Rotatable LED Tube Socket on Sliding Rail Adapter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fluorescent lighting in industrial and retail settings requires a starter and choke, which can be cumbersome, and existing spot lighting solutions do not efficiently integrate with LED technology to provide flexible and energy-efficient illumination.

Innovation Solution

An LED tube lighting system that can be directly powered from a light rail, allowing for multiple LED tubes to be arranged sequentially and rotatably, with a tube socket design that supports voltage-free ends and uses low voltage, reducing the need for additional components and enabling flexible orientation and positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If fluorescent lighting is used, then lighting can be provided with relatively long lifespan and lower energy consumption, but additional components (starter and choke) are required which increase device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the choke and starter components from the lighting system by using LED tubes that can be directly powered from the light rail, eliminating the need for additional ignition components while maintaining energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The LED tubes are designed to be self-sufficient by integrating the power conversion capability directly into the tube, allowing them to operate directly from the light rail voltage without requiring external ballasts or starters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If spot lighting with displaceable spotlight is used, then illumination at any desired location is enabled, but integration with LED technology is insufficient reducing energy efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition flexibilityVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional spot lighting mechanisms with LED tube technology that provides both the positional flexibility of mechanical spot lighting and the energy efficiency of LED technology, combining the benefits of both systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple LED tubes are arranged on light rail, then flexible illumination is achieved, but mounting complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination flexibilityVSAvoidmounting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is designed with universal functionality to accommodate multiple LED tubes and provide various mounting configurations (sequential, parallel, oblique, transverse) through a single standardized interface, reducing the need for multiple specialized components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The tube socket is arranged rotatably on the adapter, allowing dynamic adjustment of LED tube orientation to achieve various illumination patterns and positions without requiring multiple fixed mounting structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution provides a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and flexible lighting system that avoids the drawbacks of fluorescent lighting, allowing for adjustable and directed illumination with reduced structural complexity and lower operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

An adapter (14) is arranged slidably in light rail (12)... tube socket (22) which is provided with two insertion openings (24, 26) for receiving therein contacts of an LED tube (30)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2821695B1Assembly of voltage rail, adapter and led-tube, adapter suitable for the assembly and method of mounting lighting elements
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 FLOWMAGIC HLDG
  • EP2821695B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2821695B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2821695B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for a light rail (12) provided with one or more conductive tracks (20) which conduct electric current; an adapter (14) mountable in the rail (12) and provided with an electrical contact (18) configured to engage on the conductive track (20) of the light rail (12), wherein the adapter (12) is provided with clamping means in the rail for fixedly clamping the adapter (12); a tube socket (22) for arranging on the adapter (14) and provided with at least one electrical connection; and a light-emitting diode tube (LED tube) (30) which is provided with two contacts (32, 34) configured to fit into the tube socket (22).