Wireless Lighting Retrofit Connector with Piercing Teeth
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wired lighting systems lack a cost-effective method to retrofit wireless controllers, as they require expensive electrical components and do not facilitate easy installation of wireless communication capabilities into existing systems.
Innovation Solution
A connector system that allows for the easy integration of a wireless controller into a wired lighting system by using conductive teeth to pierce wire shielding, establishing electrical coupling between the transformer, controller, and lighting devices, enabling wireless communication via protocols like WiFi or Bluetooth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wireless controller is integrated into each lighting fixture housing, then wireless control capability is achieved, but system cost increases significantly due to expensive electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the wireless control functionality into a separate external controller unit, isolating it from the lighting fixture housing. This segmentation allows the lighting fixtures to remain simple while the wireless controller handles all wireless communication and control logic, reducing per-fixture costs while maintaining overall wireless capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless controller serves as an intermediary device between the user and the wired lighting system. The controller connects to the existing wiring through a connector and provides wireless control capabilities without requiring modification of each lighting fixture, thus adding versatility without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a wired lighting system is retrofitted with wireless control, then wireless communication is enabled, but installation complexity increases without proper connector design
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is pre-configured with internal wiring and connection points that correspond to standard lighting system wire configurations. This preliminary preparation allows installers to simply connect existing wires to the connector without complex wiring procedures, facilitating easy retrofitting of wireless control to existing wired lighting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design accommodates multiple wire configurations and connection types, making it universally applicable to different wired lighting system setups. This multi-functionality simplifies installation across various scenarios without requiring multiple specialized connector types.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing wired lighting systems are upgraded to wireless control, then control flexibility is improved, but installation time increases without simplified connector design
Solution Approach 1:
The connector arrives pre-assembled with all necessary internal connections and mounting features prepared. Installers only need to connect the existing lighting wires to the connector and mount it to the housing, dramatically reducing installation time compared to custom-wiring solutions while maintaining full control flexibility.
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
Enables the retrofitting of existing wired lighting systems with wireless control capabilities, reducing costs by eliminating the need for expensive components and simplifying the installation process, allowing for remote and intuitive control of lighting fixtures.
Implementation Method 1
Each channel has one or more electrically conductive teeth that pierce a shielding on the wire when the wire is pressed into the channel
Data Source
AI summary
A connector and a wireless controller for a wired lighting system are disclosed. The connector and wireless controller and connected via two wires. The connector also has at least one cap that covers two channels for electrically coupling additional two wires—one wire for connecting to a power supply and another wire for connecting to one or more lighting devices. The connector can be easily installed in an existing wired lighting system to retrofit the system with a wireless controller.