Linear Lighting Connectors With Adjustable Pressor Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for linear lighting often require skilled soldering, which can be damaging and prone to errors, and may not maintain a positive connection effectively, especially when connecting strips of linear lighting to power or each other.
Innovation Solution
The development of connectors with slots and terminal blocks that utilize adjustable positioning members, such as screws, to ensure secure physical and electrical contact with the PCB, allowing for solderless connections and improved contact surfaces, while also accommodating LED light emission by incorporating notches for light release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If soldering is used to connect PCB to power, then electrical connection is achieved, but the process requires skill and may damage the PCB
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal/mechanical soldering process with a mechanical connector system that uses pressor members to apply downward force on the PCB, establishing electrical contact through mechanical pressure rather than soldering heat and skill
Solution Approach 2:
The connector acts as an intermediary device between the PCB and power leads, providing a mechanical interface that eliminates the need for direct soldering while maintaining reliable electrical connection through the pressor member mechanism
2Ease of operation
If connectors are used for solderless connection, then installation ease is improved, but positive connection to PCB is difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The connector uses adjustable pressor members that can be dynamically positioned and tightened to apply optimal downward force on the PCB, allowing the connection pressure to be adjusted and maintained for reliable electrical contact throughout operation
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed with pre-positioned pressor members that are adjusted before final operation to ensure proper contact pressure is established in advance, preventing connection issues during use
3Ease of operation
If connectors are placed directly over LED light engines, then connection is simplified, but light emission is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The connector body is segmented with notches that align with LED light engine positions, creating light passages that allow light to pass through the connector structure without being blocked, while maintaining mechanical support and electrical connection functions
Data Source
AI summary
Connectors for linear lighting are disclosed. These connectors include one side with a slot adapted to accept a strip of linear lighting. The other side may have either another slot for a second strip of linear lighting, if two strips of linear lighting are to be electrically connected end-to-end, or a set of terminal blocks for connecting the strip of linear lighting to wires, such as a set of power leads. The slot has a set of contacts, spaced from one another, that make physical contact with solder pads or other such electrical connecting structures on the linear lighting. The terminal blocks have conductive cages to make contact with the wires. Both the set of contacts in the slot and pressor members in the cages are driven into engagement by sets of adjustable positioning members that bear on them.