Light Strip System Cover Element Sealing Mounting Rail Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing continuous line lighting systems face challenges in achieving a higher protection class due to openings in the mounting rail that allow ingress of foreign bodies, making it difficult to retrofit for improved sealing.
Innovation Solution
A light strip system with an elongated U-shaped mounting rail and a cover element featuring a profiled connecting leg with upwardly open recesses, allowing for sealing of through openings, which can be connected lengthwise and held via a snap connection, achieving a higher protection class like IP 40.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mounting rail has openings to hold components and allow supply lines passage, then the functionality and ease of operation are improved, but the protection class deteriorates due to ingress of foreign bodies
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting rail is divided into functional segments: the connecting leg with openings for supply lines and components, and the cover element that segments off this area from the protected interior space. This allows the rail to provide both access functionality and protection simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover element acts as an intermediary component between the mounting rail and the protected interior space. It mediates by providing a sealing barrier that prevents foreign body ingress while allowing the rail to maintain its functional openings for supply lines and component mounting.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If grommets or plugs are used to close openings, then the protection class is improved, but the device complexity and ease of manufacture deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function previously requiring separate grommets or plugs is merged into the cover element itself. The cover element combines the sealing barrier function with the structural covering function, eliminating the need for additional sealing components and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover element utilizes a flexible connection area made of elastomeric material that provides the sealing function. This thin film approach replaces bulky grommets or plugs with a integrated flexible sealing structure that is simpler to manufacture and install.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover element with elastomeric connection areas is used to seal openings, then the protection class is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The connection areas of the cover element are made from elastomeric material that can elastically deform. This parameter change in material properties allows the connection areas to accommodate dimensional variations and tolerances during manufacturing and assembly, reducing the stringency of precision requirements while maintaining effective sealing.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the cover element can be sealingly connected lengthwise, then the protection class is improved, but the device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The cover element is designed as a modular component that can be segmented and connected lengthwise to cover longer mounting rails. This segmentation allows standardization of the cover element size while maintaining protection class through precise sealing connections at the joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing connection capability is merged into the inherent design of the cover element itself, allowing multiple cover elements to be connected lengthwise with sealing joints. This integrates the sealing function into the modular connection mechanism rather than requiring separate sealing components at each joint.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a light strip system, having an elongate carrier rail (1) which extends along a longitudinal axis (L) and has a U shape in a cross section normal to the longitudinal axis (L) as viewed in a first approximation, so that a first U-limb (2), a second U-limb (3) and a connecting limb (4), which connects the two U-limbs (2, 3) to one another, are formed, wherein at least one passage opening (5, 5') is formed in the connecting limb (4), and also having at least one luminaire which is designed to be connected to the carrier rail (1), wherein at least one covering element (6) which is designed to be fitted to the carrier rail (1) so as to cover the at least one passage opening (5, 5') is provided.