Wireless Lighting Retrofit Connector with Piercing Teeth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wired lighting systems lack the ability to be easily retrofitted with wireless controllers, requiring expensive components and complex installations, and existing wireless solutions do not provide a straightforward method for integrating wireless control into existing wired systems.

Innovation Solution

A connector system that allows for the easy installation of a wireless controller into an existing wired lighting system by using conductive teeth to pierce wire shielding, establishing electrical coupling between the transformer, controller, and lighting devices, enabling wireless communication and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a wired lighting system is retrofitted with a wireless controller using existing methods, then wireless control capability is added, but the system complexity and installation difficulty increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless control capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the retrofit solution into separate functional modules: a connector that interfaces with existing wired infrastructure and a wireless controller that provides wireless functionality. This segmentation allows the wireless controller to be added independently without redesigning the entire lighting system, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connector serves as an intermediary device between the existing wired lighting system and the new wireless controller. It provides standardized interfaces that bridge the old and new technologies, enabling wireless control capability to be integrated without directly modifying the complex existing wiring infrastructure, thus reducing installation difficulty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If expensive electrical components are installed in each lighting fixture to enable wireless control, then wireless control functionality is achieved, but the system cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless control functionalityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is designed as a universal interface that can work with various wireless controllers and different lighting system configurations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for expensive, fixture-specific electronic components, allowing a single standardized connector design to serve multiple purposes across the entire lighting system, thereby reducing overall system cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of installing expensive custom electronic components in each lighting fixture, the invention uses standardized connector copies that can be repeatedly installed across multiple fixtures. This standardization approach reduces per-unit costs through economies of scale and eliminates the need for expensive custom electronics in each individual fixture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If traditional wired control systems are modified to add wireless capabilities, then remote control is enabled, but the installation process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote controlVSAvoidinstallation process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is pre-configured with standardized interfaces and mounting mechanisms before installation. This preliminary preparation allows installers to simply connect pre-assembled components rather than performing complex wiring modifications during installation, thereby enabling remote control functionality while keeping the installation process simple and straightforward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 wired lighting systems with wireless controllers, reducing costs and complexity, allowing for remote and intelligent control of lighting devices through wireless communication protocols like WiFi and Bluetooth.

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11553580B2Connectors and wireless controllers for wired lighting systems

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 FJP SOLUTION LLP

AI summary

A computer-implemented method performed by a device connected to a light and at least a first sensor is disclosed. The method includes: setting a first condition for activating the light; setting a second condition for deactivating the light; transmitting a first signal to the light to activate the light when the first condition is met; transmitting the second signal to the light to deactivate the light when the second condition is met; setting a third condition for activating the first sensor; receiving a signal from the first sensor; if the light is deactivated and the third condition is met, activating the light; and if the light is activated and the third condition is met, keep the light activated.