a tight-fitting engagement with a corresponding electrical contact of the first and second LED light strips.