Light Strip Sealing via Grommet and Spring Mount

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light line systems face challenges in maintaining tightness when integrating additional electrical components, such as emergency lights or sensors, which can compromise the sealed channel arrangement's dust and moisture protection.

Innovation Solution

A light line system design featuring a mounting rail arrangement with a sealed channel formed by two profile parts, where the second profile part is translucent and serves as a cover, allowing for the routing of cables in a sealed manner through a through-opening, and a bracket-like holding element that attaches to the rail using spring force, ensuring mechanical fixation and accommodating thermal expansion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a cable is routed through the channel arrangement to connect external electrical components, then electrical connectivity is improved, but the tightness and protection against dust and moisture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoiddust and moisture protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A grommet is introduced as an intermediary sealing element at the cable penetration point in the channel arrangement. The grommet seals the gap between the cable and the channel arrangement walls, allowing cable passage while maintaining the protective barrier against dust and moisture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The grommet acts as a flexible sealing film that conforms to the cable shape and maintains the sealed environment. This flexible membrane allows the cable to pass through while preserving the integrity of the protective enclosure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a holding element is used to fix the component to the mounting rail arrangement, then mechanical fixation is improved, but the complexity of the assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical fixationVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding element utilizes the spring force of the mounting rail arrangement itself to provide fixation. The spring mechanism automatically engages and holds the component without requiring additional fastening operations or complex assembly steps, making the system self-fixing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The spring force acts as a counteracting force to hold the component in place, compensating for gravitational and other external forces. The spring mechanism provides continuous holding force that maintains the component's position on the mounting rail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the channel arrangement is made tightly sealed, then protection against dust and moisture is improved, but the ability to accommodate thermal expansion deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust and moisture protectionVSAvoidthermal expansion accommodation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows for controlled parameter changes in the sealing mechanism to accommodate thermal expansion. The grommet and channel arrangement are designed to maintain sealing under normal conditions while allowing for dimensional changes due to temperature variations without compromising the seal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design effectively maintains the system's protection against dust and moisture, enabling operation in dusty or damp environments while allowing for easy attachment and accommodating thermal expansion, thus ensuring reliable and efficient integration of additional electrical components.

Implementation Method 1

a grommet is provided to seal the cable from the channel arrangement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

The holding element is preferably held on the support rail arrangement only by a spring force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 3

temperature fluctuations generally occur when the continuous-row system is in operation due to the heat generated by the luminaire or other components, which then result in expansion of the individual parts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP3531016B1Light strip system with electrical component
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP3531016B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3531016B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3531016B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A continuous lighting system comprises a mounting rail assembly (1), a sealed channel assembly (2) held on the mounting rail assembly (1), a luminaire (3) arranged in the channel assembly (2), and a through-wiring system (4) arranged in the channel assembly (2) for supplying electrical power to the luminaire (3). Furthermore, an electrical component (5, 5') is provided, which is arranged outside the channel assembly (2), wherein inside the channel assembly (2) is a unit (6) electrically connected to the through-wiring system (4), which serves to supply electrical power to the component (5, 5').