Low voltage coupling design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical lighting systems lack flexibility and efficiency in independently exciting multiple light strings with different excitation signals, leading to increased complexity and cost in creating sophisticated lighting effects.
Innovation Solution
A modular electrical interface design that allows independent excitation of light strings through a standardized wiring assembly with user-selectable interconnections, enabling multiple channels to be distributed efficiently across a network with reduced wiring needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light strings are excited independently with different excitation signals, then lighting effect versatility is improved, but system complexity and wiring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the lighting network into multiple independent channels, each capable of carrying different excitation signals. The transformer output is segmented into multiple secondary windings (e.g., four channels), and the coupling assembly segments the connection points to allow selective connection of different light strings to different channels. This segmentation enables independent excitation of multiple light strings while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple excitation signals through a single interface. The multi-channel coupling assembly can accommodate different channel configurations (e.g., connecting one light string to channel 1, another to channel 2, etc.) and supports various connection orientations (e.g., 0-degree, 90-degree, 180-degree orientations). This multi-functionality allows the same coupling assembly to serve multiple purposes: distributing power, routing control signals, and enabling different lighting effect configurations without requiring different hardware for each scenario.
2Ease of operation
If standardized wiring assemblies with user-selectable interconnections are used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly is pre-configured with multiple connection points and internal wiring during manufacturing, allowing users to simply plug and play without complex assembly steps. The transformer is pre-wired with multiple secondary windings and connection terminals. This preliminary action during manufacturing creates a user-friendly system where the complexity is absorbed during production, and the end user benefits from simple, intuitive operation with minimal assembly required.
3Loss of substance
If multiple channels are distributed across a network with reduced wiring needs, then loss of substance is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly merges multiple functions into a single device: it combines multiple connection points for different channels, integrates the wiring distribution network, and consolidates the interface for user interaction. Instead of having separate connectors and wiring for each channel, the multi-channel coupling assembly combines all these functions into one unified component that distributes multiple excitation signals while reducing the overall wiring material needed in the system.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and associated methods relate to an electrical interface design architecture to independently excite each of a network of light strings and/or light string controllers with any of a number of independent excitation signals. In an illustrative example, each of the light strings may receive a selected one of the excitation signals conducted via a wiring assembly to an interface formed as a plug or a corresponding socket. In some embodiments, the interface may galvanically connect one or more of the excitation signals to a corresponding load according to user-selection of a relative orientation between the plug and the socket. In some implementations the load may include a down-stream controller that draws operating power through a selected one of the conductors at the interface. In various implementations, the interface may supply a load such as a multi-channel cable or single channel light string, for example.