Modular Lighted Tree Wiring Harness for Single-Cord Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional lighted artificial trees require complex and cumbersome electrical connections, leading to increased weight, cost, and unsightly wiring, which detract from their aesthetic appeal and pose safety risks due to loose wires and potential electrical hazards.
Innovation Solution
A modular design featuring a power-supply wiring harness within the tree trunk that connects multiple light strings with unipolar couplers, allowing a single power cord to power the entire tree, eliminating the need for multiple plug connections and reducing wire exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple separate light strings with individual wiring are used to illuminate the tree, then the lighting coverage and brightness are improved, but the device complexity and wire exposure increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate light strings are merged into a single integrated light string that runs through the tree trunk. The wiring is consolidated into one continuous path rather than multiple separate connections, reducing overall wire exposure while maintaining lighting coverage across all branches.
Solution Approach 2:
The light string is nested within the tree trunk structure, with the wiring hidden inside the trunk and only the light elements visible on the branches. This nesting approach conceals the complexity of the wiring system while preserving the illumination function.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple plug connections are required to power light strings, then the lighting coverage is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple plug connections are merged into a single power connection. The integrated light string design allows the entire lighting system to be powered by one plug, eliminating the need for multiple separate connections while maintaining comprehensive lighting coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The light string is pre-assembled and pre-wired within the trunk structure before the tree is set up. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex on-site wiring and plug connections, simplifying the assembly process while ensuring complete lighting coverage.
3Illumination intensity
If more light strings are added to increase lighting density, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the weight of the tree increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light strings are merged into a single integrated light string that shares a common wiring path through the trunk. This consolidation reduces the total amount of wiring material needed compared to using multiple separate light strings, thereby reducing weight while maintaining lighting density.
4Illumination intensity
If traditional wiring methods are used to connect light strings, then the lighting coverage is improved, but safety risks increase due to loose wires
Solution Approach 1:
The wiring is nested within the protected trunk structure, shielding the electrical connections from exposure. This nesting approach eliminates loose wires that could create safety hazards while maintaining the lighting coverage function.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular, lighted artificial tree that includes a base portion for supporting the artificial tree and a first tree portion. The first tree portion includes a trunk portion having a first end and a second end, and forms a trunk wall, the trunk wall defines a trunk cavity and a plurality of apertures. The first end of the trunk portion is configured to couple with the base portion. The first tree portion also includes a plurality of branches coupled to the trunk portion; a first tree portion power-supply wiring harness within the trunk cavity and extending from the first end of the trunk portion to the second end of the trunk portion; a first light string operably coupled to the power-supply wiring harness. The first wire and the second wire pass through a common aperture to electrically connect to the wiring harness.