Screw-Clamp LED Strip Connector for Reliable Multi-Contact Joining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED strip connectors face challenges with unreliable electrical connections, limited durability, and difficulty in connecting multiple strips with high numbers of electrical contacts, leading to labor-intensive installations and frequent replacements.
Innovation Solution
A solderless LED strip connector assembly featuring an electrically insulating body with conductive members and screws that threadably engage to provide secure, reliable connections between LED strips, allowing for multiple electrical connections without soldering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If soldering is used to connect LED strip contacts, then electrical connection is achieved, but installation becomes labor-intensive and creates resistance at connection points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal/mechanical soldering process with a purely mechanical screw-based clamping system. The connector uses screws to apply mechanical pressure that forces the LED strip contacts into direct electrical contact with conductive elements, eliminating the need for soldering while maintaining reliable electrical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a connector device as an intermediary component between LED strip segments. This connector contains conductive elements and clamping mechanisms that mediate the electrical connection, replacing the direct soldering process and providing a reusable, tool-based connection system.
2Ease of operation
If connector devices are used to connect LED strips, then electrical connection is provided, but connections are unreliable and durability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved or angled contact surfaces in the clamping mechanism that conform to the shape of the LED strip contacts. This curvature ensures consistent contact pressure and reliable electrical connection across multiple screw tightenings, preventing the unreliable connections associated with flat or rigid connector designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design allows for dynamic adjustment of connection pressure through the screw mechanism. The system can be tightened to achieve optimal contact pressure and can be re-adjusted if connection quality degrades over time, maintaining reliable electrical connections throughout the product lifecycle.
3Adaptability or versatility
If connector devices connect multiple LED strips, then continuous lighting is achieved, but the number of electrical contacts that can be simultaneously connected is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the connector into multiple independent clamping zones, each capable of securing a separate LED strip contact. This segmentation allows the single connector device to handle multiple contacts simultaneously by providing distinct screw-driven clamping mechanisms for each contact point, increasing adaptability without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed as a universal device that can accommodate different LED strip configurations and contact arrangements. The modular clamping system can be adjusted to connect multiple strips with varying numbers of contacts, making the connector versatile for different lighting applications while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides secure retention and high durability of LED strips with multiple electrical connections, simplifying installations and reducing the need for frequent replacements by eliminating soldering and enhancing connector reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of conductive members are disposed within the electrically insulating body, along with at least two sets of screws that threadably engage the conductive members and retaining light strips disposed in the slots
Implementation Method 2
The two sets of screws are electrically connected to one another via the conductive members and provide separate electrical connections between the light strips disposed in the slots and contacted and retained there by the screws
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly includes an insulating body having a top surface and opposing first and second side surfaces. First and second light-strip-receiving slots extend respectively through the first and second side surfaces and receive ends of first and second light strips having electrical contacts. Conductive bars are disposed within the insulating body between the top surface and the light-strip-receiving slots and are separated from the light-strip-receiving slots by the insulating body. First and second sets of screws are disposed within the insulating body. Each screw includes a proximal end, an intermediate section threadably engaged at a conductive bar, and a distal end in the first or second light-strip-receiving slot. The distal ends contact the electrical contacts of the light strips. The first set of screws electrically connect to the second set of screws via the conductive bars, forming electrical connections between the first and second light strips.