Lighting Connector Structure for Fast Aligned Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for lighting assemblies often fail to facilitate convenient assembly of components in an aligned configuration, leading to misalignment issues due to their configurations.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a body with a threaded portion near one end and a non-threaded portion near the other end, along with apertures and a conduit for an electrical cord, allowing for quick and easy alignment of components in a lighting assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a connector uses a uniform threaded configuration along its entire length, then it provides consistent mechanical engagement, but it causes misalignment issues between components
Solution Approach 1:
The connector body is divided into two distinct segments: a first portion with a first thread configuration and a second portion with a second thread configuration. This segmentation allows each portion to serve a specific alignment function, with the different thread patterns (e.g., different pitch, diameter, or hand) enabling precise angular and positional alignment between mating components while maintaining a relatively simple overall connector structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If a connector design incorporates multiple thread configurations, then it achieves better component alignment, but it increases manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple thread configurations are merged into a single integrated connector body, with the first and second portions formed as one piece. This combining approach consolidates what could be separate components into a unified structure, enabling precise alignment through the integrated multi-configured threads while simplifying assembly and reducing the number of parts to manufacture and assemble.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector for use in association with a lighting assembly that allows for components to be quickly assembled in an easily aligned configuration, including: a body having a first end, a second end, an interior sidewall, and an exterior sidewall; wherein the first end of the body and the second end of the body define a length therebetween; wherein a portion of the exterior sidewall of the body is threaded proximate the first end; wherein a portion of the exterior sidewall of the body is non-threaded proximate the second end; a first aperture associated with the first end of the body; a second aperture associated with the second end of the body; and a conduit positioned between the first aperture and the second aperture, wherein the conduit is adapted for containing an electrical cord from an associated lighting assembly.