Linkable LED Shop Lights with Flexible Connectors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting systems, particularly those using incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, face issues with energy inefficiency, high maintenance costs, temperature sensitivity, flickering, and mercury contamination, while existing LED lighting solutions lack flexible and cost-effective options for expanding illumination areas.

Innovation Solution

The development of linkable LED lighting fixtures and systems that allow for easy connection and disconnection of LED shop lights and strip lights using flexible linking cables or rigid connectors, enabling individual or simultaneous operation, and featuring a power-efficient design with heat sinks and diffusers for effective illumination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If LED lighting fixtures are used to improve energy efficiency and eliminate mercury hazards, then energy consumption is reduced and environmental safety is improved, but the ability to easily expand illumination area is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidexpandability of illumination area

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system is divided into multiple independent LED fixture modules that can be individually connected or disconnected. Each module contains its own power supply and control circuitry, allowing them to function independently or be linked together to expand illumination coverage throughout the workspace.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates flexible linking mechanisms that allow dynamic reconfiguration of the lighting arrangement. Fixtures can be linked together in various configurations and easily separated when needed, enabling the illumination area to be expanded or adjusted according to changing workspace requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If multiple independent LED fixtures are installed to expand illumination area, then coverage is improved, but system complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination areaVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple LED fixtures are combined into a unified system through flexible linking mechanisms. The fixtures share common control circuitry and power distribution when linked, reducing the overall system complexity compared to having completely independent fixtures. The linking mechanism integrates multiple units into a coordinated assembly that functions as a single illumination system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of energy

If CFL bulbs are used instead of incandescent lights to reduce energy consumption, then electricity usage is reduced, but flickering occurs when switched on and off frequently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectricity consumptionVSAvoidflickering stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces CFL technology with LED technology. LEDs use solid-state lighting mechanisms that do not rely on gas ionization or thermal processes, eliminating the flickering problem associated with CFLs during frequent switching. The LED fixtures incorporate electronic control circuits that maintain stable illumination regardless of switching frequency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Loss of energy

If CFL bulbs are used to provide lighting, then energy efficiency is improved, but temperature sensitivity reduces performance in extreme temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses LED technology which fundamentally changes the operating parameters compared to CFLs. LEDs operate on solid-state electronics that are not sensitive to temperature variations, allowing them to maintain full performance across a wide temperature range including extreme conditions where CFLs would malfunction or reduce efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution provides a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and flexible lighting system that can be easily expanded or reconfigured to meet varying illumination needs, with individual control of each light fixture and reduced environmental impact due to the absence of mercury hazards.

Implementation Method 1

the heat which is produced by LEDs is usually past back to a heat sink making them cool to the touch

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

LEDs are becoming more and more popular. LEDs require lower power consumption than do CFLs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS10465896B2Linkable lighting systems

Publication Date: 2019.11.05 ETI SOLID STATE LIGHTING INC

AI summary

An LED linkable light system including LED light assemblies having LED light fixtures which are linkable together to enable linked individual LED lights to be turned on or off individually or together. Any number of LED linkable light fixtures can be linked together, and electricity is provided by a power cord being linked to one of the linked LED light fixtures and to a power source. The LED lamps are preferably LED shop lights or LED strip lights.